Open-day season is here: a chance for parents to hear the head, see the dorms, meet the pupils and generally get a sense of whether a school might suit their child. Keep scrolling for our handy list of all upcoming open days in each area of the country, and get booking – spots fill up fast...

And remember: if you can’t snag a place at any of these open events, don’t panic. Schools will always be as accommodating as possible to prospective parents, so our advice is to pick up the phone and contact the school to arrange a visit.

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Prep Schools

Alleyn's Junior School, Dulwich Open Event 1.30pm - 06 November 2024 A thriving prep with automatic entry to one of south London’s most sought-after seniors, Alleyn’s Junior’s small size belies the big opportunities within.
Channing Junior , Highgate Open Morning 8.45am-10.00am - 07 October 2024 This inspiring all-girls’ school puts ‘character education’ at the heart of learning, teaching values and virtues beautifully embodied by specially commissioned cartoon woodland characters – Empathy Rabbit, Bravery Mole, Respectfulness Hedgehog are some of our favourites – alongside the usual classroom subjects. Pastoral care is spot on and with a seamless transition to Channing Senior, girls are free to enjoy being sponges for knowledge without the pressure of testing.
Hall School Wimbledon - Junior School, Wimbledon Open Afternoon - 08 October 2024 Open Afternoon - 15 October 2024 This small, non-selective school near Wimbledon Common puts children’s wellbeing at the heart of everything. In the words of the inspirational head Andrew Hammond: ‘We believe that school should be a place where joyful memories are made and lifelong friendships are forged. Our pupils find out who they are and that you can always achieve what you want.’ Outdoor learning, problem-solving and superb EAL support for non-native English speakers are all part of the rich, well-rounded curriculum, which is inspired by the Chatsworth Schools’ ethos (Hall School Wimbledon was the first school in the group in 2018).
Ibstock Place Prep School, Roehampton Pre-Prep and Prep Open Morning - 08 October 2024 A school within a school, this co-ed prep on the edge of Richmond Park offers a ‘safe passage’ to the senior school it is a part of.
International School of London - Primary School, London Open Day - 17 October 2024 Split across two campuses on Gunnersbury Avenue in the west of the capital, the International School of London offers three IB programmes: Primary Years (for ages 3 to 10), Middle Years (for ages 11 to 15) and Diploma College (for ages 16 to 18). The emphasis is on personalised learning and a well-rounded holistic education.
Kensington Wade , London School in Action - 11 October 2024 School in Action - 12 November 2024 ‘Children who can think out of the box and converse around the world have a brighter future,’ says the head of the UK’s first prep school to offer a dual-language English-Chinese education. Opened in 2017 with its first cohort of Year 6s getting ready to head off to an impressive roll call of top London day schools, it’s proving to be a perfect springboard, both academically and socially, with the benefits of being bilingual reaching far wider than you might expect.
King's House School, Richmond Open Morning - 15 November 2024 Open Morning - 29 November 2024 This in-demand prep in leafy Richmond is going co-ed beyond nursery age from September 2024 – which will no doubt make it an even more compelling choice for local families. Something of a Tardis, there’s plenty of space for playing and exploring, and the lovely nursery is one of the most nurturing we’ve visited.
Queen's College Preparatory School, London Open Event - 16 October 2024 With its central London location, this precursor to Queen’s College is a bustling hub of energetic, exuberant and purposeful pupils exuding a friendly, charming vibe.
St James Preparatory School, London Reception 2025 Taster Morning - 10 October 2024 Open Morning - 06 November 2024 Reception 2025 Taster Morning - 07 November 2024 Every school likes to harp on about happiness, but there’s an all-pervading sense of joy at this unconventional west London prep, where every lesson starts and finishes with a mindfulness pause, Sanskrit is on the curriculum from nursery and lunches are vegetarian-only. St James offers a traditional British education laced with Eastern wisdom, and its academics are strong – and pastoral care even stronger.
Surbiton High Girls' Prep School, Kingston upon Thames Open Morning - 08 October 2024 Open Morning - 15 October 2024 Established in 1884, Surbiton High is a leading independent school founded on the belief that being happy and successful as a child is the foundation of future accomplishment. The girls’ prep caters for Reception to Year 6 on a roomy campus with well-equipped classrooms and multifunctional teaching spaces. We were shown round by girls who were confident, purposeful, motivated, articulate and fiercely proud of their school – what better advertisement could there be?
The Cavendish School, Camden Open Morning - 19 November 2024 Located in the heart of cosmopolitan Camden, this all-girls day school in north London has a special vibrancy, generating its own unique community spirit within its walls. ‘The girls are just magnificent,’ says proud head Taryn Lombard. ‘They know themselves, they are spirited, they make a difference and are driven.’ All this empowerment doesn’t mean they’re not grounded and super inclusive, though – it’s a school where everyone is applauded, the faultless performers as well as those who make stops and starts.
The King Alfred School Junior School, London Lower School Open Morning - 10 October 2024 Individuality is the name of the game at the relaxed and community-oriented The King Alfred School, which is located across two campuses on the edge of Hampstead Heath (the main school is on Manor Wood; Reception, Year 1, the theatre and D&T are on Little Wood). Pupils are encouraged to explore their own interests and realise their potential; the lack of a uniform and a first-names policy helps to develop relationships. The curriculum is highly creative, with lots of outside learning and a focus on play in the lower school – and it is all underpinned by strong facilities: the school even has its own forge. Progression from the lower to upper school is natural, with no assessment, and vertical integration between the years is actively encouraged.
The London Acorn School, London Open Morning - 08 November 2024
Willington School, Wimbledon Open Morning - 09 November 2024
Wimbledon Common Preparatory School, Wimbledon Open Morning - 09 October 2024 Open Morning - 05 March 2025 Open Morning - 04 June 2025 A joyous atmosphere pervades this London pre-prep in leafy Wimbledon Village that goes by the rather lovely nickname of ‘Squirrels’. Part of the King’s College School Corporation, many of the boys skip over the road to the junior school when they turn seven, but while it is selective, there’s no hothousing here – as head Andrew Forbes says, it’s a ‘happy, fun, buzzing school’.

