We’re a forward-thinking school in the ancient capital of England with state of the art sports facilities and choirs of choristers who are part of an ancient tradition going back centuries. We offer academic excellence whilst fostering a sense of fun, so boys from Pilgrims’ leave ready for the world beyond the school gates. We’re at the forefront of the ever-changing educational landscape and through our merger with Winchester College we combine unrivalled opportunities with the warmth of a nurturing prep school.
Boys spend a lot of time at school, even if they’re not boarding, so we go all out to create a home from home for everyone. It sounds like a cliché but at Pilgrims’; each boy really is part of an extended family.
We understand wellbeing and that achievement flourishes best where there is warmth, laughter, kindness and care. Outstanding pastoral support underpins everything we do, helping boys to grow in confidence, curiosity and self-understanding, while learning how to live well with others.
An education at Pilgrims’ looks to the possibilities of the future, inspired by the best of the past.
We are fortunate to learn, play and live in a remarkable setting within a beautiful city. With a thriving boarding community at its heart, the school has a strong sense of belonging and continuity. Environment matters: our surroundings give boys a feeling of being grounded and rooted in the natural world. It’s a perspective that shapes their days and stays with them long after they leave. As well as a tributary of the river Itchen, music runs through daily life. We’re unique in having two professional choirs of choristers, singing and instruments lend rhythm and meaning to the routine. Yet so too do sport and the creative arts, further helping boys find the sparks to their kindling potential.
A Pilgrims’ education really is a journey. Like any worthwhile pilgrimage, it involves challenge as well as joy, familiarity as well as discovery. The purpose is not simply to arrive, but to be changed along the way. Everyone at Pilgrims’ helps guide the boys through a rich academic, co-curricular and extra-curricular programme that encourages them to strive for excellence in all its forms.
Just as importantly, the boys learn what it means to travel alongside others. They develop compassion, empathy, self-awareness and respect for difference – qualities that help them navigate both the easier days and the more demanding ones.
Whilst we enjoy all the strength and opportunity of being merged with Winchester College, when their time here comes to an end, our boys move on to a wide range of excellent senior schools. We are proud of their success and enjoy a strong scholarship record, but we’re equally proud of the friendships they form and the lasting bond they retain with this distinctive school community.
I very much hope you will come and visit us soon. We would be delighted to welcome you.
We also welcome you to come and experience it for yourself.
Tim Butcher, Headmaster.
We suit boys who’ll make the most of the opportunities we offer, whilst also contributing to the school community. While founded on a Christian ethos, we welcome boys of all faiths and none and we aim to foster the character of every single Pilgrim.
“I love everything about teaching at The Pilgrims' School. It is a very special place. I feel very lucky to be working with such wonderful boys and staff, with the added bonus of a beautiful setting.”
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Set in the heart of Winchester’s Cathedral Close, the school enjoys a unique and peaceful setting between Winchester Cathedral and Winchester College, with the city on its doorstep and the South Downs countryside just beyond.