Bowdon Preparatory School, Altrincham
Bowdon Preparatory School is an independent school for pupils aged 3 to 11 in Altrincham. It is inspected by the Independent Schools Inspectorate (ISI) rather than Ofsted; its most recent ISI inspection was a routine inspection in November 2025.
Data last updated 26 Oct 2026
Bowdon Preparatory School in detail
Bowdon Preparatory School in its own words
In its own words: "To continue to be recognised as a leading Prep school, providing unforgettable learning experiences which inspire our pupils to Believe in themselves and to Persevere and Succeed in all that they do."
Clubs and activities named on the school's website include football, netball, athletics, gymnastics, cross-country, yoga, judo, dance, drama and choir.
The school runs after-school care.
Coming up: an admissions event on Tuesday 17 November 2026 and an open day on Tuesday 17 November 2026. Check the school's website before you go, as dates can change.
All school open days in Trafford
Vision and values (school website)Clubs (school website)Wraparound care (school website)
Source: The school's own website
Compared with nearby schools
The nearest other independent schools to Bowdon Preparatory School are Altrincham Preparatory School (0.4 miles), Hale Preparatory School (0.5 miles), Forest School (1.3 miles) and St Ambrose Prep School (1.7 miles).
Altrincham Preparatory SchoolHale Preparatory SchoolForest SchoolSt Ambrose Prep School
Who goes there
In 2026, 19 pupils (8.3%) received SEN support and 1 (0.4%) had an education, health and care plan.
Getting there
The nearest railway station is Hale Rail Station, about 500 metres away (roughly a 6-minute walk).
14 bus stops are within a five-minute walk; the closest is Bowden Prepatory School (outside), 60 metres away.
Sources: DfE school census and special educational needs statistics; NaPTAN (Department for Transport)
Key Information
DfE GIASISI Inspection Reports
Independent schools in England are inspected by the Independent Schools Inspectorate (ISI), not Ofsted. Ofsted last inspected this school in 11 March 2013, before the latest ISI inspection.
Routine Inspection
4 November 2025
Educational Quality / Focused Compliance
15 November 2022
Regulatory Compliance
22 November 2017
At a Glance
No
Boarding
Yes
Nursery
No
Sixth Form
No
Special Measures
How Does This School Compare?
Ranked against 5 nearby schools
Latest from Bowdon Preparatory School
Bowdon Bulletin 19 May 2026
19 May 2026
Bowdon Bulletin 8 May 2026
8 May 2026
Bowdon Bulletin 1 May
1 May 2026
Bowdon Bulletin 24 April 2026
24 Apr 2026
Bowdon Bulletin 27 March 2026
27 Mar 2026
Bowdon Bulletin 20 March 2026
20 Mar 2026
From Bowdon Preparatory School's website. School Signal is not affiliated with the school.
Social & online
Keep up with Bowdon Preparatory School
Getting There
Train Stations
Tube / Metro / Tram
Bus Stops
Safety and surroundings
Road collisions within 500 m (2021 to 2025)
- Collisions
- 10
- Fatal
- 1
- Serious
- 1
- Children hurt
- 1
Within 500 m of the school's mapped location, police recorded 10 road collisions in which someone was injured in 2021 to 2025: 1 fatal, 1 serious and 8 slight.
1 child aged 0 to 15 was hurt: 1 on foot.
3 of the collisions happened on a weekday between 08:00 and 09:30 or 14:45 and 16:30, holidays included.
The typical figure for schools in Trafford is 11 (the median across 103 schools, same distance and years).
Serious and slight counts use the Department for Transport's severity adjustment, which allows for changes in how police forces record injuries; they are estimates, rounded to whole numbers. Distances are in a straight line. Source: Department for Transport, Road Safety Data (STATS19), Open Government Licence v3.0.
Commute and house prices
Capacity & Demand
School Occupancy
61%
Available places
230 pupils
375 places
145 spare places
as recorded on GIAS
Area Demand Pressure - Altrincham
Based on MHCLG Live Table 122 (2024-25, last 5 years) for Altrincham
Across Trafford council
Places available
3,679
Applications
3,221
Got 1st preference
81.0%
Got preferred school
98.4%
All secondary applications across Trafford council (2026/27), not just this school.
Inspection History
SEND & SEN Provision
SEN Overview
19
SEN Support
1
EHC Plans
8.7%
of Total Pupils
2026 academic year
Provision & Specialist Facilities
Pupils by Need Type
No need-level breakdown available
Pupil Demographics
Key Indicators
230
Total Pupils
0
Boys
230
Girls
2026 academic year
Linked Schools
Schools linked by geographic proximity
Bowdon Preparatory School
Questions parents ask about Bowdon Preparatory School
When was Bowdon Preparatory School last inspected?
Bowdon Preparatory School is inspected by the Independent Schools Inspectorate (ISI) rather than Ofsted. Its most recent ISI inspection was a routine inspection in November 2025.
How many pupils go to Bowdon Preparatory School?
Bowdon Preparatory School has around 230 pupils on roll.
How do I apply to Bowdon Preparatory School?
Bowdon Preparatory School is an independent school and runs its own admissions rather than going through the local authority. Contact the school directly for entry requirements, assessment dates, fees and any bursaries.
How many road collisions happen near Bowdon Preparatory School?
Within 500 m of the school's mapped location, police recorded 10 road collisions in which someone was injured in 2021 to 2025: 1 fatal, 1 serious and 8 slight. 1 child aged 0 to 15 was hurt: 1 on foot. 3 of the collisions happened on a weekday between 08:00 and 09:30 or 14:45 and 16:30, holidays included. The typical figure for schools in Trafford is 11 (the median across 103 schools, same distance and years).
Where is Bowdon Preparatory School?
Bowdon Preparatory School is at Ashley Road, Altrincham, Cheshire, WA14 2LT.
Source: Department for Transport, Road Safety Data (STATS19)