Senior Schools

Ashbourne Sixth Form College, London Open Evening - 23 October 2024 A brilliant stepping-stone between school and university, Ashbourne Sixth Form College combines GCSE and A-level courses with top-notch careers advice and bespoke university guidance.
Channing , Highgate School-in-Action Morning 9.00am - 08 October 2024 School-in-Action Morning 9.00am - 16 October 2024 As well as delivering a vibrant learning environment, this north London all-girls’ school ensures every pupil feels empowered, valued and supported with its ‘ten per cent braver’ approach to life. Visionary, yes, and with its Unitarian values of free thinking, acceptance and inclusivity underpinning everything it does, girls receive a truly holistic education.
DLD College London, South Bank Open Evening - 28 November 2024 This day and boarding co-ed for teenagers aged 13 to 19 is something out of the ordinary. Slap bang in central London, its bold, undulating façade nestles on the South Bank, offering a dynamic, grown-up space for students from over 60 countries to learn and live within its walls. Yet for all its modernist looks, at its essence, says deputy head academic Dr Sarah Watson, it’s ‘a small school environment, with small classes and lots of attention’.
Hall School Wimbledon - Senior School, Wimbledon Open Afternoon - 08 October 2024 Open Afternoon - 15 October 2024 This small, non-selective school near Wimbledon Common puts pupils’ wellbeing at the heart of everything. In the words of the inspirational head Andrew Hammond: ‘We believe that school should be a place where joyful memories are made and lifelong friendships are forged. Our pupils find out who they are and that you can always achieve what you want.’ A well-rounded curriculum inspired by the Chatsworth Schools’ ethos (Hall School Wimbledon was the first school in the group in 2018) coupled with individualised attention means every pupil is able to fulfil – and exceed – their potential.
Ibstock Place School, Roehampton Senior School Open Morning - 16 October 2024 This all-through school on the edge of Richmond Park seamlessly combines tradition and innovation, offering pupils a ‘safe passage’ from prep to senior. The Independent Schools Inspectorate recently graded it excellent in all areas, its highest rating, and it’s easy to see why. With its clear-sighted head and polished atmosphere, Ibstock Place is a serious London contender.
International School of London - Diploma College, London Open Day 6.30pm - 8.30pm - 17 October 2024 Split across two campuses on Gunnersbury Avenue in the west of the capital, the International School of London offers three IB programmes: Primary Years (for ages 3 to 10), Middle Years (for ages 11 to 15) and Diploma College (for ages 16 to 18). The emphasis is on personalised learning and a well-rounded holistic education.
International School of London - Middle School, London Open Day - 17 October 2024 Split across two campuses on Gunnersbury Avenue in the west of the capital, the International School of London offers three IB programmes: Primary Years (for ages 3 to 10), Middle Years (for ages 11 to 15) and Diploma College (for ages 16 to 18). The emphasis is on personalised learning and a well-rounded holistic education.
King's College School Wimbledon, London Open 13+ Forum - 08 October 2024 Academically ambitious and pastorally supersonic, King’s College School Wimbledon is firing on all cylinders – and if we could turn back the clock and go back to school, this one would be high on our list. King’s Wimbledon is a major player in boys’ education – and since the sixth form went fully co-ed back in 2010, girls have been getting a slice of the pie too, with places for both boys and girls becoming more sought-after year upon year.
London Park School Clapham , London Open Morning - 15 October 2024 Open Morning - 16 October 2024 This exciting new school from the Dukes Education stable opened in September 2023, bucking the trend for super-sizing with just 250 pupils on the roll. Principal Susie Longstaff says this will enable it to keep the focus on the child, allowing pupils to grow and develop at their own pace. Indeed, pupil wellbeing will be a core pillar, equipping them with skills for life and giving them the space to celebrate their own individuality.
London Park School Mayfair, London Open Morning - 10 October 2024 Its Grade I-listed building opposite London’s Green Park provides London Park School Mayfair (formerly known as Eaton Square Senior) with a hard-to-beat first impression. Part of the Dukes family of schools, LPS Mayfair prides itself on balancing a traditional British foundation with a modern and international outlook.
