Independent Schools in Kent

Somerhill is an independent preparatory school for pupils aged 2 to 13, located near Tonbridge, Kent. Set within 150 acres of parkland, the school is housed in a Grade I listed Jacobean mansion. Its unique structure combines co-educational early years with single-sex classroom teaching from age seven, while maintaining mixed social and extracurricular activities. Facilities include an indoor swimming pool, a purpose-built music centre, and the historic Woodgate Library. Somerhill emphasises a well-rounded education, fostering independent thinkers through a broad curriculum and extensive sporting and creative opportunities.

Merton Court Preparatory School is a co-educational day school in Sidcup, Kent, for pupils aged 3 to 11. Established in 1899, it is the area’s oldest preparatory school and has been family-run since 1979. The school follows a holistic “Head, hand, heart” ethos, promoting a well-rounded education. Extensive on-site facilities include a 25m indoor swimming pool, two floodlit Astroturf pitches, a sports hall, and a dedicated Forest School. Pupils also benefit from specialist STEAM, music, and dance facilities, alongside the school’s own allotment and beehives.

West Lodge School is a co-educational day school in Sidcup, Kent, for pupils aged 3 to 11. Founded in 1940, the school occupies a Victorian building modernised to include an all-weather sports pitch, a specialist art room, and a computer suite with 3D printers. The curriculum emphasises literacy and numeracy alongside a growth mindset philosophy. By maintaining one class per year group, the school fosters a small, family-focused environment. Pupils have access to a broad range of subjects and extracurricular activities, including music, drama, and various sporting disciplines.

St Faith's Prep is a co-educational independent day school and nursery for children aged 2 to 11, located in the village of Ash, Kent. Set within five acres of grounds overlooking the countryside, the school is housed in a handsome Victorian villa. Facilities include a nature garden, a multi-purpose sports hall, and a heated saltwater swimming pool. Guided by the motto 'I Can & I Will', the school provides a broad curriculum with specialist teaching in music, art, computing, and sport. A variety of extracurricular activities, such as choirs and orchestras, are also available.

Wellesley Haddon Dene is a co-educational independent day preparatory school situated in the seaside town of Broadstairs, Kent. Formed in 2022 following the merger of two historic local institutions, Wellesley House and Haddon Dene, the school educates children aged 2 to 11. It is set within six acres of grounds and features a Victorian main building dating from the late 19th century. Part of the Alpha Schools group, the school offers a curriculum that includes regular "Beach School" sessions on local sands, combining academic preparation for senior school entrance with a strong focus on pastoral care.

Russell House School is a co-educational preparatory day school for pupils aged 2 to 11, located in the village of Otford near Sevenoaks. Founded in 1938, the school moved to its current site in 1947 and maintains a distinct family-oriented ethos. It provides a broad education with a particular focus on preparing pupils for 11-plus transitions to grammar and independent schools. The school’s facilities include outdoor learning spaces and a dedicated music recital room. There is a strong emphasis on individual development across academics, music, and sport within a nurturing environment.

Bronte School is a co-educational day preparatory school for pupils aged 3 to 11, located in Gravesend, Kent. Established in 1957 and housed in a Georgian building near the town centre, the school is founded on the twin pillars of a family-orientated environment and academic focus. The broad curriculum is delivered in small classes and supported by specialist teaching in music, sport, and languages. Facilities include specialist rooms and outdoor spaces for play and sport. The school maintains a Christian character while welcoming children of all faiths.

Tonbridge School is an independent boarding and day school for boys aged 13 to 18, set within 150 acres of grounds in Kent. Founded in 1553 by Sir Andrew Judde, the school retains historical links with the Worshipful Company of Skinners. The campus features a blend of Victorian Gothic architecture and contemporary facilities, including the Barton Science Centre and the EM Forster Theatre. Academic life is complemented by a wide extracurricular programme and sporting provision; the Tonbridge School Centre was used as a training base for the 2012 Olympic Games.

Benedict House Preparatory School is a co-educational day school in Sidcup, Kent, for pupils aged two and a half to 11. Founded in 1989 and situated on a tree-lined residential road, the school is housed within several Victorian buildings and recently refurbished facilities, including a STEAM classroom and library. The school operates with an ethos of “towards the future as a family,” focusing on a nurturing environment and small class sizes. The curriculum is designed to prepare pupils for the 11+ transition, supported by specialist instruction in music, drama, and sport.

Spring Grove School is a co-educational day preparatory school and nursery for pupils aged 2 to 11, situated in Wye near Ashford. Set within 14 acres of Kent countryside, the school is housed in a seventeenth-century Stuart mansion dating back to 1674, where the author Joseph Conrad once stayed. The school emphasises a "family" ethos and a broad curriculum, with a particular focus on the creative arts and outdoor education. Notable facilities include an award-winning Forest School, a covered heated swimming pool, and a dedicated music block with a recording space.

Northbourne Park School is a co-educational day and boarding preparatory school for children aged 2 to 13, situated in 100 acres of parkland near Deal. The school operates across two historic sites: Betteshanger House, which accommodates the Prep school and boarding houses, and the Old Rectory for the Pre-Prep. Emphasising an outdoor-focused education, the school features a unique bilingual programme, the Section Française Bilingue. Facilities include a 13th-century church, a floodlit all-weather pitch, and extensive woodlands used for its Forest School and leadership programmes.

Sevenoaks Preparatory School is a co-educational day school for pupils aged 2 to 13, situated in 25 acres of grounds bordering Knole Park in Kent. Founded in 1919, the school moved to its current site at Godden Green in 1948. Its ethos is defined by the 'Way of Life' framework, which focuses on character development and mutual respect. Facilities include the Centenary Centre, which houses a library, art studio, and science laboratories, alongside extensive sports fields and a Forest School. The curriculum prepares children for a range of senior schools, balancing academic rigour with diverse extracurricular activities.

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.

Sackville School is a co-educational independent day school for pupils aged 11 to 18, situated in Hildenborough, Kent. Housed in Foxbush House, a Victorian building dating from 1866, the school is set within scenic grounds in the Kent countryside. It operates as a small, non-selective community that focuses on individual growth and tailored academic support. The curriculum spans GCSE and A-Level courses, complemented by facilities such as a sports hall and fitness suite. The school’s ethos emphasises personal development and collaboration within a supportive, family-like environment.

Dover College is a co-educational day and boarding school for pupils aged 3 to 18, located in Dover, Kent. Founded in 1871, the school occupies the historic site of the 12th-century Benedictine Priory of St Martin. Its campus features remarkable medieval architecture, including a Grade II* listed refectory and a chapel converted from the former priory guest house. The college follows a "Thinking School" approach, encouraging independent enquiry and creative problem-solving. Facilities include an AstroTurf pitch, a fitness suite, and a dedicated music room housed within the original priory gatehouse.