“Rugby School Thailand never stands still” (COBIS)
AGES 2-18
IGCSE & A LEVEL BOARDING AGE 10+
•Outstanding Academics
•Award-Winning Boarding
•Exceptional Enrichment
www.rugbyschool.ac.th
•Pathways to Top Universities
•Global Alumni Network
•40+ Nationalities
EDITORIAL
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The Guide to Independent Schools is published biannually to help you choose the right school.
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Independent School Parent is for parents of children at prep and senior independent schools. Independent School Parent magazine prep and senior issues is published termly. Parents can subscribe for a free issue at: independentschoolparent.com/register
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The information contained in The Guide to Independent Schools has been published in good faith and every e ort has been made to ensure its accuracy. All liability for loss, negligence or damage caused by reliance on the information contained within this publication is hereby excluded.
It’s my pleasure to welcome you to the autumn 2025 Guide
to Independent Schools
History and centuries of learning echo within the walls of some of our nation’s schools. From King’s Canterbury and Westminster to Gordonstoun, these institutions continue to inspire young minds today. As Radnor School prepares to move into Grade II listed Kneller Hall in Twickenham, discover how a former MOD building with an illustrious past gains a new lease of life, on pages 14-18.
Mental health and exam pressure are increasingly on the radar for parents and schools. Not every child thrives at 11+ but what are the alternatives? Fortunately there are many options to sidestep the stress, as Katie Hughes discovers on pages 36-37.
For sixth formers ready to spread their wings, earning while learning is an option – even at boarding school. On pages 4649, pupils at Bryanston and Bede’s share their successes, from modelling and acting to portrait painting and gardening.
Finally, you’ll find features covering pre-prep, boarding and social mobility from three of our finalists in the Independent Schools of the Year 2025 Awards, which this year is sponsored by Schoolblazer. The awards ceremony takes place on 14 October. You can read full details of the categories and this year’s finalists on page 66-67. For news of all the winners from the night, visit independentschoolsoftheyear.co.uk.
CLAUDIA DUDMAN, EDITOR
@ISParent
@IndependentSchoolParent
@independentschoolparent
Visit our schools directory where you can find details of hundreds of pre-prep, prep and senior schools from across the UK.
Roedean School
WHAT’S INSIDE?
THE GUIDE TO INDEPENDENT SCHOOLS • AUTUMN 2025
Nursery 2+
At this tender age, children are on the cusp of a school career that will span 16 years, finishing at 18. With exams and homework still a way off in the distance, right now, it’s all about developing a natural curiosity and learning through play.
Prep 7/8+
It’s all in the name with prep school: it prepares your child for senior and public school. As the 11+ and Common Entrance exams approach, education takes a decidedly serious turn as the hunt is on to find the right senior school for your child.
Sixth form 16+
Prepare to be amazed by the range of subjects from which pupils choose their A-levels or International Baccalaureate –from traditional disciplines like history and maths, to new ones like fashion. It’s crunch time and all in aid of securing a place at university.
Pre-prep 4+
Starting the year that your child turns five, small class sizes, dazzling teaching and stand-out facilities are what you’ll find here. It’s never too early to assess your child’s potential, and what better place to start than with a solid foundation at pre-prep.
CONTENTS
9 In brief
All the latest news and developments
14 Schools with history
From cathedrals to abbeys, the schools whose foundations date back centuries
20 More than just a school
A spotlight on Independent Pre-Prep of the Year finalist, Hurlingham School
22 Wilkommen, bienvenue!
A look at how different schools welcome new starters into their communities
26 Making a meal of it
How gourmet-standard chefs, international dining and sustainable food sourcing are changing the school meals menu
32 Inspiring outlooks
Independent Boarding School of the Year finalist Roedean lifts the lid on its success
36 How to sidestep the 11+ Routes to excellent senior schools which don’t require stressful exam-based entry
40 A culture of giving back
Contribution to Social Mobility finalist Wellington College talks about its enriching community partnerships
46 Earn while you learn
Bryanston and Bede’s sixth formers reveal how they’re combining A-level and studies with their entry into the working world
Senior 11+, 13+
With GCSEs and the numerical grading system firmly in place, a clutch of A*s might just not be enough any longer. The pressure is on to secure a clean sweep of grade nines –a nine is a higher grade than an A* and is for those of exceptional ability.
