Independent Pre-Prep Schools

Channing School is an independent day school for girls aged 4 to 18, located on Highgate Hill in North London. Founded in 1885 by the Reverend Robert Spears and sisters Emily and Matilda Sharpe, it remains the only independent Unitarian school in Britain. The school occupies two sites, with the Junior School at Fairseat bordering Waterlow Park. Its facilities include the Grade II listed Brunner House, a performing arts centre, and a sports hall. The school's ethos is rooted in the Unitarian principles of scholarship, integrity, altruism, and independence.

Shoreham College is an independent co-educational day school for pupils aged 3 to 16, located in Shoreham-by-Sea, West Sussex. Founded in 1852, the school is set within an 11-acre campus that includes a 500-year-old Tudor manor house and historic flint walls. The college follows a non-selective admissions policy and provides an education focused on individual well-being and academic breadth. Specialist facilities include a heated open-air swimming pool, modern STEM laboratories, and a forest school. The site also features extensive playing fields for sporting activities and outdoor learning.

Ravenscourt Park Preparatory School is a co-educational day school for children aged 4 to 11, located in Hammersmith, West London. Founded in 1991, the school is situated on a site featuring a former vicarage and the more recent Gardener Building. It sits adjacent to the 20-acre Ravenscourt Park, which provides the setting for the majority of PE and games lessons. Facilities include specialist science laboratories, an art studio, and a multi-purpose auditorium. The school emphasises a holistic approach and prepares pupils for transfer to senior schools at the end of Year 6.

London Christian School is a co-educational independent primary school for pupils aged 3 to 11, located in Borough, central London. Founded in 2007, the school provides an education underpinned by Christian values, focusing on spiritual, social, and academic development. It is housed in purpose-built premises featuring a courtyard and a covered rooftop playground. The school maintains small class sizes and a creative curriculum designed to nurture individual talents. Pupils are prepared for the 11-plus process, with many progressing to a variety of independent and state secondary schools across the capital.

Wetherby School Kensington is an independent pre-preparatory day school for boys aged 4 to 8, situated in the heart of South Kensington. Opened in 2017, the school occupies two five-storey Victorian townhouses on Wetherby Gardens, the same street where the original Wetherby School was founded in 1951. It follows a traditional academic curriculum with a strong focus on preparing pupils for competitive 7+ and 8+ assessments. The school combines academic rigour with a nurturing ethos, offering specialist teaching in French, music, and sport while fostering values of kindness and good manners.

Francis Holland Preparatory School, located on Manresa Road in Chelsea, is an independent day school for girls aged 4 to 11. Housed in a Grade II listed Victorian building, the school opened in September 2024 following the relocation of the junior department from Sloane Square. The 20,000 square foot site features the historic former Chelsea library, a specialist STEAM laboratory, and an extensive outdoor play area. The school emphasises a broad curriculum focused on curiosity and creativity, providing a nurturing environment that prepares pupils for transition to leading senior schools while maintaining a strong pastoral ethos.

Beechwood Park School is a co-educational day and flexi-boarding preparatory school for children aged 3 to 13, set within 37 acres of Hertfordshire parkland near St Albans. Housed in a Grade I listed Queen Anne mansion, the school occupies a site with history dating back to a 12th-century Benedictine nunnery. Its child-centred ethos focuses on nurturing well-rounded individuals through a broad curriculum. Facilities include an indoor swimming pool, a purpose-built music technology suite, and a unique pottery cellar. The grounds also feature an extensive Forest School and numerous sports pitches.

Rowan Preparatory School is an independent day school for girls aged 2 to 11, situated in Claygate near Esher, Surrey. Founded in 1936, the school is split across two sites: Rowan Brae for early years and Rowan Hill for older pupils. Guided by the motto "Hic Feliciter Laboramus" (Here We Work Happily), the school balances academic focus with holistic development. Facilities include specialist STEM labs, music and art studios, and dedicated outdoor areas such as "the Spinney" woodland, supporting a broad curriculum that encourages curiosity and a "Sport for All" approach.

Little Downsend Leatherhead is a co-educational day school and nursery in Surrey for children aged 2 to 7. Set within over an acre of grounds, it offers the largest outdoor learning environment of the three Downsend pre-preps, including a dedicated forest school and astro-turf sports area. The school follows a "Future Skills" ethos, delivering a broad curriculum with specialist teaching in French, music, and dance. Pupils benefit from a seamless transition to the main Downsend site, gaining access to facilities such as a 25-metre swimming pool and a 200-seat performing arts theatre.

Wetherby Preparatory School is an independent day school for boys aged 7 to 13, located in Bryanston Square, Marylebone. Established in 2004 to build upon the traditions of the Wetherby Pre-Preparatory School, it provides a holistic education that prepares pupils for 11-plus and 13-plus Common Entrance examinations. The school balances academic rigour with a broad co-curricular programme, including music, the arts, and sports. Facilities include a dedicated sports ground in East Acton. The ethos focuses on nurturing individual potential and fostering a supportive, good-humoured environment for boys transitioning to leading senior schools across the country.

University College School is an independent day school situated in Frognal, Hampstead, for pupils aged 4 to 18. Founded in 1830 by University College London, it was established on Benthamite principles to promote liberal scholarship and intellectual curiosity. The main campus features a Grade II listed Edwardian building and includes facilities such as an 800-seat Great Hall and the Sir Roger Bannister Sports Centre. While the school is historically for boys, the Sixth Form is co-educational, offering a progressive environment that emphasises individuality and a breadth of academic and extracurricular pursuits.

Southbank International School (Kensington) is a co-educational day school for pupils aged 2 to 11, located in the Notting Hill area of London. Housed in two adjoining Victorian villas, the campus follows the International Baccalaureate Primary Years Programme, emphasising inquiry-based learning and global citizenship. With a diverse community representing nearly 40 nationalities, the school offers facilities including a STEAM room, a bespoke art studio, and a garden with play equipment. Pupils typically transition to the school’s Westminster campus at age 11 to continue their IB education within a multicultural environment.

St Michael's Prep School is a co-educational day school for pupils aged 2 to 13, located on a 100-acre site in the North Downs at Otford, Kent. Founded in 1872 by the Reverend Arthur Tooth, the school is centred around a Victorian mansion and follows a Christian ethos. Facilities include an indoor swimming pool, modern science laboratories, and a Forest School. The curriculum emphasises a growth mindset and a rounded education, with senior pupils in Years 7 and 8 working towards the bespoke St Michael's Diploma.

Hereward House School is an independent preparatory day school for boys aged 4 to 13, situated in Hampstead, London. Established in 1951, the school provides an intellectually demanding education within a disciplined yet supportive environment. The curriculum emphasises STEM subjects and music, alongside languages such as Latin and Mandarin. Named after the historical figure Hereward the Wake, the school’s four houses reflect this heritage. Boys are prepared for transition to prominent senior schools through Common Entrance and scholarship examinations, with the school utilising facilities at nearby Hampstead Heath for its sporting programme.

Stormont School is an independent preparatory day school for girls aged 4 to 11, located in Potters Bar, Hertfordshire. Founded in 1944, the school is set within 11 acres of grounds and is housed in a mix of Victorian and modern buildings, including a main house dating from 1874. Facilities include a dedicated science laboratory, a sports hall, and woodland for forest school. The school, which joined the St Albans Education Group in 2024, provides a broad curriculum and emphasises a nurturing environment to prepare pupils for transition to a range of senior schools.