Independent Prep Schools in Greater London

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

Sydenham High School GDST is an independent day school for girls aged 4 to 18, situated in South London near Crystal Palace. Established in 1887, the school is a member of the Girls' Day School Trust and operates across two sites within walking distance of each other. The curriculum focuses on academic breadth alongside strengths in the creative arts, music, and sport. Facilities include a dedicated performing arts centre and a long-standing sports pavilion. The school's ethos encourages independence and self-belief within a supportive community setting.

St Paul's Waldorf School is a co-educational day school for children aged 3 to 14, located in Islington, London. Housed in a notable Grade II* listed 19th-century church designed by Sir Charles Barry, the school offers a holistic education following the Steiner Waldorf curriculum. Its ethos emphasises a "head, heart, and hands" approach to learning, focusing on creativity and experiential discovery. The school maintains a technology-free environment for pupils under the age of 12 and makes extensive use of London’s cultural landmarks to support its non-selective and non-denominational academic programme.

Broadhurst School is an independent co-educational nursery and pre-prep school situated in South Hampstead, London. Established in 1958 by Mary Berkery, the school is housed in a five-storey Victorian building on Greencroft Gardens. It provides early years education for children aged two to five, delivering an accelerated curriculum influenced by Montessori and Reggio Emilia philosophies. The school focuses on preparing pupils for the 4+ assessment process for entry into selective London preparatory schools. The curriculum includes daily phonics and mathematics lessons, complemented by activities such as music, drama, and French.

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.

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.

St Paul's School is an independent school for boys aged 7 to 18, situated on a 45-acre riverside site in Barnes, London. Founded in 1509 by John Colet, the school emphasises a liberal education and academic scholarship. Its extensive campus includes an on-site boat club, a theatre, and specialised science and music centres. St Paul's operates as both a day and boarding school, with flexible and weekly boarding available for senior pupils. The institution’s historical alumni include notable figures such as John Milton and Samuel Pepys.

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.

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.