Independent Prep Schools

Blackheath High School GDST is an independent day school for girls aged 3 to 18, situated on the edge of the Heath in South East London. Founded in 1880 as the first purpose-built school of the Girls’ Day School Trust, it was officially opened by Princess Louise. The school operates across two sites: the Junior School in Blackheath Village and the Senior School at Vanbrugh Park. Facilities include an £18 million campus redevelopment with a state-of-the-art library, fitness suite, and an extensive sports campus at Kidbrooke Grove.

Northwood College for Girls GDST is an independent day school for pupils aged 3 to 18, located in Northwood, Greater London. Founded in 1878 and a member of the Girls’ Day School Trust since 2014, the school moved to its current site in 1892. Facilities include a performing arts centre with a recital hall, a sports hall with an indoor swimming pool, and specialist studios for dance and art. The school’s ethos focuses on character development and intellectual curiosity, aiming to nurture confident individuals within a supportive community.

Wildwood Nature School is a co-educational independent primary school for children aged 4 to 11, located in Camden, North London. Founded in 2023, the school operates from St Mary Brookfield Hall and offers a nature-based alternative to mainstream education. Following Forest School principles, pupils spend at least half of their time learning outdoors in local green spaces such as Hampstead Heath. The curriculum integrates academic subjects with emotional well-being and creative development. The school maintains small, mixed-age classes and high staff-to-pupil ratios to support a collaborative learning environment.

Westbrook Hay is a co-educational independent prep school for children aged 3 to 13, located in Hemel Hempstead, Hertfordshire. Set within 26 acres of parkland, the school provides nursery, pre-prep, and prep education. Originally founded in 1892, it moved to its current site in 1963. The school emphasises a broad curriculum and character development, preparing pupils for transition to various senior schools. Facilities include extensive sports grounds, a swimming pool, and a performing arts centre, supporting a range of extracurricular activities and academic study.

Kensington Prep School GDST is an independent day school in Fulham for girls aged 4 to 11. Established in 1873 as the first school of the Girls' Day School Trust, it relocated to its current site in 1997. The school emphasises a "Growing Great Minds" ethos, prioritising curiosity, creativity, and holistic development. Notable facilities include the "Explore Floor" for immersive learning and a playground spanning over an acre with on-site netball and tennis courts. Alumnae include the suffragette Emily Wilding Davison and former US Secretary of State Madeleine Albright.

Croydon High School GDST is an independent day school for girls aged 3 to 18, situated on a 20-acre site in Selsdon, South Croydon. Established in 1874, it was one of the earliest schools founded by the Girls’ Day School Trust. The campus features extensive green space and facilities such as a 25-metre swimming pool, a sports hall, and a dedicated sixth form centre. The school provides a broad curriculum designed to encourage independence and leadership, supported by a wide range of extracurricular clubs and activities.

Bromley High School GDST is an independent day school for girls aged 4 to 18, situated on a 25-acre campus in Bickley, Greater London. Established in 1883 and a member of the Girls’ Day School Trust, the school moved to its current site in 1981. It holds the distinction of being the world's first all-girls All-Steinway School, housing a specialist music wing. Facilities include a 25-metre indoor swimming pool and floodlit sports pitches. The school provides a rigorous academic environment alongside a diverse range of extracurricular opportunities in music, sport, and the arts.

Situated in the heart of Brighton, Brighton Girls GDST is an independent day school for girls aged 3 to 18. Part of the Girls’ Day School Trust, the school was founded in 1876 and claims to focus on the joy of learning, instilling curiosity, adventure, and independence. The main campus at Montpelier Road features the historic Temple building. Facilities include a sports hall, gym, dance studio, and an Astroturf pitch. The school provides an all-through education, comprising a prep school, senior school, and sixth form within a vibrant urban setting.

Wimbledon High School GDST is an independent day school for girls aged 4 to 18, situated in the heart of Wimbledon, London. Founded in 1880 by the Girls’ Day School Trust, the school occupies a town-centre site featuring Victorian buildings and modern additions, including a dedicated STEAM tower. Its playing fields at Nursery Road possess significant sporting heritage as the original home of the All England Lawn Tennis Club. The school focuses on fostering intellectual curiosity and resilience, encouraging pupils to explore a broad range of academic and co-curricular opportunities.

Caterham Prep is a co-educational day school for pupils aged 3 to 11, located in the Harestone Valley, Surrey. Sharing a 200-acre site with the senior school, it provides access to extensive woodland for outdoor learning. The curriculum balances academic study with digital innovation and wellbeing. Facilities include an indoor swimming pool and dedicated performing arts spaces. The school is part of an institution founded in 1811, which was originally established for the sons of Congregational ministers before moving to its current location in 1884.

Notting Hill and Ealing High School GDST is an independent day school for girls aged 4 to 18, situated in Ealing. Established in 1873 as a founding member of the Girls' Day School Trust, the school relocated to its current premises in 1931. The curriculum combines academic study with a strong emphasis on creativity and physical activity. Notable facilities include a 25-metre indoor swimming pool, a four-court sports hall, and a rooftop dance and fitness studio. Its ethos focuses on nurturing independent, confident individuals within a supportive and inclusive learning environment.

St Edmund's School Canterbury is a co-educational day and boarding school for pupils aged 2 to 18. Set within 62 acres on St Thomas' Hill, the school overlooks the historic city and its cathedral. Founded in 1749, it occupies a Grade II listed main building designed by Philip Charles Hardwick. The school is notably the place of education for the Choristers of Canterbury Cathedral. Its ethos emphasises individuality and creativity, supported by facilities including a dedicated performing arts centre, music school, and a 25-metre heated outdoor swimming pool.

St Mary's School, Hampstead, is an independent Catholic preparatory school for girls aged 2 to 11, with a co-educational nursery. Established in 1871 as a convent boarding school, it has occupied a Grade II listed building on Fitzjohn’s Avenue since 1926. The school is set within extensive grounds that include a leafy playground and a dedicated nursery garden. Notable facilities include a full-size chapel and a virtual reality room. Following "The St Mary’s Way", the school focuses on developing academic excellence, resilience, and moral integrity within a nurturing, faith-based community.

The Royal Masonic School for Girls is an independent day and boarding school for pupils aged 2 to 18, set within 315 acres of parkland in Rickmansworth, Hertfordshire. Founded in 1788 to provide for the daughters of Freemasons, the school relocated to its present site in 1934. The campus features a blend of historic architecture and modern facilities, including a planetarium, a dedicated performing arts centre, and extensive sports grounds. The school focuses on nurturing individual talent and potential, offering a broad curriculum alongside a diverse range of extracurricular activities.

Reed's School is an independent day and boarding school for boys aged 11 to 18, with a co-educational Sixth Form, located on a 40-acre site in Cobham, Surrey. Founded in 1813 by the Reverend Andrew Reed as the London Orphan Asylum, the school moved to its current premises in 1946. It offers a variety of academic and extracurricular programmes, with dedicated facilities including an indoor cricket centre and a regional tennis academy. The school maintains an emphasis on character development and pastoral care, rooted in its historical foundation as a charitable institution.