Independent Pre-Prep Schools

Banstead Preparatory School is a co-educational day school in Surrey for children aged 2 to 11. Established in 2017 following the merger of three local schools, it occupies a spacious site with extensive facilities including an indoor swimming pool, sports hall, and specialist science laboratories. The school provides a broad curriculum designed to prepare pupils for transition to a variety of senior schools. Set within several acres of grounds, the school offers a wide range of extracurricular opportunities in sport, music, and the arts to support the development of well-rounded individuals.

Vita et Pax Preparatory School is a co-educational independent day school in Southgate, North London, for pupils aged 2 to 11. Founded in 1936 by the Olivetan Benedictine Sisters, the school maintains a Catholic heritage while welcoming families of all faiths and none. The curriculum focuses on academic rigour and character development, preparing children for senior school transition. Set within a residential community, the school provides small class sizes and a nurturing environment. Its name, meaning 'Life and Peace', reflects an ethos of harmony and growth, supported by specialist teaching in music, art, and sport.

Hall Grove School is a co-educational day and weekly boarding school for pupils aged 3 to 13, located in Bagshot, Surrey. Set within 40 acres of parkland on a former country estate, the school was founded in 1954. The grounds feature woodland, a lake, and a golf course, supporting a curriculum that incorporates outdoor learning. Housed in a Grade II listed building, the school provides a broad education with a focus on character development and the natural environment, maintaining a family-orientated ethos throughout its pre-prep and preparatory departments.

Ivy House School is a co-educational day preparatory school and nursery for pupils aged 2 to 11, situated in Golders Green, North London. The school is housed in the historic Ivy House, overlooking Golders Hill Park, which was once the home of prima ballerina Anna Pavlova and the artist J.M.W. Turner. Emphasising a student-centred approach, the school focuses on individualised learning to prepare pupils for transition to leading senior schools. Facilities include a modern science laboratory and mature gardens, supporting a broad curriculum that includes fencing, ballet, and diverse musical activities.

Edge Grove is a co-educational preparatory day and boarding school for pupils aged 3 to 13, set within 48 acres of parkland in Aldenham, near Watford. Centred around a Grade II listed 18th-century country house, the school was established in 1935 on an estate once owned by J.P. Morgan. Its curriculum features the Edge Grove Baccalaureate, which emphasises independent learning alongside traditional academics. The school offers extensive facilities, including an outdoor heated swimming pool, a dedicated Forest School, and multiple sports pitches, supporting a strong focus on both physical education and the creative arts.

Ewell Castle School is a co-educational independent day school for pupils aged 3 to 18, situated in Ewell, Surrey. The school occupies a historic site that was once part of Henry VIII’s Nonsuch Palace estate, with its primary building being a Grade II listed castellated mansion constructed in 1814. It provides a continuous education across three distinct sites: the Castle, Glyn House, and Chessington Lodge. The school emphasises a balanced approach to academic and personal development, offering a wide range of sporting and creative extracurricular opportunities within its fifteen-acre grounds.

Hendon Prep is a co-educational day school and preschool for children aged 3 to 11, situated in a leafy cul-de-sac in North London. Originally founded in 1873 as a boys' school, it now fosters an inclusive, multicultural community with an emphasis on balancing academic success and pastoral wellbeing. The school provides focused 11-plus preparation and integrates digital technology into its broad curriculum. Facilities include a science laboratory, music room, and art studio, while the outdoor grounds feature an astroturf pitch and an amphitheatre, facilitating a range of sporting and creative activities.

St George’s Junior School, Weybridge, is a co-educational Catholic day school for pupils aged 3 to 11. As the junior division of St George’s Weybridge, it occupies a site in central Weybridge formerly home to St Maur’s school. The school operates under a Josephite ethos, emphasising mutual respect and compassion. Facilities include a swimming pool, gymnasium, and all-weather sports pitches. A strong focus is placed on a balanced education, supported by a wide-ranging extracurricular programme that includes music, drama, and competitive sport.

St Paul's Waldorf School is a co-educational day school for children aged 3 to 14, located in Islington, London. Housed in a notable Grade II* listed 19th-century church designed by Sir Charles Barry, the school offers a holistic education following the Steiner Waldorf curriculum. Its ethos emphasises a "head, heart, and hands" approach to learning, focusing on creativity and experiential discovery. The school maintains a technology-free environment for pupils under the age of 12 and makes extensive use of London’s cultural landmarks to support its non-selective and non-denominational academic programme.

Dwight School London is a co-educational international day school for pupils aged 2 to 18, located in the North Finchley and Friern Barnet areas of London. With historical roots dating back to 1885, it was the first school in the UK to offer the full International Baccalaureate curriculum across all age groups. As a member of a global network of schools, it emphasises a personalised approach to learning and a commitment to international-mindedness. The school provides a multicultural environment for its diverse student body, focusing on individual development through a broad academic and extracurricular programme.

Rosemary Works School is an independent co-educational day school in Hoxton, London, for children aged 3 to 11. Situated alongside the Regent's Canal near Shoreditch Park, the school is housed in a renovated Edwardian building featuring vibrant interiors and flexible, modern learning spaces. The school maintains a progressive, non-selective ethos, providing a nurturing environment with a curriculum tailored to individual needs. On-site facilities include two playgrounds, a ball pitch, and a garden with a pond, while nearby leisure centres and parks are utilised for sporting activities.

North London Grammar School is an independent co-educational day and boarding school for pupils aged 4 to 18, situated in Hendon. Established in 2006 as the Wisdom School, it relocated in 2014 to its current 50,000-square-foot campus, a former police training centre. The school follows the motto Bonitas, Scientia, Disciplina, emphasising goodness, knowledge, and instruction. Its curriculum focuses on critical thinking and STEAM subjects, and the school is the global host of the International Greenwich Olympiad. Facilities include modern science laboratories and specialised boarding provision for senior boys.

Forest School is an independent co-educational day school for pupils aged 4 to 18, situated on a 50-acre campus bordering Epping Forest in Snaresbrook, north-east London. Established in 1834, the school operates a "diamond structure," where boys and girls are taught in single-sex classes between the ages of 7 and 16. Notable architectural features include the Grade II listed Memorial Dining Hall and a chapel containing stained glass from the William Morris workshop. Facilities include the Sylvestrian Leisure Centre, a 25-metre indoor swimming pool, and the Martin Centre for Innovation.

Barfield Prep School is a co-educational day school for children aged 2 to 11, situated in 12 acres of parkland in Farnham, Surrey. Founded in 1933, the school provides a broad curriculum with a strong emphasis on outdoor learning and physical activity. Facilities include an on-site outdoor education centre, Three Peaks, which offers climbing and high ropes courses. The school aims to foster a nurturing environment where pupils develop confidence and independence through a balance of academic study, creative arts, and sport.

Oakwood School is a co-educational independent preparatory day school for pupils aged 2 to 11, located near Chichester, West Sussex. Established in 1912, the school is set within over 100 acres of parkland and woodland between the South Downs and the coast. The central building is Oakwood House, a Grade II listed Georgian country house dating from 1811. The school's ethos focuses on developing happy, confident, and well-rounded individuals. Its broad curriculum emphasises outdoor learning and the performing arts, supported by extensive facilities including a woodland classroom and an on-site swimming pool.