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Independent Prep Schools

Explore a diverse range of independent preparatory (prep) schools across the UK, specifically catering for children from ages 7 to 13. These crucial years, encompassing Years 3 to 8, are when students build fundamental academic and social skills, often preparing for entry into top senior independent schools. Our directory provides comprehensive listings of prep schools, from prestigious, centuries-old institutions with rigorous academic curriculums to more modern and creative learning environments that foster a broader range of talents.

You can access up-to-date and information, including detailed facilities, values, fees & admissions policies. Beyond these core details, a vital part of our service is the extensive collection of unedited reviews from parents, giving you unique, honest insights into the daily life, community, and general ethos of each school, helping you make the most well-informed decision for your family.
Independent Prep Schools

Showing 15 of 289 schools

North London Grammar School independent school in Greater London logo
North London Grammar School
Co-ed
Greater London
Reception - Year 11 (Ages 4-16)

North London Grammar School is an independent co-educational day and boarding school for pupils aged 4 to 18, situated in Hendon. Established in 2006 as the Wisdom School, it relocated in 2014 to its current 50,000-square-foot campus, a former police training centre. The school follows the motto Bonitas, Scientia, Disciplina, emphasising goodness, knowledge, and instruction. Its curriculum focuses on critical thinking and STEAM subjects, and the school is the global host of the International Greenwich Olympiad. Facilities include modern science laboratories and specialised boarding provision for senior boys.

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Berkhamsted Prep independent school in Hertfordshire logo
Berkhamsted Prep
Co-ed
Hertfordshire
Year 3 - Year 6 (Ages 7-11)

Berkhamsted Prep is a co-educational day school in Hertfordshire for pupils aged 7 to 11. As part of the Berkhamsted Schools Group, which was founded in 1541 by John Incent, the school operates within a "diamond" structure. It is situated at the Doctors Commons Road campus and offers a progressive curriculum rooted in traditional standards. Facilities include specialist classrooms for science and art, alongside access to senior school resources such as a 25-metre swimming pool and a 500-seat theatre. The school focuses on developing well-rounded individuals through diverse academic and sporting opportunities.

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Forest School independent school in Greater London logo
Forest School
Co-ed
Greater London
Reception - Year 13 (Upper Sixth) (Ages 4-18)

Forest School is an independent co-educational day school for pupils aged 4 to 18, situated on a 50-acre campus bordering Epping Forest in Snaresbrook, north-east London. Established in 1834, the school operates a "diamond structure," where boys and girls are taught in single-sex classes between the ages of 7 and 16. Notable architectural features include the Grade II listed Memorial Dining Hall and a chapel containing stained glass from the William Morris workshop. Facilities include the Sylvestrian Leisure Centre, a 25-metre indoor swimming pool, and the Martin Centre for Innovation.

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Barfield Prep School independent school in Surrey logo
Barfield Prep School
Co-ed
Surrey
Pre-Nursery - Year 6 (Ages 2-11)

Barfield Prep School is a co-educational day school for children aged 2 to 11, situated in 12 acres of parkland in Farnham, Surrey. Founded in 1933, the school provides a broad curriculum with a strong emphasis on outdoor learning and physical activity. Facilities include an on-site outdoor education centre, Three Peaks, which offers climbing and high ropes courses. The school aims to foster a nurturing environment where pupils develop confidence and independence through a balance of academic study, creative arts, and sport.

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Oakwood School independent school in West Sussex logo
Oakwood School
Co-ed
West Sussex
Pre-Nursery - Year 6 (Ages 2-11)

Oakwood School is a co-educational independent preparatory day school for pupils aged 2 to 11, located near Chichester, West Sussex. Established in 1912, the school is set within over 100 acres of parkland and woodland between the South Downs and the coast. The central building is Oakwood House, a Grade II listed Georgian country house dating from 1811. The school's ethos focuses on developing happy, confident, and well-rounded individuals. Its broad curriculum emphasises outdoor learning and the performing arts, supported by extensive facilities including a woodland classroom and an on-site swimming pool.

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Eaton House The Manor independent school in Greater London logo
Eaton House The Manor
Co-ed
Greater London
Pre-Nursery - Year 8 (Ages 2-13)

Eaton House The Manor is an independent day school in Clapham for pupils aged 2 to 13. Set on a 1.5-acre site opposite Clapham Common, the school is housed within a Grade II listed Georgian manor house and purpose-built facilities. It comprises a co-educational nursery, a boys’ preparatory school, and a girls’ preparatory school, delivering single-sex education in a shared environment. The curriculum focuses on preparing pupils for entry to leading senior schools. Facilities include specialist science and design technology laboratories, an art room, a full-size theatre, and a dedicated wellbeing hub.

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St John's Preparatory and Senior School independent school in Hertfordshire logo
St John's Preparatory and Senior School
Co-ed
Hertfordshire
Pre-Nursery - Year 13 (Upper Sixth) (Ages 2-18)

St John's Preparatory and Senior School is a co-educational independent day school for pupils aged 3 to 19, situated in Potters Bar, Hertfordshire. Set within 28 acres of green belt countryside, the school is arranged across two sites, with the senior department housed in a Grade II listed building. The ethos focuses on developing well-rounded individuals, combining academic rigour with a supportive social environment. Notable features include a compulsory supervised prep hour for pupils aged seven and above, alongside facilities such as a large sports hall and extensive outdoor space.

