Independent Pre-Prep Schools

St Hilary's School is an independent co-educational preparatory day school and nursery in Godalming, Surrey, for children aged 2 to 11. Founded in 1927 and located on its Holloway Hill site since 1936, the school is set within grounds that feature a Victorian-era house and dedicated woodland areas. Facilities include the Hiorns Centre for drama and dance, a music wing, and an all-weather sports pitch. The curriculum incorporates outdoor learning, utilising nature trails and an open-air classroom to foster environmental awareness and exploration.

Hilden Grange is a co-educational preparatory school for pupils aged 3 to 13, situated on a 22-acre site in Tonbridge, Kent. Founded in 1929, the school is housed in buildings featuring a Victorian frontage alongside modern facilities. These include a purpose-built science and art building, an ICT suite, and a heated outdoor swimming pool. The curriculum emphasises specialist teaching from Year 3 onwards, focusing on preparing pupils for the 11-plus and Common Entrance examinations for local grammar and independent senior schools.

North Bridge House Prep is a co-educational day school for pupils aged 4 to 13, located near Regent’s Park in London. Housed in a grand former convent, the school features a striking chapel with an ornate ceiling and stained-glass windows. The curriculum emphasises specialist teaching and a 'high support, low pressure' approach, preparing pupils for transition to senior education at ages 11 and 13. Facilities include modern science laboratories and an art studio, while the school utilises the neighbouring Royal Park for sport and maintains a unique educational partnership with ZSL London Zoo.

Kerem School is an independent, non-selective primary school located in Hampstead Garden Suburb, London. Catering to boys and girls aged 3-11, it is a Modern Orthodox Jewish school, integrating traditional Torah-based Jewish values and British values into its curriculum and daily life. The school claims to focus on academic excellence and holistic child development. Its sites are described as small, friendly, and situated within the heart of the community, with the main school located within the premises of the Hampstead Garden Suburb Synagogue.

Lloyd Williamson Schools is a co-educational independent day school for pupils aged 3 to 17, situated in the Royal Borough of Kensington and Chelsea. Established in 1999, the school provides a continuous education from nursery through to secondary level across multiple sites. It is defined by a family-oriented ethos and a personalised approach to learning, maintaining small class sizes to foster individual potential. The school prioritises a child's curiosity and resilience, notably avoiding formal entrance examinations in favour of assessing aptitude and attitude to ensure a supportive and inclusive environment.

Duke of Kent School is a co-educational independent day school for pupils aged 3 to 16, located in Ewhurst within the Surrey Hills. Established in 1976 by the Royal Air Force Benevolent Fund, the school is housed in Woolpit House, a Grade II listed building originally constructed in 1885 for Henry Doulton. Set within extensive grounds and forest land, the school provides a nurturing environment with a focus on academic development alongside music, drama, and sport. Its ethos emphasizes individual wellbeing and a growth mindset, supporting pupils through to their GCSEs.

Garden House School is an independent day school for pupils aged 3 to 11, situated in Chelsea, London. Founded in 1950 by ballerina Margery de Brissac Bernard, the school occupies purpose-designed facilities within the Grade II listed Cavalry House at the Duke of York’s Headquarters. It operates a unique model where boys and girls are taught in separate classes while sharing extracurricular activities and communal spaces. The school's ethos is defined by its 'Kindness Code', and the curriculum maintains a strong tradition in the performing arts, particularly dance and music.

Royal Grammar School Guildford is a historic independent day school for boys aged 3 to 18, situated in the heart of Guildford, Surrey. Founded in 1509 and granted a royal charter in 1552, the school is centred around its landmark Tudor building, which houses a rare sixteenth-century chained library. The ethos emphasises academic boldness and scholarship, supported by extensive modern facilities and over 70 extracurricular clubs. While the main campus is located on the High Street, the school also utilises its 20-acre Bradstone Brook site for competitive rugby and cricket.

Lochinver House School is an independent day preparatory school for pupils aged 3 to 13, situated in Potters Bar, Hertfordshire. Established in 1947 within a characterful house on the edge of North London, the school is currently transitioning to a fully co-educational model. Now part of the Haberdashers' Elstree Schools group, it emphasises a well-rounded education that balances academic rigour with personal development. The school's ethos focuses on nurturing global citizens, supported by a broad co-curricular programme and a significant, long-standing commitment to charitable work and community engagement.

Halstead St Andrew's School is a co-educational day school in Woking, Surrey, formed in 2023 by the merger of two long-established local schools. Currently educating pupils aged 2 to 13, the school is consolidating its operations onto the Church Hill House site. The ethos is defined by five core values: endeavour, positivity, creativity, respect, and kindness. Set within extensive grounds featuring playing fields and a Forest School, the school provides a broad curriculum that balances academic pursuit with a diverse co-curricular programme, aiming to foster resilience and holistic development in a nurturing environment.

Westbury House School is a co-educational independent day school for pupils aged 2 to 11, located in New Malden, Surrey. Established in 1948, the school is housed in a Victorian building and offers a broad curriculum including specialist instruction in music, French, and sport. The school maintains small class sizes and prepares pupils for transition to a range of senior schools. Facilities include an outdoor play area and dedicated rooms for creative arts, supporting an ethos that focuses on the development of well-rounded individuals.

Ripley Court School is a co-educational preparatory school and nursery for pupils aged 3 to 11, situated on a 19-acre site in the village of Ripley, Surrey. The school is centred around a Grade II listed 17th-century building, featuring extensive playing fields and woodland. Facilities include an indoor heated swimming pool, a forest school, and a music and drama centre. Ripley Court emphasises a nurturing, family ethos and maintains a close partnership with Reed’s School in Cobham. The curriculum balances academic development with a strong focus on sport, music, and the arts.

Heathside Preparatory School is a co-educational independent day school for pupils aged 2 to 11, situated in the heart of Hampstead Village. Occupying historic buildings near Hampstead Heath, the school regularly utilises the Heath for its Forest School programme and outdoor learning. Heathside is distinguished by its informal ethos, which includes a no-uniform policy and the practice of pupils and teachers using first names. The curriculum is based on the pillars of "knowledge, nature, and nurture," providing academic preparation for the 11-plus alongside a strong emphasis on creative arts and pastoral development.

Burgess Hill Girls is an independent day and boarding school for girls aged 2 to 18, situated on a 14-acre campus in a conservation area of Burgess Hill, West Sussex. Founded in 1906, the school provides an all-through education including a co-educational nursery. On-site facilities include a Creative Arts Centre, a Science and Technology Hub, and an athletics track. The school’s ethos is summarised by its motto, 'I am, I can, I should, I will', which focuses on the development of individual potential. Boarding is available for students from age 11.

Edgeborough is a co-educational day and boarding preparatory school for pupils aged 2 to 13, located in Frensham, near Farnham. Set within 50 acres of parkland and countryside, the school is centred around Frensham Place, a Victorian manor house. Founded in 1906, it moved to its current site in 1939. The curriculum emphasises a broad range of academic, creative, and sporting opportunities, supported by facilities including a swimming pool and a performing arts centre. The school aims to foster an inclusive community while preparing children for transition to senior schools.