#13 Best Private (Prep) schools in London

1. St. Paul’s Girls’ School

St. Paul’s offers a high-quality education and has a reputation for producing successful graduates.

Facilities

1. Classrooms: Modern classrooms equipped with the latest technology to facilitate learning.
2. Library: A well-stocked library with a wide range of books, journals, and digital resources.
3. Science Labs: State-of-the-art laboratories for science subjects.
4. Arts and Performing Arts Spaces: Dedicated spaces for art, music, drama, and other creative activities.
5. Sports Facilities: SPGS typically offers sports facilities such as a sports hall, playing fields, and outdoor courts.
6. Technology: Access to computers and technology resources for students.
7. Dining Facilities: A cafeteria or dining hall for meals.

Services

1. Academic Support: Extra help or tutoring for students who may need it.
2. Career Guidance: Guidance and counseling services to help students with their future academic and career choices.
3. Extracurricular Activities: A wide range of clubs, societies, and extracurricular activities to enhance students’ interests and skills.

Fees

The school fee per term for the academic year 2023-2024 is £9,982. For new entrants to the Senior School (Year 12) the fee per term is £10,732.

2. Harrow School

Harrow School was founded in 1572 by John Lyon under a royal charter from Queen Elizabeth I. It has a long and distinguished history of providing education to young men. Over the centuries, it has produced many notable alumni who have made significant contributions in various fields, including politics, literature, science, and the arts.

Facilities

• War Memorial Building: A modern facility that houses classrooms, science labs, and the school’s museum.
• Sports Facilities: Extensive sports facilities, including a sports hall, cricket pitches, rugby fields, tennis courts, and a swimming pool.
• Chapel: The school chapel, a beautiful Gothic building, is a significant part of school life and often used for religious services and events.

Services

• Academics: Harrow School offers a rigorous academic program, preparing students for examinations like the GCSE and A-levels. It has a reputation for academic excellence and high standards.
• Extracurricular Activities: Harrow School places a strong emphasis on extracurricular activities. It offers a wide range of clubs, societies, and sports for students to participate in, fostering a well-rounded education.

Fees

• The registration fee is £350 (non refundable).
• Board, tuition, books, a stationery allowance, and laundry are all included in the £16,850 termly fees, which must be paid in full by the first day of class.

3. Eton College

Eton College is one of the most prominent and well-known independent boys’ schools in the UK. Its long and illustrious history dates back to its foundation by King Henry VI in 1440 and is located in the town of Eton, close to Windsor in Berkshire, England.

Facilities

• Academics: The General Certificate of Secondary Education (GCSE) and Advanced Level (A-level) examinations are two areas in which Eton offers a challenging academic program. It consistently ranks among the best schools in the UK for academic achievement.
• Eton is divided into 25 houses, each with a housemaster and pupils. The house structure is essential to the school’s culture and gives students a sense of belonging.
• The school’s extensive campus includes historic buildings, modern facilities, sports fields, and the Eton College Natural History Museum.

Services

• Eton offers various extracurricular activities, including sports, music, drama, clubs, and societies. The school encourages students to pursue their interests beyond the classroom.
• It is a unique and historic football game played against a brick wall.
• Eton students wear a distinctive uniform, including tailcoats, wing collars, and pinstripe trousers.

Fees

• Registration Fee £400
• £16,666 per half (term). There are three halves (terms) in a year.

4. Westminster School

Near Westminster Abbey and the Houses of Parliament, in the center of London, is the prominent independent boys’ school known as Westminster School. It offers a top-notch education and has a long history that dates back to Queen Elizabeth I’s founding in 1560.

Facilities

• School Buildings: Westminster School’s campus includes historic and modern buildings, with classrooms, administrative offices, and various facilities.
• Westminster Abbey: The school has strong historical ties to Westminster Abbey and often uses it for special events and services.
• Library: A well-stocked library that provides students access to various academic resources, including books and digital materials.
• Science Labs: Modern laboratories for science subjects to support practical learning and research.

