Whether you’re planning for the future or enrolling onto the nearest academic year, we’ve carefully curated a guide to the best independent schools in South West London and Surrey.
Going back to school after a period of home learning is daunting for kids and parents alike. This is especially the case where children are embarking on new school journeys. With open days adhering to social distancing guidelines and one-to-one online tours offering a new source of comfort and convenience, we hope that our SW London and Surrey independent schools guide puts your mind at ease. From boys’ day and boarding schools to high schools for girls, these private schools rank sky-high on league tables, and there’s a perfect option for everyone.
Holy Cross Preparatory School – girls 4 to 11
A compassionate, vibrant community, working together to inspire a true love of learning. Their state-of-the-art facilities are set in eight acres of beautiful, historic grounds, with plenty of outdoor space for the girls to explore. Holy Cross Prep is perfect for girls who want to enjoy school life and achieve excellence. Their pupils are happy, curious individuals, encouraged to nurture their natural inquisitiveness and a healthy attitude towards learning.
Open Morning: Saturday 3rd October, 9.30am – 12.00pm. Please register your interest online. If you are unable to attend, please book a personal tour of the grounds.
George Road, Kingston upon Thames, KT2 7NU
holycrossprepschool.co.uk/admissions
The Mall School – boys 4 to 11
The Mall School is a successful independent school for boys aged 4 to 11 in Twickenham. We bring out the best in every boy and they make exceptional progress, benefitting from small class sizes, inspirational teaching and excellent pastoral care. We work closely with parents to identify the senior schools where their sons will continue to thrive. In 2020, boys received 11+ offers for 20 senior schools including Hampton, King’s College Wimbledon, Kingston Grammar School and Tiffin.
185 Hampton Road, Twickenham, Middlesex, TW2 5NQ
Parkside School – boys 2 to 13, with co-ed nursery
Parkside is a wonderful environment where children’s curiosity is awakened. Set in 45 acres of beautiful countryside where talents and passions are nurtured and developed, pupils are encouraged to take responsibility for their learning. The school delivers a dynamic and innovative curriculum that lights that spark. Academic excellence and outstanding sporting achievements are underpinned by exceptional pastoral care. Parkside pupils flourish and are valued as individuals; happy and confident as they move to their Senior School.
Next Open Morning is Friday 2 October at 9:30am. To book a place, please email head.pa@parkside-school.co.uk
The Manor, Stoke D’Abernon, Cobham, KT11 3PX
Reed’s School – boys 11 to 18, with co-ed Sixth Form
Set amongst 40 acres of countryside with excellent facilities, being part-boarding allows Reed’s to offer huge advantages for day pupils, such as wraparound care and outstanding pastoral support, allowing each and every child to be known and valued. The values-driven education that pupils experience at Reed’s equips them not only with excellent academic qualifications and the interpersonal skills they will need for the future, but ensures that when they leave they possess a strong moral compass and a desire to go into the world and improve it.
Sandy Lane, Cobham KT11 2ES
Rowan Preparatory School – girls 2 to 11
Rowan is a vibrant, friendly and nurturing community, with traditional values and a forwardthinking approach to education offering a broad and adventurous curriculum. It has excellent sport facilities with a ‘sport for all’ approach and a highly developed Arts programme spanning both creative and performing arts. All the girls progress to outstanding senior schools of their choice, equipped with life skills and knowledge to excel in the next stage of their learning journey.
Personal tours, one-to-one video calls and virtual events are available, and the next Open Morning will be held on Friday 12 March 2021.
6 Fitzalan Road, Claygate, KT10 0LX
rowanprepschool.co.uk/admissions/open-days
Shrewsbury House Prep School – boys 7 to 13
An outstanding IAPS Independent Prep School for Boys with a superb academic record, committed staff, small class sizes and dedicated pastoral care, every boy has the opportunity to fulfil his potential. The school hopes to welcome visitors on Saturday 3 October 2020 from 9.30 to 11.30am to their Annual Open Morning, but if this is not possible, it will take place as a virtual event. Please register online.
107 Ditton Road, Surbiton, KT6 6RL
shrewsburyhouse.net/openmorning
Wimbledon High School – girls 4 to 18
Among the very top of good schools, bright, kind and utterly grounded, Wimbledon High students know where they are heading. Our extensive partnership programme allows for volunteering in the wider community, with meaningful interactions such as mentoring enriching our students’ lives. With excellent A Level results, our Sixth Form leavers join over 70,000 GDST alumnae (the Girls’ Day School is expert in educating girls with a unique ethos and family spirit), ready to stride out of SW19, take on the world and shake it up.
Mansel Rd, Wimbledon, London, SW19 4AB
wimbledonhigh.gdst.net/admissions
The Study Prep School Wimbledon – girls 4 to 11
A new Head, Miss Vicky Ellis, commences her headship at The Study Prep, Wimbledon, in September 2020. The Study is a leading prep school for girls aged 4-11, based on two sites near Wimbledon Common. Proudly non-selective at 4+, and with a highly creative and nurturing ethos, the girls go on to achieve excellent results at 11+, with offers and scholarships from top senior schools. 2020 was record year for scholarship offers, with 40 offered to the Year 6 cohort, across academic, sport and the arts.
4 Peek Crescent, Wimbledon, London, SW19 5ER
If you found our guide to some of the best independent schools in the UK, nestled in SW London and Surrey, helpful, you might also enjoy reading:
