Independent Schools in Greater London

Southbank International School (Kensington) is a co-educational day school for pupils aged 2 to 11, located in the Notting Hill area of London. Housed in two adjoining Victorian villas, the campus follows the International Baccalaureate Primary Years Programme, emphasising inquiry-based learning and global citizenship. With a diverse community representing nearly 40 nationalities, the school offers facilities including a STEAM room, a bespoke art studio, and a garden with play equipment. Pupils typically transition to the school’s Westminster campus at age 11 to continue their IB education within a multicultural environment.

Mander Portman Woodward (MPW) is an independent fifth and sixth-form college located in South Kensington, London. Established in 1973 by three Cambridge graduates, the college is housed within several converted 19th-century Victorian townhouses on Queen's Gate. MPW offers a broad curriculum of over 40 A-level and 30 GCSE subjects, characterised by a tutorial-style system with class sizes limited to nine students. Specialist facilities include seven science laboratories and extensive creative arts studios for photography, ceramics, and textiles. The college provides both day and boarding options, with en-suite accommodation available at the nearby Queen's Gate House.

Hereward House School is an independent preparatory day school for boys aged 4 to 13, situated in Hampstead, London. Established in 1951, the school provides an intellectually demanding education within a disciplined yet supportive environment. The curriculum emphasises STEM subjects and music, alongside languages such as Latin and Mandarin. Named after the historical figure Hereward the Wake, the school’s four houses reflect this heritage. Boys are prepared for transition to prominent senior schools through Common Entrance and scholarship examinations, with the school utilising facilities at nearby Hampstead Heath for its sporting programme.

Vita et Pax Preparatory School is a co-educational independent day school in Southgate, North London, for pupils aged 2 to 11. Founded in 1936 by the Olivetan Benedictine Sisters, the school maintains a Catholic heritage while welcoming families of all faiths and none. The curriculum focuses on academic rigour and character development, preparing children for senior school transition. Set within a residential community, the school provides small class sizes and a nurturing environment. Its name, meaning 'Life and Peace', reflects an ethos of harmony and growth, supported by specialist teaching in music, art, and sport.

Ivy House School is a co-educational day preparatory school and nursery for pupils aged 2 to 11, situated in Golders Green, North London. The school is housed in the historic Ivy House, overlooking Golders Hill Park, which was once the home of prima ballerina Anna Pavlova and the artist J.M.W. Turner. Emphasising a student-centred approach, the school focuses on individualised learning to prepare pupils for transition to leading senior schools. Facilities include a modern science laboratory and mature gardens, supporting a broad curriculum that includes fencing, ballet, and diverse musical activities.

North Bridge House Senior Hampstead is a co-educational day school for pupils aged 11 to 16, situated in the heart of Hampstead village. Part of the North Bridge House group, which was founded in 1939, the school moved to its contemporary Rosslyn Hill premises in 2012. It follows a 'high support, low pressure' ethos, focusing on tailored learning and individual potential. Facilities include modern science laboratories, an iMac media suite, and specialist rooms for photography and ceramics. Pupils also benefit from proximity to Hampstead Heath for sporting and extracurricular activities.

Hendon Prep is a co-educational day school and preschool for children aged 3 to 11, situated in a leafy cul-de-sac in North London. Originally founded in 1873 as a boys' school, it now fosters an inclusive, multicultural community with an emphasis on balancing academic success and pastoral wellbeing. The school provides focused 11-plus preparation and integrates digital technology into its broad curriculum. Facilities include a science laboratory, music room, and art studio, while the outdoor grounds feature an astroturf pitch and an amphitheatre, facilitating a range of sporting and creative activities.

St Paul's Waldorf School is a co-educational day school for children aged 3 to 14, located in Islington, London. Housed in a notable Grade II* listed 19th-century church designed by Sir Charles Barry, the school offers a holistic education following the Steiner Waldorf curriculum. Its ethos emphasises a "head, heart, and hands" approach to learning, focusing on creativity and experiential discovery. The school maintains a technology-free environment for pupils under the age of 12 and makes extensive use of London’s cultural landmarks to support its non-selective and non-denominational academic programme.

Dwight School London is a co-educational international day school for pupils aged 2 to 18, located in the North Finchley and Friern Barnet areas of London. With historical roots dating back to 1885, it was the first school in the UK to offer the full International Baccalaureate curriculum across all age groups. As a member of a global network of schools, it emphasises a personalised approach to learning and a commitment to international-mindedness. The school provides a multicultural environment for its diverse student body, focusing on individual development through a broad academic and extracurricular programme.

Rosemary Works School is an independent co-educational day school in Hoxton, London, for children aged 3 to 11. Situated alongside the Regent's Canal near Shoreditch Park, the school is housed in a renovated Edwardian building featuring vibrant interiors and flexible, modern learning spaces. The school maintains a progressive, non-selective ethos, providing a nurturing environment with a curriculum tailored to individual needs. On-site facilities include two playgrounds, a ball pitch, and a garden with a pond, while nearby leisure centres and parks are utilised for sporting activities.

North London Grammar School is an independent co-educational day and boarding school for pupils aged 4 to 18, situated in Hendon. Established in 2006 as the Wisdom School, it relocated in 2014 to its current 50,000-square-foot campus, a former police training centre. The school follows the motto Bonitas, Scientia, Disciplina, emphasising goodness, knowledge, and instruction. Its curriculum focuses on critical thinking and STEAM subjects, and the school is the global host of the International Greenwich Olympiad. Facilities include modern science laboratories and specialised boarding provision for senior boys.

Thames Christian School is a co-educational independent day school for pupils aged 11 to 18, located in Battersea near Clapham Junction. Founded in 2000, it occupies a RIBA award-winning, purpose-built campus designed for modern learning. Rooted in a Christian ethos, the school focuses on character development and individualised attention through small class sizes. The curriculum integrates academic rigour with creative arts and technology, supported by specialist facilities. Extracurricular life is varied, featuring the Duke of Edinburgh’s Award and a partnership trip to Tanzania, alongside provision for pupils with mild specific learning difficulties.

Forest School is an independent co-educational day school for pupils aged 4 to 18, situated on a 50-acre campus bordering Epping Forest in Snaresbrook, north-east London. Established in 1834, the school operates a "diamond structure," where boys and girls are taught in single-sex classes between the ages of 7 and 16. Notable architectural features include the Grade II listed Memorial Dining Hall and a chapel containing stained glass from the William Morris workshop. Facilities include the Sylvestrian Leisure Centre, a 25-metre indoor swimming pool, and the Martin Centre for Innovation.

Eaton House The Manor is an independent day school in Clapham for pupils aged 2 to 13. Set on a 1.5-acre site opposite Clapham Common, the school is housed within a Grade II listed Georgian manor house and purpose-built facilities. It comprises a co-educational nursery, a boys’ preparatory school, and a girls’ preparatory school, delivering single-sex education in a shared environment. The curriculum focuses on preparing pupils for entry to leading senior schools. Facilities include specialist science and design technology laboratories, an art room, a full-size theatre, and a dedicated wellbeing hub.

Brighton College Prep Kensington is a co-educational day school for pupils aged 2 to 13, situated in South Kensington. Housed in four Grade II listed Victorian townhouses, the school follows a curriculum aligned with the Brighton College family, prioritising the pillars of confidence, curiosity, and kindness. The site features a two-acre ‘Secret Garden’ used for outdoor learning and Forest School activities. Its location in the museum district facilitates an ‘extended classroom’ approach, utilising nearby institutions and Hyde Park. Pupils benefit from specialist facilities including a Makerspace and access to the Imperial College sports centre.