London's LeadingPrep Schools

Eaton House School

58 Clapham Common North Side, London SW4 9RU

Led by Mrs Fildes, formerly deputy head at Bute House for five years, Eaton House teaches boys and girls within the same school but in separate classes, tailoring lessons to each group's needs while sharing extracurricular life. The school is known for a forward-looking science and DT curriculum, including hands-on 3D printing, alongside a strong hockey and football programme. In 2022 its 30 leavers earned 30 scholarships and awards — the school's best year on record — with recent destinations including Wycombe Abbey, Benenden, Downe House, Roedean and St Paul's Girls' School.

Falkner House Girls School

19 Brechin Pl, South Kensington, London SW7 4QB

Founded in 1954 by the mother of current principal Mrs Anita Griggs, Falkner House is known for strong teaching, a broad curriculum and a firm emphasis on kindness, courtesy and consideration for others. Pupils enjoy a rich arts programme, including regular gallery visits and two music lessons a week with a choice of orchestral instruments. Most leavers progress to top London day schools such as St Paul's Girls' School, with around 30% moving on to leading boarding schools including Downe House, St Mary's and Wycombe Abbey.

Garden House School

Turks Row, London SW3 4TW

Founded in 1950 by Margery de Brissac Bernard, Garden House welcomes boys and girls aged 3–11 within the same building, taught separately but sharing extracurricular life. Reflecting its founder's background, the school places particular emphasis on ballet, alongside French from the nursery years and a full academic curriculum including Latin. Leavers move on to schools including Francis Holland, Queen's Gate, Putney High and Godolphin & Latymer, as well as boarding schools such as Wycombe Abbey, Downe House and St Mary's.

Glendower Prep

86–87 Queen's Gate, South Kensington, London SW7 5JX

Founded in 1895 for girls aged 4–11 and led by Mrs Nina Kingsmill Moore, Glendower is known for its walkable, close-knit community and a deliberately non-competitive approach to learning. The school has a strong record at 11+ and makes regular use of nearby cultural landmarks, including the V&A, the Natural History Museum and Hyde Park. Leavers go on to schools such as Francis Holland, Putney High, St Paul's Girls' School, Wycombe Abbey and Cheltenham Ladies' College.

Kensington Prep

596 Fulham Road, London SW6 5PA

Part of the GDST family of 25 schools, Kensington Prep gives pupils access to a wide network of shared resources — 97% of pupils learn a musical instrument, and the school runs more than 55 clubs. Writing is a particular focus, with around 30 minutes of dedicated practice built into most days, alongside a strong daily reading habit from Reception onward. In 2023, its leavers earned 30 scholarships and awards across academic, music, sport and art, with destinations including St Paul's Girls' School, Wycombe Abbey, Francis Holland and Wimbledon High.

Pembridge Hall

18 Pembridge Square, London W2 4EH

Led by Mrs Banks, a former head of Eton End School, Pembridge Hall is known for confident, articulate and courteous pupils — many leave after Year 2 for Bute House. The school streams earlier than many of its peers, tailoring pace to each girl's ability, and places strong emphasis on spelling, grammar and an extensive annual reading list in preparation for the 11+. With over half its pupils from non-British families, the school has a strongly international character.

Hill House International Junior School

17 Hans Place, London SW1X 0EP

A family-run school originally founded in Switzerland and established in London in 1951 — Prince Charles was a pupil here in 1956 — Hill House is London's largest prep school, spread across four Chelsea campuses roughly ten minutes apart, plus a Swiss campus offering ski courses. Classes are kept small, at 12–16 pupils, and the school has a large music suite with 26 specialist teachers and over 300 instruments, alongside a strong drama tradition and more than 20 sports on offer. Leavers have a strong record into Eton, Harrow, Wycombe Abbey and St Paul's Girls' School, with many academic, music and art scholarships along the way.

Knightsbridge School

67 Pont St, London SW1X 0BD

Founded in 2006 for boys and girls aged 3–13, with a senior department through GCSE added in 2020, Knightsbridge School requires all pupils to study French, with Latin, Spanish, Italian and Mandarin also on offer. The school has a strong performing arts programme, staging productions at a local church theatre and performing annually at Harrods, alongside music exam preparation and a full sporting programme across netball, football, hockey and more. Leavers include pupils moving on to Putney High, Harrodian, Godolphin & Latymer and JAGS.

Norland Place School

162–166 Holland Park Avenue, Notting Hill, London W11 4UH

A traditional English prep school for boys and girls aged 4–11, Norland Place is highly sought-after in Notting Hill, with many families registering at birth to secure a place. The school balances academic rigour with character-building and creative development, alongside a broad sports programme including football, cricket and rugby. Leavers progress to schools such as Francis Holland, Notting Hill & Ealing High, Putney High and St Paul's Girls' School, as well as boarding schools including Wycombe Abbey and Downe House.

Thomas's Battersea

28–40 Battersea High St, London SW11 3JB

Founded in 1971 and one of four Thomas's London Day Schools campuses (alongside Kensington, Clapham and Fulham), Thomas's Battersea is built around the school motto 'Be Kind' and values including courtesy, perseverance and leadership. From age 8, pupils take part in themed residential trips, and the school places strong emphasis on the arts — over 90% of pupils learn a musical instrument, with weekly ballet and drama lessons from Year 1. Most pupils progress into the school's own senior department, while others sit the 11+ for schools including St Paul's Girls' School and Wycombe Abbey.