Independent Senior Schools

Bales College is a co-educational independent school and sixth-form college for pupils aged 11 to 20, located in the Kensal Green area of West London. Established in 1966 as the Modern Tutorial College, the school is set on a quiet campus near Notting Hill. It emphasises academic rigour and individual care through small teaching groups and structured progress monitoring. Facilities include specialist science laboratories and an art department, with pupils also utilising the nearby Moberly Sports Centre. The college’s ethos is guided by its motto, "Semper Perstare", fostering a culture of perseverance, respect, and high achievement.

Marymount International School is an independent day and boarding school for girls aged 11 to 18, situated on a seven-acre campus in Kingston upon Thames. Founded in 1955 by the Religious of the Sacred Heart of Mary, the school maintains a Catholic ethos while welcoming students of all faiths. It was the first school in the United Kingdom to adopt the International Baccalaureate curriculum, offering both the Middle Years and Diploma Programmes. Facilities include a modern STEAM "Fab Lab" and purpose-built sports and arts spaces, supporting a holistic approach to education.

Islamia School for Girls is an independent secondary day school for pupils aged 11 to 16, situated in Queen’s Park, London. Established in 1989 by Yusuf Islam, the school is housed in a converted Victorian building on Salusbury Road. Its curriculum integrates the National Curriculum with a faith-based ethos, aiming to foster spiritual, moral, and academic growth. The school provides a close-knit, single-sex environment focused on developing confident British Muslim women. Its compact setting encourages a strong sense of community and a personalised approach to pastoral care and student development.

Highgate School is a co-educational day school for pupils aged 4 to 18, situated in Highgate Village, North London. Founded in 1565 by Sir Roger Cholmeley, the school features a campus of historic Victorian architecture alongside modern facilities such as the Mills Centre for Art and Design. Its ethos focuses on academic curiosity and intellectual rigour, alongside a commitment to community engagement. Pupils follow a broad curriculum and participate in varied extracurricular activities in sport, music, and the arts, supported by facilities including the Mallinson Sports Centre.

Great Ballard is a co-educational day and boarding school for children aged 2 to 16, situated near Chichester in West Sussex. Set within 30 acres of the South Downs National Park, the school is based in Eartham House, a Grade II listed building redesigned by Edwin Lutyens in 1905. Founded in 1924, the school prioritises a "Four H" philosophy focusing on the Head, Hand, Heart, and Health. Its curriculum integrates traditional academics with outdoor learning, technology, and the performing arts, taking advantage of its rural grounds and surrounding woodland.

St Albans High School for Girls (STAHS) is an independent day school for pupils aged 4 to 18. Established in 1889, the school operates across two Hertfordshire sites: the Senior School in central St Albans and the Preparatory School set within 18 acres of parkland in Wheathampstead. Rooted in the Church of England tradition, the school follows a "Teach to 25" philosophy. Facilities include a performing arts centre, an indoor swimming pool, and extensive sports grounds for lacrosse and tennis, alongside a modern Sixth Form centre.

Sherrardswood School is a co-educational day school for pupils aged 2 to 18, located in Welwyn, Hertfordshire. The school is housed in Lockleys, a Grade II listed Georgian mansion, and set within 25 acres of parkland and woodland. Founded in 1928, the school maintains small class sizes across its prep, senior, and sixth form departments. The curriculum aims to provide a broad education, supported by facilities including dedicated art studios, science laboratories, and extensive outdoor sports grounds, fostering individual development in a rural setting.

Hurstpierpoint College is a co-educational day and boarding school for pupils aged 4 to 18, situated on a 140-acre campus in Hassocks, West Sussex. Founded in 1849 by Nathaniel Woodard, the college is a member of the Woodard Corporation and is noted for its Gothic Revival architecture and Grade II listed chapel. The school provides a balanced education, integrating academic study with diverse sporting and creative activities. Facilities include a theatre, music school, and an on-site farm. Notably, the college maintains the oldest school Shakespeare society in existence, founded in 1854.

St Teresa’s Effingham is an independent day and boarding school for girls aged 2 to 18, set within 55 acres of parkland in the Surrey Hills. Founded in 1928 by the Religious of Christian Instruction, the school is situated in an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty and is centred around an 18th-century manor house. It maintains a Catholic ethos while welcoming pupils of all faiths. Notable facilities include an on-site equestrian centre, a 300-seat performing arts theatre, and a tennis academy. Since 2019, it has formed part of the Effingham Schools Trust alongside Cranmore School.

Queen’s College London is an independent day school for girls aged 11 to 18, occupying four Grade II listed townhouses on Harley Street in Marylebone. Established in 1848 by Frederick Denison Maurice, it was the first institution in Great Britain to grant academic qualifications to women. The college maintains a liberal ethos, focusing on developing intellectual curiosity and independence. Its central London location facilitates use of the capital’s cultural resources, while a broad curriculum emphasises the creative arts, music, and humanities. Facilities include modern science laboratories and art studios.

Kingshott School is a co-educational independent day school for pupils aged 3 to 16, situated on a 23-acre site on the outskirts of Hitchin. Founded in 1931, the school has recently expanded its provision to include a senior department for GCSE students. Facilities include a multi-purpose sports hall, an all-weather pitch, a salt-water swimming pool, and a dedicated performing arts centre. The school provides a broad curriculum with a focus on academic, sporting, and creative development. Its extensive grounds allow for a range of outdoor learning opportunities and diverse extracurricular activities within a supportive community.

Earlscliffe is an independent, co-educational sixth-form boarding school located in Folkestone, Kent. Housed in a Victorian building dating from 1870, the school is situated in the town's West End, close to the sea and the Leas promenade. Earlscliffe provides a personalised education for students aged 15 to 19, with a curriculum focused on A-levels and university foundation programmes. The academic approach is defined by small class sizes and a system of weekly progress testing. Now part of Dukes Education, the school supports a diverse, international community of students.

Sydenham High School GDST is an independent day school for girls aged 4 to 18, situated in South London near Crystal Palace. Established in 1887, the school is a member of the Girls' Day School Trust and operates across two sites within walking distance of each other. The curriculum focuses on academic breadth alongside strengths in the creative arts, music, and sport. Facilities include a dedicated performing arts centre and a long-standing sports pavilion. The school's ethos encourages independence and self-belief within a supportive community setting.

Queenswood is an independent boarding and day school for girls aged 11 to 18, set within 120 acres of Hertfordshire countryside near Hatfield. Founded in 1894 with a Methodist affiliation, the school focuses on developing well-rounded, independent individuals through a progressive curriculum. The campus features notable facilities, including a 280-seat theatre and 27 tennis courts, supporting a strong reputation for sport and the performing arts. The main building, Sheepwell House, was rebuilt in its original style after a fire in 1936, maintaining the school's distinctive architectural character.

Bethany School is a co-educational independent day and boarding school for pupils aged 11 to 18, set within 60 acres of the Weald of Kent near Goudhurst. Founded in 1866 by Reverend Joseph James Kendon, the school maintains a Christian ethos and focuses on the development of individual character. Facilities include a 25-metre indoor swimming pool, a climbing wall, and a high ropes course. The school provides a broad curriculum of GCSEs, A-levels, and BTECs, supported by a specialist learning support department and a programme of over 50 extracurricular activities.