Copthorne Prep School joins award-winning Caterham Family of Schools  

Highly regarded and much-loved Sussex school Copthorne Prep School has confirmed it will join the award-winning Caterham family of schools with immediate effect. The move cements a long-standing relationship between the schools and will see Copthorne Prep School’s renowned academic and pastoral care strengthened further.  Caterham School was named Tes Best UK Senior School in June 2023 and has long been recognised for expertise in innovation, digital learning and wellbeing in addition to top academic results.  

Caterham School Headmaster, Ceri Jones, said: “This relationship will enable us to build on a shared educational vision and a culture of excellence for our young people, underpinned by wellbeing and innovation. All schools’ trustees and governors have given their full support to the new partnership, which will retain the unique character of CPS whilst allowing the school to grow and evolve with confidence over the coming years, gaining strength from being part of a successful, award-winning family of schools. 

Monisha Shah, Chair of Trustees at Caterham School said: “On behalf of Caterham’s Board of Trustees, I warmly welcome Copthorne Prep School into our family of schools. We stand ready to share our expertise to the mutual benefit of schools within our expanded family.” 

Copthorne Prep School Headmaster Nathan Close will continue to lead the school, which was judged ‘excellent’ in its recent ISI inspection, as it joins the Caterham group.  Nathan Close said: CPS has been providing first class education for children for the last 121 years. This next step is a fantastic opportunity to build on our proud legacy by joining a highly successful, forward-thinking family of schools which shares our core commitment to the happiness and success of our children. Crucially, parents can have full confidence that their children will continue to enjoy the happy, successful school they chose, and that their children will be fully supported and prepared for whichever senior school they chose beyond Copthorne Prep School.” 

The Caterham Family of Schools encompasses Caterham senior school, led by Headmaster Mr Ceri Jones and Caterham Prep led by Headmaster Ben Purkiss, and now Copthorne Prep School.  Caterham School is the founding school of the East Surrey Learning Partnership – a group of independent and state-maintained schools which work together as equal partners to further educational opportunity for all young people in the local area.