Independent Schools in Greater London

Eaton House Belgravia is an independent day school for boys aged 2 to 11, incorporating a co-educational nursery, located in London’s Belgravia district. Founded in 1897, the school is situated near Sloane Square and occupies historic premises on Eaton Gate. It provides a traditional academic curriculum intended to prepare pupils for 7+, 8+, and 11+ entry into competitive senior schools. Facilities include specialist rooms for science, music, and ICT, alongside an outdoor learning area. Notable alumni include former Prime Minister Harold Macmillan and the actor Eddie Redmayne.

Mill Hill School is a co-educational day and boarding school for pupils aged 13 to 18, set within 120 acres of parkland in North London. Established in 1807 by Nonconformist ministers and merchants, the school occupies grounds that formerly belonged to the botanist Peter Collinson. The campus features notable architecture, including the Greco-Roman School House by Sir William Tite and a chapel designed by Basil Champneys. The school provides a broad education that balances academic study with a diverse co-curricular programme, supported by facilities such as an indoor swimming pool and a dedicated theatre.

Trevor-Roberts School is a co-educational independent day school for pupils aged 5 to 13, located in Belsize Park, London. Founded in 1955 and established at its current site in 1981, the school is housed in two adjacent late Victorian houses. It maintains a non-competitive academic environment focused on fostering individual confidence and personal progress. Music and drama are core elements of school life, with all pupils participating in two dramatic performances each year. Sporting activities take place at local facilities, including nearby playing fields and a leisure centre swimming pool.

Trinity School Croydon is an independent day school for boys aged 11 to 18, with a co-educational Sixth Form. Established in 1882 as Whitgift Middle School, it is part of the Whitgift Foundation and moved to its current 27-acre site in Shirley Park in 1965. The school maintains a strong musical tradition, notably through the Trinity Boys Choir, and provides extensive facilities for sport and the arts. Its ethos combines academic challenge with a focus on character development and community involvement within a supportive environment.

Azbuka Russian-English Bilingual School is a co-educational day school and nursery for pupils aged 2 to 11, located in Hammersmith, London. Established by the AZBUKA Foundation, which pioneered Russian-English bilingual education in the UK from 2000, the school opened its primary department in 2015 as the first of its kind in the country. The curriculum features an equal split between English and Russian, delivered by native-speaking staff. Operating with a small-school ethos, it focuses on immersive language development alongside a broad academic programme designed to support bicultural identity.

Al-Zahra School is an independent day school for girls aged 8 to 16, located in Queen's Park, London. Established in 1989 by the Al-Khoei Foundation, the school provides an education underpinned by a strong Islamic ethos. The curriculum combines the National Curriculum with religious studies, including Arabic and Quranic instruction. Operating within a small, close-knit community, the school focuses on academic progress alongside spiritual and moral development. Al-Zahra School aims to nurture well-rounded individuals, encouraging pupils to integrate their faith-based values with active participation in wider British society.

ICS London is a co-educational independent day school for pupils aged 3 to 18, situated across two campuses in central London. Founded in 1979, the school is an International Baccalaureate (IB) World School, delivering the Primary Years, Middle Years, and Diploma Programmes. The primary department is housed in a renovated Victorian building in Marylebone, while the secondary campus is located on Star Street. Emphasising a global perspective and personalised learning, the school supports a diverse community, utilising its central location to integrate local cultural and sporting facilities into its curriculum.

Channing School is an independent day school for girls aged 4 to 18, located on Highgate Hill in North London. Founded in 1885 by the Reverend Robert Spears and sisters Emily and Matilda Sharpe, it remains the only independent Unitarian school in Britain. The school occupies two sites, with the Junior School at Fairseat bordering Waterlow Park. Its facilities include the Grade II listed Brunner House, a performing arts centre, and a sports hall. The school's ethos is rooted in the Unitarian principles of scholarship, integrity, altruism, and independence.

Ravenscourt Park Preparatory School is a co-educational day school for children aged 4 to 11, located in Hammersmith, West London. Founded in 1991, the school is situated on a site featuring a former vicarage and the more recent Gardener Building. It sits adjacent to the 20-acre Ravenscourt Park, which provides the setting for the majority of PE and games lessons. Facilities include specialist science laboratories, an art studio, and a multi-purpose auditorium. The school emphasises a holistic approach and prepares pupils for transfer to senior schools at the end of Year 6.

London Christian School is a co-educational independent primary school for pupils aged 3 to 11, located in Borough, central London. Founded in 2007, the school provides an education underpinned by Christian values, focusing on spiritual, social, and academic development. It is housed in purpose-built premises featuring a courtyard and a covered rooftop playground. The school maintains small class sizes and a creative curriculum designed to nurture individual talents. Pupils are prepared for the 11-plus process, with many progressing to a variety of independent and state secondary schools across the capital.

Wetherby School Kensington is an independent pre-preparatory day school for boys aged 4 to 8, situated in the heart of South Kensington. Opened in 2017, the school occupies two five-storey Victorian townhouses on Wetherby Gardens, the same street where the original Wetherby School was founded in 1951. It follows a traditional academic curriculum with a strong focus on preparing pupils for competitive 7+ and 8+ assessments. The school combines academic rigour with a nurturing ethos, offering specialist teaching in French, music, and sport while fostering values of kindness and good manners.

Francis Holland Preparatory School, located on Manresa Road in Chelsea, is an independent day school for girls aged 4 to 11. Housed in a Grade II listed Victorian building, the school opened in September 2024 following the relocation of the junior department from Sloane Square. The 20,000 square foot site features the historic former Chelsea library, a specialist STEAM laboratory, and an extensive outdoor play area. The school emphasises a broad curriculum focused on curiosity and creativity, providing a nurturing environment that prepares pupils for transition to leading senior schools while maintaining a strong pastoral ethos.

Wetherby Preparatory School is an independent day school for boys aged 7 to 13, located in Bryanston Square, Marylebone. Established in 2004 to build upon the traditions of the Wetherby Pre-Preparatory School, it provides a holistic education that prepares pupils for 11-plus and 13-plus Common Entrance examinations. The school balances academic rigour with a broad co-curricular programme, including music, the arts, and sports. Facilities include a dedicated sports ground in East Acton. The ethos focuses on nurturing individual potential and fostering a supportive, good-humoured environment for boys transitioning to leading senior schools across the country.

University College School is an independent day school situated in Frognal, Hampstead, for pupils aged 4 to 18. Founded in 1830 by University College London, it was established on Benthamite principles to promote liberal scholarship and intellectual curiosity. The main campus features a Grade II listed Edwardian building and includes facilities such as an 800-seat Great Hall and the Sir Roger Bannister Sports Centre. While the school is historically for boys, the Sixth Form is co-educational, offering a progressive environment that emphasises individuality and a breadth of academic and extracurricular pursuits.

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.