Independent Schools in Greater London

Falkner House is an independent day school in West London, with separate sites in South Kensington and Earl’s Court. Founded in 1954, the school remains family-run and provides a co-educational nursery followed by single-sex preparatory education for boys and girls aged four to 11. The curriculum balances academic subjects with cultural studies like History of Art, supported by integrated technology. The school’s ethos focuses on individual potential and kindness within a small community, typically maintaining one class per year group to ensure a nurturing environment for every pupil.

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.

Jeannine Manuel School is a co-educational bilingual day school for pupils aged 3 to 18, located in the heart of Bloomsbury, London. Opened in 2015, it is the sister school of the Paris institution founded in 1954 by French Resistance member Jeannine Manuel. The school is housed across three sites in historic listed buildings on Russell Square and Bedford Square. Its ethos emphasises international understanding and pedagogical innovation within a multicultural community. Students follow a bilingual curriculum, preparing for either the French International Baccalaureate (BFI) or the International Baccalaureate (IB) Diploma.

Wildwood Nature School is a co-educational independent primary school for children aged 4 to 11, located in Camden, North London. Founded in 2023, the school operates from St Mary Brookfield Hall and offers a nature-based alternative to mainstream education. Following Forest School principles, pupils spend at least half of their time learning outdoors in local green spaces such as Hampstead Heath. The curriculum integrates academic subjects with emotional well-being and creative development. The school maintains small, mixed-age classes and high staff-to-pupil ratios to support a collaborative learning environment.

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.

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.

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.

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.

Croydon High School GDST is an independent day school for girls aged 3 to 18, situated on a 20-acre site in Selsdon, South Croydon. Established in 1874, it was one of the earliest schools founded by the Girls’ Day School Trust. The campus features extensive green space and facilities such as a 25-metre swimming pool, a sports hall, and a dedicated sixth form centre. The school provides a broad curriculum designed to encourage independence and leadership, supported by a wide range of extracurricular clubs and activities.

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 Augustine's Priory is an independent Catholic day school in Ealing, West London, primarily for girls aged 3 to 18, with boys admitted to the nursery and prep sections. Founded in Paris in 1634 and established at its current site in 1915, the school is set within 13 acres of grounds that include a wildflower meadow, an orchard, and a working farm. Academic and extracurricular facilities include a chapel, a modern science block, and floodlit sports pitches. The school focuses on providing a well-rounded education based on values of truth and compassion.

Wimbledon High School GDST is an independent day school for girls aged 4 to 18, situated in the heart of Wimbledon, London. Founded in 1880 by the Girls’ Day School Trust, the school occupies a town-centre site featuring Victorian buildings and modern additions, including a dedicated STEAM tower. Its playing fields at Nursery Road possess significant sporting heritage as the original home of the All England Lawn Tennis Club. The school focuses on fostering intellectual curiosity and resilience, encouraging pupils to explore a broad range of academic and co-curricular opportunities.

The Gower School is an independent, co-educational Montessori day school and nursery located in Islington, London. Established in 2000 by Emma Gowers, it provides education for children aged six months to 11 years across two dedicated sites. The school follows the Montessori method, prioritising individualised learning, self-discipline, and independence. Its curriculum integrates Montessori principles with the National Curriculum, supported by facilities such as specialised art and science rooms. Pupils also benefit from local amenities for sports, including swimming and football, alongside a broad programme of music and creative arts.