We are a member of the Independent Schools Association. The fees for 2024/25 are £8,100+VAT per year, (£2,700 spilt into 3 instalments - Sept, Jan, April), paid in advance. There is a non refundable deposit of £250 to secure a place, this is deducted from your child’s final term's fees. Fees increase roughly in line with inflation each year.

For the 2024-25 academic year, we have 10-15 children in each of our three classes. Our learners are organised into three 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 (Years 3 to Year 4) who are moving forward with their learning and starting to become independent learners.

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

We currently cover Reception, Key Stage 1 and Key Stage 2 – so ages 4 to 12.

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 virtual 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 virtual 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 this with you after you have visited us.

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. 

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

Yes, please contact us to arrange a tour.

We currently have a couple of places in all three age groups. Spaces will be allocated on a first come, first served basis.  

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. 

Yes, absolutely. Please scroll up the page for a link to our Policies page.

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. 

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 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:

• All Hallows: co-ed independent school, Somerset

• Avanti Park: co-ed state school, Somerset

• Beechen Cliff School: co-ed state school, Bath

• Kingdown School: co-ed state school, Wilshire

• Kingswood School: co-ed independent school, Bath

• Millfield School: co-ed independent school (Sports Scholarship), Somerset

• Sands School: alternative co-ed independent school, Devon

• Sidcot School: co-ed independent school (Art Scholarship), Somerset

• Sheldon School: co-ed state school, Wiltshire

• St Laurence School: co-ed state school, Bradford on Avon

• The Norwood School: co-ed state school, London

• Royal High Bath: Girls independent school (Art Scholarship), Bath

• Prior Park College: co-ed independent school, Bathm description

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.