• Dolphin is personal, child focused and quietly aspirational, with a message built more on individual attention than institutional grandstanding.

• A good fit for families who want a smaller Berkshire prep and are happy to trade scale for a more intimate school experience.

Admissions at Dolphin School in Hurst are personal and school led, but with a more selective edge than some softer-entry prep schools. In a smaller Berkshire setting, the process is likely to be as much about fit and attitude as about a single exam hurdle.

Internal scholarships are unlikely to be the main prep-level story here. The more important question is whether the school's small scale translates into confident preparation and strong individual attention.

• The school does not publish bursary entry points, so families should ask directly.
• The school does not publish bursary award levels, so families should ask directly.
• Families should contact the school directly to ask whether any bursary, hardship support or discretionary fee assistance is available.

The public paper trail is not especially expansive, so a visit will matter a great deal in understanding the school's pace, warmth and how confident it feels in its own identity. Smaller schools have to persuade in person.

Assessment at Dolphin is close and teacher led, with the school balancing a nurturing day-school tone against the need to prepare children well for the move at 11 or 13. Parents will want evidence of stretch without overpressure.