Independent Day-Only Schools

St Mary's School, Hampstead, is an independent Catholic preparatory school for girls aged 2 to 11, with a co-educational nursery. Established in 1871 as a convent boarding school, it has occupied a Grade II listed building on Fitzjohn’s Avenue since 1926. The school is set within extensive grounds that include a leafy playground and a dedicated nursery garden. Notable facilities include a full-size chapel and a virtual reality room. Following "The St Mary’s Way", the school focuses on developing academic excellence, resilience, and moral integrity within a nurturing, faith-based community.

Newton Prep is a co-educational independent day school for pupils aged 3 to 13, located in Battersea, London. Established in 1991 by Dr Farouk Walji, the school occupies an extensively renovated Edwardian building near the Nine Elms development. The curriculum emphasises academic rigour alongside music, drama, and sport, designed to prepare children for entry into leading senior schools. Facilities include a 300-seat auditorium, specialist science laboratories, and an all-weather sports pitch. The school provides a broad education that balances high academic expectations with a diverse range of extracurricular and creative opportunities.

Tormead School is an independent day school for girls aged 4 to 18, located in Guildford, Surrey. Established in 1905, the school combines high academic expectations with a focus on personal development through its "ACHIEVE" ethos. The campus features a dedicated performing arts centre, an Olympic-standard sprung gymnasium, and the Urnfield Sports Ground. As an Apple Distinguished School, Tormead employs a 1:1 iPad scheme to support its digital learning strategy. The school provides a broad curriculum alongside a variety of extra-curricular activities in music, drama, and competitive sport.

Pennthorpe School is a co-educational independent Pre-prep and Preparatory day school, catering to children aged 2 to 13. Situated in the village of Rudgwick, West Sussex, along the Surrey/Sussex border, it occupies a 25-acre campus that includes extensive facilities and 16 acres of woodland. The school's motto, "Non nobis solum nati" (Born not for ourselves alone), underpins its ethos, which claims to focus on nurturing, inspiring, and developing core values such as respect, tolerance, and contributing to others' lives. The school aims to be a centre of excellence for teaching and pupil outcomes.

Brighton College Prep School is a co-educational independent school situated in the heart of Brighton, East Sussex. Occupying a coastal location with sea views, the school is also within walking distance of the South Downs. The school’s ethos centres on a "culture of kindness" and mutual respect, encouraging pupils to be kind, curious, and confident. Pupils benefit from access to the facilities of Brighton College, including the School of Science and Sport. Awarded an Eco-Schools Green Flag, the school promotes sustainable travel and integrates outdoor learning into its curriculum.

Howe Green House School is a co-educational independent day school for pupils aged 2 to 11, set within 13 acres of rural grounds near Bishop’s Stortford. Founded in 1987, the school provides a nurturing environment that emphasises a broad curriculum with a creative focus. Facilities include the oak-framed Mulberry Lodge for Reception and Ladywell Field, which provides extensive space for sport and outdoor education. Specialist teaching in subjects such as music, art, and drama supports the school's ethos of fostering curiosity and preparing children for the transition to secondary education.

Francis Holland School (Sloane Square) is an independent day school for girls aged 11 to 18, situated in the heart of Belgravia, London. Founded in 1881 by Reverend Canon Francis Holland, the school moved to its current Graham Terrace site in 1884. It maintains a Church of England ethos, focusing on the development of leadership, creativity, and enterprise. Facilities include the RIBA award-winning Centre for Creative Learning and the Old School House, a dedicated Sixth Form centre. The school is well-regarded for its specialisms in the creative arts, including drama, music, and ballet.

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.

Bassett House School is an independent co-educational preparatory school for children aged 2 to 11, situated in Notting Hill, London. Established in 1947 by Sylvia Rentoul, the school operates across multiple sites in North Kensington. It follows the motto "Quisque pro sua parte" (For each the best), fostering a supportive environment that prioritises individual development. The curriculum is arts-rich, featuring music, drama, and the "Bassett Baccalaureate", which includes weekly equestrian studies. Facilities include a dedicated Early Years centre, Bassett Bear House, and the use of nearby performing arts and sports spaces.

Salcombe Preparatory School is a co-educational independent day school for pupils aged 3 to 11, located in Southgate, North London. Founded in 1916 by the Deakin sisters, the school operates across two sites: the Pre-Prep, housed in a Grade II listed 1930s building, and the Prep School, set in Victorian villas. Facilities include a purpose-built art studio and the Lord Winston Science Lab, named after alumnus Professor Robert Winston. The school emphasises strong academic foundations and holistic wellbeing, preparing children for transition to grammar and independent senior schools.

South Hampstead High School GDST is an independent day school for girls aged 4 to 18, situated in north-west London. Established in 1876 by the Girls’ Day School Trust, the school relocated to its Maresfield Gardens site in 1882. The Senior School campus features a contemporary seven-storey building designed by Hopkins Architects, incorporating a subterranean sports hall and a roof garden. Facilities also include the Waterlow Hall performance space and a four-acre off-site sports ground. The school’s ethos emphasises an outward-looking education, balancing academic rigour with music, drama, and competitive sport.

Bales College is a co-educational independent school and sixth-form college for pupils aged 11 to 20, located in the Kensal Green area of West London. Established in 1966 as the Modern Tutorial College, the school is set on a quiet campus near Notting Hill. It emphasises academic rigour and individual care through small teaching groups and structured progress monitoring. Facilities include specialist science laboratories and an art department, with pupils also utilising the nearby Moberly Sports Centre. The college’s ethos is guided by its motto, "Semper Perstare", fostering a culture of perseverance, respect, and high achievement.

Islamia School for Girls is an independent secondary day school for pupils aged 11 to 16, situated in Queen’s Park, London. Established in 1989 by Yusuf Islam, the school is housed in a converted Victorian building on Salusbury Road. Its curriculum integrates the National Curriculum with a faith-based ethos, aiming to foster spiritual, moral, and academic growth. The school provides a close-knit, single-sex environment focused on developing confident British Muslim women. Its compact setting encourages a strong sense of community and a personalised approach to pastoral care and student development.

Thomas's Kensington is a co-educational independent day school for pupils aged 4 to 11. Located in the heart of Kensington near the Royal Parks, the school is part of the Thomas’s London Day Schools group. Established in 1981, its ethos is rooted in kindness, curiosity, and ambition. In 2025, the school moved to a refurbished purpose-built site at St Albans Grove. Modern facilities include a light-filled central atrium, a biodiverse roof garden, and a theatre, alongside a sports hall and specialist studios for music, dance, and art.

The Mead School is a co-educational independent preparatory day school and nursery for pupils aged 3 to 11, situated near the historic Pantiles in Tunbridge Wells. Established in 1957 and housed in a Victorian villa, the school maintains a family-focused ethos founded on Christian principles. The curriculum provides specialist teaching in music, drama, and sport, alongside core academics. A member of the Wishford Schools group, the school prepares children for various senior destinations, including local grammar schools. Facilities include on-site playgrounds and a nearby playing field for outdoor education and sport.