'EXCELLENT' Inspection reports

We are extremely proud that both Yarm Prep and Senior School were rated 'EXCELLENT' - the highest outcome in every category in the recent ISI Inspection report.

Read more here

Tour the Senior School and Sixth Form

Our 360 virtual tour provides an opportunity to explore our fantastic facilities and hear from teachers and pupils

Explore the Senior School

Explore the Nursery, Pre-Prep and Prep School

Our 360 virtual tour allows you to explore the Nursery, Pre-Prep and Prep School. Watch videos from our teachers and hear from our pupils.

Tour the Prep School

One of the country's leading independent schools

Our academic results and facilities are outstanding but we offer so much more than an excellent academic education: we firmly believe in educating for life.

Find out more

Let the adventure begin at Prep School

Pupils are taught to be ambitious and seize opportunities both inside and outside the classroom. Our curriculum is wonderfully broad, dynamic and responsive to the needs of our pupils.

Our Prep School

Be inspired at Yarm Sixth Form

Our students consistently achieve exceptional A-level results and receive the pastoral care and support needed to flourish as young adults beyond the Sixth Form.

Our Sixth Form

Yarm School is a leading independent school for pupils aged 3-18 located in the beautiful town of Yarm in the North East of England.

Since our foundation in 1978, we have established ourselves as the major educational success story in the North East. Our outstanding academic success has placed us as the top performing school in Teesside and County Durham and our unrivalled extra-curricular opportunities have seen pupils achieving regional, country and even national honours.

We offer specialist teaching, outstanding pastoral care, state-of-the-art facilities, an extensive extra-curricular programme and small class sizes to all of our pupils here at Yarm School. Our aim is to provide pupils with the attributes they need to develop into adults who will contribute positively to society. It is important to us that the necessary skills are honed within a caring, friendly and mutually supportive community. 

Our independent Nursery, Prep School, Senior School and Sixth Form welcome ambitious families from around Teesside and the North East, including Yarm, Stockton, Wynyard, Darlington, Northallerton, Hartlepool and more.

More about Yarm School

Over 1/3

of pupils achieved 3 or more A*-A grades in their 2023 A Levels

£30m+

spent on superb award-winning facilities

£25,000

raised by the Prep and Senior School for charities in the last year

6 times

Eco-Schools Green Flag Award winner

38,000

visitors from the school and local community to the school's Friarage Theatre and Princess Alexandra Auditorium to see events

320

pupils involved in the school’s annual Lower School Prize Giving musical performance

Latest News

View All News

Gallery

Videos

View All Videos

Photos

View All Photos

We Are Yarm School

Melissa Meikle

Melissa Meikle

Senior HR Adviser

I joined Yarm School September 2005 for Sixth Form. From my time at Yarm, I recall many fond memories of sporting competitions, Sixth Form dinners and end of term ceremonies. The majority of the enjoyment from my time was in part due to friendships with peers and supportive teaching staff.Returning as a member of staff, I have seen countless positive changes in the infrastructure of the school, my younger self would have really appreciated the on tap cappuccinos from the Shack! What I enjoy most about my job is that I get to work with staff across all aspects of their employee lifecycle including from recruitment to retirement.

Dr Paul Prideaux

Dr Paul Prideaux

Head of Physics

Science is a very popular part of our curriculum. We're lucky to have physics specialists teaching at all levels in the Senior School and the latest laboratory equipment. Results in Physics are some of the best of all subjects. We have a growing Physics Society, and our Second Year pupils recently won the Physics Olympics trophy.Our House system is also a highlight for me. I led Bede House for fourteen years helping to raise thousands of pounds for our House charities and I'll never forget the camaraderie across all pupil ages in events, such as House Drama.

Miss Hannah Rickards

Miss Hannah Rickards

Curriculum and Teaching Assistant

As a Curriculum and Teaching Assistant at Yarm Pre-Prep I am incredibly fortunate to spend my time watching and supporting our children thrive in a range of different environments. The opportunities available at Yarm School encourage children to step out of their comfort zone and they flourish. As a lover of the great outdoors, I particularly enjoy spending time with the children outside, seeing the world through their eyes and admiring their curiosity and zest for life. It is an honour to be part of such an inspiring community and I am looking forward to what the future holds for me at Yarm School.