Merchant Taylors' School, Northwood Open Morning - 10 May 2025 An all-boys school that has an atmosphere that’s calm, not hectic, with pupils who are caring and not macho, MTS confounds stereotypes. With a head who promotes asking the big questions such as ‘What is it to be human?’, the school offers so much more than the stellar academics and world-class facilities it’s renowned for. As the head says, ‘Humans are a musical, running, communicative, social, sophisticated, cultured, conceptually thinking, competitive, featherless biped,’ and this school makes sure it’s always got that 360-degree vision in mind.
Queen's College, London, London Open Event - 17 October 2024 Times have certainly changed at this traditionally liberal, non-competitive school. Queen’s College is a calm, warm, friendly place that now ranks alongside the best of the London day schools, firmly on the 11+ list for many parents. With a broad church of ability, academic results are rising, the quality of teaching across the curriculum is excellent and there is a real sense that this is a school that is going places.
St Benedict's School, Ealing Senior School Open Morning - 15 October 2024 A school where ‘you really can have it all’ says the head. Expect good academic results, coupled with an all-round education and a pastoral system underpinned by the Benedictine ethos that values every child as an individual. Staff are interested in their pupils and demonstrate that they care – building a rapport that supports student growth, even when it’s tricky. Parents and children are encouraged to learn together by attending lectures exploring themes such as parenting and PSHE or simply enjoying a soprano recital together.
St James Senior Girls' School, London Open Morning - 18 October 2024 Meditation, vegetarianism, mindfulness and Sanskrit are all embraced at this gently quirky, spiritually minded west London senior. Here, lessons begin with moments of stillness, and high-spec hi-tech is sensitively combined with significant teacher input – in return, girls blossom into happy, hardworking, humble sophisticates. It’s selective and small, with half the 11+ intake arriving from the on-site prep (pupils move seamlessly between the two, with boys heading to St James Senior Boys’ School) and the rest from a smattering of states and independents across London. All benefit from the singular ethos at the heart of St James, which in the words of one sixth-former has ‘a unique talent for letting us express ourselves and be individual with our own specific talents’.
Surbiton High - Senior School & Sixth Form, Kingston upon Thames Senior School Open Event 10.15-12.30 - 17 October 2024 Spread across five buildings in Surbiton, this fantastic girls-only school also has a 39-acre sports facility a few miles away and a boathouse on the Thames. It’s an excellent all-rounder with a ‘Nourish to Flourish’ charter for wellbeing, national success in sports and trips that range from yoga and surfing in the South of France to tours of Peru, South America and Barbados.
The American School in London - High School, London Open House - 15 October 2024
The King Alfred School, London Sixth Form Open Morning - 17 October 2024 Based on the same Hampstead Heath campus as the lower school, The King Alfred School’s friendly, creative and community-oriented upper school does a great job of fostering pupils' individuality and passions – assisted by the lack of a uniform and a first-names policy. The school is rightly proud of how naturally the children relate to each other and to the staff, and actively encourages vertical integration of the year groups.   Robert Lobatto has been head since 2015 and he has been a key part of the rethinking assessment group which is driving forward  the conversation about GCSE reform – while the school does still offer GCSEs, A-levels and the EPQ, it also runs the UAL (University of the Arts London) Extended Diploma in performing and production arts.
Whitgift School, South Croydon Open Afternoon - 09 October 2024 Open Afternoon - 14 October 2024 Successful, popular and a real contender on the London day-school circuit, Whitgift has wowed us. Academic results are stellar, sport and co-curricular spectacular, the pace of change and innovation terrific and the social conscience inspiring.

