Independent Prep Schools

Heath Mount School is a co-educational day and boarding preparatory school for pupils aged 2 to 13, located within the 40-acre Woodhall Park Estate in Watton-at-Stone. Established in 1796, it is one of the UK’s oldest prep schools and has occupied its Grade I listed Georgian mansion since 1934. The school maintains a nurturing ethos, balancing academic rigour with a broad enrichment programme. Its extensive grounds include woodland for Forest School and a historic walled garden, providing a scenic setting for a curriculum that focuses on both individual wellbeing and outdoor learning.

Walthamstow Hall is an independent day school for girls aged 2 to 18, located in Sevenoaks, Kent. Established in 1838 to educate the daughters of missionaries, it is one of the oldest schools of its kind in the United Kingdom. The campus combines an Arts and Crafts-inspired main building and Victorian vaulted dining room with modern facilities, including the Ship Theatre and a specialist Sixth Form Centre. The school provides an all-through education that emphasises academic breadth alongside a rich co-curricular programme in sport, music, and the performing arts.

City Junior School is a co-educational day school for pupils aged 7 to 11, situated within the historic grounds of Gray’s Inn in central London. Established in 2022, the school serves as the joint preparatory department for both City of London School and City of London School for Girls. It occupies a refurbished building featuring specialist facilities for science, art, music, and dance. The curriculum emphasises academic breadth and creative exploration, utilising the unique surrounding legal district and the Inn’s private gardens to provide a stimulating and well-rounded educational environment.

Cumnor House Sussex is a co-educational independent day and boarding prep school for pupils aged 2 to 13, situated near Haywards Heath. Set within 60 acres of grounds on the edge of the Ashdown Forest, the school features facilities including a purpose-built theatre, a 25-metre indoor swimming pool, and an outdoor forest school. Originally founded in 1931, the school promotes an ethos known as 'The Cumnor Way', which focuses on kindness and community contribution. The broad curriculum prepares children for transition into a range of senior schools across the country.

Our Lady of Sion School is an independent, co-educational day school situated in the heart of Worthing, West Sussex. Founded in 1862 by the Sisters of Sion, it offers education from Nursery to Sixth Form (ages 3 to 18). The school operates with an inter-denominational ethos, welcoming students of all faiths, rooted in its Catholic foundation. Its motto, "Consideration Always," is central to school life, aiming to foster a culture of respect and support. The school facilities include an indoor sports hall, astroturf pitch, and various creative arts studios.

Westminster Cathedral Choir School is an academically selective, Roman Catholic preparatory school for boys aged four to 13, situated in central London. Founded in 1901 by Cardinal Herbert Vaughan, the school is dedicated to training the choristers of Westminster Cathedral, who reside as boarders from Year 4. The school offers a broad 'liberal arts' education alongside a strong tradition in music and competitive sport. As one of only two Catholic cathedral schools in the United Kingdom, it maintains a unique focus on liturgical music and academic excellence within a faith-centred environment.

Keble Prep School is a co-educational day school in Winchmore Hill, North London, for pupils aged 3 to 13. Founded in 1929 and part of the Mill Hill Education Group, the school moved to its current site, an Edwardian villa, in 1930 and became fully co-educational in 2023. The school focuses on a well-rounded education underpinned by the motto ‘Puritas, Veritas, Probitas’. Situated on a hill with views across the city, the grounds feature a large playground, a climbing wall, and green spaces for outdoor learning and sport.

Coworth Flexlands School is a co-educational independent day preparatory school and nursery for pupils aged two and a half to 11, situated on a 13-acre site in Chobham, Surrey. Formed by the merger of Coworth Park and Flexlands School, the institution emphasises outdoor learning through its on-site Forest School and outdoor classrooms. The curriculum balances academic study with STEM subjects, music, and drama, while the grounds provide facilities for sports such as football and tennis. Since 2023, the school has transitioned to a fully co-educational model for all year groups.

The Lyceum is a co-educational independent day school in the heart of the City of London, catering for pupils aged 3 to 11. Founded in 1997, the school occupies a five-storey former industrial building near Shoreditch, which features purpose-built facilities including a dedicated STEAM studio and outdoor play areas. The curriculum is characterised by a thematic and creative approach, often utilising London’s cultural landmarks as an extension of the classroom. Part of the Dukes Education group, the school focuses on a well-rounded education with a particular emphasis on the arts and sustainability.

Micklefield School is a co-educational independent day school for children aged 2 to 11, situated in Reigate, Surrey. Established in 1910, the school is housed in a Victorian building complemented by modern facilities, including a dedicated sports hall and performing arts studio. The curriculum focuses on providing a broad education that prepares pupils for entry into a variety of local senior schools. Micklefield School emphasises a nurturing environment where children are encouraged to develop their individual talents across academic, sporting, and creative disciplines.

Duncombe School is a co-educational independent day school and nursery for pupils aged 2 to 11, situated in Bengeo, Hertford. Established in 1939, the school occupies a 19th-century Palladian-style mansion set within four and a half acres of woodland. The curriculum covers academic, musical, and sporting development, with a significant emphasis on outdoor education. Facilities include "The Dell," an accredited Forest School site featuring a sunken garden, alongside a floodlit Astroturf pitch and specialised studios for art, science, and music.

Windlesham School, an independent co-educational primary school and nursery for pupils aged 2 to 11, is situated at 190 Dyke Road in Brighton, East Sussex. Established in 1957, the school claims to blend tradition with innovation, aiming to foster happy, confident, and well-rounded individuals. It offers a holistic education within a supportive community, emphasizing strong pastoral care and equipping children with critical thinking skills. The school is located on a spacious site and provides facilities including modern teaching blocks and an indoor swimming pool.

Solefield School is a co-educational day preparatory school in Sevenoaks, Kent, for pupils aged 3 to 13. Established in 1948, the school is housed in a former Victorian residence and is situated near the site of the 1450 Battle of Solefield. It maintains a nurturing ethos with small class sizes and a focus on the development of the whole child. Facilities include a music school, art studio, and science laboratory. The curriculum balances academic study with music, drama, and sport, preparing pupils for transition to senior schools at both 11+ and 13+.

Dallington School is an independent co-educational day school and nursery for children aged 3 to 11, located in Clerkenwell, London. Established in 1978 by Mogg Hercules MBE, the school follows a progressive, child-centred ethos that prioritises creativity and natural progression over formal testing. The curriculum is topic-based and features an urban Forest School programme, with regular visits to local galleries and museums. Housed in a bright, open-plan converted building, the school offers a nurturing environment with an informal atmosphere where there is no requirement for a school uniform.

St Catherine's Preparatory School Bramley is an independent day school for girls aged 3 to 11, situated on a 25-acre campus in the Surrey Hills. Founded in 1885, the school provides a Church of England education that focuses on the personal and intellectual development of its pupils. The grounds feature a Grade II listed school house and a Victorian chapel with Kempe stained glass windows. Specialised facilities include the WonderLab science centre and Soundscape music suite, alongside extensive outdoor learning spaces such as a cottage garden and woodland areas.