Bronte School

Bronte is an independent, co-educational preparatory school in Gravesend, Kent, serving children aged three to 11. It has been part of this community since 1905. There is one class per grade level, with no more than 20 students. Each classroom is supervised by two adults. The school is small by design, built to feel less like an institution and more like a second home.

Family culture and academic ambition are twin pillars at Bronte and they depend on each other. A child who feels known and valued will learn. A child who is anxious or invisible will not. Bronte builds everything on that conviction.

“We certainly feel like we are going above and beyond in terms of care and wellbeing, because that is valued just as highly as the academic success of the children,” says Mrs Wood.

Inspection at a glance

As an independent school, Bronte School is inspected by the Independent Schools Inspectorate (ISI) rather than Ofsted.

Bronte School was found by inspectors to be fully compliant in all areas of school life, and pupils’ academic outcomes were recognised as a significant strength of the School.

This is a rare and prestigious accolade: an area of significant strength is considered noteworthy because only a very small proportion of schools inspected are awarded such recognition.

As of July 2025, only 10% of independent schools inspected by ISI have received this distinction in their reports.

The full inspection report is linked from this page so you can read the inspectors' own words.

Admissions at Bronte School

The best way to find out about Bronte is to visit and see the School for yourself. A visit and tour can be arranged at any time during term-time and will include a meeting with the Headmistress or Deputy Head, as well as the opportunity to meet your child’s prospective class teacher. To arrange a visit, please contact Nicky Mason, Registrar, on 01474 533805 or e-mail nicky.mason@bronteschool.co.uk.

Following an enquiry or visit, you may wish to register. This involves submission of a form, together with the non-refundable registration fee (£120) and original birth certificate or passport. Registration ensures that we stay in touch, and enables an “Assessment and Familiarisation Visit” (AFV) to take place.

The AFV is important for both the family and the school. It allows observation of a child in the School setting, as well as allowing the child and parents to get a further feel for the School and to affirm that the environment suits. School or nursery reports are usually also requested at this stage.

Shortly after the AFV, the School will contact you to confirm whether a place can be offered.

Most children join Bronte in the Kindergarten class (for children aged 3 on 1st September of the year of entry). Early application is advisable. Places do occasionally arise in Reception class and other classes: do enquire about entry with the Registrar (nicky.mason@bronteschool.co.uk).

SEND at a glance

The School is academically selective and offers a broad and challenging curriculum designed to enable pupils to achieve their potential. We recognise that pupils may have a range of individual learning needs and, where a SEND need is identified, appropriate and reasonable adaptations are made to teaching and learning to support access to the curriculum and enable pupils to make progress.

Before and after school care

Bronte offers wraparound care for pupils. The school opens at 7.30am for Before-School Care, which includes a light breakfast. The gates open at 8.00am, where staff members are always present as children enter the playground to catch up with friends. The gates close at 8.45am, and the school day begins when children are collected from the playground by their class teacher. Once the school day finishes, Bronte offers a wide-ranging selection of daily clubs covering areas such as Music and Theatre, Art and Crafts, Sport, and Science, among many others. Parents can also opt for After-School Care until 5.45pm, which includes a light tea.

Bronte also runs holiday clubs during the Christmas, Easter and Summer Holiday hosted by Bronte Staff. The children love our clubs and are thoroughly entertained throughout the day by a wide host of activities.

Bronte School contact details and location

You will find Bronte School at 7 Pelham Road, Gravesend, Kent, DA11 0HN.

The school office can be reached on 01474 533805.

A map, directions and the school's own website link are on this page.