South East England

Prep Schools

Battle Abbey Prep School, Bexhill Prep and Nursery Open Day (exact date TBC, please email to register) - 05 April 2025   A school where character is valued above academic ability, Battle Abbey Prep takes a holistic approach to education. Keep children children is the ethos energetically embraced by all the staff, not least the charismatic head, Craig Austen-White. The result is uninhibited pupils who love to learn. The senior school a quarter of an hour’s drive away allows for access to ‘big-school’ facilities, and, of course, it’s a natural next step that takes the stress out of 11+ decisions.

Bede's Prep School, Eastbourne Open Morning - 08 March 2025 School days are about more than hitting academic targets at this lovely day and boarding school perched on a clifftop in Eastbourne. Head Leigh-Anne Morris is passionate about children building ‘a bank of memories and friendships and leaving with lasting memories of happy moments’. This holistic ethos serves the 250 or so boys and girls well: ‘Pupils have a sense of joy to pursue their own brilliance; there is something for every child,’ says Mrs Morris. And with a nursery (for babies from six months) and senior school (which encompasses the Legat School of Dance) all part of the same charitable trust, it’s a compelling one-stop educational journey.

Caldicott School, Farnham Royal Open Day - 12 October 2024 A country education within a minibus ride of the metropolis: this sporty all-boys prep gives its pupils the opportunity to stretch their legs, and their minds, in 40 splendid Buckinghamshire acres.

Chandlings Prep School, Oxford Early Years Open Morning - 11 December 2024 A high achiever set in 60 acres of beautiful countryside just outside Oxford, this prep has all the facilities you might expect and more, from a riding school and nine-hole golf course to a ballet studio and pet goats – and it’s a pretty special place to spend the halcyon days of childhood. Chandlings Prep's values are written by the pupils, and head Christine Cook is often seen greeting everyone at the gate – just two examples of the inclusive, pastorally driven care here.

