Independent Prep Schools

Charlotte House Preparatory School is an independent day school for girls aged 3 to 11, located in a residential area of Rickmansworth, Hertfordshire. Founded in 1931 by Miss Kitching, the school was originally established as Rickmansworth PNEU and continues to follow the educational principles of Charlotte Mason. The curriculum is delivered by specialist teachers in subjects including music, science, sport, and languages from the nursery years. The school’s ethos is centred on its long-standing motto, 'I am, I can, I ought, I will', fostering confidence within a small, supportive learning environment.

Spring Grove School is a co-educational day preparatory school and nursery for pupils aged 2 to 11, situated in Wye near Ashford. Set within 14 acres of Kent countryside, the school is housed in a seventeenth-century Stuart mansion dating back to 1674, where the author Joseph Conrad once stayed. The school emphasises a "family" ethos and a broad curriculum, with a particular focus on the creative arts and outdoor education. Notable facilities include an award-winning Forest School, a covered heated swimming pool, and a dedicated music block with a recording space.

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.

Farlington School is an independent day and boarding school located in Horsham, West Sussex. Established in 1896, it became fully co-educational in September 2021, catering to pupils aged 6 months to 18 years. Situated within 33 acres of parkland, the school offers a rural setting. Farlington School claims to focus on its core values of Individuality, Opportunity, and Community, with a mission to encourage pupils to "Live life to the full" (Vive ut vivas). It is affiliated with the Bellevue Education group. Pastoral care and wellbeing are stated as central to its educational approach.

Hoe Bridge School is an independent co-educational day school for pupils aged six months to 16 years, located on the outskirts of Woking, Surrey. Set within 22 acres of grounds and woodland, the school is centred around Hoe Place, a Grade II listed seventeenth-century mansion once used as a retreat by Lady Castlemaine. The school emphasises a nurturing environment that fosters individual achievement across academics, sports, and the arts. Facilities include a state-of-the-art performing arts centre and a 500-seater theatre, supporting a broad curriculum and extensive extracurricular programme.

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.

Aldwickbury School is an independent day and flexi-boarding preparatory school for pupils aged 3 to 13, set within 20 acres of grounds in Harpenden. Originally established in 1948, the school is housed in a Victorian mansion and recently began its transition to a fully co-educational environment. Its ethos focuses on holistic development and pastoral care, encouraging kindness and resilience. Notable facilities include a dedicated STEM hub, a heated indoor swimming pool, and a modern sports hall with a climbing wall. The school offers a broad extra-curricular programme alongside traditional academic foundations.

Situated in Wadhurst, East Sussex, Sacred Heart School is an independent Catholic school for children in Key Stages 1 and 2. A member of the Independent Schools Association and the Catholic Independent Schools’ Conference, the school claims to focus on the quality of relationships and teaching within its community. Its grounds host various activities, including a range of clubs and an after-school provision known as Busy Bees. The school also provides Parent and Toddler mornings, fostering early connections with the local community in its rural village setting.

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.

ACS Egham International School is a co-educational day school for students aged 4 to 18, located on a 20-acre estate in Egham, Surrey, near Windsor Great Park. It is an International Baccalaureate (IB) World School, offering all four IB programmes: the Primary Years Programme, Middle Years Programme, Diploma Programme, and Career-related Programme. The campus includes a historic mansion house and specialised facilities such as a sports centre and science laboratories. The school serves a diverse international community and provides a variety of extracurricular opportunities in sports, performing arts, and technology.

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+.

Northbourne Park School is a co-educational day and boarding preparatory school for children aged 2 to 13, situated in 100 acres of parkland near Deal. The school operates across two historic sites: Betteshanger House, which accommodates the Prep school and boarding houses, and the Old Rectory for the Pre-Prep. Emphasising an outdoor-focused education, the school features a unique bilingual programme, the Section Française Bilingue. Facilities include a 13th-century church, a floodlit all-weather pitch, and extensive woodlands used for its Forest School and leadership programmes.

Sevenoaks Preparatory School is a co-educational day school for pupils aged 2 to 13, situated in 25 acres of grounds bordering Knole Park in Kent. Founded in 1919, the school moved to its current site at Godden Green in 1948. Its ethos is defined by the 'Way of Life' framework, which focuses on character development and mutual respect. Facilities include the Centenary Centre, which houses a library, art studio, and science laboratories, alongside extensive sports fields and a Forest School. The curriculum prepares children for a range of senior schools, balancing academic rigour with diverse extracurricular activities.

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.

Dover College is a co-educational day and boarding school for pupils aged 3 to 18, located in Dover, Kent. Founded in 1871, the school occupies the historic site of the 12th-century Benedictine Priory of St Martin. Its campus features remarkable medieval architecture, including a Grade II* listed refectory and a chapel converted from the former priory guest house. The college follows a "Thinking School" approach, encouraging independent enquiry and creative problem-solving. Facilities include an AstroTurf pitch, a fitness suite, and a dedicated music room housed within the original priory gatehouse.