Independent Pre-Prep Schools

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.

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.

Streatham & Clapham High School GDST is an independent day school for girls aged 3 to 18, situated across two sites in South London. Founded in 1887 and a member of the Girls’ Day School Trust, the school features a Prep School in a Victorian building and a Senior School bordering Tooting Common. Notable architecture includes 1930s modernist structures and a contemporary Sixth Form wing. Specialist facilities include a recital hall, art suites, and a floodlit all-weather pitch. Guided by the motto "Towards wisdom unafraid," the school balances academic breadth with a wide-ranging co-curricular programme.

Hertford Prep, formerly known as St Joseph’s in the Park, is a co-educational independent day school for pupils aged 3 to 11. Set within the historic grounds of Hertingfordbury Park near Hertford, the school occupies a site with 17th-century origins and extensive woodland used for its Forest School. Founded in 1898, it emphasises a nurturing family ethos and a broad curriculum. The school features the Woodlands learning centre, which provides specialist support for pupils with dyslexia and dyscalculia, and has been part of the Mill Hill Education Group since 2021.

Brighton College Prep Kensington is a co-educational day school for pupils aged 2 to 13, situated in South Kensington. Housed in four Grade II listed Victorian townhouses, the school follows a curriculum aligned with the Brighton College family, prioritising the pillars of confidence, curiosity, and kindness. The site features a two-acre ‘Secret Garden’ used for outdoor learning and Forest School activities. Its location in the museum district facilitates an ‘extended classroom’ approach, utilising nearby institutions and Hyde Park. Pupils benefit from specialist facilities including a Makerspace and access to the Imperial College sports centre.

Brighton College Prep Handcross is a co-educational day and boarding school for pupils aged 2 to 13, set within 52 acres of Sussex parkland. Rebranded from Handcross Park School in 2025, it is part of the Brighton College family and promotes an ethos of kindness and academic ambition. Facilities include a specialist Art and Design Centre, a 6-hole golf course, and an elevated outdoor classroom. The school provides a broad curriculum with specialist teaching in subjects such as Mandarin, complemented by extensive sporting and creative opportunities in its rural setting.

Situated in central Hove, East Sussex, St Christopher's Prep is a co-educational school for pupils aged 4 to 13. A member of the Brighton College family, it balances a traditional heritage with a contemporary curriculum. The school is located across two sites; the main campus sits near the seafront, while a separate Early Years facility at Glebe Villas provides expansive green space and nature trails. Its academic programme is supported by specialist teaching and an emphasis on outdoor learning, including regular Forest School sessions and watersports at the nearby Hove Lagoon.

Putney High School GDST is an independent day school for girls aged 4 to 18, situated on a leafy campus in southwest London. Founded in 1893, the school is a prominent member of the Girls' Day School Trust and emphasises an ethos of 'modern scholarship'. The site on Putney Hill combines original Victorian architecture with contemporary sustainable developments, such as the Athena Centre for science and drama and pioneering biophilic classrooms. The school fosters intellectual curiosity and real-world agility, offering a broad curriculum and extensive extracurricular opportunities within reach of the River Thames.

Abbot's Hill School is an independent day school for girls aged 4 to 16, with a co-educational nursery, located in Hemel Hempstead, Hertfordshire. Set within 70 acres of parkland, the school is housed in a late 19th-century mansion originally built for the Dickinson family. Founded in 1912, it provides a broad education across its Prep and Senior departments. The school emphasises a holistic approach to learning, supported by facilities including a sports hall and a performing arts centre, aiming to develop well-rounded individuals within a historic setting.

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.

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.

Blackheath High School GDST is an independent day school for girls aged 3 to 18, situated on the edge of the Heath in South East London. Founded in 1880 as the first purpose-built school of the Girls’ Day School Trust, it was officially opened by Princess Louise. The school operates across two sites: the Junior School in Blackheath Village and the Senior School at Vanbrugh Park. Facilities include an £18 million campus redevelopment with a state-of-the-art library, fitness suite, and an extensive sports campus at Kidbrooke Grove.

Mill Hill Pre-Prep Grimsdell is a co-educational day school in North West London for pupils aged 3 to 7. As part of the Mill Hill Education Group, the school is set within 120 acres of parkland, facilitating a curriculum with a strong emphasis on outdoor learning and Forest School. The school was established in 1995 within the renovated Winterstoke House and operates with a nurturing ethos centred on kindness. Pupils benefit from an Early Years Village and shared access to the wider foundation’s swimming pool and theatre.

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.

Wildwood Nature School is a co-educational independent primary school for children aged 4 to 11, located in Camden, North London. Founded in 2023, the school operates from St Mary Brookfield Hall and offers a nature-based alternative to mainstream education. Following Forest School principles, pupils spend at least half of their time learning outdoors in local green spaces such as Hampstead Heath. The curriculum integrates academic subjects with emotional well-being and creative development. The school maintains small, mixed-age classes and high staff-to-pupil ratios to support a collaborative learning environment.