All parents want the very best for their children and this includes choosing a school. If you are thinking about the top private schools in Central and North West London you may be wondering which would best suit your child.

This area of London has a wealth of excellent independent schools but it can be difficult to understand the differences between private schools. One of the first steps is to appreciate your criteria for choosing an independent school; you might be seeking academic excellence or perhaps place value on the outstanding extra-curricular and sporting activities that private schools in London provide.

It can help to start with a list of schools in your chosen location. We at Arlington Residential have completed the hard work for you and undertaken some research. Below you will find a list of pre-prep (nursery), prep (primary) and secondary independent schools in the Central and North West London areas.

 

Private Schools in London

 

Please note, private schools in London are registered with and inspected by the ISC (Independent Schools Council). We have only included ISC registered independent schools on our list.

 

Independent Schools in Hampstead/Hampstead Garden Suburb/Golders Green

 

The King Alfred School

Age Range: Reception through to Sixth Form (4-18)
Gender: Coeducational
Size: 650
Day/Boarding: Day
Entrance Requirements: Not academically selective but informal assessment conducted
Registration: Early registration is recommended for Reception, YR7, Sixth Form and occasional places
Religious Affiliations: Non-denominational

ISC Full Report: 2014

‘The excellent relationships amongst all in the school community, the pupils’ good behaviour and their positive attitudes to learning support their high levels of attainment.’

‘Pupils show great enjoyment of their lessons in all year groups, work hard in class and on their homework.’

‘(Pupils) appreciate the high degree of individual attention their teachers give them, and act with a correspondingly high degree of maturity.’

 

Lyndhurst House School

Age Range: 4-13
Gender: Boys
Size: 167
Day/Boarding: Day
Entrance Requirements: Assessment and interview
Registration: Registration may be made at any age but the main point of entry is the September following a boy’s 4th birthday.
Religious Affiliations: None

ISI Standard Report: 2010

‘All pupils achieve well and make good progress in their learning because of effective, and excellent teaching, aided by a reasonably balanced curriculum and programme of activities.’

 

St Christopher’s School

Age Range: 4-11
Gender: Girls
Size: 250
Day/Boarding: Day
Entrance Requirements: Informal assessment
Registration: Make contact with the school
Religious Affiliations: None

ISI Integrated Report: 2013

‘Pupils are extremely well educated. A rich, child centred environment has been created in which pupils, from an early age, develop a true joy in learning in both academic and creative subjects.’

‘A vibrant programme of extra-curricular activities and visits.’

 

 

St Anthony’s School for Boys

Age Range: 4-13
Gender: Boys
Size: 308
Day/Boarding: Day
Entrance Requirements: Entrance by assessment
Registration: Main entry is for boys aged 4 becoming 5
Religious Affiliations: Catholic

ISI Standard Report: 2010

‘Pupils’ achievements are excellent.’
‘Pupils are highly successful at winning places and scholarships to a range of selective schools.’

 

North Bridge Senior, Hampstead

Age Range: 11-16
Gender: Coeducational
Size: 316
Day/Boarding: Day
Entrance Requirements: Short assessment in maths and English and an informal interview
Registration: Main entry point 7 plus
Religious Affiliations: None

ISI Report: None available

School Inspection Service Report (not OFSTED):

Quality of education – Good
Curriculum – Outstanding
Spiritual, moral, social and cultural development – Outstanding
Quality of teaching – Mostly good
Pastoral care – Outstanding
Students’ welfare, health and safety – Good

 

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Independent Schools in Primrose Hill

 

St Christina’s School

Age Range: Pre-preparatory and preparatory (3-11)
Gender: Coeducational
Size: 209
Day/Boarding: Day
Entrance Requirements: No academic requirements
Registration: Registration shortly after birth is recommended
Religious Affiliations: Catholic

ISC Full Report: 2007

‘The school is successful in achieving its aim of providing a welcoming environment underpinned by the spiritual values of the Catholic Church.’

‘Pupils achieve well and are maintaining the high standards of attainment noted in the previous inspection.’

 

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Independent Schools in Camden

 

The Cavendish School

Age Range: 3-11
Gender: Girls
Size: 238
Day/Boarding: Day
Entrance Requirements: Non-selective at entry
Registration: Early registration recommended
Religious Affiliations: Founded as Catholic, now welcomes all faiths and none

ISC Integrated Report: 2016

‘The quality of the pupils’ achievements and learning are excellent.’

‘Throughout the school, pupils are confident speakers who listen carefully in class and express their ideas thoughtfully.  Their reading skills are consistently above average for their age, and they write extensively for different purposes.’

‘Pupils are inquisitive and eager to find things out for themselves.  They work with others in a co-operative and supportive way.  Pupils leave the school with excellent learning skills and are very ready for the next step in their education, strongly fulfilling the school’s aims.’

