Independent Prep Schools

Essendene Lodge School is a co-educational day school and nursery for children aged 2 to 11, situated in Caterham, Surrey. Founded in 1964, the school operates with small class sizes and offers a broad curriculum that includes specialist teaching in music, French, and physical education. The school is located in a residential setting and focuses on preparing pupils for the 11-plus examinations and the transition to various senior schools. Facilities include an on-site nursery and outdoor play areas.

Kew Green Preparatory School is a co-educational day school for children aged 4 to 11, situated overlooking Kew Green in Richmond. Established in 2004, the school utilises its proximity to the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew, as an outdoor learning resource. The curriculum is designed to be broad, preparing pupils for transition to various senior schools at age 11. Facilities include a dedicated art studio and music room, with physical education taking place at local sports grounds and the nearby Kew Cricket Club.

Devonshire House Preparatory School is a co-educational day school and nursery in Hampstead, London, for children aged 2 to 13. Established in 1989, the school is housed across four Victorian premises, including the former residence of illustrator Francis William Topham. The curriculum balances academic rigour with personal wellbeing, preparing pupils for transition at 11+ and 13+ to various leading senior schools. Facilities include specialist science and art rooms, two onsite all-weather pitches, and an integrated Forest School, all set within spacious grounds and walled gardens.

Junior King’s School is a co-educational day and boarding preparatory school for pupils aged 3 to 13, situated on the Milner Court estate in Sturry, Kent. Set within 80 acres along the River Stour, the campus features a 16th-century manor house and a historic tithe barn. The school serves as the junior department of The King’s School, Canterbury, offering a curriculum that balances academic study with music, sport, and performing arts. Facilities include a dedicated music school, a sports hall, and a heated outdoor swimming pool.

Laleham Lea School is a Catholic independent co-educational day school for pupils aged 3 to 11, situated in Purley, Surrey. Founded in 1945, the school is housed in a Victorian building and provides a primary education rooted in Christian values. It emphasises a nurturing environment with small class sizes to support individual academic and personal growth. The curriculum is broad, incorporating various extracurricular activities alongside core subjects. The school aims to develop well-rounded individuals within a close-knit community, preparing them for the transition to senior education.

Seaton House School is an independent day school for girls aged 3 to 11, with a co-educational nursery, located in Sutton, Surrey. Founded in 1930, the school is situated in a residential setting and emphasises a nurturing environment with small class sizes. It focuses on providing a broad curriculum that prepares pupils for the 11-plus transition to both grammar and independent senior schools. Facilities include dedicated spaces for music, art, and ICT, supporting a range of extracurricular activities alongside its core academic programme.

Glendower Prep School is an independent day school for girls aged 3 to 11, situated in South Kensington. Established in 1895 by Edith Lloyd and Maud Cornwell, the school is housed in two interconnected Victorian terrace houses on Queen's Gate. Its ethos focuses on fostering academic curiosity and critical thinking, balanced with a strong emphasis on performing arts and competitive sport. While utilising local facilities such as Hyde Park and Imperial College for outdoor and aquatic activities, the school provides dedicated spaces for music. It aims to develop confident, capable, and socially aware young women.

Palmers Green High School is an independent girls' day school for ages 4 to 16, located in Winchmore Hill, North London. Founded in 1905 by Alice Hum, the school is guided by the Quaker-inspired motto, “By Love Serve One Another”. It is housed in Avondale Hall, a building with historical significance that once hosted suffragette meetings. The school provides a supportive learning environment with small class sizes and a broad curriculum. Facilities include specialist spaces for art, drama, and music, supporting a focus on academic progress and personal development.

Bede’s Prep is an independent, co-educational day and boarding school situated on a coastal site in Eastbourne, East Sussex. Located at the foot of the South Downs National Park, the school overlooks the sea and educates children from three months to 13 years. Its ethos centres on a holistic approach to learning, aiming to nurture individual talents through academic, creative, and sporting programmes. The grounds include historic buildings and modern facilities, such as a swimming pool, sports hall, and dedicated outdoor learning spaces.

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.

Frensham Heights is a co-educational day and boarding school for pupils aged 3 to 18, situated on a 120-acre estate near Farnham, Surrey. Founded in 1925, the school maintains a progressive ethos where students do not wear a uniform and staff are addressed by their first names. The campus is centred around a Grade II listed Edwardian mansion and features a dedicated performing arts centre. The school emphasises individual development and creative expression, offering a broad curriculum that includes a strong focus on outdoor education and the arts.

Cumnor House Boys School is an independent day school for boys aged 2 to 13, located in South Croydon, Surrey. Established in 1931, the school operates across two sites and provides a curriculum focused on preparing pupils for the 11-plus and 13-plus entry into senior schools. Facilities include a swimming pool, music rooms, and extensive sports fields. The school emphasises a balance of academic rigour and character development, offering a variety of extracurricular opportunities in sport, music, and the arts to foster well-rounded individuals.

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.

Claremont School is an independent, co-educational day and boarding school situated across two campuses in East Sussex. The Nursery and Prep School are located in St Leonards-on-Sea, while the Senior School and Sixth Form occupy a rural site in Bodiam. Catering for pupils aged one to 18, the school claims to focus on personalised learning and global opportunities as a member of the International Schools Partnership. Facilities include a football academy, forest school, and an award-winning performing arts department. The school provides both full and weekly boarding options.