Cheam School, Newbury Open Morning - 11 October 2024 Open Morning - 07 March 2025 Undisputedly smart on the outside, delightfully down to earth on the inside, this impressive Berkshire prep is one of the oldest in the country – and wears its history and heritage with pride. It’s a winning mix of old-fashioned country values and progressive thinking, where academic standards are sky-high and children hop off to top boarding schools all over the country. This is a school brimming with good eggs (yes, they do have an award for that!), and both children and staff are exceptionally well-mannered and kind. An exciting place to be.

Dragon School, Oxford Pre-prep Open Day - 11 October 2024 Open Day - 31 January 2025 Open Day - 01 March 2025 This big, buzzy, hugely popular Oxford powerhouse has everything youngsters could want. There are enough pupils for everyone to find their tribe and yet somehow, it retains a small school feel that nurtures and celebrates the individual, generating top-notch results without pressure.

Dragon School Pre-Prep, Oxford Pre-prep Open Day - 11 October 2024 Dragon School’s little sibling is definitely well worth a look. Experienced head Annie McNeile understands exactly what makes children tick, but she also recognises that they learn better when they are happy. Kindness, courage and respect are the name of the game here – and who wouldn’t want that for their own little dragons?

Edgeborough, Farnham Reception Taster Morning - 11 October 2024 ear 3 Experience Day - 04 November 2024 Easily commutable, yet leaps and bounds less pressured than London schools, this laidback, co-ed prep brims with green space and traditional values.

Elstree School, Newbury Open Morning - 12 October 2024 Stunning grounds, fabulous facilities and a classic, traditional experience underpin life at this real gem of a prep school. Loved for its family values, Elstree School boosted its already significant appeal by opening its doors to girls in 2020 – a brilliantly planned and executed move.

Embley Prep School, Romsey Prep & Senior School Open Morning - 17 October 2024 Prep & Senior School Open Morning - 20 November 2024 Hampshire’s ‘Digital Downton’, with a stunning aristocratic rural setting juxtaposed with a forward-thinking IT strategy and an ever-evolving extracurricular programme, is a real belter. The prep school has nearly doubled in size since head Sheina Wright arrived four years ago, with parents evidently seeing value in this warm, welcoming and active environment – Embley’s is a character education and not just an acquisition of knowledge.

Eton End School, Datchet Open Morning - 12 October 2024 Open Morning - 24 January 2025 Open Morning - 15 February 2025 Open Afternoon - 17 May 2025 Nurture is a central tenet at this prep school in Berkshire, with head Rachael Cox placing the physical and mental wellbeing of pupils at the heart of every decision. A five-year plan includes a total refurbishment of classrooms to both reduce sensory overload by replacing bright colours with neutral tones and boost an atmosphere of safety and cosiness with plants, lamps, comfy furniture and blankets for children to curl up under.

Frensham Heights Junior School, Farnham Whole School Open Morning - 11 October 2024 Performing Arts Taster Session (yr 2) - 15 October 2024 Scratch Coding Taster Session (yrs 5&6) - 15 October 2024 Whole School Open Morning - 28 November 2024 Frensham Heights is a Surrey day and boarding school with its focus firmly fixed on the future. Since its foundation in 1925, it has sought to provide an alternative style of education based on mutual respect, tolerance and generosity of spirit. Its invitation to ‘come and be you’ and focused attention on inspiring each child to improve themselves – in any way – was a pleasure to see. With no uniform and pupils on first name terms with their teachers, we love the less formal, more progressive educational ethos here – one that celebrates children in the most holistic way possible, and brilliantly prepares them for a world beyond school.

Godstowe School, High Wycombe Open Morning - 09 November 2024 All-girls’ boarding preps are a rare breed. But that’s not the only reason that Godstowe School stands out from the education crowd. It’s non-selective yet highly successful, with pupils regularly scoring first-choice places at top senior schools as well as an impressive number of scholarships. The school is located in 12 acres of parkland overlooking High Wycombe (the Lodge pre-prep and nursery are also on-site).

