Independent Prep Schools in Hertfordshire

Abbot's Hill School is an independent day school for girls aged 4 to 16, with a co-educational nursery, located in Hemel Hempstead, Hertfordshire. Set within 70 acres of parkland, the school is housed in a late 19th-century mansion originally built for the Dickinson family. Founded in 1912, it provides a broad education across its Prep and Senior departments. The school emphasises a holistic approach to learning, supported by facilities including a sports hall and a performing arts centre, aiming to develop well-rounded individuals within a historic setting.

Hertford Prep, formerly known as St Joseph’s in the Park, is a co-educational independent day school for pupils aged 3 to 11. Set within the historic grounds of Hertingfordbury Park near Hertford, the school occupies a site with 17th-century origins and extensive woodland used for its Forest School. Founded in 1898, it emphasises a nurturing family ethos and a broad curriculum. The school features the Woodlands learning centre, which provides specialist support for pupils with dyslexia and dyscalculia, and has been part of the Mill Hill Education Group since 2021.

Westbrook Hay is a co-educational independent prep school for children aged 3 to 13, located in Hemel Hempstead, Hertfordshire. Set within 26 acres of parkland, the school provides nursery, pre-prep, and prep education. Originally founded in 1892, it moved to its current site in 1963. The school emphasises a broad curriculum and character development, preparing pupils for transition to various senior schools. Facilities include extensive sports grounds, a swimming pool, and a performing arts centre, supporting a range of extracurricular activities and academic study.

The Royal Masonic School for Girls is an independent day and boarding school for pupils aged 2 to 18, set within 315 acres of parkland in Rickmansworth, Hertfordshire. Founded in 1788 to provide for the daughters of Freemasons, the school relocated to its present site in 1934. The campus features a blend of historic architecture and modern facilities, including a planetarium, a dedicated performing arts centre, and extensive sports grounds. The school focuses on nurturing individual talent and potential, offering a broad curriculum alongside a diverse range of extracurricular activities.

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.

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.

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.

Heath Mount School is a co-educational day and boarding preparatory school for pupils aged 2 to 13, located within the 40-acre Woodhall Park Estate in Watton-at-Stone. Established in 1796, it is one of the UK’s oldest prep schools and has occupied its Grade I listed Georgian mansion since 1934. The school maintains a nurturing ethos, balancing academic rigour with a broad enrichment programme. Its extensive grounds include woodland for Forest School and a historic walled garden, providing a scenic setting for a curriculum that focuses on both individual wellbeing and outdoor learning.

Duncombe School is a co-educational independent day school and nursery for pupils aged 2 to 11, situated in Bengeo, Hertford. Established in 1939, the school occupies a 19th-century Palladian-style mansion set within four and a half acres of woodland. The curriculum covers academic, musical, and sporting development, with a significant emphasis on outdoor education. Facilities include "The Dell," an accredited Forest School site featuring a sunken garden, alongside a floodlit Astroturf pitch and specialised studios for art, science, and music.

Howe Green House School is a co-educational independent day school for pupils aged 2 to 11, set within 13 acres of rural grounds near Bishop’s Stortford. Founded in 1987, the school provides a nurturing environment that emphasises a broad curriculum with a creative focus. Facilities include the oak-framed Mulberry Lodge for Reception and Ladywell Field, which provides extensive space for sport and outdoor education. Specialist teaching in subjects such as music, art, and drama supports the school's ethos of fostering curiosity and preparing children for the transition to secondary education.

St Albans High School for Girls (STAHS) is an independent day school for pupils aged 4 to 18. Established in 1889, the school operates across two Hertfordshire sites: the Senior School in central St Albans and the Preparatory School set within 18 acres of parkland in Wheathampstead. Rooted in the Church of England tradition, the school follows a "Teach to 25" philosophy. Facilities include a performing arts centre, an indoor swimming pool, and extensive sports grounds for lacrosse and tennis, alongside a modern Sixth Form centre.

Sherrardswood School is a co-educational day school for pupils aged 2 to 18, located in Welwyn, Hertfordshire. The school is housed in Lockleys, a Grade II listed Georgian mansion, and set within 25 acres of parkland and woodland. Founded in 1928, the school maintains small class sizes across its prep, senior, and sixth form departments. The curriculum aims to provide a broad education, supported by facilities including dedicated art studios, science laboratories, and extensive outdoor sports grounds, fostering individual development in a rural setting.

Kingshott School is a co-educational independent day school for pupils aged 3 to 16, situated on a 23-acre site on the outskirts of Hitchin. Founded in 1931, the school has recently expanded its provision to include a senior department for GCSE students. Facilities include a multi-purpose sports hall, an all-weather pitch, a salt-water swimming pool, and a dedicated performing arts centre. The school provides a broad curriculum with a focus on academic, sporting, and creative development. Its extensive grounds allow for a range of outdoor learning opportunities and diverse extracurricular activities within a supportive community.

Radlett Preparatory School is a co-educational day school for pupils aged 4 to 11, located in Radlett, Hertfordshire. Housed in Kendal Hall, a Grade II listed Georgian building, the school is set within extensive grounds that include playing fields and ancient woodland. Founded in 1938, the school provides a nurturing environment with a focus on academic achievement and personal development. Facilities include a dedicated art and design studio and all-weather sports courts. The curriculum places a strong emphasis on the performing arts and sport, preparing children for their future senior school transition.

Manor Lodge School is a co-educational independent day school for pupils aged 3 to 11, located in Shenley, Hertfordshire. Set within 22 acres of countryside, the school is centred around a Grade II listed building and promotes a "classroom without walls" ethos that integrates outdoor and indoor learning. Facilities include the Basil Flashman building, which houses a 320-seat theatre and sports hall with a living roof, and "The Space," a contemporary STEAM-focused atrium. The curriculum emphasises academic breadth alongside a diverse range of sports, music, and dramatic arts.