IT’S ALL IN THE NAME WITH PREP SCHOOL: it prepares your child for senior and public school. As the 11+ and Common Entrance exams approach, EDUCATION TAKES A SERIOUS TURN
50 Meet the Head
Cheam School’s Head Nick Milbank tells us all about the Berkshire school’s culture
57 Choosing the right school
Quintessentially Education shares advice on how to pick the right school for your child
59 Stability in a changing world
How to identify a school with a sustainable future amid ever-evolving circumstances
62 Holding your hand
Cranleigh Head Samantha Price on the importance of personalised admissions
66 Independent Schools of the Year 2025 Awards
For the eighth consecutive year, our awards return to recognise the best schools
68 Movers and makers
Meet the independent-school alumni who are blazing a trail in their chosen careers
69 My school days
Childrenwear brand founder Jessie Gao looks back on her time at Queen Ethelburga’s
DIRECTORY OF INDEPENDENT SCHOOLS
Each chapter contains a map and listings of nursery, pre-prep, prep, senior schools and sixth forms
72 London
114 South East
169 South West
186 East Anglia
195 The Midlands
215 North of England
222 Scotland
226 Wales
231 Northern Ireland & Republic of Ireland
Eaton House The Manor
40 Scholarships and awards to top schools to Eaton House The Manor Prep School for Boys and Eaton House The Manor Girls’ School*
Eaton House The Manor
King’s Scholarship, Westminster School
John Colet Scholarship, St Paul’s Boys’ School
Contact our Admissions team on 020 3917 5050 or register for an Open Day at www.eatonhouseschools.com
14 7+ offers to Westminster, St Paul’s and King’s Wimbledon to Eaton House Belgravia* 2025
40 Scholarships and awards to top schools to Eaton House The Manor Prep School for Boys and Eaton House The Manor Girls’ School*
Brighton College Millennium Scholarship, and more
King’s Scholarship, Westminster School
John Colet Scholarship, St Paul’s Boys’ School
*Non-selective entry at 2+ and 4+
Brighton College Millennium Scholarship, and more
Contact our Admissions team on 020 3917 5050 or register for an Open Day at www.eatonhouseschools.com
Eaton House Belgravia
*Non-selective entry at 2+ and 4+
Eaton House Belgravia
14 7+ offers to Westminster, St Paul’s and King’s Wimbledon to Eaton House Belgravia*
Contact our Admissions team on 020 3917 5050 or register for an Open Day at www.eatonhouseschools.com
Contact our Admissions team on 020 3917 5050 or register for an Open Day at www.eatonhouseschools.com
*Non-selective entry at 2+ and 4+
*Non-selective entry at 2+ and 4+
STUDENT
A SWASHBUCKLING SUMMER
Gordonstoun, Moray
A group of students took part in this summer’s Tall Ships Races, making the boarding school one of only two UK schools taking part in this daring voyage. Two crews, consisting of 22 students – 12 girls and 10 boys aged 14 to 18 years – sailed onboard Gordonstoun’s 80ft-long Ocean Spirit of Moray yacht, alongside 49 other international vessels, on the month-long journey through the English Channel and North Sea.
Vessels from Oman, Peru and the Uruguayan navy were among those navigating the challenging route, which began in Le Havre, France, and finished in Esberg, Denmark.
The Ocean Spirit of Moray, with two masts, is a fully equipped ocean-going yacht used as a sail-training vessel to introduce and prepare Gordonstoun students for sea expeditions in all weathers.
The first crew took part in the first half of the race from Le Havre, arriving in Aberdeen on 19 July. The second crew then sailed from the Granite City on to Denmark, finishing on 6 August.
Student William Adam said, “I was hugely appreciative of the opportunity to represent Gordonstoun. When I joined the school in September, I never would have thought that I’d have this experience over the summer holidays.” s