Services

• Academic Support: The school typically provides services to help students excel in their studies. This may include tutoring and additional assistance as needed.
• Extracurricular Activities: Westminster School offers a wide range of extracurricular activities, clubs, and societies, allowing students to explore their interests beyond academics.
• Career Guidance: Guidance and counseling services to assist students with academic and career choices, including university admissions.
• Pastoral Care: A pastoral care system to ensure students’ well-being, emotional support, and personal development.

Fees

• An entrance fee of £2,000
• An acceptance deposit of £4,000

5. The King’s School, Canterbury

The King’s School, Canterbury, often referred to simply as King’s Canterbury, is one of the oldest and most prestigious independent schools in the United Kingdom. Located in the historic city of Canterbury in Kent, it has a rich history dating back to its foundation in 597 AD.

Facilities

• Science Labs: Modern laboratories for science subjects to facilitate hands-on learning and experimentation.
• Arts and Music Facilities: Facilities for the arts, including art studios, music practice rooms, and performance spaces.
• Sports Facilities: King’s Canterbury offers extensive sports facilities that may include sports halls, playing fields, tennis courts, and other sporting amenities for various sports and physical activities.

Services

• Career Guidance: Guidance and counseling services to assist students with academic and career choices, including university admissions and career planning.
• Pastoral Care: A pastoral care system is in place to ensure students’ well-being, emotional support, and personal development. Pastoral staff are typically responsible for the welfare of students in their care.
• Dining Facilities: The school typically has a dining hall or cafeteria where students can have meals during the school day.

Fees

• Boarding fees: £ 14,380 per term
• Day: £ 9,275 per term

6. City of London School

An independent boys’ school called The City of London School (CLS) is situated in the City of London, at the center of London. It has a long history of offering top-notch education and is renowned for its academic prowess.

Facilities

• School Buildings: CLS has modern school buildings with classrooms, administrative offices, and academic facilities.
• Library: The school typically maintains a well-stocked library with many books, journals, and digital resources to support students’ academic studies and research.
• Science Labs: Modern science laboratories are provided for hands-on learning and experimentation in subjects such as biology, chemistry, and physics.

Services

• Health and Wellness: CLS usually supports students’ physical and mental health, including access to health services, counseling, and well-being programs.
• Dining Facilities: The school typically has a dining hall or cafeteria where students can have meals during the school day.
• Transportation: Depending on the location of students’ residences, the school may offer transportation services or guidance on commuting to and from school.

Fees

• School fees for the 2023-2024 academic year Autumn Term are £7,545 per term.

7. Wycombe Abbey School

In High Wycombe, Buckinghamshire, England, there is a renowned and highly regarded independent ladies’ boarding school called Wycombe Abbey School. It was established in 1896 and is renowned for its academic excellence, extensive heritage, and dedication to offering a comprehensive and well-rounded education.

Facilities

• Sports Facilities: Wycombe Abbey offers extensive sports facilities, including sports halls, playing fields, tennis courts, swimming pools, and other amenities to support various sports and physical activities.
• Arts and Music Facilities: Facilities for artistic and musical pursuits, including art studios, music practice rooms, and performance spaces.

Services

• The school promotes student involvement in various clubs, groups, and extracurricular activities. These pursuits range from athletics to the arts to scholarly pursuits and more.
• A pastoral care system is in place to ensure students’ well-being, emotional support, and personal development. Pastoral staff play a vital role in student welfare.

Fees

• £15,900 Boarding per term
• £12,000 Day per term
• Registration Fee: £350
• Acceptance Deposit: £2,500

8. Garden House

In actuality, there are three schools combined: a Head of Early Years, a Head of Boys, and a Head of Girls. The Early Years location is housed in a building off Sloane Square that has two large, well-lit rooms as well as a small outside area.

Facilities

• Although they are taught separately in the same building, the older boys and girls have opportunities to socialize throughout the school week.
• Everyone at the school is required to abide by the “Kindness Code,” which consists of seven principles for encouraging positive interactions between students and staff.

Services

• It provides various sporting amenities, such as sports halls, fields, tennis courts, swimming pools, and other facilities to support different sports and physical activities.

Fees

• Application fee £150

9. The Godolphin and Latymer School

Hammersmith, West London, England, has a well-acclaimed independent girls’ school called The Godolphin and Latymer School. It is renowned for its strong legacy of delivering a holistic education, academic brilliance, and dedication to uplifting young women.

