Independent Non-Religious Schools

Wimbledon High School GDST is an independent day school for girls aged 4 to 18, situated in the heart of Wimbledon, London. Founded in 1880 by the Girls’ Day School Trust, the school occupies a town-centre site featuring Victorian buildings and modern additions, including a dedicated STEAM tower. Its playing fields at Nursery Road possess significant sporting heritage as the original home of the All England Lawn Tennis Club. The school focuses on fostering intellectual curiosity and resilience, encouraging pupils to explore a broad range of academic and co-curricular opportunities.

The Gower School is an independent, co-educational Montessori day school and nursery located in Islington, London. Established in 2000 by Emma Gowers, it provides education for children aged six months to 11 years across two dedicated sites. The school follows the Montessori method, prioritising individualised learning, self-discipline, and independence. Its curriculum integrates Montessori principles with the National Curriculum, supported by facilities such as specialised art and science rooms. Pupils also benefit from local amenities for sports, including swimming and football, alongside a broad programme of music and creative arts.

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.

TASIS The American School in England is a co-educational day and boarding school for students aged 3 to 18, located on a 46-acre campus in the village of Thorpe, Surrey. Established in 1976, the school is housed in a mix of modern facilities and historic buildings, including a Grade II listed Georgian manor house. It offers an American curriculum alongside the International Baccalaureate Diploma and Advanced Placement courses. The campus features a dedicated arts centre, multiple sports fields, and specialised science labs, catering to a diverse, international student body.

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.

RGS Surrey Hills is a co-educational day and boarding school for pupils aged 11 to 18, situated in Mickleham, near Dorking. Set within 40 acres of countryside, the school's centrepiece is Dalewood House, a Victorian Gothic revival mansion. Founded in 1959, it is a founding member of the Round Square movement, following the holistic educational philosophy of Kurt Hahn. The school offers a choice between A-Levels and the International Baccalaureate Diploma. Facilities include a modern sports hall and grounds that support a range of activities, including outdoor education and traditional team sports.

Situated in the Sussex countryside in Upper Dicker, near Hailsham, Bede’s Senior School is a co-educational day and boarding school for pupils aged 13 to 18. The school claims to offer a holistic education that prioritises individual interests, combining academic study with traditions in the performing arts and sport. Notable facilities include an on-site zoo housing over 70 species and the Legat School of Dance. Its ethos focuses on cultivating curiosity and ambition within an inclusive community that values personal growth and both creative and academic achievement.

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.

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.

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.

St Martin’s School, Mill Hill, is an independent co-educational day school for pupils aged 3 to 11. Founded in 1920 and situated in a quiet residential area, the school fosters a nurturing community atmosphere guided by its motto, "From small things, great things grow." Its bespoke curriculum emphasises individual development and academic progress, with a dedicated focus on 11+ preparation. On-site facilities include a specialist music room and a refurbished playground, while local partnerships provide access to swimming and gymnasium facilities. This ensures a broad sporting programme alongside strong foundations in literacy, numeracy, and the arts.

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.