{{Use dmy dates|date=September 2019}} {{Use British English|date=February 2023}} {{Infobox school | name = Castle Court School | image = | image_size = | caption = | coordinates = {{coord|50.7742|-2.0322|type:edu_region:GB_dim:100|format=dec|display=inline,title}} | motto = Dominus Dat Sapientiam | established = {{Start date|1948|df=y}} | closed = | type = [[Preparatory school (United Kingdom)|Preparatory school]] | religious_affiliation = [[Interdenominational]] | president = | head_label = Headmaster | head = Katie Johnson | r_head_label = | r_head = | chair_label = | chair = | founders = Donald and Mary Scott | address = Knoll Lane | city = [[Corfe Mullen]] | county = [[Dorset]] | country = [[England]] | postal_code = BH21 3RF | urn = 113931 | ofsted = | staff = | capacity = | enrolment = 325 {{As of|2018|MM|lc=on}}<ref name="ISC">[http://www.isc.co.uk/schools/england/dorset/wimborne/castle-court-school ''Castle Court School''] at the Independent Schools Council website. Retrieved 3 Feb 2014.</ref> | gender = [[Coeducational]] | lower_age = 2 | upper_age = 13<ref name="ISC"/> | houses = | colours = | publication = | free_label1 = | free_text1 = | free_label2 = | free_text2 = | free_label3 = | free_text3 = | website = http://www.castlecourt.com/ }} [[File:Preserved Barn, Corfe Mullen - geograph.org.uk - 30793.jpg|thumb|Preserved barn in the grounds of the school—note the staddle stones at each corner]]
'''Castle Court School''' is a co-educational, [[Preparatory school (United Kingdom)|preparatory school]] located near the village of [[Corfe Mullen]] in the county of [[Dorset]], [[England]].
== Location == Castle Court School is located in 35 acres of grounds in rural countryside and centred on a small hill called Knoll Clump. It is about a mile northwest of the centre of Corfe Mullen, 4 miles north-northwest of [[Poole]], 8 miles northwest of [[Bournemouth]] and 9 miles southeast of [[Blandford Forum]]. Much of the surrounding country is farmland, but the forest plantations of Henbury and [[Stoney Down]] are about a mile to the west and southwest of the school.<ref name="OS">[[Ordnance Survey]] 1:50,000 map series, Sheet 195.</ref>
== History == Castle Court School was founded in 1948 by teacher, Donald Scott, and his wife, Mary, initially as a local boys, preparatory, day school. It was originally based at Castle Hill in the [[Parkstone]] quarter of [[Poole]].<ref name="DL">[http://www.dorsetlife.co.uk/2009/11/how-do-they-fit-it-all-in/ ''How do they fit it all in?''] at Dorset Life. Retrieved 3 Feb 2014.</ref>
In 1968, having outgrown its first home, the school moved ten miles away to a large house, Knoll Cottage, with a 35-acre estate, at Corfe Mullen. The house was built in the 1780s for a member of the Coventry family.<ref name="DL"/>
In the 1970s the school began admitting girls for the first time. It added a pre-prep department in the 80s and now has a nursery. By 2009, the school had around 300 pupils of whom about 60% were boys.<ref name="DL"/>
== Ethos == The school was founded by the Scotts "to provide a first-class Christian education".<ref name="CC">[http://www.castlecourt.com/introduction/ethos/ ''Castle Court School - Ethos''] at www.castlecourt.com. Retrieved 3 Feb 2014.</ref> Today, strong Christian principles still underpin all it does, although it welcomes pupils of all faiths. A very high priority is placed on pastoral care and also on principles such as sensitivity, thoughtfulness and consideration for others.<ref name="DL"/>
== Curriculum == The school teaches to the [[National Curriculum for England|National Curriculum]], with the pupils taking national tests like SATs. From Year 6 (ages 10+) upwards, Castle Court prepares the pupils for [[Common Entrance Examination|Common Entrance]], which they take in Year 8. CE is only compulsory to those pupils who are planning to go to an Independent secondary school.
== Head teachers == * Donald Scott, 1948–1978 * Mary Scott, 1978–1989 * Richard Nicholl, 1989–2010 * Richard Stevenson, 2010–2018 * Luke Gollings 2018–2023 * Andy Pilkington 2023–2024 * Katie Johnson 2024–current
== References == {{Reflist}}
== External links == * {{Official website|http://www.castlecourt.com/|Castle Court School official website}}
{{Schools in Dorset}}
{{authority control}}
[[Category:Preparatory schools in Dorset]] [[Category:Corfe Mullen]] [[Category:Educational institutions established in 1948]] [[Category:1948 establishments in England]]