Discover Reception Open Event
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Preparatory School
At our Preparatory School, we pride ourselves on pioneering the Prep Way, a forward-thinking approach that shapes an exciting educational experience.
Our state-of-the-art facilities set the stage for an exceptional learning environment for activities, such as swimming lessons in our 25m pool, engaging science lessons in well-equipped labs and an extensive music and drama provision that nurtures creativity. Beyond the classroom, our Prep Adventures Programme, Forest School and activities such as fencing and judo bring additional excitement to the daily routine.
Experience the welcoming and open nature of our Prep School by taking advantage of our continuous engagement opportunities. Here every day is an Open Day and the best way to appreciate all that our school has to offer is to come and see it for yourself.
Our welcoming approach to new families ensures a smooth transition into our thriving community. We understand that choosing the right Prep School is a significant decision and we invite you to reach out to us. Our team is eager to chat with you about any aspect of school life and admissions, providing the information and support you need.
Entry into the Preparatory School
When you express your interest in a place at one of the region’s best Prep Schools, we’ll invite you to book a personal tour with our Head of Prep. Additionally, you have the opportunity to book a taster day for your child, allowing them to get a feel for the vibrant atmosphere at NULS Prep.
For Reception applicants, a place can be offered based on the outcome of an informal assessment. Children entering Years 1 to 6 will take an entrance test. Our team is dedicated to understanding each child’s potential and ensuring that they seamlessly integrate into our Prep School.
Following the assessment, our admissions team will promptly get in touch with you to discuss the outcome of your application. We believe in transparency and open communication, keeping you informed every step of the way.
Please find the below outline of our Nursery fees:
Age 3-4 Years
| Service | Hours | Sessions | Cost | |
| Full Week | 8.00am – 6.00pm | 10 | £263.00 | |
| Full Day | 8.00am – 6.00pm | 2 |
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| Short Day | 8.00am – 3.45pm | 2 | £47.15 | |
| Morning | 8.00am – 1.00pm | 1 | £32.80 | |
| Afternoon | 1.00pm – 6.00pm | 1 | £32.80 | |
| Additional Hours | Per Hour | £10.50 |
Effective from 1 November 2025
The option of term-time-only places is also available in the Nursery. It should be noted that term-time is defined as 38 weeks of the year (to match the Early Education Funding regulations).
Please note that Nursery fees are payable monthly in arrears.
Meals
Meals are charged as follows: £7.40 per full day, £5.35 per short day, £4.65 per morning session and £3.70 per afternoon session.
Age 2-3 Years
| Service | Hours | Sessions | Cost |
| Full Week | 8.00am – 6.00pm | 10 | £305.00 |
| Full Day | 8.00am – 6.00pm | 2 | £65.10 |
| Short Day | 8.00am – 3.45pm | 2 | £52.65 |
| Morning | 8.00am – 1.00pm | 1 | £37.80 |
| Afternoon | 1.00pm – 6.00pm | 1 | £37.80 |
| Additional Hours | Per Hour | £10.50 |
Funding
Little NULS Nursery is registered to receive Early Education Funding and the Tax-Free Childcare scheme.
We know that funding is important and beneficial for parents, so we are happy to advise on this procedure. Once we’ve advised you on this during the Little NULS Nursery application process, you can then decide whether you’d like to proceed any further with your application.
We are delighted to introduce a new, simpler and lower fee structure for families with children between Reception and Year 2, from September 2025. The new fee plan also makes things much simpler, incorporating lunch costs all into one single fee. The new fee plan for September 2025 is therefore as follows:
| Year Group | 2025/26 termly fee (inclusive of VAT) | |
| Reception | £3,995 | |
| Year 1 | £4,196 | |
| Year 2 | £4196 | |
| Years 3-6 | £5,107 |
School lunches are £320 per term for pupils in Year 3-6.
Pupils in Reception, Year 1 and Year 2 are not charged for lunches as this is included within the fees above.
Our termly fees for Senior School are £6,246 per term (inclusive of VAT).
School lunches are £335 per term.
A number of Bursaries are available for pupils applying for entry into the Senior School. Bursaries offer financial assistance with School Fees. This is dependent upon parental income.
Several scholarships for Senior School pupils are also available (Academic, Art and Design, Music, Performing Arts and Sport). For more information please contact our Admissions team – admissions@nuls.org.uk
Our termly fees for Sixth Form are £6,246 per term (inclusive of VAT).
Lunches are optional for Sixth Form pupils and are charged as taken.
Bursaries and Scholarships
A number of Bursaries and Scholarships are available for pupils applying for entry into the Sixth Form. Bursaries offer assistance with School Fees, depending on parental income.
The Registration Form has a section wherein parents may indicate their wish to apply for financial assistance.
In addition, the School offers a range of scholarships. Further details and procedures for applications can be obtained from the Registrar.
Transport Solutions
We operate several bus routes offering a convenient and safe method of getting children to and from the School. The number of routes has increased with demand, collecting children as close as possible to home addresses.
If you don’t see your area covered in our current bus routes, we encourage you to enquire. We’re dedicated to finding solutions that meet the needs of our school community. Prep pupils are eligible to use School Transport from Year 2 onwards, ensuring a seamless and secure travel experience.
Extracurricular Excellence
Co-curricular activities are pivotal to life in our Prep School. We take pride in offering a diverse range of activities, including sports, drama, music and an extensive array of clubs.
With over 55 clubs available each week, there’s undoubtedly something for everyone. Our commitment to providing quality co-curricular experiences allows our pupils to explore their passions, learn valuable life skills and thrive beyond the classroom. Discover the breadth and quality of our co-curricular offerings that contribute to the vibrant life of our school.
Inspection Highlights
In April 2024, NULS’ Nursery, Prep School, Senior School and Sixth Form received our latest Routine Inspection from ISI. Under their new, very rigorous framework, the inspectors gave a glowing and highly praising report of the school and went further bestowing on the school the accolade of a ‘significant strength’, due to the quality, impact and extent of the School’s co-curricular provision. This is a very rare honour for a school to receive. For a school that is so renowned for its academic strengths, this was a wonderful further accolade to receive and hopefully demonstrates how we succeed in our goal to provide an outstanding and rounded education.
The exceptional outcome of this latest inspection builds wonderfully on that of our school’s last inspection in March 2020, when NULS’ Nursery, Prep School, Senior School and Sixth Form were awarded the very highest gradings possible by ISI, securing a clean sweep of ‘Excellent’ grades in both Achievement and Personal Development; a brilliant testimony to the ability of our academic staff and support teams, and the hugely impressive achievements and personal qualities of our pupils.
Want to learn more?
There are lots of opportunities for families to come and visit our Preparatory School, including our Open Mornings in October and March and the range of other Open Events that are held throughout the year. We also offer Personal Tours with our Head of Prep, Mrs Thomson at a time to suit you. Keep an eye on our events page for upcoming events.
Yes, children looking to join NULS Prep from Year 1 onwards are required to take an entrance test. For children looking to join us in Reception, they are assessed via a classroom assessment.
Yes, we offer after-school care for pupils which is available until 6pm each night for an additional fee.
With our network spanning Staffordshire, Cheshire and Shropshire, Prep pupils can travel on our school transport from Year 2 onwards.
Mount Pleasant, Newcastle-Under-Lyme, Staffordshire, ST5 1DB
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