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St Columba's College independent school in Hertfordshire logo
St Columba's College
Co-ed
Hertfordshire
Reception - Year 13 (Upper Sixth) (Ages 4-18)

St Columba's College is a co-educational Catholic day school for pupils aged 4 to 18, situated in St Albans. Established in 1939 and managed by the Brothers of the Sacred Heart since 1955, the school occupies a site overlooking St Albans Cathedral. Its ethos is guided by the "Columban Code", which promotes courtesy, courage, and compassion. The campus combines historic properties with modern facilities, including a Sixth Form Centre and all-weather sports pitches. The school provides a broad curriculum complemented by an extensive co-curricular programme, including the Combined Cadet Force and Duke of Edinburgh’s Award.

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Rose Hill School independent school in Kent logo
Rose Hill School
Co-ed
Kent
Nursery - Year 8 (Ages 3-13)

Rose Hill School is a co-educational independent day school for pupils aged 3 to 13, situated on a 15-acre site in Tunbridge Wells, Kent. Founded in 1832, the school occupies modern facilities including an indoor swimming pool, a sports hall, and an outdoor woodland classroom. The curriculum balances academic focus with creative and sporting opportunities, incorporating a dedicated STEAM programme and Forest School sessions. Notable alumni include Robert Baden-Powell, whose legacy is reflected in the school's commitment to outdoor adventure and character development.

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St Ives School independent school in Surrey logo
St Ives School
Co-ed
Surrey
Pre-Nursery - Year 6 (Ages 2-11)

St Ives School is a co-educational independent prep school and nursery located in Haslemere, Surrey, for children aged 2 to 11. Founded in 1911, the school is set within eight acres of parkland and gardens. It provides a broad curriculum designed to prepare pupils for a range of senior schools. Facilities include a dedicated forest school, music rooms, and extensive outdoor space for sport and play. The school maintains small class sizes to support individual development across academic, creative, and sporting disciplines.

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Oakhyrst Grange School independent school in Surrey logo
Oakhyrst Grange School
Co-ed
Surrey
Nursery - Year 6 (Ages 3-11)

Oakhyrst Grange School is a co-educational preparatory day school for pupils aged 3 to 11, located in Caterham, Surrey. Established in 1950, the school is set within several acres of grounds on the edge of the North Downs. The curriculum emphasises a broad range of subjects alongside physical education and the arts. Facilities include an indoor heated swimming pool, sports fields, and woodland areas used for outdoor learning. The school operates as a charitable trust and focuses on providing a foundational education that prepares children for various local senior schools.

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Ardingly College independent school in West Sussex logo
Ardingly College
Co-ed
West Sussex
Pre-Nursery - Year 13 (Upper Sixth) (Ages 2-18)

Ardingly College is a co-educational boarding and day school for pupils aged 2 to 18, situated on a 230-acre campus in the West Sussex countryside near Haywards Heath. Founded in 1858 by Canon Nathaniel Woodard, the school features notable Gothic Revival architecture and a Grade II listed chapel. The college emphasises a "world-ready" ethos, providing a choice between A-levels and the International Baccalaureate in the Sixth Form. Facilities include a dedicated art school and access to a reservoir for water sports. It maintains a strong focus on competitive sports, including football, hockey, and cricket.

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Orchard House School independent school in Greater London logo
Orchard House School
Co-ed
Greater London
Nursery - Year 6 (Ages 3-11)

Orchard House School is an independent co-educational preparatory day school for children aged 3 to 11, located in Chiswick, London. Founded in 1993, the school occupies sites near Turnham Green, including a converted Victorian parish hall. The curriculum is designed to provide a broad education, preparing pupils for transition to competitive senior schools. Alongside academic subjects, there is a strong focus on the performing arts, music, and sport. The school’s ethos emphasises fostering curiosity and self-assurance within a supportive community, utilising local facilities to supplement its onsite resources.

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Sarum Hall School independent school in Greater London logo
Sarum Hall School
Girls
Greater London
Nursery - Year 6 (Ages 3-11)

Sarum Hall School is an independent preparatory day school for girls aged 3 to 11, located in Belsize Park, North London. Founded in 1929, the school occupies award-winning, purpose-built premises designed by architects Allies and Morrison, which opened in 1995. The red-brick building features specialist facilities, including a science laboratory, art room, and food studio. The curriculum focuses on developing inquisitive minds and creativity, underpinned by the school's "Golden Values" of kindness, courage, and resilience. It aims to identify and nurture individual talents within a supportive environment.

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Tring Park School for the Performing Arts independent school in Hertfordshire logo
Tring Park School for the Performing Arts
Co-ed
Hertfordshire
Year 3 - Year 13 (Upper Sixth) (Ages 7-18)

Tring Park School for the Performing Arts is a co-educational day and boarding school in Hertfordshire for pupils aged 7 to 19. Housed in a Grade II* listed mansion originally designed by Sir Christopher Wren and once owned by the Rothschild family, the school is set within 17 acres of parkland. It provides a dual curriculum that balances rigorous academic education with vocational training in dance, drama, musical theatre, and music. Notable facilities include the Markova Theatre and specialised studios, enabling students to pursue professional performing arts pathways alongside their academic studies.

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