 

Independent Schools in St John’s Wood

 

Arnold House School

Age Range: 5-14
Gender: Boys
Size: 272
Day/Boarding: Day
Entrance Requirements: Confidential nursery reports and an informal assessment are required
Registration: Registration recommended between 1st and 2nd birthdays
Religious Affiliations: Christian

ISC Integrated Report: 2015

‘The quality of the pupils’ academic achievement is excellent. This fulfils the school’s ambitious aims for each pupil to develop his talents and secure a place at his chosen senior independent school.’

 

Abercorn School

Age Range: 2-13
Gender: Coeducational
Size: 361
Day/Boarding: Day
Entrance Requirements: No academic requirements
Registration: Applications for nursery should be made soon after birth
Religious Affiliations: None

ISC Integrated Report: 2012

‘The quality of pupils’ academic achievement and progress throughout the school is excellent.’

‘Pupils are well educated and the school successfully fulfils its aim of giving pupils a strong awareness of living in a global community and preparing them for their next school.’

 

 

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Independent Schools in Marylebone

 

Abingdon House School (Specific Learning Difficulties)

Age Range: 5-14
Gender: Coeducational
Size: 59
Day/Boarding: Day
Entrance Requirements: Standardised assessment reports, informal assessment conducted over 1 or 2 days
Registration: Make contact with the school
Religious Affiliations: All faiths

ISI Integrated Report: 2014

‘The school thoroughly fulfills its aims to provide a holistic education and to prepare pupils to be ready to return to mainstream education.’

‘Most reach a level of attainment that is broadly in level with expectations for their age by the time they reach Year 9, from starting points that are often 2 years below what is expected for their age.’

 

Sylvia Young Theatre School

Age Range: 10-16
Gender: Coeducational
Size: 253
Day/Boarding: Day and weekly boarding
Entrance Requirements: Admission follows an audition process plus a full academic test. School reports will be considered.
Registration: Make contact with the school
Religious Affiliations: None

ISI Integrated Report: 2014

‘The quality of students’ achievement and learning is excellent.’

‘Students achieve exceptional results in relation to their gifts and talents in their vocational studies and activities.’

 

Wetherby Preparatory School

Age Range: 7-13
Gender: Boys
Size: 321
Day/Boarding: Day
Entrance Requirements: Admission is automatic from Wetherby Pre preparatory School. Otherwise successful completion of an 8+ assessment day is required.
Registration: Before October in the year preceding entry
Religious Affiliations: None

ISI Standard Report: 2012

‘The progress and achievement of pupils in lessons is excellent.’

‘The school thoroughly meets its aim of providing an ‘education in the round’, with exceptional breadth in its extra-curriculum programme.’

 

Wetherby Senior School

Age Range: 11-16
Gender: Boys
Size: 67 (registered to take up to 400 boys)
Day/Boarding: Day
Entrance Requirements: Entrance examination, previous school references and assessment day observations
Registration: End of December for 11+ and end of autumn term in Year 6 for 13+
Religious Affiliations: None

ISI Full Report: None available

OFSTED Full Report: 2016

Overall standard – Good
Effectiveness of leadership and management – Good
Quality of teaching, learning and assessment – Outstanding
Personal development, behaviour and welfare – Good
Outcomes for pupils – Outstanding

 

 

DLD College London

Age Range: 14-18
Gender: Coeducational
Size: 483
Day/Boarding: Day and boarding
Entrance Requirements: IELTS (International English Language Test System) levels as appropriate to courses applied for
Registration: Make contact with school
Religious Affiliations: All faiths

ISI Standard Report: 2011

‘The college educates its students well.’

‘It offers a wide range of courses, although the provision for extra-curricular activities is somewhat limited.’

 

Queen’s College London

Age Range: 14-18
Gender: Girls
Size: 580
Day/Boarding: Day
Entrance Requirements: Academically selective, admission at 11+ and 16+
Registration: Arrangements can be made to test candidates at other ages
Religious Affiliations: None

ISI Integrated Report: 2013

‘The quality of pupils’ achievement and learning is excellent.’

‘This is an improvement on the findings of the previous inspection.’

 

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Independent Schools in Maida Vale

 

Arnold House School (see St John’s Wood)

Abercorn School (see St John’s Wood)

 

Naima Jewish Prep School

Age Range: 2-11
Gender: Coeducational
Size: 177
Day/Boarding: Day
Entrance Requirements: The ability to demonstrate respect for or commitment to Orthodox Jewish observances and practices. A copy of the parents’ ketubah must be provided with the application form.
Registration: Admission to the pre-nursery guarantees admission to the nursery class and above.
Religious Affiliations: Jewish

ISI Integrated Report: 2012

‘Pupils’ achievement, learning and progress are consistently good throughout the school.’

‘There is a significant amount of time dedicated to high quality Jewish faith provision.’

 

Click here to see a property for sale in Maida Vale.

