IAPS is a professional association for Headteachers of leading independent preparatory schools in the UK and overseas. Member schools, which educate pupils up to the age of 13+, must meet stringent criteria for entry and are subject to regular inspection, ensuring high standards of education and pastoral care. The association provides its members with professional support, training, and a collective voice, promoting excellence in the preparatory school sector. It represents over 670 of the world's leading prep schools, making it one of the largest independent school associations.
IAPS Member Schools (332)
Cumnor House Sussex is a co-educational independent day and boarding prep school for pupils aged 2 to 13, situated near Haywards Heath. Set within 60 acres of grounds on the edge of the Ashdown Forest, the school features facilities including a purpose-built theatre, a 25-metre indoor swimming pool, and an outdoor forest school. Originally founded in 1931, the school promotes an ethos known as 'The Cumnor Way', which focuses on kindness and community contribution. The broad curriculum prepares children for transition into a range of senior schools across the country.
Holmewood House is a co-educational day and boarding preparatory school for pupils aged 3 to 13, set within 32 acres of parkland in Langton Green, Kent. The school is centred around a mansion designed by Decimus Burton, formerly the residence of Sir Charles Locock, physician to Queen Victoria. Established in 1945, Holmewood House focuses on a holistic education that balances a broad curriculum with pastoral care. Notable facilities include a 360-seat theatre, an indoor swimming pool, and a purpose-built music school. The school provides flexible, weekly, and full boarding options.
Blackheath High School GDST is an independent day school for girls aged 3 to 18, situated on the edge of the Heath in South East London. Founded in 1880 as the first purpose-built school of the Girls’ Day School Trust, it was officially opened by Princess Louise. The school operates across two sites: the Junior School in Blackheath Village and the Senior School at Vanbrugh Park. Facilities include an £18 million campus redevelopment with a state-of-the-art library, fitness suite, and an extensive sports campus at Kidbrooke Grove.
Kensington Prep School GDST is an independent day school in Fulham for girls aged 4 to 11. Established in 1873 as the first school of the Girls' Day School Trust, it relocated to its current site in 1997. The school emphasises a "Growing Great Minds" ethos, prioritising curiosity, creativity, and holistic development. Notable facilities include the "Explore Floor" for immersive learning and a playground spanning over an acre with on-site netball and tennis courts. Alumnae include the suffragette Emily Wilding Davison and former US Secretary of State Madeleine Albright.
Manor Lodge School is a co-educational independent day school for pupils aged 3 to 11, located in Shenley, Hertfordshire. Set within 22 acres of countryside, the school is centred around a Grade II listed building and promotes a "classroom without walls" ethos that integrates outdoor and indoor learning. Facilities include the Basil Flashman building, which houses a 320-seat theatre and sports hall with a living roof, and "The Space," a contemporary STEAM-focused atrium. The curriculum emphasises academic breadth alongside a diverse range of sports, music, and dramatic arts.
Croydon High School GDST is an independent day school for girls aged 3 to 18, situated on a 20-acre site in Selsdon, South Croydon. Established in 1874, it was one of the earliest schools founded by the Girls’ Day School Trust. The campus features extensive green space and facilities such as a 25-metre swimming pool, a sports hall, and a dedicated sixth form centre. The school provides a broad curriculum designed to encourage independence and leadership, supported by a wide range of extracurricular clubs and activities.
Putney High School GDST is an independent day school for girls aged 4 to 18, situated on a leafy campus in southwest London. Founded in 1893, the school is a prominent member of the Girls' Day School Trust and emphasises an ethos of 'modern scholarship'. The site on Putney Hill combines original Victorian architecture with contemporary sustainable developments, such as the Athena Centre for science and drama and pioneering biophilic classrooms. The school fosters intellectual curiosity and real-world agility, offering a broad curriculum and extensive extracurricular opportunities within reach of the River Thames.
Streatham & Clapham High School GDST is an independent day school for girls aged 3 to 18, situated across two sites in South London. Founded in 1887 and a member of the Girls’ Day School Trust, the school features a Prep School in a Victorian building and a Senior School bordering Tooting Common. Notable architecture includes 1930s modernist structures and a contemporary Sixth Form wing. Specialist facilities include a recital hall, art suites, and a floodlit all-weather pitch. Guided by the motto "Towards wisdom unafraid," the school balances academic breadth with a wide-ranging co-curricular programme.
Cameron Vale School is a co-educational preparatory day school and nursery located in Chelsea. Serving pupils aged six months to 11 years, the school is housed in a Victorian building and emphasises an individualised approach to education. The curriculum features a Forest School programme and structured support for 11-plus transitions to senior schools. While based on a residential street with its own small garden, the school utilises the sports facilities at nearby Battersea Park. Founded in 1985, the school provides over 40 extracurricular clubs and maintains a small-scale, family-oriented environment.
The Royal Masonic School for Girls is an independent day and boarding school for pupils aged 2 to 18, set within 315 acres of parkland in Rickmansworth, Hertfordshire. Founded in 1788 to provide for the daughters of Freemasons, the school relocated to its present site in 1934. The campus features a blend of historic architecture and modern facilities, including a planetarium, a dedicated performing arts centre, and extensive sports grounds. The school focuses on nurturing individual talent and potential, offering a broad curriculum alongside a diverse range of extracurricular activities.
Aldwickbury School is an independent day and flexi-boarding preparatory school for pupils aged 3 to 13, set within 20 acres of grounds in Harpenden. Originally established in 1948, the school is housed in a Victorian mansion and recently began its transition to a fully co-educational environment. Its ethos focuses on holistic development and pastoral care, encouraging kindness and resilience. Notable facilities include a dedicated STEM hub, a heated indoor swimming pool, and a modern sports hall with a climbing wall. The school offers a broad extra-curricular programme alongside traditional academic foundations.
Gatehouse School is a co-educational independent day school for pupils aged 3 to 11, situated in Bethnal Green opposite Victoria Park. Founded in 1948 by Phyllis Wallbank in the gatehouse of St Bartholomew-the-Great, the school moved to its current site in the 1970s. Its educational philosophy is rooted in Montessori principles, fostering an inclusive, non-selective environment. The school prioritises the arts and physical education, utilising its own playgrounds and the adjacent parkland for sports. Recent renovations have added modern facilities, including a new assembly hall and specialised spaces for music and drama.