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 (265)
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 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.
Beechwood School is a co-educational day and boarding school for pupils aged 3 to 18, located in Tunbridge Wells, Kent. Set within 23 acres of landscaped grounds, the school is centred around a grand Victorian mansion constructed in 1855. Founded in 1915 by the Society of the Sacred Heart, it maintains a nurturing ethos based on its founding traditions while welcoming children of all faiths. Facilities include a dedicated auditorium, sports gym, and MUGA pitch, supporting a broad curriculum that offers a wide variety of academic and creative subjects at GCSE and A-level.
Colchester Prep & High School is a co-educational independent day school in Essex, catering for pupils aged 2 to 16. Situated on an urban site on Wellesley Road, the school comprises a series of converted Victorian houses. It delivers an education focusing on global citizenship, social responsibility, and a digital, STEAM-powered curriculum. Founded to provide a comprehensive education, the school fosters a supportive community that helps develop balanced, confident young individuals prepared for the modern world. It provides continuity from nursery up to the senior stage.
Wellesley Haddon Dene is a co-educational independent day preparatory school situated in the seaside town of Broadstairs, Kent. Formed in 2022 following the merger of two historic local institutions, Wellesley House and Haddon Dene, the school educates children aged 2 to 11. It is set within six acres of grounds and features a Victorian main building dating from the late 19th century. Part of the Alpha Schools group, the school offers a curriculum that includes regular "Beach School" sessions on local sands, combining academic preparation for senior school entrance with a strong focus on pastoral care.
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.
Thorpe Hall School is a co-educational, non-selective independent day school in Southend-on-Sea, Essex, catering for pupils aged 2 to 16. Operating as an all-through school, it comprises a nursery, prep school, and senior school. Established on an 11-acre site, the school features extensive facilities, including a seven-acre sports field, an outdoor learning area, a fully equipped 250-seat theatre, and a modern sports hall. Its ethos focuses on traditional values such as hard work, respect, and fairness, aiming to provide a supportive environment that enables every child to develop well-rounded attributes.
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.
Shoreham College is an independent co-educational day school for pupils aged 3 to 16, located in Shoreham-by-Sea, West Sussex. Founded in 1852, the school is set within an 11-acre campus that includes a 500-year-old Tudor manor house and historic flint walls. The college follows a non-selective admissions policy and provides an education focused on individual well-being and academic breadth. Specialist facilities include a heated open-air swimming pool, modern STEM laboratories, and a forest school. The site also features extensive playing fields for sporting activities and outdoor learning.
The Mulberry House School is an independent co-educational pre-prep and nursery for pupils aged two to seven, located in West Hampstead, North West London. Operating across two sites, the school is housed in refurbished Victorian buildings on Minster Road and Shoot Up Hill. The curriculum emphasises the development of the whole child, balancing academic preparation for 7+ transitions with creative arts, music, and physical education. The school's ethos focuses on fostering curiosity and individual potential, maintaining strong links with many of the capital's leading preparatory and senior schools.
Claremont School is an independent, co-educational day and boarding school situated across two campuses in East Sussex. The Nursery and Prep School are located in St Leonards-on-Sea, while the Senior School and Sixth Form occupy a rural site in Bodiam. Catering for pupils aged one to 18, the school claims to focus on personalised learning and global opportunities as a member of the International Schools Partnership. Facilities include a football academy, forest school, and an award-winning performing arts department. The school provides both full and weekly boarding options.
St Mary’s School Colchester is an independent day school for girls aged 4 to 16, which also includes a co-educational Kindergarten for children aged 2 to 4. The school is structured across three stages: the Kindergarten, Lower School, and Senior School. It focuses on providing a tailored education designed to build confidence, support personal development, and encourage academic achievement. Extracurricular activities and enrichment opportunities form a key part of the school's holistic educational model. Notable facilities include 'The Turrets', a Grade II listed Gothic Revival building located on the senior school site.