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Clubs Arts and Creative, Community and Service, Leadership and Professional
Stages Preschool, Early Years, Primary School, Middle School, Secondary School
Introduction
Chilton Saint James School sits at 124 Waterloo Road, Lower Hutt, near Wellington, New Zealand. It serves ages 2 to 18. Preschool is co-educational; Years 1–13 are a girls' day school. The private Anglican school offers a bespoke curriculum with Cambridge for secondary. In Years 12–13 students may choose between NCEA and Cambridge pathways, including AS and A Levels under Cambridge. Founded in 1918, the campus blends heritage architecture with modern facilities. On-site amenities include netball and tennis courts, a 25‑metre heated pool, a large sports ground and a covered astroturf area. Middle and Senior School rooms are specialist spaces; Bring Your Own Device covers iPads for Preschool–Year 4 and laptops for Years 4–13. Extracurriculars include Chilton Ballet Academy, Chilton Dance Centre and Chilton Music Academy, with Discover Chilton offering Music, Drama, Dance and Sport. The school provides pastoral and international-student support, including homestay services for families abroad and beyond.
Chilton Saint James School has 387 pupils, typical class sizes of 24, instruction in English.
Location
The school is located in central Lower Hutt, Wellington, New Zealand, on Waterloo Road. The campus sits among mature trees and blends heritage with modern buildings. It is a short, about 15-minute journey from Wellington, the capital city. The location provides easy access to urban amenities while retaining a campus atmosphere.
Stages
Preschool ECE; Primary School; Middle School; Senior School
Type
Private Anglican independent school. Preschool is co-educational; Years 1 to 13 is a girls' day school.
Additional learning support
Personalised learning programmes are available for students with particular learning needs.
Country affiliation
New Zealand
Religious affiliation
Anglican Church
Bus service
Chilton Saint James is easily accessible by Metlink bus and train. Students from Whitby, Porirua and surrounding areas can access the Wellesley College bus service.
Fees
Annual tuition at Chilton Saint James School ranges from NZD 20,655 to NZD 27,274 for 2026/27.
Application and one‑off enrolment fees - Application fee (non‑refundable): NZD 100. - Confirmation / enrolment fee (non‑refundable): NZD 500 (payable on acceptance). - Incidental charges deposit for new students: NZD 115 (held as a deposit for incidental charges).
Preschool fees (2026) — weekly rates - Ages 0–2 (without 20 hours ECE): All day, full week: NZD 491 per week; Extended day: NZD 592 per week. The following one‑off amounts apply for new preschool students: Application fee (non‑refundable), Confirmation fee (non‑refundable) and Incidental Charges Deposit NZD 115. - Ages 3–4 (with 20 hours ECE): All day, full week: NZD 371 per week; Extended day: NZD 445 per week. The same one‑off new‑student fees apply.
Primary / Middle / Senior — fees shown per term and calculated per year (Chilton operates four school terms per year; annual figures below are the per‑term totals multiplied by four). - Years 0–3 (per term): Tuition NZD 4,756.25; Building Levy NZD 192.50; IT levy NZD 141.25; Campus Revitalisation Levy NZD 89.25. Total per term: NZD 5,179.25. Total per year (four terms): NZD 20,717.00. - Years 4–6 (per term): Tuition NZD 4,847.50; Building Levy NZD 192.50; IT levy NZD 141.25; Campus Revitalisation Levy NZD 89.25. Total per term: NZD 5,270.50. Total per year (four terms): NZD 21,082.00. - Years 7–8 (per term): Tuition NZD 5,923.00; Building Levy NZD 192.50; IT levy NZD 141.25; Campus Revitalisation Levy NZD 89.25; Chilton Old Girls' Association NZD 10. Total per term: NZD 6,356.00. Total per year (four terms): NZD 25,424.00. - Years 9–13 (per term): Tuition NZD 6,385.50; Building Levy NZD 192.50; IT levy NZD 141.25; Campus Revitalisation Levy NZD 89.25; Chilton Old Girls' Association NZD 10. Total per term: NZD 6,818.50. Total per year (four terms): NZD 27,274.00. - Chilton Ballet Academy (per term): same component breakdown as Years 9–13. Total per term: NZD 6,818.50. Total per year (four terms): NZD 27,274.00.
