Independent Pre-Prep Schools

Kent College Canterbury is a co-educational day and boarding school for pupils aged 3 to 18, situated on an 80-acre site overlooking the historic city of Canterbury. Founded in 1885 as a Methodist school, it comprises a junior school, senior school, and sixth form. The school is notable for its working farm, which allows students to engage in agricultural activities. Facilities include the Great Hall for performing arts and extensive sports grounds. The curriculum offers both A-levels and the International Baccalaureate Diploma Programme, alongside a broad range of extracurricular activities.

Westbourne House School is a co-educational day and boarding preparatory school for pupils aged 2 to 13, situated within 100 acres of parkland near Chichester. Established in 1907 and relocated to its current Shopwyke site in 1946, the school is centred around a historic country house. Facilities include a purpose-built music school, a performing arts centre, and extensive sporting grounds featuring an indoor swimming pool and a lake for kayaking. The school emphasises a broad curriculum and character development, preparing children for transition to a wide range of independent senior schools.

Thomas's Kensington is a co-educational independent day school for pupils aged 4 to 11. Located in the heart of Kensington near the Royal Parks, the school is part of the Thomas’s London Day Schools group. Established in 1981, its ethos is rooted in kindness, curiosity, and ambition. In 2025, the school moved to a refurbished purpose-built site at St Albans Grove. Modern facilities include a light-filled central atrium, a biodiverse roof garden, and a theatre, alongside a sports hall and specialist studios for music, dance, and art.

The King's School Canterbury is a co-educational day and boarding school for pupils aged 13 to 18, situated within the Precincts of Canterbury Cathedral. Founded in 597 AD, it is widely considered the oldest school in the world. The school occupies a UNESCO World Heritage site, incorporating historic medieval buildings alongside modern facilities such as the Malthouse Theatre and the Birley Centre for music. Its ethos focuses on holistic development, offering a traditional academic curriculum complemented by extensive programmes in sport and the arts, all set within a unique scholarly environment.

The Hawthorns School is a co-educational day school for children aged 2 to 13, situated in 35 acres of parkland in Bletchingley, near Redhill. Founded in 1926, the school provides a broad curriculum that balances academic study with extensive extracurricular opportunities. Facilities include a multi-purpose sports hall, an indoor swimming pool, and dedicated spaces for performing arts and science. The school focuses on developing well-rounded individuals, preparing pupils for transition to a wide range of senior independent schools at the end of Year 8.

Hove Micro-School is an independent co-educational day school in Southwick, West Sussex, catering for pupils aged 5 to 14. Operating from a residential setting, the school provides a personalised alternative to mainstream education, specifically designed for children with special educational needs and school-based anxieties. The curriculum is child-led and flexible, prioritising emotional wellbeing alongside academic progress within small classes of up to eight pupils. Founded to foster a nurturing, homely environment, the school frequently utilises local green spaces and community facilities to deliver a bespoke and inclusive learning experience.

Gad's Hill School is a co-educational independent day school for pupils aged 3 to 16, located in Higham, near Rochester. Founded in 1924, the school is famously set within the former country home of Charles Dickens, Gad’s Hill Place, and occupies 12 acres of grounds. The site features the Grade I listed Georgian house alongside modern facilities, including a purpose-built theatre and sports hall. The school emphasises traditional values and a well-rounded education, offering a broad curriculum supported by small class sizes, an on-site Forest School, and a Combined Cadet Force.

Lyonsdown School is an independent co-educational prep school in New Barnet, Hertfordshire, catering for children aged 3 to 11. Founded in 1906, the school provides a foundation for pupils from nursery through to the end of their primary education. The curriculum emphasises a well-rounded approach, balancing academic development with creative and physical activities. Situated in a residential area, the school features dedicated facilities for STEAM subjects and outdoor learning. Lyonsdown focuses on preparing pupils for the transition to a wide range of senior schools at the age of 11.

Lingfield College is a co-educational independent day school for pupils aged 2 to 18, situated in 40 acres of grounds in the Surrey countryside. Originally founded in 1940 by the Sisters of Notre Dame des Missions, the school transitioned from its origins as a convent school to its current secular status. The college emphasises a well-rounded education, combining academic study with a focus on pastoral care and extracurricular engagement. Facilities include a dedicated Sixth Form Centre and extensive sporting grounds, supporting a curriculum designed to foster individual growth and community spirit.

Broomfield House School is a co-educational day school for pupils aged 3 to 11, located in Kew, Richmond. Founded in 1876, it is the oldest independent school in Kew and is situated near the Royal Botanic Gardens. The school occupies a Victorian building and offers a curriculum that balances academic subjects with music, art, and sport. It focuses on preparing children for the 11-plus transition to senior schools. The school maintains a traditional ethos while providing facilities such as a dedicated science lab and art studio.

Greenfield School is an independent co-educational day school in Woking, catering for children from six months to eleven years of age. Founded in 1935, the school relocated in 2019 to a ten-acre site that includes extensive sports fields, a three-court sports hall, and a dance studio. Its non-selective ethos focuses on individual development through a broad curriculum encompassing academic subjects, music, and the arts. Facilities at the Woking site include a dedicated forest school area and a multi-media suite, supporting a community-focused learning environment.

Founded in 1936, Annemount School is a co-educational nursery and pre-preparatory school for children aged two to seven. Located in Hampstead Garden Suburb near Hampstead Heath, the school is set within a garden environment that supports its focus on individuality and independence. The curriculum incorporates Montessori methodology in the early years and is enriched by specialist-led activities including French, chess, and yoga. Annemount School emphasizes a nurturing ethos where pupils are encouraged to develop self-discipline and mutual respect, typically transitioning to their next schools at the end of Year 2.

The Stewart Bilingual School is an independent, co-educational day school in West London, catering for pupils aged 2 to 11. Based across sites in North Kensington and Notting Hill, the school offers a dual-language programme that integrates the French National Curriculum with the National Curriculum for England. This family-owned institution provides a small, nurturing environment with a 50/50 balance of French and English instruction. Its ethos focuses on fostering early bilingualism and cultural diversity, preparing children for successful entry into both British and French secondary educational systems.

Francis Holland School (Sloane Square) is an independent day school for girls aged 11 to 18, situated in the heart of Belgravia, London. Founded in 1881 by Reverend Canon Francis Holland, the school moved to its current Graham Terrace site in 1884. It maintains a Church of England ethos, focusing on the development of leadership, creativity, and enterprise. Facilities include the RIBA award-winning Centre for Creative Learning and the Old School House, a dedicated Sixth Form centre. The school is well-regarded for its specialisms in the creative arts, including drama, music, and ballet.

Arnold House School is an independent preparatory day school for boys aged three to thirteen, situated in St John’s Wood, London. Founded in 1905, the school operates across two main sites, featuring a dedicated pre-prep department on Marlborough Place. The curriculum balances academic study with a strong emphasis on music, art, and sport. Pupils benefit from the school’s 20-acre activity centre at Canons Park, which provides extensive facilities for outdoor learning and games. The school’s ethos is centred on providing a nurturing and supportive environment that encourages boys to become well-rounded, kind, and confident individuals.