Prep schools in London and the UK
A prep (preparatory) school is an independent school for children up to 11 or 13, preparing them for entry to senior schools at 11+ or 13+. Many start at 3 or 4 with a pre-prep or nursery. Houseroom lists 485 independent prep schools, with a median day fee of £24,300 a year. Compare them by borough, ranking, fees and open days.
Updated September 2026
Prep schools by area
- Prep schools in Hackney (31)
- Prep schools in Kensington & Chelsea (28)
- Prep schools in Camden (28)
- Prep schools in Wandsworth (28)
- Prep schools in Barnet (24)
- Prep schools in Westminster (21)
- Prep schools in Richmond upon Thames (21)
- Prep schools in Ealing (17)
- Prep schools in Merton (16)
- Prep schools in Hammersmith & Fulham (15)
- Prep schools in Croydon (14)
- Prep schools in Southwark (11)
- Prep schools in Bromley (11)
- Prep schools in Brent (11)
- Prep schools in Redbridge (11)
- Prep schools in Haringey (10)
- Prep schools in Harrow (10)
- Prep schools in Hounslow (9)
- Prep schools in Greenwich (9)
- Prep schools in Enfield (9)
- Prep schools in Tower Hamlets (8)
- Prep schools in Lambeth (8)
- Prep schools in Kingston upon Thames (7)
- Prep schools in Newham (7)
- Prep schools in Islington (6)
- Prep schools in Hillingdon (6)
- Prep schools in Lewisham (5)
- Prep schools in Havering (5)
- Prep schools in Stoke Newington & Stamford Hill (22)
- Prep schools in Hampstead (17)
- Prep schools in Wimbledon (12)
- Prep schools in Notting Hill (10)
- Prep schools in South Kensington (8)
- Prep schools in Fulham (8)
- Prep schools in Wandsworth Town & Earlsfield (7)
- Prep schools in Dulwich (7)
- Prep schools in St John's Wood (6)
- Prep schools in Battersea (6)
- Prep schools in Clapham (6)
- Prep schools in Putney (6)
- Prep schools in Blackheath (6)
- Prep schools in Knightsbridge & Belgravia (5)
- Prep schools in Marylebone (5)
- Prep schools in Highgate (5)
- Prep schools in Hammersmith (5)
Best-ranked prep schools
By Houseroom Index score, which weighs exam results, destinations, inspection and value.
- North London Collegiate SchoolGirls · Ages 3–18 · Day
- Guildford High SchoolGirls · Ages 4–18 · Day
- Glendower Preparatory SchoolGirls · Ages 3–11 · Day
- St Paul's SchoolBoys · Ages 7–18 · Day & boarding
- King's College School, WimbledonBoys · Ages 7–18 · Day
- Brighton CollegeCo-ed · Ages 3–18 · Day & boarding
- Lady Eleanor Holles SchoolGirls · Ages 7–18 · Day
- South Hampstead High SchoolGirls · Ages 4–18 · Day
- Magdalen College SchoolCo-ed · Ages 7–18 · Day
- Alleyn's SchoolCo-ed · Ages 4–18 · Day
- Highgate SchoolCo-ed · Ages 4–18 · Day
- Hereward House SchoolBoys · Ages 4–13 · Day
- Herne Hill SchoolCo-ed · Ages 2–7 · Day
- Kew Green Preparatory SchoolCo-ed · Ages 2–11 · Day
- The Rowans SchoolCo-ed · Ages 3–7 · Day
Choosing a prep school
11+ or 13+ leavers
Prep schools split by leaving age. Most London girls' and co-ed preps run to Year 6 and prepare for 11+ entry; many traditional boys' preps run to Year 8 and prepare for 13+ entry to schools such as Eton, Harrow, Winchester and Westminster, often via pre-tests in Year 6. Check which a prep is built for before you apply.
Entry points
The main entry points are 3+ or 4+ (nursery or reception), 7+ (Year 3) and, at some boys' preps, 8+. Entry at 4+ is usually by informal assessment or registration order; 7+ usually involves reading, maths and reasoning tests. Registration often closes well over a year before entry.
What to compare
Look at leavers' destinations over several years, not one; how many pupils win senior-school scholarships; class sizes; how much of the week goes to sport, music and drama; and whether the school supports 11+ or 13+ preparation in the timetable or expects outside tutoring.
Prep schools: common questions
- How many independent prep schools does Houseroom list?
- Houseroom lists 485 independent prep schools: 80 girls', 49 boys' and 356 co-ed. Most are in London and the South East.
- How much do prep schools cost?
- The median top day fee across the prep schools Houseroom lists is £24,300 a year, including 20% VAT since January 2025. Boarding, lunches, uniform and trips cost extra.
- What age do children start prep school?
- Most prep schools take children from 3 or 4 into a pre-prep or nursery, with a second main entry at 7+ (Year 3). Some boys' preps also admit at 8+.
- What is the difference between a prep school and a pre-prep?
- A pre-prep teaches children from about 3 to 7. The prep school proper runs from 7 to 11 or 13. Many schools have both on one site, so children move up without a second admissions round.
- Do prep schools prepare for the 11+ and 13+?
- Yes. Preps that run to Year 6 prepare for 11+ entry to senior schools; preps that run to Year 8 prepare for 13+ entry, including the Common Entrance or a senior school's own assessment and any pre-tests in Year 6.