Great Ballard Prep, Chichester Open Morning - 08 March 2025 Open Morning - 17 May 2025 Set just outside Chichester, this bucolic, family-owned co-ed prep sees pupils heading outside whenever they can, be it getting muddy at forest school, mountain-biking across the Downs or camping out in the grounds. In the classroom, they follow a forward-thinking curriculum packed with leadership, problem-solving and entrepreneurial skills. Such is the demand for day places that boarding is no longer on offer, and instead the space is being used to expand both the prep and the organically growing senior school.

Hazelwood School, Oxted Year 7 and 8 Open Morning - 11 October 2024 School Opening Morning - 22 November 2024 School Open Morning - 21 March 2025 Hazelwood might have more than a century of history behind it, but this forward-thinking co-ed on the Surrey/Kent border certainly lives up to its pupil-chosen motto ‘Spiritu Inspiratus’ – ‘Lungfuls of Inspiration’. The curriculum here has been deliberately designed to spark creativity and teach children how to learn and think for themselves, rather than just spoon-feeding them facts. There’s philosophy and forest school on the timetable, plus The B.O.X – an innovative, tech-first teaching space where pupils can let their imaginations run wild.

Highfield and Brookham , Liphook Open Morning - 22 November 2024 Highfield and Brookham is flourishing – it’s got a gloriously family-friendly, homely feel, academics are top notch, and childhood is really valued. Children are happily busy being children, and are sweetly enthusiastic and proud of their school. All of this helps shape the school into one of the South East’s top non-selective preps.

Holmewood House School, Tunbridge Wells Open Morning - 11 October 2024 Holmewood House has been undergoing a renaissance of late. Ruth O’Sullivan, head since April 2022, has been busy implementing a more holistic mindset that values and nurtures a child’s emotional wellbeing as much as their academic ability. A non-selective admissions policy coupled with top-notch pastoral care, plus a real emphasis on the arts and creative subjects as well as academia is creating a winning formula for happiness and success – and pupils are leaving well-rounded, buoyant, and excited for their top-tier senior schools.

Horris Hill School, Newbury Reception Discovery Day - 13 November 2024 Lower School Open Morning - 15 November 2024 Upper School Open Morning - 16 November 2024 Newly co-ed, this former all-boys’ prep has an enviable 100 per cent success rate for getting pupils into top public schools, and with girls now in the mix too, its charmingly traditional values are accessible to all. A school where pupils get as absorbed in play as they do in learning, Horris Hill seems adept at honouring its historic roots while keeping its eyes firmly focused on what a modern education needs to deliver. And with head Rob Stewart at the helm, it feels like the school’s future is bright.

Junior King's, Canterbury, Canterbury Nursery & Pre-Prep Open Morning - 11 October 2024 Junior School Open Morning - 12 October 2024 With its bucolic setting and seamless ties with older sibling The King’s School, Canterbury, Junior King’s is becoming an increasingly hot ticket with Londoners wanting to swerve the intensity of the capital and take the stress out of senior school next steps. Flexi boarding has just been introduced and a new head arrived in September 2024.

King's School Rochester Pre-Prep & Preparatory School, Rochester Prep Open Morning - 05 November 2024 With a history dating back to 604AD, King’s School Rochester is the second oldest school in the UK and the oldest cathedral choir school in the world – and located in the shadow of Rochester Cathedral (which doubles up as the school chapel), you’d be hard-pushed to find a more awe-inspiring setting for pupils to live and learn in. Unsurprisingly, musical excellence ripples through the school’s veins, but this is no one-trick-pony; sport is impressive (there’s a dedicated scholars’ programme and facilities include an indoor swimming pool and boat house), and academics are consistently strong. Pupils flock here from all over Kent and beyond, thanks to the high-speed train service connecting the school to London in just 30 minutes.

