Independent Prep Schools in Greater London

Saint Christina's School is a co-educational Catholic independent day school for pupils aged 3 to 11, situated in St John's Wood, London. Established in 1949 by the Handmaids of the Sacred Heart of Jesus, it belongs to an international network of schools inspired by Ignatian spirituality. The school provides a broad curriculum with a particular emphasis on STEM, languages, and music, supported by specialist facilities for science and dance. Its proximity to Primrose Hill and Regent's Park allows for an extensive outdoor and sporting programme, including the use of Lord's Cricket Ground.

Queen's Gate School is an independent day school for girls aged 4 to 18, located in South Kensington, London. Occupying five Victorian terrace houses near the capital’s major museums, the school provides an urban learning environment that utilises local landmarks as an extended classroom. Founded in 1891 by Eleanor Beatrice Wyatt, the school emphasises individuality within a supportive atmosphere and is notable for its lack of a prescribed uniform. The broad academic curriculum is enhanced by the regular use of nearby facilities, including the Royal Albert Hall and Imperial College.

Thomas’s Fulham is a co-educational preparatory day school for pupils aged 4 to 11, located in a restored Victorian building in South West London. Established in 2005 as part of the Thomas’s London Day Schools group, the school is guided by the core rule to "Be Kind." The curriculum emphasises academic breadth alongside specialist teaching in art, drama, and music. Facilities include science laboratories and a computing suite, while nearby South Park is utilised for physical education and outdoor learning, providing pupils with a variety of sporting and extracurricular opportunities.

King's House School is an independent day school located in Richmond, Greater London. Established in 1946, the school provides education for pupils aged 3 to 13. Historically a boys' preparatory school, it is currently transitioning to a fully co-educational model. The school is situated near Richmond Park and maintains its own extensive sports ground in Chiswick. The curriculum focuses on providing a broad academic and extracurricular experience, including strong music and arts programmes, to foster the individual development of each pupil.

St Margaret's Hampstead is an independent day school for girls aged 4 to 16, situated in a residential area of North London. Founded in 1884, the school is housed in a Victorian building in Kidderpore Gardens, close to Hampstead Heath. It operates as a small, family-oriented community with a focus on individual pastoral care. The academic curriculum culminates in GCSEs, and as the school does not have a sixth form, Year 11 pupils are encouraged to take on senior leadership roles. Facilities include science laboratories, a library, and drama spaces.

Westminster Abbey Choir School, situated in Dean's Yard in central London, is a small boarding preparatory school for boys aged 8 to 13. Founded around 1560, it is the only school in the United Kingdom to educate choristers exclusively. Housed in a purpose-built 1915 structure, the school provides a specialised academic curriculum alongside elite musical training. Pupils sing for daily services and significant national events, including royal weddings and coronations. With around 30 pupils, the school maintains a close-knit community focused on choral excellence and preparation for the Common Entrance examinations at 13+.

Eaton House Belgravia is an independent day school for boys aged 2 to 11, incorporating a co-educational nursery, located in London’s Belgravia district. Founded in 1897, the school is situated near Sloane Square and occupies historic premises on Eaton Gate. It provides a traditional academic curriculum intended to prepare pupils for 7+, 8+, and 11+ entry into competitive senior schools. Facilities include specialist rooms for science, music, and ICT, alongside an outdoor learning area. Notable alumni include former Prime Minister Harold Macmillan and the actor Eddie Redmayne.

Trevor-Roberts School is a co-educational independent day school for pupils aged 5 to 13, located in Belsize Park, London. Founded in 1955 and established at its current site in 1981, the school is housed in two adjacent late Victorian houses. It maintains a non-competitive academic environment focused on fostering individual confidence and personal progress. Music and drama are core elements of school life, with all pupils participating in two dramatic performances each year. Sporting activities take place at local facilities, including nearby playing fields and a leisure centre swimming pool.

Azbuka Russian-English Bilingual School is a co-educational day school and nursery for pupils aged 2 to 11, located in Hammersmith, London. Established by the AZBUKA Foundation, which pioneered Russian-English bilingual education in the UK from 2000, the school opened its primary department in 2015 as the first of its kind in the country. The curriculum features an equal split between English and Russian, delivered by native-speaking staff. Operating with a small-school ethos, it focuses on immersive language development alongside a broad academic programme designed to support bicultural identity.

Al-Zahra School is an independent day school for girls aged 8 to 16, located in Queen's Park, London. Established in 1989 by the Al-Khoei Foundation, the school provides an education underpinned by a strong Islamic ethos. The curriculum combines the National Curriculum with religious studies, including Arabic and Quranic instruction. Operating within a small, close-knit community, the school focuses on academic progress alongside spiritual and moral development. Al-Zahra School aims to nurture well-rounded individuals, encouraging pupils to integrate their faith-based values with active participation in wider British society.

ICS London is a co-educational independent day school for pupils aged 3 to 18, situated across two campuses in central London. Founded in 1979, the school is an International Baccalaureate (IB) World School, delivering the Primary Years, Middle Years, and Diploma Programmes. The primary department is housed in a renovated Victorian building in Marylebone, while the secondary campus is located on Star Street. Emphasising a global perspective and personalised learning, the school supports a diverse community, utilising its central location to integrate local cultural and sporting facilities into its curriculum.

Channing School is an independent day school for girls aged 4 to 18, located on Highgate Hill in North London. Founded in 1885 by the Reverend Robert Spears and sisters Emily and Matilda Sharpe, it remains the only independent Unitarian school in Britain. The school occupies two sites, with the Junior School at Fairseat bordering Waterlow Park. Its facilities include the Grade II listed Brunner House, a performing arts centre, and a sports hall. The school's ethos is rooted in the Unitarian principles of scholarship, integrity, altruism, and independence.

Ravenscourt Park Preparatory School is a co-educational day school for children aged 4 to 11, located in Hammersmith, West London. Founded in 1991, the school is situated on a site featuring a former vicarage and the more recent Gardener Building. It sits adjacent to the 20-acre Ravenscourt Park, which provides the setting for the majority of PE and games lessons. Facilities include specialist science laboratories, an art studio, and a multi-purpose auditorium. The school emphasises a holistic approach and prepares pupils for transfer to senior schools at the end of Year 6.

London Christian School is a co-educational independent primary school for pupils aged 3 to 11, located in Borough, central London. Founded in 2007, the school provides an education underpinned by Christian values, focusing on spiritual, social, and academic development. It is housed in purpose-built premises featuring a courtyard and a covered rooftop playground. The school maintains small class sizes and a creative curriculum designed to nurture individual talents. Pupils are prepared for the 11-plus process, with many progressing to a variety of independent and state secondary schools across the capital.

Wetherby School Kensington is an independent pre-preparatory day school for boys aged 4 to 8, situated in the heart of South Kensington. Opened in 2017, the school occupies two five-storey Victorian townhouses on Wetherby Gardens, the same street where the original Wetherby School was founded in 1951. It follows a traditional academic curriculum with a strong focus on preparing pupils for competitive 7+ and 8+ assessments. The school combines academic rigour with a nurturing ethos, offering specialist teaching in French, music, and sport while fostering values of kindness and good manners.