GSGrammarSchool Hub
School profile Verified 17 July 2026

Gloucestershire Private schools

The Acorn School

Church Street, Nailsworth, GL6 0BP

The Acorn School is a private secondary-stage school in Stroud, Gloucestershire, with a published age range of 6-18.

Private school Co-ed Ages 6-18 Sixth form No boarders Individual
Application ?
Apply direct to school
Age range
6-18
Ofsted ?
All standards Met
Boarding ?
No boarders
Compare Official website Map

On this page

At a glance

Key facts

Sector
Private school
Gender
Mixed
Application ?
Individual
Age range
6-18
Boarding ?
No boarders
Route check
Independent schools do not use the local-authority grammar-school catchment model; check the school site for boarding, transport and eligibility rules.
Ofsted ?
All standards Met

Overview

The Acorn School has built its identity around child-centred, experiential learning rather than the usual examination sequence. Founded in 1991 and established in Nailsworth from 1993, it educates pupils from ages 6 to 18 through academic work, art, craft, movement, practical activity and outdoor education.

The upper school follows the New Zealand Certificate of Steiner Education, an internationally recognised alternative pathway, rather than SATs, GCSEs and A levels. Sustained projects, small classes, individual development and regular time outdoors are integral to the approach, with camps and expeditions continuing through the upper years.

This qualification route is the central question at entry. Its recognition needs to be considered against the intended university or post-16 destination, alongside admissions fit, fees and the journey to Nailsworth. Acorn asks pupils to commit to an alternative assessment and curriculum model, not merely a different timetable.

Key points
Assessment route
Applications are made directly to the school. Check the school's own admissions pages for registration dates, entrance assessment stages, interviews, fees, scholarships and bursaries.
Places and demand
Published Year 7 place numbers and applicant-per-place data are not included in GIAS for this private-school seed profile.
Catchment
Private-school eligibility is not controlled by the local-authority grammar catchment model; check boarding, day-pupil, transport and any sibling or faith rules on the school site.
Results
Independent-school performance data is patchier in official releases, so GCSE and A-level comparisons should be checked against the school's published results.
Sixth form
Sixth form available.

School details
Sector
Private school
School type
Other independent school
Funding
Independent fee-paying
Application
Apply direct to school
Gender
Mixed
Age range
6-18
Headteacher
Ms Rebecca Mitchell
Pupil roll
87 pupils
Sixth form
Yes

Location and contact

Address

Address
Church Street, Nailsworth, Stroud, Gloucestershire
Postcode
GL6 0BP
Area
Gloucestershire

School leadership

Headteacher
Ms Rebecca Mitchell

School contact

School phone
01453836508

Admissions contact

Admissions team
Admissions
Admissions email
contact@theacornschool.com
Admissions phone
+44 (0)1453 836508
Open in Map Open school website

Admissions
Application route
Apply direct to school
Age range
6-18
Gender
Mixed
Boarding
No boarders
Day fees
Annual senior-stage tuition including VAT from September 2026.
Scholarships and bursaries
Bursaries available
Entrance details
There is no formal written entrance examination. Secondary applicants are considered through school reports and other relevant evidence, parent and pupil interviews, a possible class-level written and Mathematics task, and a two-week Acorn Experience that forms part of the formal application process.
Admissions note
Entry is not academically selective. The school reviews whether its curriculum, class group and available support can meet the applicant's needs, using family and pupil interviews, recent reports, work samples and class-level written and Mathematics tasks. Most successful applicants then complete a two-week Acorn Experience before a confirmed offer or offer in principle. No Year 7 intake number is published.

Entry is not academically selective. The school reviews whether its curriculum, class group and available support can meet the applicant's needs, using family and pupil interviews, recent reports, work samples and class-level written and Mathematics tasks. Most successful applicants then complete a two-week Acorn Experience before a confirmed offer or offer in principle. No Year 7 intake number is published.

Independent schools do not use the local-authority grammar-school catchment model; check the school site for boarding, transport and eligibility rules.

Oversubscription and eligibility

  1. 1

    Able to join promptly

    Preference may be given to an applicant who can join at the end of the admissions process rather than requiring the school to hold a place for an extended period.

  2. 2

    Child of a member of staff

    This is the first stated order of preference where places are limited.

  3. 3

    Sibling already at the school

    Applicants with a sibling already attending receive the next stated preference.

  4. 4

    Sibling applying at the same time

    An applicant with a sibling who also wants to join receives the next stated preference.

  5. 5

    Alternative setting or shared ethos

    Previous experience of an alternative educational setting or a school with shared values or ethos is considered next.

  6. 6

    Date of initial enquiry form

    The completion date of the online initial enquiry form is the final published ordering factor.

Admissions policy

The Acorn School Admissions Policy

Exam and test format

Entrance route and assessment

There is no formal written entrance examination. Secondary applicants are considered through school reports and other relevant evidence, parent and pupil interviews, a possible class-level written and Mathematics task, and a two-week Acorn Experience that forms part of the formal application process.

