SLT’s Top 10 Prep Schools in London 2026

Falkner House

Day school for boys and girls aged 4 to 11

Falkner House is one school, with the boys and girls separated on two sites. The girl’s site also houses a co-ed nursery and is only a 14-minute walk from the boy’s site in Earls Court. Falkner House is a great option for families interested in a single-sex education, as noted in their ISI Inspection: “The schools’ approach combines high academic standards with patience and kindness.”

The school has a long-standing tradition in teaching Art History, allowing students to broaden their learning and regularly visit London’s galleries and museums. They offer music as a lesson twice a week from Reception to year 6, where children are further able to discover more about the history of music and the lives of renowned composers.

Students at Falkner House go on to leading senior schools in and around London. In 2025, 19 girls were offered places at Francis Holland Sloane Square, 13 of which were offered academic scholarships. 8 were offered places at St Paul’s Girls School, alongside multiple offerings from Godolphin and Latymer School, Queen’s Gate and St Mary’s Ascot. The boys in 2025 also received several offers from King’s College School, St Paul’s School (and Juniors), Wellington and Tonbridge.

The Hall School 

Day school for boys aged 4 to 13

Situated a very short walk away from Belsize Park, The Hall School, founded in 1889, offers a fantastic traditional education for boys. The school is separated on 3 sites, all within walking distance to each other, Junior (ages 4-7), Middle (ages 8-10) and Senior (ages 11-13). The school believes this separation provides a tailored experience to each developmental stage, whilst also nurturing the sense of a whole-school community.

The school is renowned for its music programme, with over 80 per cent of boys learning an instrument and performing at the annual gala concert at Cadogan Hall. The school offers extensive co-curricular opportunities, with a Ski Squad also being available, allowing 9 to 12 students represent the school at the Artemis Interschools Challenge held in Pisa.

With small class sizes, their boys go on to leading independent senior schools. In 2025, 7 boys received academic scholarships to schools such as Westminster, Tonbridge, Winchester College, Radley and St Paul’s. 4 music, 2 sport and 1 Design and Technology scholarship were also awarded.

The Hall are excited to announce that they are welcoming a new head in September 2026, Henry Keighley-Elstub who brings over 28 years of experience in London prep schools.

Glendower Preparatory School 

Day school for girls aged 3 to 11

Situated in the heart of South Kensington, and only a short walk away from our office, Glendower Preparatory School is a strong option for parents seeking a great single sex education for their daughter(s). They hold strong nursery links with Miss Daisys and Willcocks, and their 4+ entrance is named ‘four and explore’, with the belief in reducing the stigma and stress surrounding school entry. Nevertheless, they hold impressive 11+ results, with St Paul’s Girls’ School being the most common destination school over the past 4 years. A number of their girls also go on to Francis Holland Sloane Square, Godolphin and Latymer and Wycombe Abbey.

Glendower has a tech policy that focuses on the girls being ‘creators’ and not ‘consumers’, inspiring their students to be resourceful and independent learners. Beyond the classroom, the girls get involved in a strong range of co-curricular pursuits. The school are fortunate to have London’s prominent museums; the V&A, Natural History and Science Museum, right at their doorstep. They predominately play sport at Barns Elms and Imperial College, whilst also being in easy reach of Kensington Gardens, Stanhope Gardens, Holland Park and Hyde Park, which they also use for sport and science exploration.

Kensington Prep School 

Day school for girls aged 4 to 11

With the vision of ‘Growing Great Minds’ as their main ethos, Kensington Prep School is another excellent prep option, based in Fulham. Part of the GDST (Girls’ Day School Trust), Kensington Prep fosters a nurturing and creative environment, inspiring girls to achieve academic excellence, alongside helping them become confident and happy individuals.

Kensington Prep offer a varied PE curriculum with offerings in activities such as Dance and Gymnastics, alongside the main sport options of Hockey, Netball, Football and Cricket. Year 6 students are further given the opportunity to try out a broader range of sports including water sports and many more. They also have a fully equipped art studio and music department, allowing girls to truly explore their different interests.

In 2025, a total of 25 scholarships were offered to the girls, 14 of which were academic, 5 were sport, 4 were music and 2 were drama. Most girls received offers from Francis Holland Sloane Square and Putney High School, alongside a couple of schools outside of London; Brighton College and Wycombe Abbey.

