Independent Prep Schools

Kent College Pembury is an independent day and boarding school for pupils aged 3 to 18, situated in 75 acres of parkland near Tunbridge Wells. Established in 1886 and part of the Methodist Independent Schools Trust, the school moved to its current site in 1939 and is centred around a Victorian manor house. Its facilities include an indoor swimming pool, a purpose-built theatre, and extensive sports pitches. The school fosters a nurturing and inclusive environment, encouraging pupils to achieve their potential through a balanced curriculum and a wide variety of academic and creative pursuits.

Sutton High School GDST is an independent day school for girls aged 3 to 18, situated in the heart of Sutton, Surrey. Established in 1884, the school is a member of the Girls' Day School Trust and provides a continuous education from nursery through to sixth form. The campus features a blend of Victorian buildings and modern facilities, including a dedicated sixth form centre and specialist spaces for performing arts and sport. The school's ethos focuses on fostering a supportive community that encourages academic curiosity and personal growth in every pupil.

Maida Vale School is a co-educational independent day school for pupils aged 11 to 18, situated in West London. Established in 2020 as part of the Gardener Schools Group, it is housed in a substantial, restored Victorian building. The school promotes a holistic approach to education with a particular emphasis on the creative and performing arts. Facilities include a double-height theatre, specialist art and design studios, and high-specification science laboratories. Pupils also benefit from an extended school day and access to nearby sporting venues, including Paddington Recreation Ground.

King’s School Rochester is a co-educational day and boarding school for pupils aged 3 to 18. Founded in 604 AD, it is the world’s second oldest school and is situated within the historic Cathedral precinct, overlooking the River Medway. The school maintains a close relationship with Rochester Cathedral, which serves as its chapel. Housed in buildings ranging from the 16th-century Satis House to modern facilities, it emphasises well-rounded development through academic rigour and a diverse co-curricular programme, including a notable rowing tradition and an established choral heritage.

Farringtons School is a co-educational day and boarding school for pupils aged 3 to 18, situated in Chislehurst, Kent. Set within 25 acres of parkland, the school was founded as a Methodist girls' school and transitioned to co-education in 2010. It maintains a strong Christian ethos, guided by the motto "Posside Sapientiam" (Growing in Wisdom). Facilities include an indoor heated swimming pool, a large sports hall with a dance studio, and a dedicated chapel. The curriculum emphasises a holistic education, supported by a diverse co-curricular programme that encourages personal development and curiosity.

Kent College Canterbury is a co-educational day and boarding school for pupils aged 3 to 18, situated on an 80-acre site overlooking the historic city of Canterbury. Founded in 1885 as a Methodist school, it comprises a junior school, senior school, and sixth form. The school is notable for its working farm, which allows students to engage in agricultural activities. Facilities include the Great Hall for performing arts and extensive sports grounds. The curriculum offers both A-levels and the International Baccalaureate Diploma Programme, alongside a broad range of extracurricular activities.

Westbourne House School is a co-educational day and boarding preparatory school for pupils aged 2 to 13, situated within 100 acres of parkland near Chichester. Established in 1907 and relocated to its current Shopwyke site in 1946, the school is centred around a historic country house. Facilities include a purpose-built music school, a performing arts centre, and extensive sporting grounds featuring an indoor swimming pool and a lake for kayaking. The school emphasises a broad curriculum and character development, preparing children for transition to a wide range of independent senior schools.

Thomas's Kensington is a co-educational independent day school for pupils aged 4 to 11. Located in the heart of Kensington near the Royal Parks, the school is part of the Thomas’s London Day Schools group. Established in 1981, its ethos is rooted in kindness, curiosity, and ambition. In 2025, the school moved to a refurbished purpose-built site at St Albans Grove. Modern facilities include a light-filled central atrium, a biodiverse roof garden, and a theatre, alongside a sports hall and specialist studios for music, dance, and art.

The King's School Canterbury is a co-educational day and boarding school for pupils aged 13 to 18, situated within the Precincts of Canterbury Cathedral. Founded in 597 AD, it is widely considered the oldest school in the world. The school occupies a UNESCO World Heritage site, incorporating historic medieval buildings alongside modern facilities such as the Malthouse Theatre and the Birley Centre for music. Its ethos focuses on holistic development, offering a traditional academic curriculum complemented by extensive programmes in sport and the arts, all set within a unique scholarly environment.

The Hawthorns School is a co-educational day school for children aged 2 to 13, situated in 35 acres of parkland in Bletchingley, near Redhill. Founded in 1926, the school provides a broad curriculum that balances academic study with extensive extracurricular opportunities. Facilities include a multi-purpose sports hall, an indoor swimming pool, and dedicated spaces for performing arts and science. The school focuses on developing well-rounded individuals, preparing pupils for transition to a wide range of senior independent schools at the end of Year 8.

Rochester Independent College is a co-educational day and boarding school in Kent for pupils aged 11 to 19. Established in 1984, the college occupies an urban campus within a conservation area, featuring fourteen listed buildings connected by wildlife gardens. The school operates with an informal ethos where students do not wear uniforms and staff are addressed by their first names. Facilities include an underground theatre, garden classrooms, and sculptural musical gates. While maintaining its founding focus on mathematics and science, the curriculum also emphasises creative arts such as fine art, digital media, and film.

Halliford School is an independent day school for boys aged 11 to 18 and girls aged 16 to 18, situated on a riverside site in Shepperton, Surrey. Founded in 1921, the school is centred around an 18th-century Georgian house and maintains a small, family-oriented atmosphere. It provides a broad curriculum with a focus on individual development, supported by facilities including a purpose-built theatre and the Colin Squire Sixth Form Centre. The school offers a range of competitive sports, creative arts, and co-curricular activities, aiming to foster well-rounded individuals within its six-acre grounds.

Haileybury is a co-educational independent day and boarding school for pupils aged 11 to 18, set within a 500-acre campus in Hertford Heath. Established in 1862 on the site of the former East India College, the school is home to historic architecture, including a chapel by Arthur Blomfield and one of the largest academic quadrangles in the UK. Academically, the school offers both A-levels and the International Baccalaureate Diploma. Facilities include a recently developed Science and Technology Centre, which supports an ethos focused on intellectual curiosity and global citizenship.

Hove Micro-School is an independent co-educational day school in Southwick, West Sussex, catering for pupils aged 5 to 14. Operating from a residential setting, the school provides a personalised alternative to mainstream education, specifically designed for children with special educational needs and school-based anxieties. The curriculum is child-led and flexible, prioritising emotional wellbeing alongside academic progress within small classes of up to eight pupils. Founded to foster a nurturing, homely environment, the school frequently utilises local green spaces and community facilities to deliver a bespoke and inclusive learning experience.

Gad's Hill School is a co-educational independent day school for pupils aged 3 to 16, located in Higham, near Rochester. Founded in 1924, the school is famously set within the former country home of Charles Dickens, Gad’s Hill Place, and occupies 12 acres of grounds. The site features the Grade I listed Georgian house alongside modern facilities, including a purpose-built theatre and sports hall. The school emphasises traditional values and a well-rounded education, offering a broad curriculum supported by small class sizes, an on-site Forest School, and a Combined Cadet Force.