The Independent Schools Football Association (ISFA) is the governing body for association football in the UK independent sector. Recognised by the Football Association, it operates as a membership organisation for schools ranging from prep to senior levels. ISFA's primary aims include the promotion of high standards of sportsmanship and the provision of competitive opportunities through national cup competitions and representative pathways. It is governed by an Executive Committee of school representatives and provides a structured framework for coaching development, ensuring football remains a central pillar of the independent school sporting curriculum.
ISFA Member Schools (118)
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.
Northwood College for Girls GDST is an independent day school for pupils aged 3 to 18, located in Northwood, Greater London. Founded in 1878 and a member of the Girls’ Day School Trust since 2014, the school moved to its current site in 1892. Facilities include a performing arts centre with a recital hall, a sports hall with an indoor swimming pool, and specialist studios for dance and art. The school’s ethos focuses on character development and intellectual curiosity, aiming to nurture confident individuals within a supportive community.
Mill Hill School is a co-educational day and boarding school for pupils aged 13 to 18, set within 120 acres of parkland in North London. Established in 1807 by Nonconformist ministers and merchants, the school occupies grounds that formerly belonged to the botanist Peter Collinson. The campus features notable architecture, including the Greco-Roman School House by Sir William Tite and a chapel designed by Basil Champneys. The school provides a broad education that balances academic study with a diverse co-curricular programme, supported by facilities such as an indoor swimming pool and a dedicated theatre.
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.
Belmont Mill Hill Preparatory School is a co-educational day school in North London for pupils aged 7 to 13. Part of the Mill Hill Education Group, the school is set within 35 acres of green space, including woodland and a cross-country course, ten miles from central London. Established in 1912 as a boys' boarding school, it became fully co-educational in 1995. The curriculum integrates a "Future Skills" programme alongside traditional academics, supported by facilities including a swimming pool, modern science laboratories, and specialist studios for art, music technology, and design.
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.
Bishopsgate School is a co-educational day school for pupils aged 3 to 13, situated on a 30-acre site in Englefield Green, Surrey, adjacent to Windsor Great Park. Founded in 1896, the school provides a broad curriculum that balances academic study with extensive extracurricular opportunities. Facilities include a modern sports hall, an indoor swimming pool, and a dedicated forest school area. The school focuses on developing well-rounded individuals, preparing them for transition to a wide range of senior schools at the end of Year 8.
Ashford School is a co-educational independent day and boarding school in Kent for pupils aged three months to 18 years. Founded in 1898, the school operates across two campuses: the Senior School at East Hill and the Prep School in the village of Great Chart. Facilities include an All-Steinway music school, indoor swimming pools, and a modern sports centre. Part of the United Learning group, the school occupies a 25-acre main site and incorporates a Grade II listed building. The curriculum is designed to foster individual character and adventurous learning.
Danes Hill School is a co-educational day preparatory school for pupils aged 2 to 13, situated on 55 acres of landscaped grounds in Oxshott, Surrey. Founded in 1947, the school operates across two sites: the Bevendean pre-prep and the main preparatory campus. The curriculum balances academic study with extensive extracurricular activities, utilising facilities such as a 25-metre swimming pool, a 10-metre climbing wall, and 14 sports pitches. A 24-acre woodland area, known as The Paddock, facilitates outdoor learning and Forest School, supporting the school’s focus on providing a well-rounded education.
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.
Caterham Prep is a co-educational day school for pupils aged 3 to 11, located in the Harestone Valley, Surrey. Sharing a 200-acre site with the senior school, it provides access to extensive woodland for outdoor learning. The curriculum balances academic study with digital innovation and wellbeing. Facilities include an indoor swimming pool and dedicated performing arts spaces. The school is part of an institution founded in 1811, which was originally established for the sons of Congregational ministers before moving to its current location in 1884.