Independent Prep Schools in Greater London

Goodwyn School is a co-educational independent day school for pupils aged 3 to 11, located in Mill Hill, North West London. Established in 1938 and situated in its current Hammers Lane building since the mid-20th century, the school provides a nurturing environment with a focus on individual development and academic progress. The broad curriculum is supported by small class sizes and a dedicated PSHE programme designed to build resilience and confidence. Originally founded on Goodwyn Avenue, the school maintains a community-focused ethos, preparing pupils for the transition to senior education.

Parsons Green Prep is an independent co-educational day school for pupils aged 4 to 11, situated in Fulham, London. Established in 2001, the school occupies a site that blends Victorian and modern architecture. Its curriculum places a strong emphasis on STEAM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts, and Mathematics), supported by specialist facilities including a dedicated STEAM room and a double-height hall. Outdoor spaces feature an AstroTurf pitch and an adventure trail. The school aims to balance academic ambition with a focus on pastoral care and individual pupil wellbeing.

Fairley House School is a co-educational independent day school in Central London, specialising in the education of children with specific learning difficulties such as dyslexia and dyspraxia. Established in 1982, the school occupies two sites: a junior department in Lambeth and a senior department in Westminster. It provides support for pupils aged 5 to 16, offering a transdisciplinary curriculum that integrates speech and language therapy and occupational therapy into the daily timetable. The school's primary objective is to equip students with the necessary skills to return to mainstream education.

St Christopher's The Hall School is a co-educational independent preparatory day school in Beckenham for pupils aged 3 to 11. Formed in 1926 via a merger, the school is housed in a handsome Georgian building once belonging to the Cator family. It counts author Enid Blyton among its notable former pupils. Facilities include specialist rooms for music, drama, and art, alongside all-weather sports courts and an expansive playing field. The school provides a balanced curriculum in a supportive environment, encouraging children to develop their individual talents across academic and creative disciplines.

The Hall School is an independent preparatory day school for boys aged 4 to 13, located in the Belsize Park area of Hampstead, London. Established in 1889, the school is set within Victorian red-brick buildings and aims to provide a broad, high-calibre education that nurtures curiosity and academic excellence. The Hall School prepares pupils for entry into leading senior schools through a balance of academic rigour, music, and sport. The school is organised across three distinct sites—Junior, Middle, and Senior—and maintains a traditional house system alongside its Church of England foundation.

Royal Russell School is a co-educational day and boarding school for pupils aged 3 to 18, situated on a 110-acre parkland estate in Croydon. Founded in 1853, the school maintains a long-standing royal patronage. The campus features notable architecture, including a chapel and Great Hall designed by Sir Aston Webb. The school provides a broad curriculum with a focus on developing well-rounded individuals through extensive extracurricular programmes in sport, music, and drama. Facilities include a performing arts centre, modern science laboratories, and comprehensive sports pitches.

Falkner House is an independent day school in West London, with separate sites in South Kensington and Earl’s Court. Founded in 1954, the school remains family-run and provides a co-educational nursery followed by single-sex preparatory education for boys and girls aged four to 11. The curriculum balances academic subjects with cultural studies like History of Art, supported by integrated technology. The school’s ethos focuses on individual potential and kindness within a small community, typically maintaining one class per year group to ensure a nurturing environment for every pupil.

Jeannine Manuel School is a co-educational bilingual day school for pupils aged 3 to 18, located in the heart of Bloomsbury, London. Opened in 2015, it is the sister school of the Paris institution founded in 1954 by French Resistance member Jeannine Manuel. The school is housed across three sites in historic listed buildings on Russell Square and Bedford Square. Its ethos emphasises international understanding and pedagogical innovation within a multicultural community. Students follow a bilingual curriculum, preparing for either the French International Baccalaureate (BFI) or the International Baccalaureate (IB) Diploma.

City Junior School is a co-educational day school for pupils aged 7 to 11, situated within the historic grounds of Gray’s Inn in central London. Established in 2022, the school serves as the joint preparatory department for both City of London School and City of London School for Girls. It occupies a refurbished building featuring specialist facilities for science, art, music, and dance. The curriculum emphasises academic breadth and creative exploration, utilising the unique surrounding legal district and the Inn’s private gardens to provide a stimulating and well-rounded educational environment.

Westminster Cathedral Choir School is an academically selective, Roman Catholic preparatory school for boys aged four to 13, situated in central London. Founded in 1901 by Cardinal Herbert Vaughan, the school is dedicated to training the choristers of Westminster Cathedral, who reside as boarders from Year 4. The school offers a broad 'liberal arts' education alongside a strong tradition in music and competitive sport. As one of only two Catholic cathedral schools in the United Kingdom, it maintains a unique focus on liturgical music and academic excellence within a faith-centred environment.

Keble Prep School is a co-educational day school in Winchmore Hill, North London, for pupils aged 3 to 13. Founded in 1929 and part of the Mill Hill Education Group, the school moved to its current site, an Edwardian villa, in 1930 and became fully co-educational in 2023. The school focuses on a well-rounded education underpinned by the motto ‘Puritas, Veritas, Probitas’. Situated on a hill with views across the city, the grounds feature a large playground, a climbing wall, and green spaces for outdoor learning and sport.

The Lyceum is a co-educational independent day school in the heart of the City of London, catering for pupils aged 3 to 11. Founded in 1997, the school occupies a five-storey former industrial building near Shoreditch, which features purpose-built facilities including a dedicated STEAM studio and outdoor play areas. The curriculum is characterised by a thematic and creative approach, often utilising London’s cultural landmarks as an extension of the classroom. Part of the Dukes Education group, the school focuses on a well-rounded education with a particular emphasis on the arts and sustainability.

Dallington School is an independent co-educational day school and nursery for children aged 3 to 11, located in Clerkenwell, London. Established in 1978 by Mogg Hercules MBE, the school follows a progressive, child-centred ethos that prioritises creativity and natural progression over formal testing. The curriculum is topic-based and features an urban Forest School programme, with regular visits to local galleries and museums. Housed in a bright, open-plan converted building, the school offers a nurturing environment with an informal atmosphere where there is no requirement for a school uniform.

St Augustine's Priory is an independent Catholic day school in Ealing, West London, primarily for girls aged 3 to 18, with boys admitted to the nursery and prep sections. Founded in Paris in 1634 and established at its current site in 1915, the school is set within 13 acres of grounds that include a wildflower meadow, an orchard, and a working farm. Academic and extracurricular facilities include a chapel, a modern science block, and floodlit sports pitches. The school focuses on providing a well-rounded education based on values of truth and compassion.

The Gower School is an independent, co-educational Montessori day school and nursery located in Islington, London. Established in 2000 by Emma Gowers, it provides education for children aged six months to 11 years across two dedicated sites. The school follows the Montessori method, prioritising individualised learning, self-discipline, and independence. Its curriculum integrates Montessori principles with the National Curriculum, supported by facilities such as specialised art and science rooms. Pupils also benefit from local amenities for sports, including swimming and football, alongside a broad programme of music and creative arts.