Why work at Carleton House?

Carleton House is a distinguished one-form entry independent preparatory school located in South Liverpool. Since relocating to our beautiful home on Menlove Avenue, Calderstones, in Autumn 2009, we have solidified our reputation as Merseyside’s leading co-educational preparatory school for the 21st century.

 Originally established in the early 1970s by a group of parents in response to the closure of Woolton Hall Preparatory School, Carleton House was created to preserve the traditions and values of a unique Catholic preparatory education. Opening in 1975 on Lyndhurst Road, Mossley Hill, Liverpool, the school has remained faithful to its founding values and continues to thrive.

Today, we proudly serve up to 185 pupils, benefiting from small class sizes with a maximum of 23 children per class, allowing for individualised attention. Each class is supported by a teaching assistant, and two HLTAs provide additional support across the school. Our pupils consistently achieve results well above the national expectation in both Key Stage 1 and Key Stage 2 SATs, reflecting our commitment to academic excellence within a positive pastoral environment.

Carleton House is recognised as Merseyside’s leading preparatory school—a testament to the hard work and dedication of our pupils, staff, and parents. We are committed to providing an exceptional learning environment and ample career opportunities for our staff, enabling them to thrive in a dynamic and forward-thinking setting.

Guided by our Catholic faith and the Carleton Charter values, we uphold high standards, fostering exemplary behaviour and strong relationships between staff and pupils. Our emphasis on spiritual and moral development from an early age—embedding values of respect, compassion, and integrity—underpins our educational philosophy. Outstanding teaching, rooted in our Catholic ethos and the principles of the Carleton Charter, is central to our approach to exceptional learning. To support this, we offer continuous professional development opportunities, a structured middle leadership programme, and fully funded National Professional Qualifications.

New staff members are welcomed with the support of a Carleton Buddy, who helps them integrate smoothly into our community by providing guidance on daily operations, introducing them to key staff and resources, and offering ongoing support. This buddy system ensures a welcoming atmosphere and helps new colleagues feel valued from the outset.

Our commitment to professional growth and staff retention is evident in our low absenteeism rate and strong track record of retaining talented staff. By applying to Carleton House, you demonstrate your ambition and dedication to achieving the best outcomes for our pupils within a framework of Catholic values and Carleton Charter principles.