Independent Prep Schools in Greater London

The Mulberry House School is an independent co-educational pre-prep and nursery for pupils aged two to seven, located in West Hampstead, North West London. Operating across two sites, the school is housed in refurbished Victorian buildings on Minster Road and Shoot Up Hill. The curriculum emphasises the development of the whole child, balancing academic preparation for 7+ transitions with creative arts, music, and physical education. The school's ethos focuses on fostering curiosity and individual potential, maintaining strong links with many of the capital's leading preparatory and senior schools.

Notting Hill Prep is a co-educational day school in West London for pupils aged 4 to 13. Founded in 2003, the school is situated near Portobello Road and is an accredited Advanced Thinking School, emphasising cognitive development and independent thought through its curriculum. Its ethos seeks to balance academic rigour with "the joy of childhood", supported by facilities including a library, a woodland area, and school chickens. Specialist teaching is introduced early in subjects such as science and music, preparing pupils for transition to senior schools at ages 11 or 13.

Naima Jewish Prep School is a co-educational day school in Maida Vale, London, for pupils aged 2 to 11. Established in 1983, it was the first Sephardi school opened in England for over a century. The school’s ethos is inspired by the Golden Age of Jews in Spain, seeking to synthesise traditional Torah values with a comprehensive secular education. Facilities include a dedicated synagogue, a mikveh, and a sports hall. The curriculum balances Jewish Studies with the National Curriculum, offering specialist instruction in music, art, and physical education.

Bute House Preparatory School for Girls is an independent day school for pupils aged 4 to 11, located near Brook Green in Hammersmith. Established in 1958 on land leased from the Mercers’ Company, the school maintains a distinctive non-competitive ethos that avoids academic streaming. The broad curriculum emphasises a well-rounded education, supported by modern facilities including a science laboratory, art studio, and a signature pirate ship playground. While Bute House shares some sporting facilities with St Paul’s Girls’ School, it operates as an independent, mixed-ability environment focused on developing inquisitive and confident learners.

Colfe's School is a co-educational independent day school, situated in Horn Park within the Royal Borough of Greenwich, southeast London. Established in 1568 and re-founded in 1652, the school is governed by the Leathersellers' Company. Co-educational since 1999, it caters to pupils aged 3 to 18. The school claims to focus on values such as effort, happiness, and a love of learning, fostering a purposeful and respectful atmosphere. Its grounds feature over 30 acres of playing fields, a sports complex with a 25m swimming pool, and a performing arts centre. Colfe's School was awarded Microsoft Showcase School status in 2024.

Charterhouse Square School is a co-educational day school and nursery for pupils aged 3 to 11, located in the City of London. Housed in seven interconnected Victorian buildings overlooking the historic Charterhouse Square Gardens, the school operates a progressive ethos where pupils and staff are on a first-name basis and no uniform is worn. Facilities include a rooftop learning deck with views across the City, while the curriculum balances academic rigour with a focus on kindness and individuality. The school prepares pupils for transition to competitive senior schools at age 11.

Maple Walk School is a co-educational day prep school for pupils aged 4 to 11, located in Harlesden, North West London. Founded in 2004 by the New Model School Company, it delivers a knowledge-rich curriculum based on the Core Knowledge approach. The school is housed in purpose-built, eco-friendly premises featuring a sedum roof and solar panels. Alongside traditional academic subjects, there is a strong emphasis on music, art, and drama. Pupils benefit from the proximity of Roundwood Park, which is used extensively for sports and physical education.

Chepstow House School is a co-educational independent day school in Notting Hill, London, for pupils aged 2 to 11. Established in 2010, the school is housed in a building combining 1906 architecture with modern extensions. Its curriculum is structured around three pillars: academics, sport, and the performing and creative arts. Specialist facilities include a science laboratory, music and art studios, and a gym. Pupils benefit from onsite playgrounds and a 'Wild Area' for sensory learning, alongside access to nearby sports grounds. The school emphasises a community-based ethos, aiming to develop well-rounded, resilient individuals.

Gatehouse School is a co-educational independent day school for pupils aged 3 to 11, situated in Bethnal Green opposite Victoria Park. Founded in 1948 by Phyllis Wallbank in the gatehouse of St Bartholomew-the-Great, the school moved to its current site in the 1970s. Its educational philosophy is rooted in Montessori principles, fostering an inclusive, non-selective environment. The school prioritises the arts and physical education, utilising its own playgrounds and the adjacent parkland for sports. Recent renovations have added modern facilities, including a new assembly hall and specialised spaces for music and drama.

Kensington Wade is a co-educational day school in West London for pupils aged 3 to 11. Established in 2017, it is the first prep school in the United Kingdom to provide a fully immersive English-Chinese bilingual education. The curriculum combines a traditional British framework with Mandarin immersion, utilising the Shanghai Approach for mathematics. Facilities on Fulham Palace Road include a dedicated nursery building, two playgrounds, and a specialist STEAM room. Pupils also benefit from nearby swimming and sports facilities, while the younger children participate in weekly Forest School sessions.

Bickley Park School is an independent co-educational day school in Bromley for pupils aged 2 to 13. Founded in 1918, the school has historical connections to author Enid Blyton, who was one of its first teachers. The curriculum is structured around "Four Quadrants of Learning"—Academic, Arts, Community, and Sport—to provide a balanced education. Facilities across its two sites include a theatre, a covered swimming pool, a climbing wall, and a six-acre sports ground. The school, which became fully co-educational in 2024, occupies a blend of original buildings and modern purpose-built spaces.

Islamic Shakhsiyah Foundation (London) is a co-educational day school for pupils aged 3 to 16, located in Tottenham. The school is housed within a historic building, formerly St Mary’s Priory, which forms part of a local mosque complex. Established in 2002 from a network of home-schooling groups, the school follows the Shakhsiyah Education model, rooted in classical Islamic pedagogy and the Quran. Its curriculum is holistic and thematic, featuring the 'Halaqah' system to develop personal character. Extracurricular highlights include an annual inventions fair and student presentations focusing on public speaking and creativity.

Fulham School is a co-educational independent day school in London, founded in 1996. Operating across several sites in Fulham, the school provides a broad education for pupils from nursery age through to eighteen. The preparatory school is housed in a Victorian building on Greyhound Road, notable as a former filming location for the television programme Grange Hill. As a member of the Inspired Education Group, the school follows a holistic ethos centred on academics, sport, and the performing arts. Facilities include specialist science laboratories, creative art studios, and various all-weather sports pitches.

Thomas’s Battersea is a co-educational independent day school in South West London, catering for pupils aged 4 to 13. Housed in a Grade II listed Victorian building, the site was formerly the Sir Walter St John’s Grammar School and features a historic central courtyard. The school is guided by the fundamental rule to "be kind", promoting a broad curriculum that balances academic rigour with creativity and character development. Notable facilities include specialist art and music studios, a pottery room, and a modern dining hall. Pupils also benefit from nearby sporting facilities.

St Paul's Cathedral School is a co-educational preparatory school for pupils aged 4 to 13, situated in the heart of the City of London. Tracing its origins back to 1123, the school was founded to educate cathedral choristers and maintains this link today, providing boarding for the choristers of St Paul’s Cathedral. The school offers a broad curriculum within a Christian ethos, frequently utilising the cathedral for assemblies. Housed in 1960s purpose-built facilities, the school provides a holistic education with an exceptional focus on music alongside strong academic and pastoral foundations.