DirectorySouthwarkPre PrepHerne Hill School
Pre Prep school

Herne Hill School

Herne Hill School offers expert Early Childhood Education from Kindergarten through Year 2 with a focus on nurturing curiosity, joy of learning, and social-emotional development.

SouthwarkPre PrepCo EdAges 2–7Day43 pupils
Day fees
£9,090
How competitive entry is
Observation + InterviewCompetitive entry
Pupils
43
Founded
1976
Next deadline
No dates published
Verified 1 month agosource
Houseroom Index 2026

We don't have enough verified data to publish a score for this school yet. Check back as we expand coverage.

How is this calculated? →

Get your personalised Fit Score — tell us about your child to see how well this school matches your priorities.

Our take

Independent co-ed school in Lambeth for ages 2–7. Selective entry.

Best for
Who thrives here
  • Children aged 2–7.
  • Families who prefer a co-educational setting over single-sex.
  • Children who can demonstrate strong academics at entry assessment — this is a selective school.
Watch-outs
Know before applying
  • Selective entry — assume some form of assessment at the relevant entry point. Plan tutoring or familiarisation early if needed.
AI-generated guidance

About the head

We shape futures

Ngaire Telford is the current Headteacher of Herne Hill School, leading the school with a focus on expert Early Childhood Education and has been featured in multiple school videos discussing educational philosophy and leadership.

The school’s ethos is centred on Love, Care, and Excellence, with a strong commitment to kindness, nurture, and developing the whole child academically, socially, and emotionally.

kindnessnurtureexcellencecuriosityresiliencesocial responsibilityleadership

Distinctive features

Early Childhood Education specialist

small class sizes with high adult to child ratios

extensive outdoor learning with woodland area

seamless continuity from age 2 to 7

specialised Reception Cycle experience

endorsed as ‘Excellent’ by ISI in all categories

Facilities

sports

Multi-functional HallThe Playground

arts

Performing Arts StudioThe Bach

academic

LibraryMulberryOakThe MansionVicarage

wellbeing

Kindergarten Play GardenThe GardenWoodland Area

Latest exam results

Outcomes

The school's Key Stage 1 results are far above the national average, with pupils demonstrating high levels of attainment in maths, reading, and writing, as verified by external moderation.

Where leavers go

2025
Cohort43
US Ivy0
Top universities (2025)
Sydenham High GDST8
Rosemead Preparatory School3
Dulwich College Junior School3
Dulwich Prep & Senior6
Alleyn’s Junior School1
Streatham & Clapham GDST1
St. Dunstan’s College1
JAGS Junior School0

Recent coverage

In June 2024, Herne Hill School underwent a Full Educational Oversight Inspection by the Independent Schools Inspectorate (ISI), which resulted in a strong endorsement of the school's ethos, staff, curriculum, and facilities. The inspectors determined that the school was fully compliant with all regulatory standards and awarded the highest possible outcome of 'excellent' in all categories: "The quality of the pupils’ academic and other achievements is excellent, as is the quality of their personal development." In July 2025, 43 Year 2 pupils graduated from Herne Hill School, moving on to 16 different schools. The school highlighted that by the age of seven, a child's personality, strengths, and needs have developed sufficiently to enable them to advise parents on suitable future settings for their child. As of January 2026, Mrs. Ngaire Telford has been serving as the Headteacher of Herne Hill School since 2016. She joined the school in 2009 as a reception teacher, working up to deputy head and finally taking over the headship. In summer 2021, Herne Hill School opened its dedicated Kindergarten facilities at 99 Herne Hill.

Recommended next step

Open-day dates not yet published

Save this school and we'll email you the moment open-day booking goes live.

Fit for your child

How well does Herne Hill School match?

Tell us your child's age, location, needs and entry point. We'll score commute, academics, support, budget and culture against schools in Southwark.

Check fit for my child

Application timeline

No admissions stage dates confirmed yet. Save this school to be notified when dates are published.

Open dayNot published
Not published
Registration opensNot published
Not published
Registration closesNot published
Not published
Bursary deadlineNot published
Not published
AssessmentNot published
Not published
InterviewNot published
Not published
OffersNot published
Not published
Acceptance deadlineNot published
Not published

Open events

Open Morning
Thu, 1 Oct 2026
10:00 am – 12:00 pm|Main site at 127 Herne Hill and Kindergarten at 99 Herne Hill
Open Morning Autumn 2026
Open Morning
Thu, 1 Oct 2026
10:00 am|Both Kindergarten 99 Herne Hill and main site 127 Herne Hill
Open Mornings and In-Action Tours
Open Day
Thu, 15 Oct 2026
11:00 am
Open Morning
Deadline
Mon, 30 Nov 2026
Reception Registration Deadline
Dates to be confirmed
In-Action ToursTypically Thursday mornings at 10am during term-time
Dates TBC
Kindergarten 'Discover & Play' Sessions3, 4, 10 or 11 June 2026
Dates TBC
In-Action ToursMost Thursdays during term-time
Dates TBC
Open MorningOctober 2026
Dates TBC

Private tours and additional visits available by arrangement — contact admissions to arrange.