Billing schedule and payment terms - Standard tuition and levies are quoted and published as per‑term amounts; the school operates four terms per year. - For international students a full year's tuition is payable in advance (annual billing). International enrolment processing / confirmation fees apply. - All published fees include Goods & Services Tax (GST).
Boarding / homestay - The school does not operate on‑site boarding; homestay placement is used for international students. Homestay (45 weeks) is NZD 18,000 (NZD 400 per week) as a separately billed accommodation cost.
International student specific annual charges (example 2025 figures) - Enrolment processing (enrolment/confirmation) fee: NZD 500. - Annual tuition (example 2025): Years 1–6 NZD 33,000; Years 7–13 NZD 47,500. Incidentals deposit (international) NZD 2,000. Health and travel insurance estimated ~NZD 650 per year. These international figures are published as annual charges and are billed separately from homestay.
Other charges or typical additional costs - Uniform: approximately NZD 1,500 (plus sporting clothes and equipment). - Cambridge examination fees (where applicable): up to approximately NZD 800. - After‑School Care: NZD 7.50 per half hour; charges are payable at the end of each term. - Holiday programme: NZD 60 per day or NZD 270 per week (refunds not given for non‑attendance). - Stationery: weekly/annual stationery lists are provided; costs are invoiced or purchased separately via listed suppliers.
Refunds and scholarship‑related charge handling - Application and confirmation/enrolment fees are non‑refundable when stated as non‑refundable; scholarship‑award documentation notes specific acceptance and confirmation payment timings (for example, a NZD 115 acceptance fee for scholarship offers and the NZD 500 confirmation fee required within specified timeframes). Scholarship terms also include clauses requiring reimbursement of scholarship value if a scholar leaves without due cause during the award period. - Holiday programme fees are explicitly non‑refundable for non‑attendance.
Fee payment options - International payments may be made by international bank transfer to the school's ANZ account (account name, branch, account number and SWIFT code are published for international transfers). - Published international documentation shows bank transfer as the method for international student payments; specific domestic payment methods (for example, whether credit card, automatic debit, or direct debit/EFTPOS are accepted for domestic fee accounts) are not itemised on the publicly published fee pages.
Notes on items not publicly detailed - Detailed domestic invoicing/payment procedures (exact invoicing frequency for domestic families, late‑payment penalties, and the full domestic payment methods list) and a comprehensive general fee refund policy are not explicitly published in the public fee pages reviewed. The school's scholarship and international publications include specific timing and non‑refund statements where relevant.
Academics
Chilton Saint James School teaches Bespoke Curriculum, Cambridge (Secondary) for students aged 2 to 18.
Curriculum
Senior School offers a challenging and comprehensive curriculum designed to prepare students for Cambridge Assessment International Education or NCEA. In Years 12–13, Chilton uses a dual-pathway model allowing students and their parents to choose between NCEA and Cambridge based on individual needs. Cambridge prepares Year 12 and 13 students for tertiary study with AS and A Levels, while NCEA is nationally and globally recognised and involves earning credits toward the qualification.
Student Teacher Ratio
Class sizes are small. The average class size is approximately eight students for most subjects, while Middle School class sizes are capped at 24.
Higher Education Progression
Cambridge Curriculum explains that the CAIE curriculum prepares students for tertiary study and is recognised by universities worldwide. NCEA is nationally and globally recognised and supports entry to tertiary study; both pathways enable study at New Zealand and overseas universities.
Gifted and Talented
Chilton Saint James School offers scholarships recognising and supporting students with exceptional talents in arts, sports, academic excellence, leadership potential and all-round achievement.
Wellbeing
Social and Emotional Learning (SEL)
Student wellbeing is prioritized. The school provides access to a psychologist, a physiotherapist and a careers advisor, and a pastoral care system with a senior leadership team, form teachers, deans and a chaplain who work together to support students' wellbeing and development. The approach fosters a holistic, caring environment that supports emotional and social growth.
Special Educational Needs (SEN)
Personalised learning programmes are available for students with particular learning needs.
English as an Additional Language (EAL)
All classroom tuition includes English Language Tuition if required.
Mental Wellbeing
The wellbeing program for senior students is a robust and comprehensive framework, underpinned by professional psychologists. Regular sessions and awareness programs build resilience and coping skills, with a preventative and supportive approach to mental health.