Mr Chris Simpson

Mr Chris Simpson

Prep School Teacher

I feel privileged to work at such a fantastic school. My role is a unique one, as I am the only member of staff to teach every year group from Nursery to Year 6, this gives me the insight and opportunity to observe how the children develop and grow throughout their time in the Prep School, whether it be in PE and Games, Computing or RE. The opportunities that every pupil has at Yarm is second to none, from taking part in residentials to London and Hadrian's Wall, to attending sporting fixtures and overseas sports tours, which is always a highlight of Year 6. As well as having the chance to take part in a wide range of extra-curricular activities, there is something for everyone at the Prep School. Another unique part of Yarm is the Prep School Holiday School, that I run over six weeks of the school holidays, where visits are organised across the North East and Yorkshire. I enjoy seeing the children develop and grow in a different context. At Yarm there are always opportunities for children to excel.

Huw Williams

Huw Williams

Headmaster

I feel incredibly lucky to be Headmaster of such a fantastic school. The sense of community at Yarm is second to none and we value our place in our local community, too.  The breadth of opportunity on offer means that there is something for everyone to discover and in which to thrive.  Our pupils are confident without a shred of pretentiousness and our talented and passionate staff guide and support each individual on their personal journeys of discovery. This is no ordinary school!

Mrs Rachel Shepherd

Mrs Rachel Shepherd

Art Coordinator (Prep)

I am extremely proud and privileged to be Art Coordinator at Yarm Preparatory School. The breadth of opportunity for the pupils is fantastic and it is an honour to watch them flourish during their time with us. As a result of excellent facilities and generous time allowances for creative subjects, pupils are able to build upon their academic success to develop hobbies, skills and interest which will stay with them throughout their lives. Clubs, lessons, trips, competitions and involvement STEAM activities all allow for incredible little artists to prosper.

Bill Sawyer

Bill Sawyer

Prep School Head

Adventure, discovery and the thrill of learning abound from the very first day a pupil joins us. There is a unique buzz about life at Yarm and a genuine warmth that runs throughout our community. We are committed to working in close partnership for the benefit of every boy and girl. It’s a pleasure, a privilege and huge amounts of fun helping each pupil flourish as they journey through the School. We love what we do and so will you!

Sarah

Sarah

Former Pupil - Architecture | Cambridge University

I'm currently studying Architecture at Cambridge University and row for the Cambridge Women's Blues crew. I loved my time at Yarm and made friends for life there. I am so grateful to all of my teachers for supporting me and preparing me so well for life after Yarm and of course to the rowing and sports coaches who were instrumental to my rowing success whilst at School, exposing me to numerous valuable opportunities and experiences.

Ruth Langford

Ruth Langford

Vice-Chair of Governors

For the past seven years I have been privileged to be one of the Yarm School Governors, extending my connection to the School which began in 2001 when our family moved to the North East from Birmingham. Our three children started at Yarm School and it was a brand new venture for the whole family as we had no previous connections with the North East.  We found the Yarm School community welcoming and friendly with opportunities around every corner.  Over the years, and like many other parents, we have  collected offspring at varying times of the day and night after trips, or fixtures. I have always been struck by the vibrancy of the place. For me, it is the School that never sleeps, exuding its own special ’buzz’ and energy. It is a happy place with so much going on, but in a purposeful and well organised way. The School has an exciting future ahead and I feel humbled and privileged to be able to play a small part in The Yarm School journey.

Jonny

Jonny

Former Pupil & Science Scholar - Machine Learning Engineer | Lloyds Bank

Yarm School's Sixth Form Scholarship completely changed my life. When I joined the School, I found myself for the first time being taught and mentored by passionate teachers that were going above and beyond to enable my learning and ultimately, my success. The extra-curricular clubs and activities are extensive and I was able to take advantage of plenty of sports clubs, music ensembles, charity volunteering and far more, all of which I thoroughly enjoyed. I can say with confidence that I would not be where I am today if not for the unbelievable academic and extra-curricular support and opportunities that I was provided during my time at Yarm. I am incredibly thankful to have been offered the chance to study at such an excellent school for two amazing years. 

Connect