Facilities

• The Godolphin and Latymer School encourages students to engage in a variety of extracurricular activities, clubs, and societies. These activities cover sports, arts, academic interests, and more.
• The school supports students’ physical and mental health, including access to health services, counseling, and well-being programs.

Services

• Facilities for artistic and musical pursuits, including art studios, music practice rooms, and performance spaces.
• The school may provide transport services or advice on getting to and from school, depending on where pupils live.

Fees

• Autumn Term 2023: £8,395.00
• Spring Term 2024: £9,218.00
• Summer Term 2024: £9,218.00

10. The Haberdashers’ Aske’s Boys’ School

The Haberdashers’ Aske’s Boys’ School (HABS) is a prestigious independent boys’ school in Elstree, Hertfordshire, near London, England. Established in 1690, it has a long history of providing high-quality education.

Facilities

• Art studios, practice rooms, and performance venues are available for artistic and musical endeavors.
• Modern laboratories are available for practical science experiments and research.

Services

• HABS typically has dining halls where students can have meals during the school day.
• A pastoral care system is in place to ensure students’ well-being, emotional support, and personal development. Pastoral staff play a vital role in student welfare.

Fees

• Per term: £5,784.00

11. The Haberdashers’ Aske’s School for Girls

The Haberdashers’ Aske’s School for Girls (Haberdashers’ Girls’ School or Habs Girls) is an esteemed independent girls’ school in Elstree, Hertfordshire, near London, England. It is part of the Haberdashers’ Aske’s Federation, including The Haberdashers’ Aske’s Boys’ School (HABS) and other educational institutions.

Facilities

• The school maintains a dedicated library with extensive books, periodicals, and digital resources to support students’ academic studies and research.
• There are contemporary labs available to support practical science research and experiments.

Services

• Students are encouraged to join several organizations and extracurricular activities at Habs Girls. These pursuits range from athletics to the arts to scholarly pursuits and more.

Fees

• Acceptance fees: £1000 deposit
• Reception to year 2 £18,909.00

12. Chepstow House

Chepstow House School is an independent preparatory school located in the Notting Hill area of London, England. It provides education for children from nursery age through to primary school years.

Facilities

• Modern and well-equipped classrooms are designed to support effective teaching and learning.
• Outdoor spaces for play and physical activities often include play equipment and sports and recreation areas.

Services

• The school may offer extracurricular activities and clubs to enhance students’ interests and skills beyond the regular curriculum.
• Support services for students with additional learning needs or who require extra assistance.

Fees

• A fee of £175 (non-refundable) is payable on registration.
• £8,330 per term

13. Pembridge Hall

In Notting Hill, London, England, there is a private preparatory school for females called Pembridge Hall. It provides early childhood and primary school education for girls between 4 and 11.

Facilities

• A library or reading area with a collection of age-appropriate books and resources to promote reading and research skills.
• Modern classrooms with all the necessary amenities for successful teaching and learning.

Services

• The school may offer a range of extracurricular activities and clubs to allow students to explore their interests and develop new skills outside of the regular curriculum.
• Support services for students who may require additional help or have specific learning needs.

Fees

• Registration fees: £150
• Deposit fees: £4,300
• £8,735 per term

What are Prep Schools / Private Schools in London?

Preparatory (prep) and private schools are independent educational establishments offering elementary and secondary education outside of the state-funded or public school system. They are common in London and other parts of the world. These institutions are renowned for their high academic standards, small class sizes, and frequent emphasis on extracurricular activities and character-building.

Private schools in London encompass a broader age range and can include prep and senior schools. They offer education from primary to secondary years and may include sixth form or college-level education.

Benefits of Prep Schools

• Prep schools are known for their high academic standards and rigorous curriculum, setting students on a path for academic success.
• Smaller class sizes mean more individualized attention from teachers, which can lead to better understanding and academic progress.
• Prep schools often offer various subjects and extracurricular activities, providing students with opportunities to explore their interests and talents.
• The smaller class sizes foster close relationships between students and teachers, creating a supportive learning environment.
• Prep schools prepare students for the next stage of their education, whether that’s entrance to a prestigious senior school or a state grammar school.