The Independent Schools Association (ISA) represents the Heads of over 650 of the UK’s best independent schools. As a member of the Independent Schools Council (ISC), it provides professional support, fellowship, and a collective voice for its members. The ISA is known for its diverse membership, which includes co-educational and single-sex schools, boarding and day schools, and specialist schools for the arts or specific educational needs. It fosters collaboration and high standards, and also organises a wide array of national sporting, artistic, and cultural events for pupils.
ISA Member Schools (141)
Babington House School is an independent co-educational day school for pupils aged 3 to 18, situated in Chislehurst, Kent. Established in 1887 by Madame Rossel and named after the writer Lord Thomas Babington Macaulay, the school moved to its current site at Elmstead Grange in 1957. It combines academic rigour with a nurturing ethos underpinned by Christian values. The school is known for its small class sizes and a broad curriculum with a strong focus on the arts, music, and sport, supported by modern facilities for performing arts and extensive games areas.
St James Senior Girls' School is an independent day school for girls aged 11 to 18, situated in West Kensington, London. Founded in 1975, the school follows a holistic ethos that integrates mindfulness and periods of stillness, known as 'The Pause', into the daily routine. The curriculum balances academic rigour with philosophy, the creative arts, and the study of Sanskrit. Facilities include specialised science laboratories, an on-site gymnasium, and a dedicated Sixth Form centre nearby. Set within a gated garden courtyard, the school offers a broad extracurricular programme including lacrosse, netball, and yoga.
Tring Park School for the Performing Arts is a co-educational day and boarding school in Hertfordshire for pupils aged 7 to 19. Housed in a Grade II* listed mansion originally designed by Sir Christopher Wren and once owned by the Rothschild family, the school is set within 17 acres of parkland. It provides a dual curriculum that balances rigorous academic education with vocational training in dance, drama, musical theatre, and music. Notable facilities include the Markova Theatre and specialised studios, enabling students to pursue professional performing arts pathways alongside their academic studies.
Maida Vale School is a co-educational independent day school for pupils aged 11 to 18, situated in West London. Established in 2020 as part of the Gardener Schools Group, it is housed in a substantial, restored Victorian building. The school promotes a holistic approach to education with a particular emphasis on the creative and performing arts. Facilities include a double-height theatre, specialist art and design studios, and high-specification science laboratories. Pupils also benefit from an extended school day and access to nearby sporting venues, including Paddington Recreation Ground.
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.
Lingfield College is a co-educational independent day school for pupils aged 2 to 18, situated in 40 acres of grounds in the Surrey countryside. Originally founded in 1940 by the Sisters of Notre Dame des Missions, the school transitioned from its origins as a convent school to its current secular status. The college emphasises a well-rounded education, combining academic study with a focus on pastoral care and extracurricular engagement. Facilities include a dedicated Sixth Form Centre and extensive sporting grounds, supporting a curriculum designed to foster individual growth and community spirit.
St John's Preparatory and Senior School is a co-educational independent day school for pupils aged 3 to 19, situated in Potters Bar, Hertfordshire. Set within 28 acres of green belt countryside, the school is arranged across two sites, with the senior department housed in a Grade II listed building. The ethos focuses on developing well-rounded individuals, combining academic rigour with a supportive social environment. Notable features include a compulsory supervised prep hour for pupils aged seven and above, alongside facilities such as a large sports hall and extensive outdoor space.
Cranmore School is an independent day school set within 25 acres of grounds in West Horsley, Surrey. Founded in 1968, the school follows a Roman Catholic ethos and is part of the Effingham Schools Trust. It operates a diamond model, offering co-education in the early years before transitioning to single-sex provision for boys aged 7 to 16. The campus features various facilities, including a purpose-built music school with a Mander pipe organ, a 25-metre indoor swimming pool, a nine-hole golf course, and a contemporary Science and Technology Centre.
Egerton-Rothesay School is a co-educational independent day school for pupils aged 6 to 19, situated in Berkhamsted, Hertfordshire. Formed by the amalgamation of two local preparatory schools founded in 1922 and 1951, the school moved to its current campus on Durrants Lane in 1988. It provides a mainstream curriculum tailored with specialist support for pupils with specific learning requirements, including dyslexia, dyspraxia, and autism. Grounded in a Christian ethos, the school focuses on individual development and life skills within a supportive environment featuring modern teaching blocks and dedicated specialist facilities.
The King's School Harpenden is an independent, co-educational Christian day school for pupils aged 4 to 16. Established in 1982, the school moved in 1987 to its current location within the leafy grounds of the historic Highfield Oval. The main building is a Grade II listed structure that provides a characterful setting for its community-focused education. Guided by a distinct Christian ethos, the school emphasises character development and individualised learning through small class sizes. The curriculum combines academic study with a variety of extracurricular activities, including competitive sports, music, and the creative arts.
Duke of Kent School is a co-educational independent day school for pupils aged 3 to 16, located in Ewhurst within the Surrey Hills. Established in 1976 by the Royal Air Force Benevolent Fund, the school is housed in Woolpit House, a Grade II listed building originally constructed in 1885 for Henry Doulton. Set within extensive grounds and forest land, the school provides a nurturing environment with a focus on academic development alongside music, drama, and sport. Its ethos emphasizes individual wellbeing and a growth mindset, supporting pupils through to their GCSEs.
Skippers Hill Manor Preparatory School is a co-educational independent day school located in Five Ashes near Mayfield, East Sussex. Set within 22 acres of rural countryside, the school provides an environment for children aged two to thirteen. The school claims an ethos of teaching individuals rather than classes, with a focus on academic, artistic, and sporting achievement. Its curriculum integrates a bespoke programme of outdoor learning and emphasises the development of social confidence and community spirit. As part of the Bellevue Education Group, it prepares pupils for entry into senior schools at age thirteen.