Get to know Us

A WELCOME FROM OUR HEAD

Hannah Cunningham, Head at S. Anselm’s

Choosing a school is one of the most important decisions a parent will make.

We can easily find ourselves comparing a list of facts and figures: destinations, results and facilities. Of course, these things matter. I believe that there is a far more important question to consider:

How do we want our children to spend these precious years?

At S. Anselm’s, we believe childhood should not be rushed. It should be climbed, explored, performed, questioned and discovered. That belief shapes everything we do.

Set in the heart of the Peak District, we are privileged to call one of the most beautiful parts of the country our classroom. Here, pupils spend time outdoors in all seasons. They learn that they are capable of more than they thought possible, whether standing on the summit of Mam Tor, performing on the stage of Hargreaves Hall, competing on the sports field or leading their peers.

A S. Anselm’s education is rich in opportunity. Our pupils swim every week, learn French, Spanish and Mandarin, explore philosophy, engage with artificial intelligence and benefit from exceptional sporting facilities. They may find themselves sailing, skiing, debating, creating, competing or discovering a passion they never knew they had. 

Just as importantly, we work closely with families to support individual talents and interests, recognising that every child is different.

Whilst our roots are proudly traditional, our eyes are firmly fixed on the future. Through specialist teaching, a broad and ambitious curriculum and a culture of high expectations, we seek to develop young people who are curious, capable and kind.

S. Anselm’s is a place where children are given the confidence to have a go. To step onto the stage, pull on their boots, ask the question, lead the team, take the risk and discover what they are capable of. 

Above all, we want children to look back on their years at S. Anselm’s and remember a childhood filled with adventure, opportunity and joy.

I hope you enjoy exploring our website and learning more about our remarkable school. Better still, come and visit us. We would be delighted to welcome you.

‘Esse Quam Videri’
To be, rather than to seem to be

two pupils
respect
self-awareness
individuality
curiosity
belonging

OUR RICH HISTORY

With nature as our guide, we’ve been educating differently for 138 years.

place 1888

School Founded

S. Anselm’s is opened by Cambridge graduate and naturalist, Mr Storrs Fox.

uniform 1900

Our First Uniform

Our uniform was introduced, including the largely unchanged S. Anselm’s blazer.

electric 1927

Electric

Electricity and electric lighting was installed for the first time.

school houses 1947

School Houses

Our School Houses were introduced: Churchills, Nelsons, Pitts and Wellingtons.

swimming pool 1963

Swimming Pool Opens

An outdoor swimming pool was built and with it, the inter-House swimming gala was established.

co-ed 1976

Co-Ed

The school became fully co-educational, admitting its first four girls.

1999

Millennium
Sports Hall Opens

The Millennium Sports Hall was opened by the Lord Lieutenant of Derbyshire.

2004

Hargreaves Hall Opens

The 240-seat state of the art theatre was opened.

2016

Lego Innovation Studio Launches

Launch of the LEGO Innovation Studio®.

2021

Awarded Prep School of the year

We were awarded UK Prep School of the Year by Tatler Magazine

playground 2025

An Independent School

S. Anselm’s was re-established as an independent school.

S. Anselm’s Prep School Houses

S. Anselm’s has a long-established House tradition, established in 1947, each with its own colours, crest, flag and traditions.

Children and staff at S. Anselm’s are divided into four Houses and engage in a variety of enjoyable and entertaining competitions throughout the year including inter-house sports, the annual pancake races, the mud run, the flag contest, the House Shout and the House general knowledge contest and times table challenge.

All pupils learn the history of their House hero and attend a weekly meeting to discuss plans and agree fundraising ideas for a charity of their choice.

Children earn House Points in various ways, including for excellent school work, manners, courtesy and doing good deeds.

House loyalties are fiercely defended on a weekly basis with the victorious House able to raise their own House Flag in the school car park for all to see. Children are allocated to Houses on arrival at school, and siblings or other family relations are automatically allocated to the same House.

CHURCHILLS
PITTS
PITTS
NELSONS
wellingtons
WELLINGTONS
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pupils nutrition

Let them be themselves, 
just as nature intended.