Westminster Under School

Day school for boys aged 7 to 13

Please note that it is becoming co-educational in September 2026, taking girls and boys from ages 4 upwards.

Westminster Under School is one of the UK’s leading academic preps, attached to its senior school, in the heart of Central London. A love for learning is instilled in their pupils, with their philosophy being built around students taking ownership of their interests and being curious learners. Despite their rich school history, the curriculum is broad, and their central location allows them access to some of London’s most renowned museums.

Beyond the classroom, the school upholds a strong interest in co-curricular pursuits. The boys play sport in Vincent Square, and they also have their own sports centre with an indoor fitness suite and climbing wall. Westminster Under is a strong prep choice for boys interested in going to Westminster and other leading independent senior schools. In 2025, 63 of their leavers went on to Westminster, 3 went on to Eton (all of whom were awarded a King’s Scholarship), 1 went to The Perse and 1 to The City of London School.

In September 2026, they will become co-educational, an exciting chapter. The school has therefore expanded into the nearby building, the largest of their three buildings. The new building houses a large light-filled atrium, modern classrooms, IT suites, science labs, a large library with break-out spaces for meetings, a music suite and teaching rooms, alongside an informal performance space.

Wetherby Marylebone boasts high-quality on-site and off-site facilities. Their co-curricular programme is strong, with over seventy clubs on offer. Sport is a key part of their curriculum, coached by specialist teachers and coaches. Boys are able to participate in regular fixtures, as well as in local and national sporting competitions, such as the Independent Schools Golf Association (ISGA) Tournament. Recent sporting achievements even include the U11 team securing championship gold at the IAPS Ski Championships in Italy.

Although it is not quite as academically high performing as schools like Sussex House or Westminster Under, it boasts a solid track record of senior school entrance. Alongside its own Senior School in nearby Marylebone Lane, Wetherby Prep boys commonly go on to competitive public schools like Eton, Harrow and St Paul’s.

Dulwich College Juniors 

Day school for boys aged 7-11

Dulwich College Juniors is another great choice for parents seeking strong academic results and an excellent all-round education. Situated by Dulwich Common, the junior school shares their campus with the senior school, Dulwich College, allowing a seamless transition for boys after year 6. Their campus spans across 70 acres, with access to world-class facilities.

The library is at the centre of their curriculum and teachers strive to create a passion for learning that goes beyond their British curriculum. The school offers fantastic trips and talks to help do so. Each year group takes part in at least one day trip per term such as visiting the Imperial War Museum, alongside an overnight trip during either the lent or summer term. Year 6 pupils also take part in an enriching academic programme based on the UN Global Goals, known as ‘The Great Exhibition’.

The average class size is around 19, with the expectation that boys will continue into years 7 and 8 at Dulwich College. The boys in year 6 prepare for the same examination that is taken by external applicants in December.

Please also note that they have a co-educational nursery located just off the main campus known as DUCKS.

Schools outside of the very centre of London often benefit from slightly more space, and Thomas’s Battersea is no exception, with the school spread out over Edwardian and modern buildings and featuring a courtyard garden at its centre. Students are offered multiple opportunities beyond the classroom, with a playground fit for team sports, a dance studio, gymnasium, music school, drama studio and a great hall with a stage and theatre style seating.

Pupils from Thomas’s Battersea excel in their academics, going on to the top senior schools in and around London; Eton, Harrow, St Paul’s Boys, St Paul’s Girls, Francis Holland, Wellington College, Winchester College are a few examples. Their pupils also hold a strong record of creative, sporting and academic scholarships.

Bute House aims to create a dynamic and rigorous environment where all girls can have fun and flourish. They have a non-competitive academic ethos, rooted in the idea that ‘every girl runs her own best race.’ Despite this, the girls go on to leading independent senior schools.

In 2025, the most popular destination school was St Paul’s Girls School, while many pupils also went on to Godolphin and Latymer and Francis Holland Sloane Square. In that same cohort, 38 girls were offered academic scholarships.

How SLT can help find the right school for your child

• At SLT, our school placement service is comprehensive and personal. We meet with you and your child, find out what makes them tick and what you’re looking for, and use our in-depth knowledge of prep schools in London and the wider UK to match them to the perfect school for them.
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