Independent Prep Schools

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.

Lyonsdown School is an independent co-educational prep school in New Barnet, Hertfordshire, catering for children aged 3 to 11. Founded in 1906, the school provides a foundation for pupils from nursery through to the end of their primary education. The curriculum emphasises a well-rounded approach, balancing academic development with creative and physical activities. Situated in a residential area, the school features dedicated facilities for STEAM subjects and outdoor learning. Lyonsdown focuses on preparing pupils for the transition to a wide range of senior schools at the age of 11.

Lingfield College is a co-educational independent day school for pupils aged 2 to 18, situated in 40 acres of grounds in the Surrey countryside. Originally founded in 1940 by the Sisters of Notre Dame des Missions, the school transitioned from its origins as a convent school to its current secular status. The college emphasises a well-rounded education, combining academic study with a focus on pastoral care and extracurricular engagement. Facilities include a dedicated Sixth Form Centre and extensive sporting grounds, supporting a curriculum designed to foster individual growth and community spirit.

Broomfield House School is a co-educational day school for pupils aged 3 to 11, located in Kew, Richmond. Founded in 1876, it is the oldest independent school in Kew and is situated near the Royal Botanic Gardens. The school occupies a Victorian building and offers a curriculum that balances academic subjects with music, art, and sport. It focuses on preparing children for the 11-plus transition to senior schools. The school maintains a traditional ethos while providing facilities such as a dedicated science lab and art studio.

Greenfield School is an independent co-educational day school in Woking, catering for children from six months to eleven years of age. Founded in 1935, the school relocated in 2019 to a ten-acre site that includes extensive sports fields, a three-court sports hall, and a dance studio. Its non-selective ethos focuses on individual development through a broad curriculum encompassing academic subjects, music, and the arts. Facilities at the Woking site include a dedicated forest school area and a multi-media suite, supporting a community-focused learning environment.

Southbank International School (Westminster) is a co-educational day school for pupils aged 11-18, spread across three central London sites. Established in 1979, it was the first school in the United Kingdom authorised to deliver all three International Baccalaureate programmes. The Westminster campus, which includes a Grade II listed building on Portland Place, focuses on the Middle Years and Diploma Programmes. Embodying a "school without walls" ethos, it utilises London's cultural landmarks as extended classrooms. Facilities include specialised science labs, a digital design lab, and a dedicated sports centre in Kilburn.

Founded in 1936, Annemount School is a co-educational nursery and pre-preparatory school for children aged two to seven. Located in Hampstead Garden Suburb near Hampstead Heath, the school is set within a garden environment that supports its focus on individuality and independence. The curriculum incorporates Montessori methodology in the early years and is enriched by specialist-led activities including French, chess, and yoga. Annemount School emphasizes a nurturing ethos where pupils are encouraged to develop self-discipline and mutual respect, typically transitioning to their next schools at the end of Year 2.

The Stewart Bilingual School is an independent, co-educational day school in West London, catering for pupils aged 2 to 11. Based across sites in North Kensington and Notting Hill, the school offers a dual-language programme that integrates the French National Curriculum with the National Curriculum for England. This family-owned institution provides a small, nurturing environment with a 50/50 balance of French and English instruction. Its ethos focuses on fostering early bilingualism and cultural diversity, preparing children for successful entry into both British and French secondary educational systems.

RGS Surrey Hills is a co-educational day and boarding school for pupils aged 11 to 18, situated in Mickleham, near Dorking. Set within 40 acres of countryside, the school's centrepiece is Dalewood House, a Victorian Gothic revival mansion. Founded in 1959, it is a founding member of the Round Square movement, following the holistic educational philosophy of Kurt Hahn. The school offers a choice between A-Levels and the International Baccalaureate Diploma. Facilities include a modern sports hall and grounds that support a range of activities, including outdoor education and traditional team sports.

Francis Holland School (Sloane Square) is an independent day school for girls aged 11 to 18, situated in the heart of Belgravia, London. Founded in 1881 by Reverend Canon Francis Holland, the school moved to its current Graham Terrace site in 1884. It maintains a Church of England ethos, focusing on the development of leadership, creativity, and enterprise. Facilities include the RIBA award-winning Centre for Creative Learning and the Old School House, a dedicated Sixth Form centre. The school is well-regarded for its specialisms in the creative arts, including drama, music, and ballet.

St James Senior Girls' School is an independent day school for girls aged 11 to 18, situated in West Kensington, London. Founded in 1975, the school follows a holistic ethos that integrates mindfulness and periods of stillness, known as 'The Pause', into the daily routine. The curriculum balances academic rigour with philosophy, the creative arts, and the study of Sanskrit. Facilities include specialised science laboratories, an on-site gymnasium, and a dedicated Sixth Form centre nearby. Set within a gated garden courtyard, the school offers a broad extracurricular programme including lacrosse, netball, and yoga.

Arnold House School is an independent preparatory day school for boys aged three to thirteen, situated in St John’s Wood, London. Founded in 1905, the school operates across two main sites, featuring a dedicated pre-prep department on Marlborough Place. The curriculum balances academic study with a strong emphasis on music, art, and sport. Pupils benefit from the school’s 20-acre activity centre at Canons Park, which provides extensive facilities for outdoor learning and games. The school’s ethos is centred on providing a nurturing and supportive environment that encourages boys to become well-rounded, kind, and confident individuals.