Safeguarding
Chilton Saint James School observes the Code of Practice for the Pastoral Care of International Students. The Pastoral Care and International Support Team provides comprehensive care, with police vetting of homestay providers and ongoing involvement from the Homestay Manager.
Admissions
Admissions
1. Book a tour. A tour helps families meet teachers, view classroom programmes, and get to know the campus and its offerings. General tours run Monday to Friday during the school term from 9.00am to 3.30pm. Book a tour to experience Chilton Saint James School in action.
2. Apply now. The school welcomes students at all year levels and enrolment involves a few easy steps. Applications should be submitted well in advance due to high demand for places. All applicants are assessed on an individual basis, and an interview with the Principal is arranged for those selected to progress to the next stage.
3. Fees and one-off payments. All fees include GST. New students pay a one-off non-refundable application fee of $500, a non-refundable confirmation fee of $100, and an incidental charges deposit of $115. Per-term fees are listed by year level, and are subject to annual review.
4. Scholarships. Chilton Saint James School offers a range of scholarships for New Zealand domestic students, and applications are open. Scholarships cover multiple areas and entry points, including academic, sport, music, dance, and ballet academy programmes, with detailed eligibility, testing, and interview requirements. Examples include Academic Scholarships (testing required for Year 7, Year 9, and Years 11–13), Sports Scholarships (Elite Athlete and All-Rounder; require tests and an interview), Music Scholarships (various year levels with auditions and academic testing), Dance Scholarships (Dance Scholarship and Dance Centre Scholarship with auditions and supporting documentation), cba Ballet Academy Scholarships (audition-based; open July), Principal's Scholarship (discretionary; up to 50% of tuition for hardship cases), and Suzanne Duncan Trust Scholarships (St James' Church members).
5. Spend a Day. Spending a day at Chilton is a popular way to decide if the school is a good fit, offering a chance to meet peers and staff, sample programmes, and see the campus firsthand. To arrange, email the Administration Officer with your preferred date.
6. International Students. The school provides Cambridge International Examinations as part of its international programme and supports short and long-term placements across age groups. International students are hosted and supported through a homestay programme. Applications for international study are available year-round via an International Form, with homestay options explained through the admissions channels.
Scholarships
The school offers a range of scholarships for New Zealand domestic students across multiple areas of achievement and performance. Academic Scholarships cover Year 7, Year 9, and Years 11–13 entries and require academic testing, supporting documentation (school reports, CV, extracurricular summary, awards), a reference, and an interview with the Principal and Deputy Principal. Sports Scholarships (Elite Athlete and All-Rounder Athlete) require evidence of sporting excellence, an academic entry test, an interview with the Principal and Director of Sport, and documentation including a recent school report. Music Scholarships span Year 7, Year 9, Year 11, and Years 12–13, and require auditions, academic testing, and documentation (reports, certificates, teacher references). Dance Scholarships include Dance Scholarship and Dance Centre Scholarship (open to Dance Centre members) with academic testing and interviews; applicants must provide dance-related documentation. Ballet Academy (cba) Scholarships are open in July and involve audition, interview, and academic testing; the two-year course aims to balance dance and Cambridge International study. Principal's Scholarship may be offered at the Principal's discretion, can cover up to 50% of tuition, and requires supporting documentation and periodic reapplication every two years. Suzanne Duncan Trust Scholarships are available to Years 7–13 students who are regular members of St James' Church, Lower Hutt.
FAQs
Where is Chilton Saint James School located and what ages does it serve?
Chilton Saint James is in Lower Hutt, Wellington, New Zealand, on Waterloo Road. The school serves ages 2 to 18, with Preschool co-educational and Years 1–13 a girls' day school.
What curriculum does Chilton Saint James use, and how does the senior program work?
Chilton combines a bespoke program with Cambridge secondary studies. In Years 12–13, students can choose between the Cambridge pathway (AS/A Levels) or the nationally recognised NCEA qualification, via a dual-pathway model.
Is Chilton Saint James a boarding school?
Chilton Saint James is a day school. International students are supported with a homestay arrangement, but there is no on-site boarding.
What are the basics of the admissions process and when should families apply?
Prospective families can book a tour and then apply; applications are assessed individually and typically include an interview with the Principal for those progressing. Enrolment is in high demand, so applications should be submitted well in advance.
What fees should international families expect, and what are the key upfront costs?
