Independent Pre-Prep Schools

Laleham Lea School is a Catholic independent co-educational day school for pupils aged 3 to 11, situated in Purley, Surrey. Founded in 1945, the school is housed in a Victorian building and provides a primary education rooted in Christian values. It emphasises a nurturing environment with small class sizes to support individual academic and personal growth. The curriculum is broad, incorporating various extracurricular activities alongside core subjects. The school aims to develop well-rounded individuals within a close-knit community, preparing them for the transition to senior education.

Seaton House School is an independent day school for girls aged 3 to 11, with a co-educational nursery, located in Sutton, Surrey. Founded in 1930, the school is situated in a residential setting and emphasises a nurturing environment with small class sizes. It focuses on providing a broad curriculum that prepares pupils for the 11-plus transition to both grammar and independent senior schools. Facilities include dedicated spaces for music, art, and ICT, supporting a range of extracurricular activities alongside its core academic programme.

Glendower Prep School is an independent day school for girls aged 3 to 11, situated in South Kensington. Established in 1895 by Edith Lloyd and Maud Cornwell, the school is housed in two interconnected Victorian terrace houses on Queen's Gate. Its ethos focuses on fostering academic curiosity and critical thinking, balanced with a strong emphasis on performing arts and competitive sport. While utilising local facilities such as Hyde Park and Imperial College for outdoor and aquatic activities, the school provides dedicated spaces for music. It aims to develop confident, capable, and socially aware young women.

Palmers Green High School is an independent girls' day school for ages 4 to 16, located in Winchmore Hill, North London. Founded in 1905 by Alice Hum, the school is guided by the Quaker-inspired motto, “By Love Serve One Another”. It is housed in Avondale Hall, a building with historical significance that once hosted suffragette meetings. The school provides a supportive learning environment with small class sizes and a broad curriculum. Facilities include specialist spaces for art, drama, and music, supporting a focus on academic progress and personal development.

Bede’s Prep is an independent, co-educational day and boarding school situated on a coastal site in Eastbourne, East Sussex. Located at the foot of the South Downs National Park, the school overlooks the sea and educates children from three months to 13 years. Its ethos centres on a holistic approach to learning, aiming to nurture individual talents through academic, creative, and sporting programmes. The grounds include historic buildings and modern facilities, such as a swimming pool, sports hall, and dedicated outdoor learning spaces.

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.

Notting Hill Prep is a co-educational day school in West London for pupils aged 4 to 13. Founded in 2003, the school is situated near Portobello Road and is an accredited Advanced Thinking School, emphasising cognitive development and independent thought through its curriculum. Its ethos seeks to balance academic rigour with "the joy of childhood", supported by facilities including a library, a woodland area, and school chickens. Specialist teaching is introduced early in subjects such as science and music, preparing pupils for transition to senior schools at ages 11 or 13.

Frensham Heights is a co-educational day and boarding school for pupils aged 3 to 18, situated on a 120-acre estate near Farnham, Surrey. Founded in 1925, the school maintains a progressive ethos where students do not wear a uniform and staff are addressed by their first names. The campus is centred around a Grade II listed Edwardian mansion and features a dedicated performing arts centre. The school emphasises individual development and creative expression, offering a broad curriculum that includes a strong focus on outdoor education and the arts.

Cumnor House Boys School is an independent day school for boys aged 2 to 13, located in South Croydon, Surrey. Established in 1931, the school operates across two sites and provides a curriculum focused on preparing pupils for the 11-plus and 13-plus entry into senior schools. Facilities include a swimming pool, music rooms, and extensive sports fields. The school emphasises a balance of academic rigour and character development, offering a variety of extracurricular opportunities in sport, music, and the arts to foster well-rounded individuals.

Naima Jewish Prep School is a co-educational day school in Maida Vale, London, for pupils aged 2 to 11. Established in 1983, it was the first Sephardi school opened in England for over a century. The school’s ethos is inspired by the Golden Age of Jews in Spain, seeking to synthesise traditional Torah values with a comprehensive secular education. Facilities include a dedicated synagogue, a mikveh, and a sports hall. The curriculum balances Jewish Studies with the National Curriculum, offering specialist instruction in music, art, and physical education.

Bute House Preparatory School for Girls is an independent day school for pupils aged 4 to 11, located near Brook Green in Hammersmith. Established in 1958 on land leased from the Mercers’ Company, the school maintains a distinctive non-competitive ethos that avoids academic streaming. The broad curriculum emphasises a well-rounded education, supported by modern facilities including a science laboratory, art studio, and a signature pirate ship playground. While Bute House shares some sporting facilities with St Paul’s Girls’ School, it operates as an independent, mixed-ability environment focused on developing inquisitive and confident learners.

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.

Radlett Preparatory School is a co-educational day school for pupils aged 4 to 11, located in Radlett, Hertfordshire. Housed in Kendal Hall, a Grade II listed Georgian building, the school is set within extensive grounds that include playing fields and ancient woodland. Founded in 1938, the school provides a nurturing environment with a focus on academic achievement and personal development. Facilities include a dedicated art and design studio and all-weather sports courts. The curriculum places a strong emphasis on the performing arts and sport, preparing children for their future senior school transition.

Cranleigh Preparatory School is a co-educational day and boarding school for pupils aged 3 to 13, situated on a 280-acre rural campus in the Surrey Hills. Founded in 1913, the school maintains close links with the neighbouring Cranleigh School, sharing facilities such as an indoor sports centre, swimming pool, and golf course. The curriculum balances academic rigour with an emphasis on the performing arts, music, and outdoor learning. Guided by the motto "Ex Cultu Robur", the school focuses on fostering well-rounded individuals within a supportive community and extensive co-curricular programme.

Hampton Court House is a co-educational day school for pupils aged 2 to 18, situated in a Grade II listed 18th-century building in East Molesey, Surrey. Overlooking Bushy Park, the school is set within eight acres of private parkland. It maintains a distinctive ethos where pupils and staff are on a first-name basis and there is no formal uniform. The school provides a bilingual immersion programme in French and English for younger years. The curriculum balances academic study with a focus on individuality and creative development.