Independent Pre-Prep Schools

Lycée International de Londres Winston Churchill is a co-educational independent day school in Wembley, North London, for pupils aged 3 to 18. Established in 2015, it is housed in the Grade II listed Brent Town Hall, a refurbished Art Deco landmark on a five-acre campus. The school provides two bilingual pathways: the French national curriculum leading to the Baccalauréat and an English-language track culminating in the International Baccalaureate (IB) Diploma. Facilities include modern science laboratories, an indoor gymnasium, and outdoor sports courts, fostering an environment of academic rigour and international-mindedness.

The Villa School and Nursery is an independent co-educational day pre-prep and nursery for children aged two to seven, situated in Peckham, South East London. Housed in Victorian buildings featuring modern classroom extensions and mature walled gardens, the school provides a nurturing environment with a family-oriented ethos. The curriculum follows the Early Years Foundation Stage and Key Stage 1, focusing on holistic development through a balance of play and structured learning. Maintaining small class sizes, the school emphasises personal growth and academic readiness for the transition to subsequent schools at age seven.

Seaford College is an independent co-educational boarding and day school situated at Lavington Park, south of Petworth, West Sussex, England. The campus is set within over 450 acres of parkland in the South Downs, an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty. Founded in 1884, the school caters for students aged 4 to 18 across its Prep, Senior, and Sixth Form. Seaford College, affiliated with the Church of England, claims to focus on fostering individual potential, encouraging academic achievement, and promoting participation in cultural, social, and sporting activities.

Located on a 50-acre rural site near Robertsbridge, Marlborough House Vinehall is a co-educational preparatory school for day and boarding pupils aged 2 to 13. Formed in 2025 by the merger of Marlborough House and Vinehall schools, it occupies the former Vinehall site in the East Sussex countryside. The school claims to balance academic rigour with a focus on preserving childhood through outdoor exploration and play. Facilities include woodland and a golf course, supporting a curriculum designed to foster resilience and creativity as pupils prepare for entry to senior schools.

Situated near Pulborough in West Sussex, Dorset House School is a co-educational preparatory school. Located in the village of Bury, the school offers day, flexi, and weekly boarding options. The school claims to provide a “high challenge, low threat” environment, often describing its ethos as a “greenhouse” rather than a “hot house” to foster pupil confidence. The curriculum places a strong emphasis on art, drama, and music, while the rural setting supports a range of outdoor learning and sporting activities.

Cumnor House School for Girls is an independent day school for pupils aged 2 to 11, located in Purley, Surrey. The school occupies a site on Woodcote Lane and offers a curriculum that integrates academic study with music, sport, and drama. Facilities include a purpose-built science laboratory, an art and design studio, and various outdoor play and learning spaces. Part of a wider group of schools, it emphasises the development of individual character and social skills to prepare girls for entry into a variety of senior schools.

ACS Cobham International School is a co-educational day and boarding school for pupils aged 2 to 18, situated on a 128-acre campus in the Surrey countryside. The school offers a global curriculum, including the International Baccalaureate (IB) Diploma and the American Advanced Placement (AP) programme. Facilities include a state-of-the-art sports centre with a 25-metre competition pool, an Olympic-sized track, and a 510-seat performing arts theatre. Founded in 1967, the school emphasises developing well-rounded global citizens through a diverse range of academic, sporting, and extracurricular opportunities.

St James Preparatory School is a co-educational day school and nursery for pupils aged 2 to 11, situated in West Kensington. Established in 1975, the school is located within modern, courtyard-centred grounds near Kensington Olympia. It is defined by a unique philosophical ethos that integrates regular "Pauses" for mindfulness and reflection into the school day. The broad curriculum includes the study of Sanskrit and philosophy from an early age. Facilities include a state-of-the-art gym and a dedicated art room, while the school maintains a distinctive whole-school vegetarian diet.

Al-Sadiq School is an independent Shia Islamic day school located in Queen’s Park, London. Established in 1991 by the Al-Khoei Foundation, the school provides a co-educational setting for pupils aged three to seven, before transitioning to single-sex education for boys up to age 16. Named after Imam Ja’far Al-Sadiq, the school integrates the National Curriculum with Islamic studies, Arabic and Qur'anic tuition. Its ethos is built upon the pillars of knowledge, faith and action, aiming to foster moral character and spiritual development. Facilities include specialist science and ICT laboratories.

Avenue Pre-Preparatory School & Nursery is an independent co-educational day school in Highgate, London, catering for children aged two to seven. Established in 1977, the school is set within a large Victorian house featuring a substantial garden for outdoor play and social development. The non-denominational ethos focuses on providing a nurturing and secure environment to support early years education. Alongside core subjects, pupils benefit from specialist instruction in music, French, and drama. The school also offers a wide range of extracurricular activities, including swimming and pottery, to encourage well-rounded personal development.

Warlingham Park School is a co-educational day school for children aged 2 to 11, situated in a rural location overlooking Chelsham Common in Surrey. Founded in 1951, the school provides a nurturing environment with a focus on small class sizes and individual development. The curriculum is designed to prepare pupils for senior school entrance exams while offering a broad range of extracurricular activities. Facilities include extensive outdoor spaces for play and learning, reflecting the school's commitment to a well-rounded education within its scenic countryside setting.

Eaton Square Prep School is a co-educational independent day school for pupils aged 2 to 11, located in Belgravia, London. Occupying three Grade II listed Georgian townhouses overlooking Eccleston Square, the school combines a traditional British ethos with a modern curriculum. Academic study is supported by specialist teaching in STEAM, music, and art, while character development is fostered through core values such as integrity and empathy. The school utilises nearby sporting facilities and private gardens, preparing pupils for transition to leading senior schools.

Hilden Oaks Preparatory School and Nursery is a co-educational independent day school in Tonbridge, Kent, catering for children aged three months to 11 years. Established in 1919, the school occupies a Victorian site on Dry Hill Park Road, including the Forster Building, which is marked by a blue plaque for author E.M. Forster. The school operates a values-based education system, prioritising small class sizes and individual attention. Pupils have access to extensive sporting facilities at the neighbouring Tonbridge School, including a swimming pool and athletics track, to complement the on-site curriculum.

Westminster Under School is an independent preparatory school for boys aged 7 to 13, established in 1943. Situated in central London at 27 Vincent Square, it overlooks the Westminster School playing fields. The school claims to focus on a liberal education, fostering a love of knowledge, inquisitiveness, and a desire to serve others. It also aims to develop compassionate and intellectually enriched pupils. The school is known for its strengths in music, sports, drama, chess, and Latin, with choristers often serving St Margaret's Church in Westminster Abbey.

Sompting Abbotts Preparatory School is a co-educational independent day school located in West Sussex, near Worthing, Steyning, and Brighton. Situated within 30 acres of parkland, including woodland, it serves pupils aged 2 to 13. Founded in 1921, the school is broadly Christian in ethos and claims to focus on an environmental commitment, encouraging pupils to 'Embrace Nature; Embrace Learning; Embrace Childhood'. The average class size is 15. The school prepares pupils for Common Entrance and scholarships to senior schools.