• St Anselm's School is broad, energetic and reassuringly traditional in the best sense, and aims to combine secure academic foundations with confidence, opportunity and readiness for the next stage.

• Will suit families seeking a broad Derbyshire prep where boarding, outdoor space and secure senior-school preparation all matter.

Admissions at St Anselm's School are warm, visit led and well suited to families seeking a Peak District prep with full boarding, strong outdoor space and a clearly broad school day. The school should suit parents who value a prep environment where children are known well, opportunities feel generous and the route to senior school is carefully supported.

Scholarships are not the main draw at this age. Families choose St Anselm's School for its boarding option, strong facilities and broad prep-school experience rather than for awards alone, even if later scholarships may form part of the onward picture.

The overall picture is broad and characterful, with the school foregrounding its Peak District setting, extensive facilities and the fact that full boarding is part of the proposition. Parents should still visit because the decisive question is whether the balance of warmth, breadth and boarding culture feels right for their child.

Assessment at St Anselm's School is structured but appropriately child centred, with close tracking of core skills, regular feedback and enough breadth to keep outdoor learning, sport and the arts in view as well. Parents should expect clear communication, secure monitoring and enough stretch to prepare children well for the next stage without making testing the whole story.