Independent Pre-Prep Schools

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.

Eaton House The Manor is an independent day school in Clapham for pupils aged 2 to 13. Set on a 1.5-acre site opposite Clapham Common, the school is housed within a Grade II listed Georgian manor house and purpose-built facilities. It comprises a co-educational nursery, a boys’ preparatory school, and a girls’ preparatory school, delivering single-sex education in a shared environment. The curriculum focuses on preparing pupils for entry to leading senior schools. Facilities include specialist science and design technology laboratories, an art room, a full-size theatre, and a dedicated wellbeing hub.

St John's Preparatory and Senior School is a co-educational independent day school for pupils aged 3 to 19, situated in Potters Bar, Hertfordshire. Set within 28 acres of green belt countryside, the school is arranged across two sites, with the senior department housed in a Grade II listed building. The ethos focuses on developing well-rounded individuals, combining academic rigour with a supportive social environment. Notable features include a compulsory supervised prep hour for pupils aged seven and above, alongside facilities such as a large sports hall and extensive outdoor space.

St Columba's College is a co-educational Catholic day school for pupils aged 4 to 18, situated in St Albans. Established in 1939 and managed by the Brothers of the Sacred Heart since 1955, the school occupies a site overlooking St Albans Cathedral. Its ethos is guided by the "Columban Code", which promotes courtesy, courage, and compassion. The campus combines historic properties with modern facilities, including a Sixth Form Centre and all-weather sports pitches. The school provides a broad curriculum complemented by an extensive co-curricular programme, including the Combined Cadet Force and Duke of Edinburgh’s Award.

Rose Hill School is a co-educational independent day school for pupils aged 3 to 13, situated on a 15-acre site in Tunbridge Wells, Kent. Founded in 1832, the school occupies modern facilities including an indoor swimming pool, a sports hall, and an outdoor woodland classroom. The curriculum balances academic focus with creative and sporting opportunities, incorporating a dedicated STEAM programme and Forest School sessions. Notable alumni include Robert Baden-Powell, whose legacy is reflected in the school's commitment to outdoor adventure and character development.

St Ives School is a co-educational independent prep school and nursery located in Haslemere, Surrey, for children aged 2 to 11. Founded in 1911, the school is set within eight acres of parkland and gardens. It provides a broad curriculum designed to prepare pupils for a range of senior schools. Facilities include a dedicated forest school, music rooms, and extensive outdoor space for sport and play. The school maintains small class sizes to support individual development across academic, creative, and sporting disciplines.

Oakhyrst Grange School is a co-educational preparatory day school for pupils aged 3 to 11, located in Caterham, Surrey. Established in 1950, the school is set within several acres of grounds on the edge of the North Downs. The curriculum emphasises a broad range of subjects alongside physical education and the arts. Facilities include an indoor heated swimming pool, sports fields, and woodland areas used for outdoor learning. The school operates as a charitable trust and focuses on providing a foundational education that prepares children for various local senior schools.

Ardingly College is a co-educational boarding and day school for pupils aged 2 to 18, situated on a 230-acre campus in the West Sussex countryside near Haywards Heath. Founded in 1858 by Canon Nathaniel Woodard, the school features notable Gothic Revival architecture and a Grade II listed chapel. The college emphasises a "world-ready" ethos, providing a choice between A-levels and the International Baccalaureate in the Sixth Form. Facilities include a dedicated art school and access to a reservoir for water sports. It maintains a strong focus on competitive sports, including football, hockey, and cricket.

Orchard House School is an independent co-educational preparatory day school for children aged 3 to 11, located in Chiswick, London. Founded in 1993, the school occupies sites near Turnham Green, including a converted Victorian parish hall. The curriculum is designed to provide a broad education, preparing pupils for transition to competitive senior schools. Alongside academic subjects, there is a strong focus on the performing arts, music, and sport. The school’s ethos emphasises fostering curiosity and self-assurance within a supportive community, utilising local facilities to supplement its onsite resources.

Sarum Hall School is an independent preparatory day school for girls aged 3 to 11, located in Belsize Park, North London. Founded in 1929, the school occupies award-winning, purpose-built premises designed by architects Allies and Morrison, which opened in 1995. The red-brick building features specialist facilities, including a science laboratory, art room, and food studio. The curriculum focuses on developing inquisitive minds and creativity, underpinned by the school's "Golden Values" of kindness, courage, and resilience. It aims to identify and nurture individual talents within a supportive environment.

Surbiton High School is an independent day school located in Kingston upon Thames, catering for girls aged 4 to 18 and boys aged 4 to 11. Founded in 1884 by the Church Schools Company, the school is now part of the United Learning group. It operates across several sites in the town centre, including a dedicated Sixth Form Centre and separate preparatory schools for boys and girls. The school emphasises a broad curriculum alongside extensive extracurricular opportunities, utilising its off-site sports ground at Hinchley Wood for various outdoor activities.

Connaught House School is a co-educational independent preparatory day school for pupils aged 4 to 11, located in a bright townhouse on Connaught Square near Hyde Park. Established in 1953, the school remains a family-run institution that prioritises a nurturing environment rooted in traditional values of courtesy and consideration. The curriculum features specialist instruction in music, art, and French. Leveraging its central London location, the school utilises Hyde Park for daily sports and outdoor play, while pupils also attend swimming lessons at the Kensington Leisure Centre.