Talks & tasters

Thu, 1 Oct 2026Open Morning Autumn 2026Open Morning
Thu, 1 Oct 2026Open Mornings and In-Action ToursOpen Morning

Fees

£19,500per year · Day · 2026-27
VAT-inclusive estimate £19,500VAT status TBCYear 7-13 projection £154,259
vs London avg (£24,000)19% below
By entry point · 2026/2027
Reception£13,935
4+£23,850
Nursery£9,090

Bursaries & Scholarships

Max award
40%
Means-tested
Yes
Scholarships
4
medium confidence data
Scholarships by category & award sizeView full bursary & scholarship guide

Excerpts

While some independent schools choose to sit SATs, they are not required to do so and the UK government does not collect or publish their results.

Latest results
Latest results

This is an independent school and therefore does not have Key Stage 2 SATs results. While some independent schools choose to sit SATs, they are not required to do so and the UK government does not collect or publish their results. Find out more. Teaching & learning 13:1 Pupil to...

Learning support & SEN

1.74 % Students with a SEN EHCP View all data 12.2 % Students with SEN support View all data Pupils 297 Number of pupils View all data

Wellbeing

## URL: https://hernehillschool.co.uk/ (src=bd) Herne Hill School: Independent Kindergarten to Pre-Prep [Skip to primary navigation](#genesis-nav-primary) [Skip to main content](#genesis-content) [Herne Hill School, London Herne Hill School, London](/ "Home") [Home](https://hernehillschool.co.uk/) [Contact us](https://hernehillschool.co.uk/contact-us/) [Work with us](https://hernehillschool.co.uk/vacancies/) [Search](#search-popup) Search this website ' [Our school](https://hernehillschool.co.uk/our-school/) [We shape futures](https://hernehillschool.co.uk/our-school/) [Aims, ethos and safeguarding](https://hernehillschool.co.uk/our-school/aims-and-ethos/) [50 years of.

Inspection

Isi 11 Jun 2024

One inspection report on file. Worth reading before booking a visit — covers safeguarding, leadership and overall standard.

Excellent
Read full ISI report →

Term dates 2025-26

autumn1 Sept 202512 Dec 2025
spring7 Jan 202627 Mar 2026
summer21 Apr 20262 Jul 2026
autumn1 Sept 20266 Nov 2026Half-term 7 Sept 2026
spring6 Jan 202719 Feb 2027Half-term 7 Jan 2027
summer19 Apr 20274 Jun 2027Half-term 20 Apr 2027

Policies & documents

Schools like Herne Hill School

Ranked by semantic similarity across curriculum, ethos, intake and admissions style. Most parents shortlist 4–6 schools before applying.

78%

Hereward House School

Camden · Pre Prep · Ages 4–13
£21,615 – £25,938
73%

Heath House Preparatory School

Lewisham · Prep · Ages 3–11
£18,672 – £21,651
72%

Hill House

Kensington and Chelsea · Prep · Ages 4–13
£5,670 – £28,980
69%

Heathfield House School

Hounslow · All Through · Ages 3–11
£15,090 – £16,470
69%

Kensington Prep School

Hammersmith and Fulham · Pre Prep · Ages 3–11
£15,000 – £27,549
69%

Norland Place School

Kensington and Chelsea · Prep · Ages 4–11
£28,722

Questions parents ask

Common questions about Herne Hill School, answered from this school’s structured profile data. Always confirm specifics with admissions before applying.

What kind of child is Herne Hill School best for?+

Independent co-ed school in Lambeth for ages 2–7. Selective entry.

How does admissions work?+

Admissions are selective — expect an entrance assessment at the relevant entry point. Plan tutoring or familiarisation early. See the admissions timeline above for confirmed dates.

Are fees published?+

Yes — see the Fees table further down the page. Add extras (uniform, trips, lunches, music tuition, registration fees) on top of the base figure before budgeting.

Does the school support SEND?+

Some SEND provision is documented in our profile, but specific conditions supported aren't itemised. Contact admissions for details before applying.

Are there open days?+

3 upcoming open days or tours — see the admissions timeline. Booking is usually required.

How do I contact admissions?+

email at office@hernehillschool.co.uk or phone on 020 7274 6336. Reference your child's age and intended entry year in the first message.

What similar schools should I compare?+

We've ranked 6 schools by semantic similarity to Herne Hill School — see the "Schools like Herne Hill School" grid below. Most parents shortlist 4–6 schools before applying.

Enrichment last updated 14 May 2026. Sources include the school’s official site, Wikipedia, Good Schools Guide, Tatler, and Sunday Times Parent Power.

Reviews

No reviews yet.

Parent reviews

No parent reviews yet.
Track this school
Get deadline alerts for registrations, open days and offer dates.
Data
View Herne Hill School data profile
Exam results, fees, university destinations, inspections, peer schools and feeder preps — on one page.
Want to get in touch? Send an enquiry directly.
Are you from this school?
Claim this listing to manage admissions, events, photos and parent leads — free.
Claim listing