Welcome to Park School
A child-centred primary school rooted in the values of Human Scale Education
About Park School
A journey of growth, connection & discovery
Park School is a small, independent primary school on the Dartington Estate in South Devon, offering a human‑scale, nature‑rooted education for children aged 3–12. Here, every child is deeply known. Our small class sizes and relational approach ensure each pupil is seen, valued, and supported as an individual, growing in confidence, curiosity, and self‑belief.
Park School came into existence through the vision and energy of a group of parents and educators in 1987. As the world rapidly changes, so do we at Park School, ensuring we teach our children how to thrive in this new era and positively influence future generations.
Childhood needs space, not speed — and our approach reflects this. Learning at Park School is purposeful, hands‑on, and connected to the real world. Children learn with their whole selves: through movement, creativity, collaboration, and the living landscape around them. Nature is not a backdrop to our curriculum; it is a teacher in its own right.
Rooted in the values of Human Scale Education, Park School commits itself to nurturing children’s sense of self, others and the planet.
We understand how important it is for young children to be seen, heard and valued to flourish.
Our Mission
Valuing the individual
To provide an alternative, child-centred education for children between the ages of 3 – 12 years old that will enable them to develop a strong and positive sense of self and empowerment, build healthy relationships with others, each other and the planet, and help them to flourish, achieve and exercise agency in their world.
We recognise that progress looks different for every child. Rather than focusing solely on outcomes, we honour each pupil’s unique learning journey — nurturing emotional intelligence, independence, resilience, and a lifelong love of learning. This balanced approach enables children to thrive academically while also developing the social and personal skills they need to flourish in later life.
Our Vision
Inspire, innovate & thrive
Our vision of Park School is to nurture young people to positively influence their world. To be joyful learners, deeply connected to themselves, those around them, and the natural and human ecosystems of which they are part. To develop the skills to thrive in the wider world.
We believe that as children flourish, our families, communities, and world will grow with them.
Families choose Park School because they are seeking an alternative to mainstream education — one that values individuality, connection, and purpose. Our pupils leave us confident, articulate, grounded, and ready for a wide range of secondary pathways, carrying with them not only strong academic skills but also a deep sense of belonging, responsibility, and care for others and the world around them.
Child-centred education at our core
Park School allows your child to develop meaningful connections to self, others, and nature. It is a wonderful place to learn for children aged 3 to 12.
Hedgehogs
Our journey begins in our Early Years for children aged 3-5.
Squirrels
At ages 5 to 7, children enter a world of learning rich with imaginative and creative opportunities.
Rabbits
At ages 7 to 9, children are ready to flourish as independent learners.
Foxes
Children aged 9 to 12 in Foxes Class focus on acquiring essential skills for a successful transition to secondary school.
Meet the Park School Team
Meaningful & purposeful connections
Set within the inspiring grounds of the Dartington Estate, our children develop a meaningful relationship with the natural world alongside a strong academic foundation. Our carefully structured curriculum blends core subjects with outdoor learning, problem‑solving, and rich opportunities for self‑expression. Learning extends beyond the classroom, encouraging children to engage deeply with their environment, their community, and themselves.
At Park School, children are held by an experienced, adaptable, and passionate team of highly perceptive, kind, and compassionate practitioners in their approach to children’s needs.
As a result, the children at Park School make excellent progress during their journey with us. However, progress does not look or feel the same for each child. From their individual start points, to their differing destinations; children progress at a pace which enables them to flourish.
In the last academic year, the majority of school leavers achieved at Secure or Excelling level in Reading and Maths. All Children make significant progress in their Speaking and Listening, Personal, Social and Emotional Development, Environmental and Creative Education at Park School.
This world preparedness enables our oldest children to move on from Park School to successfully access a range of Secondary Provisions including: Kevvics, Totnes Independent School and SANDS – Democratic School.
“Tell me and I will forget, show me and I may remember; involve me and I will understand.'“
― Confucius
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Description Park School is a small, independent primary school in South Devon offering a human‑scale, child‑centred alternative to mainstream education for children aged 3–12. We prioritise relationships, wellbeing, and purposeful learning over high‑pressure testing, ensuring every child is deeply known and supported as an individual.text goes here
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Human‑scale values shape daily life at Park School. In practice, they mean keeping school small enough for every child to feel deeply known, valued, and understood. Our approach is relational, calm, and centred on the whole child.
At Park School, human‑scale values look like:
- Strong relationships: Every child is known as an individual and supported to grow with confidence.
- Autonomy: Children make choices, take responsibility, and develop independence at a pace that feels right for them.
- Community: Our small size creates genuine belonging. Children learn across ages, support one another, and feel part of a close, caring community.
- Pupil voice: Children are listened to and help shape aspects of school life. Their ideas, questions, and perspectives matter.
- Democratic understanding: Through class meetings, collaboration, and shared decision‑making, children learn how to express themselves respectfully and participate in community life.
- Love of learning: Curiosity, creativity, and hands‑on exploration drive our curriculum.
- Nature as teacher: Daily outdoor learning helps children connect with the natural world, supporting wellbeing, imagination, and real‑world understanding.cription text goes here
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Yes. Families choose Park School because they want an education that values individuality, connection, and purpose. Our approach balances strong academic foundations with emotional intelligence, creativity, and nature‑based learning — offering a calm, relational alternative to larger, more pressured mainstream settings. text goes here
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Park School is located on the Dartington Estate near Totnes in South Devon. Our setting provides woodlands, fields, gardens, and outdoor spaces that enrich learning and support children’s wellbeing.
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We welcome children aged 3–12, from Early Years through to upper primary. Most children leave us at the end of Year 6, but some families choose for their child to stay for Year 7 when an additional year of nurture, maturity, and confidence‑building is needed. This optional Year 7 acts as a respectful and supportive bridge into secondary school, helping children prepare for this significant transition at a pace that feels right for them.
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Children follow a rigorous, broad curriculum delivered in a supportive, low‑pressure environment. Academic progress is strong — particularly in reading, writing, maths, and communication — because children feel safe, confident, and motivated. We nurture curiosity, critical thinking, and a genuine love of learning.
