FAQs

Below, we share more information about the school in answer to the most frequently asked questions.

  • We are a member of the Independent Schools Association. The fees for 2025/26 are £8,100+VAT per year for Primary (£9,720) and £8,500+VAT per year for Secondary (£10,200), paid in advance in three instalments in Sept, Jan, April. We request a non refundable deposit to secure a place, which is deducted from your child’s final term's fees. Fees increase roughly in line with inflation each year.

  • For the 2025-26 academic year, we have 10-15 children in each of our four classes. Our learners are organised into four Tutor-led groups. We treat every child as an individual and there is some flexibility between cycles depending of each child’s learning journey and stage.

    • Cycle 1: 4-7 year olds (Reception to Year 2) who are supported to acquire basic competencies like learning to read and write through a play-based approach. 

    • Cycle 2 Juniors : 7-9 year olds (Year 3 to Year 4) who are moving forward with their learning and starting to become independent learners.

    • Cycle 2 Seniors: 9-12 year olds (Year 5 to Year 6) who are familiar with key competencies and are cementing their skills and expanding their knowledge in preparation for secondary school.

    • Cycle 3 Secondary: 12-14 year olds (Year 7 to Year 9) who are who are curious, capable young people ready to take greater ownership of their learning. At this stage, students work on interdisciplinary projects, deepen their academic knowledge, and develop critical life skills—collaboration, independence, and responsibility—as they prepare for the transition to upper secondary.

  • We currently cover Reception, Key Stage 1, Key Stage 2, and Key Stage 3 – so ages 4 to 14.

    By 2027, we plan to go all the way up to Year 11 (meaning a child can stay at Lumiar from ages 4 to 16).

  • Progressive education is an approach where children learn by doing (hands-on), that is child-centred (they have a big say in how and what they learn), and encourages discussion and active engagement. We think education is much more fun this way.

  • Yes, we are an Independent School registered with the Department for Education. We are a member of the Independent Schools Association.  

  • Yes, please come and see Lumiar School for yourself. We host regular parent tours and Open Events - just get in touch to book in. We also encourage you to look through this website and follow us on Facebook or Instagram for regular updates and photos.

  • Yes, we invite prospective students to come into the school for a ‘try out’ session. This allows them to see the setting, and meet the students and teachers. Once you have attended a parent tour or Open Day, we will ask you to complete an application form after which we can book your child onto a 'Try out’ day. We charge £78 for the two day trial. If we cannot offer your child a place, we will fully refund your payment. If you choose not to proceed then this is a non-refundable fee. For Reception aged children, we follow a different admissions process which we will discuss with you after you have visited us.

  • Yes, we require students to make a full time commitment and do not offer flexi-school options.

  • Assessment is only beneficial when it feeds directly back into the child's learning journey. Next steps, prompts and positive feedback are essential to develop one’s skills or craft: our students are used to regularly reflecting on their learning and having open discussions on improving and perfecting their ideas, products and work. We don’t do exams or SATs.

  • When we have available student spaces, we are able to support a number of children who have SEND. If you would like to discuss this further, please contact us. 

  • We have welcomed several students who stopped wanting to go to school and are pleased to have watched them thrive with us and become fully engaged. Our approach supports an anxious child’s mental health and wellbeing by building strong, safe relationships with the adults in the setting.

  • Yes, please contact us to arrange a tour. Places will be allocated on a first come, first served basis. We will maintain a waiting list.

  • We currently have a couple of places in all four age groups. Spaces will be allocated on a first come, first served basis based on the criteria in our Admissions Policy.

  • Yes, we follow the same structure as most independent schools and our term dates are similar. While most schools refer to three terms with a half term break in the middle, we treat each of these 6 week blocks as a term – so we have six terms in each academic year. Click here for term dates.

  • Yes, absolutely. You can find all our policies in this folder.

  • Lumiar Stowford began as a parent-led education project on this site in 2017. We opened as an independent school in September 2019.

  • No – we have our own defined set of outcomes. However, all our tutors have previously worked inside state schools and have a deep understanding of the requirements of the National Curriculum. We choose not to follow it but we do refer to it and track the developmental milestones so we can ensure that, when a child leaves the school, they will be able to join the conventional system without encountering issues. 

  • When children complete primary education at Lumiar, they are fully equipped to continue learning at secondary school - whether they choose a progressive school, an independent school, or a state school. Here are some of the schools that recent Lumiar graduates now attend:

  • At Lumiar, we concentrate on growing a deep love of learning, and on building the skills that make people effective learners - like resilience and determination. This means that our graduates can happily join a mainstream school when they leave and quickly find their place.

 

Admissions Process

For the most recent guide for admissions please click here.

- PHOTOGRAPHY BY ABBIE ASADI -