Assessment route
Individual
Papers and stages
3 papers
Format
Mixed format

Papers and rounds

  1. Paper 1

    Application evidence review

    The school reviews recent school reports, relevant educational or medical reports and a selection of the applicant's recent work.

  2. Paper 2

    Maths, Interview, Other

    Parent and pupil interviews with class-level tasks

    Parents meet a leadership-team member, while the pupil meets the prospective class teacher or Upper School class sponsor and a leader; the assessment can include recent-work review plus written and Mathematics tasks at class level.

  3. Paper 3

    Two-week Acorn Experience

    Applicants who are successful at interview complete a two-week full-time Acorn Experience as part of the formal application process. New Class 1 September entrants are exempt; secondary applicants are not.

Published assessment components

Maths and Interview are listed across the school's published assessment routes.

Published

  • Maths

  • Interview

    Parents meet a leadership-team member, while the pupil meets the prospective class teacher or Upper School class sponsor and a leader; the assessment can include recent-work review plus written and Mathematics tasks at class level.

Application

Key dates

Get date reminders

  1. Private tour

    Before formal application

    The admissions team arranges a private tour after the initial enquiry form is completed.

  2. Admissions interview

    After application review

    Interviews are arranged if a place may become available.

  3. Acorn Experience

    Two weeks when a place becomes available

    Secondary applicants complete this stage after a successful interview.

  4. Immediate-entry offer acceptance

    Before the agreed joining date

    For confirmed offers where the applicant is expected to join immediately after the Acorn Experience.

  5. Later-entry offer acceptance

    Within two weeks of offer

    For confirmed offers where the agreed joining date is later than the Acorn Experience.

How to apply

  1. 1

    Request the initial enquiry form

    Email or call Admissions for the online enquiry form, then attend the private tour arranged after the form is returned.

    Contact Admissions
  2. 2

    Submit the student application

    After the visit, complete the online application and provide recent school reports plus relevant language, educational and medical information.

    Read the admissions policy
  3. 3

    Attend the family and pupil interviews

    Parents meet a leadership team member; the pupil meets the prospective class teacher or sponsor and may complete class-level written and Mathematics work.

    Review the assessment route
  4. 4

    Complete the Acorn Experience

    Except for new Class 1 September entrants, successful interview candidates complete a two-week full-time experience when a class place becomes available.

    Check the experience stage
  5. 5

    Respond to the written offer

    The school issues a confirmed offer or an offer in principle according to availability and intended start date; families accept within the stated period and pay the registration charge where required.

    Review offer terms

Official admissions documents

Admissions policy

The Acorn School Admissions Policy

Inspection
View report
All standards Met

Latest inspection: 23 May 2023

Quality of education
1
Behaviour and attitudes
1
Personal development
1
Leadership and management
1
Sixth form provision
1

Quick summary

  • Ofsted inspection outcome: Ofsted's latest independent school standard inspection began on 2023-05-23. The reported outcome is: All standards Met.
  • Ofsted safeguarding: The Ofsted dataset records safeguarding as: Yes.

Similar schools and comparisons

Nearby schools families also consider

Local rivals appear first, followed by nearby alternatives where the journey and admissions route are still comparable.

Nearby schools with similar results

Closest comparable alternatives with a similar academic profile, so parents can weigh local fit and results together.

Shortlist comparisons

Compare Acorn School with Abingdon School Compare Acorn School with Bloxham School Compare Acorn School with Akeley Wood Senior School

Explore this school in context

Private schools near Gloucestershire

Independent secondary-stage school profiles with direct-application, age range and boarding context.

Related pages and guides

Guides and related reading

Related guides are still being added.

FAQ

Frequently asked questions

How does Acorn School handle admissions?

Acorn School handles applications directly. Check the school website for registration dates, entrance assessments, interviews, fees, scholarships and bursaries.

How do I apply to Acorn School?

1. Request the initial enquiry form: Email or call Admissions for the online enquiry form, then attend the private tour arranged after the form is returned. 2. Submit the student application: After the visit, complete the online application and provide recent school reports plus relevant language, educational and medical information. 3. Attend the family and pupil interviews: Parents meet a leadership team member; the pupil meets the prospective class teacher or sponsor and may complete class-level written and Mathematics work. 4. Complete the Acorn Experience: Except for new Class 1 September entrants, successful interview candidates complete a two-week full-time experience when a class place becomes available. 5. Respond to the written offer: The school issues a confirmed offer or an offer in principle according to availability and intended start date; families accept within the stated period and pay the registration charge where required.

When are the key dates for Acorn School?

Private tour: Before formal application. Admissions interview: After application review. Acorn Experience: Two weeks when a place becomes available. Immediate-entry offer acceptance: Before the agreed joining date. Later-entry offer acceptance: Within two weeks of offer

What does the latest inspection picture look like for Acorn School?

Acorn School is currently rated All standards Met following the latest published inspection dated 23 May 2023.