 

 

Independent Schools in Regent’s Park

 

North Bridge House Preparatory School

Age Range: 7-13
Gender: Coeducational
Size: 486
Day/Boarding: Day
Entrance Requirements: Short assessment in maths and English and an informal interview
Registration: Main entry point 7 plus
Religious Affiliations: None

ISI Report: None available

OFSTED Full Report: 2015

Overall standard – Outstanding
Quality of education – Outstanding
Pupils’ personal development – Outstanding
Safeguarding pupils’ welfare health and safety – Outstanding
Leadership, management and governance – Outstanding

 

 

North Bridge House Senior, Canonbury

Age Range: 13-18
Gender: Coeducational
Size: Registered to take 300 students
Day/Boarding: Day
Entrance Requirements: Assessment in maths and English and an informal interview
Registration: Make contact with school
Religious Affiliations: None

ISI Report: None available

OFSTED Full Report: 2015

Overall standard – Outstanding
Leadership and management – Outstanding
Behaviour and safety of pupils – Outstanding
Quality of teaching – Outstanding
Achievement of pupils – Outstanding
Sixth form provision – Outstanding

 

Francis Holland School, Regent’s Park

Age Range: 11-18
Gender: Girls
Size: 495
Day/Boarding: Day
Entrance Requirements: Assessment
Registration: Registration recommended when your daughter is approaching 2 years of age.
Religious Affiliations: Church of England

ISI Integrated Report: 2014

‘The quality of the pupils’ achievements is excellent and the school is extremely successful in fulfilling its aims.’

‘Pupils’ attitudes to learning are exemplary. They respond eagerly to the high-quality teaching and support they receive.’

 

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Independent Schools in Mill Hill

 

The Mount, Mill Hill International – Mill Hill Foundation since 2015

Age Range: 13-17
Gender: Coeducational
Size: 45
Day/Boarding: Day and full boarding
Entrance Requirements: Assessments, interviews and, from Year 9, IELTS levels
Registration: Contact the school
Religious Affiliations: None

No ISI report currently available

 

Mill Hill Pre Prep – Mill Hill Foundation

Age Range: 3-7
Gender: Coeducational
Size: 188
Day/Boarding: Day
Entrance Requirements: Assessment
Registration: As soon as possible
Religious Affiliations: None

ISI Integrated Report: 2012

‘Overall the pupils’ achievements are good; they reflect the school’s aims to lay the foundations socially and academically for the pupils’ future lives.’

 

Belmont Mill Hill Preparatory School – Mill Hill Foundation

Age Range: 7-13
Gender: Coeducational
Size: 469
Day/Boarding: Day
Entrance Requirements: Interview, test and previous school reference
Registration: 2 main points of entry 7+ and 11+
Religious Affiliations: None

ISI Integrated Inspection: 2012

‘All pupils are highly successful in their learning and personal development.’

‘Excellent teaching contributes to the pupils’ high standard of achievement and good progress.’

 

Mill Hill School – Mill Hill Foundation

Age Range: 13-18
Gender: Coeducational
Size: 63
Day/Boarding: Day, weekly and full boarding
Entrance Requirements: Examinations and interview
Registration: Make contact with the school
Religious Affiliations: None

ISI Integrated Report: 2012

‘All pupils are highly successful in their learning and personal development.’

‘Excellent teaching contributes to the pupils’ high standard of achievement and good progress.’

 

Independent Schools in Highgate

 

Highgate School

Age Range: 3-18
Gender: Coeducational
Size: 1633
Day/Boarding: Day
Entrance Requirements: At 3+ – practical assessment
For older pupils interviews and a confidential school report are required
Registration: Make contact with school
Religious Affiliations: Church of England

ISI Standard Report: 2011

‘Highgate School provides an exceptional education.’

‘The intellectually accomplished pupils make outstanding progress, doing justice to their high abilities.’

 

Click here to see a property for sale in Highgate.

 

 

Independent Schools in Totteridge

 

(see Mill Hill Foundation schools)

After reading this list, we are sure that you will agree; there are a wealth of excellent and high profile schools in the Central and North West London areas. For further information we recommend you take a close look at each school’s website and make appointments to visit any that interest you.

Competition for places is high at many of the excellent private schools in London but good schools are always happy to welcome prospective parents and the very best way to understand whether or not a school is right for your child is to look round and talk to staff.

At Arlington Residential we make a priority of listening to our clients’ requirements. Whether you want to live near to an independent school for your child or value some of the superior cultural, social and recreational opportunities that the most exclusive North West and Central London areas have to offer, we have a resourceful team of specialists who will be happy to facilitate your search.

You can get in touch with the team at Arlington today and we will help you to find the Central or North West London property that entirely suits you and your family.

“The Information on this site is provided for information purposes only. The Information is not intended to be and does not constitute financial advice or any other advice.”