Publicly listed fees include a per‑term tuition and several levies. For new international students there are upfront charges: a non‑refundable NZD 500 enrolment/processing fee, a NZD 100 application fee, and a NZD 115 incidental charges deposit.
Do you offer scholarships, and what kinds are available?
Yes, Chilton Saint James offers a range of scholarships for New Zealand domestic students across academic, sport, music, dance and ballet. There are Academic, Sports, Music, Dance and Ballet Academy scholarships, plus a Principal's Scholarship (discretionary) and Suzanne Duncan Trust Scholarships.
What is the per-term and per-year fee structure by year level?
Per-term fees vary by year level, with four terms per year. For example, Years 0–3 are NZD 5,179.25 per term (NZD 20,717 per year), Years 4–6 NZD 5,270.50 per term (NZD 21,082 per year), Years 7–8 NZD 6,356.00 per term (NZD 25,424 per year), and Years 9–13 NZD 6,818.50 per term (NZD 27,274 per year). The Ballet Academy uses the same per-term structure as Years 9–13.
Are there additional costs I should plan for beyond tuition?
Yes. Additional costs include a one‑off application/confirmation deposit and incidental charges, uniform (about NZD 1,500), Cambridge exam fees (up to ~NZD 800), and optional programs like after‑school care and holiday programmes with their own charges.
What about payment methods and international payments?
International payments can be made by international bank transfer to the school's ANZ account. Domestic payment methods aren't fully published, but international documentation specifies bank transfer as the method for international students.
What is the school's approach to scholarships and how do they work for international students?
Scholarships are available for New Zealand domestic students across several categories; the terms vary by scholarship, with testing, auditions, and interviews as part of the process. International students have separate fees and may participate in scholarship programs where applicable, though specific international scholarship terms are published in separate notices.
What facilities does Chilton Saint James offer on campus?
The campus features on-site netball and tennis courts, a 25‑metre heated swimming pool, a large sports ground and an all‑weather astroturf. Middle and Senior School rooms are specialist spaces, and Bring Your Own Device is supported with iPads for younger students and laptops for older students.
What arts and music options exist beyond the classroom?
Chilton offers extensive arts and performing‑arts programs through the Chilton Ballet Academy, Chilton Dance Centre and Chilton Music Academy, including masterclasses, ensembles and auditions, plus theatre and dance opportunities within school‑wide productions and House music events.
What sports and wellbeing facilities support weekly PE and sport?
Weekly PE is taught by a specialist, with on‑site facilities including netball, tennis, a swimming pool, indoor and outdoor courts, and expansive grounds used for a wide range of sports.
What wellbeing and safeguarding supports are available for students?
Wellbeing is prioritised with access to a psychologist, a physiotherapist and a careers adviser, plus a pastoral care system including form teachers, deans and a chaplain. Chilton adheres to the Code of Practice for the Pastoral Care of International Students.
What kind of leadership development exists at Chilton Saint James?
Older students mentor younger peers through a whānau leadership approach. Senior Leadership includes a Deputy Principal and a Principal, with governance by a Board of Trustees.
What is the house system like, and how are houses used in school life?
Chilton has a house system; House Badges and House Swim Caps are available for house activities and are used during events like House Music and sports.
What is the uniform like and where is it purchased?
Preschool uniforms include a red polo shirt, grey PE tee, grey hoodie, trackpants and red sun hat. Years 1–6 wear a formal uniform with blazer, tunic and blouse (tie on formal days), while Years 7–13 wear a blazer, tunic or Chilton trousers, blouse and senior tie. Uniforms are supplied by NZ Uniforms and can be bought in-store or online.
Does Chilton have an Anglican ethos and how does it welcome students from other faiths?
Chilton Saint James is an independent Anglican day school affiliated with the Anglican Church. The school welcomes students from all faiths while maintaining Anglican heritage.
What languages are taught at Chilton, and in which years are they available?
French, Chinese and Te Reo Māori are taught. In Middle School (Years 7–10) all three are offered; in Senior School (Years 11–13) French and Chinese are optional (Te Reo Māori is also offered as an option in Years 9–10).
What community and alumni networks exist for families?
The school has an active Chilton Parents' Association and a Chilton Saint James School Alumni Association (renamed in 2023). Community events include Saint James Weekend, Saint James Day, and alumni activities such as judging the Primary School Speech Competition and contributing library books.
