Highfields Independent School And Day Nursery
Secular, Founded 1950
Updated July 2026
Highfields Independent School and Day Nursery is a thriving, co-educational school in Newark-on-Trent for children aged 2 to 11. It provides a supportive, family-focused environment that balances academic excellence with holistic personal development.
Curriculum
Teaching approach
Highfields operates as a family-oriented school that prioritizes pastoral care, manners, and the development of well-rounded, confident individuals. It emphasizes a strengths-focused environment where personal growth and well-being are valued alongside academic success. The school aims to foster a love of learning, curiosity, and a sense of responsibility, preparing pupils to be proactive and tolerant global citizens.
Programmes
The school offers a curriculum spanning from a Day Nursery for children aged 2, through to Reception, Pre-Prep (Forms 1-2), and Prep (Forms 3-6). The academic programme includes core subjects supplemented by specialist teaching in music, sport, and speech and drama. Enrichment activities include swimming, archery, gymnastics, climbing, golf, and sailing, alongside a dedicated Forest School programme.
Outcomes
The school prepares pupils for 11+ entry and common entrance examinations for senior schools, with recent leavers moving on to institutions such as Nottingham High School, Trent College, and various grammar schools. Pupils frequently achieve scholarships in disciplines including music, sport, art, and academics. The school reports that pupils consistently achieve significantly above the national average.
Student support
Learning support
The school maintains small class sizes to ensure individual attention and support for all pupils. The Deputy Head serves as the SENDCo, and the teaching team monitors each child's progress to identify and address any areas of difficulty, catering to various learning styles and abilities.
Tuition & fees
No published fee schedule was found for this school.
Admissions
The admissions process begins with a visit or attendance at an Open Day. Following this, a £100 registration fee is required to reserve a place, after which the child is invited for a 'Desk Day' to experience a full, immersive school day. Upon a successful assessment, an offer of a place is made, which is secured with a £500 deposit that is fully refunded when the child leaves at the end of Form 6.
Facilities
About the campus
The school is set within 14 acres of mature parkland, featuring sports fields, a MUGA pitch, track and field facilities, and a sports hall. The historic school building includes a multi-purpose hall with a professional stage, private music rooms, and a library. Additionally, the grounds house a Forest School area equipped with a treehouse, campfire, hammocks, and a demonstration area for teaching bushcraft skills.
- Mrs S H LyonsHeadteacher DSL
Mrs Lyons is the Headteacher and Designated Safeguarding Lead (DSL) at Highfields. She holds a BEd (Hons) in Primary (Early Years) education.
- G MartinDeputy Head/SENDCo/Prep School
G Martin serves as the Deputy Head, SENDCo, and Prep School teacher. He holds a B.A. (Hons) and QTS.
- Miss H DayOperations Manager/Bursar
Miss H Day is the Operations Manager and Bursar at the school. She holds a CertHE.
- Mrs N HickinbottomEarly Years Lead and Reception Teacher
Mrs N Hickinbottom is the Early Years Lead and Reception Teacher. She holds a B.Ed. (Hons).
- Mrs L WrightHead of Music and Form 2 Teacher
Mrs L Wright is the Head of Music and a Form 2 Teacher. She holds a PGCE in Music.
- Mrs H RoundsForm 1 Teacher & PE Lead
Mrs H Rounds is the PE Lead and a Form 1 Teacher. She holds a BA Hons in Sport and a PGCE.
- Mrs J McGhieAssessment Lead and Form 6 Teacher
Mrs J McGhie is the Assessment Lead and a Form 6 Teacher. She holds a Music PGCE and an MA in Education.