Lancing College Preparatory School Worthing, Worthing Open Morning - 08 February 2025 Open Morning - 10 May 2025 Previously known as Broadwater Manor School, this prep, housed in a Georgian manor house on a two-acre site in the Broadwater area of Worthing, became part of the Lancing College family in 2014 – and numbers have been on the rise ever since. It’s well equipped, with its own sports field, cricket nets and netball courts, and a newish Foundation Library (children are encouraged to get lost in a book through the Drop Everything and Read scheme) and drama studio.

Papplewick School, Ascot Open Morning 10am - 12 noon - 08 November 2024 Open Morning 9.30am - 11.30am - 09 November 2024 Open Morning - 16 November 2024 We’re not surprised this Berkshire school that sends around a third of its leavers to Eton every year is currently oversubscribed. A Swallows and Amazons nirvana (without the boats), it’s a traditional all-boys country prep but with added quirk, fun and an extremely kind heart. Non-selective at intake but very strong academically, you won’t find in-your-face grandeur here, but you will find positive values, enthusiasm, humour and teaching beyond compare.

Rose Hill School, Tunbridge Wells Open Day - 11 October 2024 This fantastically innovative school – where learning is engaging and fun and pastoral care is second to none – has become a real contender in the competitive Kent market. In the words of one pupil, ‘You feel like you belong here at Rose Hill,’ a testimony that says a lot about the safe environment and ethos of kindness and care that envelops the school.

The Marist Prep , Ascot Open Morning - 08 November 2024 With the on-site nursery now offering co-ed care for 47 weeks of the year and the broad, engaging and supportive environment of the all-girls prep school, you can see why The Marist is, to quote parents and teachers alike, going from strength to strength.

The Pilgrims' School, Winchester, Winchester Virtual Open Morning - 19 October 2024 An ambience of calm envelops this magical boys’ prep school that sits in Winchester Cathedral’s Close. Known for nurturing gifted musicians, it’s also academically robust and not too shabby on the sports field either. Winchester College next door is an aspirational presence (about 40 per cent of the boys go on to the college), while the magnificent cathedral where the choristers sing offers daily inspiration.

Walhampton School, Lymington Open Morning - 11 October 2024 This innovative prep has its finger on the pulse when it comes to providing a holistic education where diversity, inclusion and pupil empowerment are paramount. A fully rounded ethos encourages children to be children, while a broad academic offering, stellar co-curricular and a decidedly 21st-century eco awareness means pupils are nurtured in the best possible environment to prepare them for senior school.

Wellington College Prep , Sandhurst OPEN MORNING - 11 October 2024 OPEN MORNING - 15 November 2024 Founded in 1820, Wellington College Prep (formerly known as Eagle House) is one of the oldest prep schools in the UK and it’s not hard to see why it survives and thrives today. Set in 30 pretty acres surrounding a grand Victorian former hunting lodge, it’s an unpretentious place, holistic in approach, allowing plenty of tree climbing and outdoor exploring while maintaining an excellent academic record. Kindness, respect and courage are the trio of school values and children are expected to really take ownership of all three as they make the most of everything this ‘have a go’ environment has to offer.

Windlesham House, Pulborough Whole School Open Morning - 12 October 2024 Whole School Open Morning - 01 March 2025 Pre-Prep Open Morning - 15 May 2025 Windlesham House is one of those schools that evokes an incredible emotional response, with many parents themselves having spent Elysian childhoods here. In the heart of rural West Sussex, this is the oldest prep in the country, yet in recent years there has been an injection of fresh energy into the school, which has brilliantly adapted to the needs of modern families and a vibrant local market too. There’s a wow factor here, with parents and pupils alike bowled over by everything it offers.

Senior Schools

Battle Abbey School, Battle Sixth Form Open Evening - 10 October 2024 Senior School Open Day - 08 March 2025   Sitting next to the very battlefield where the Battle of Hastings took place, Battle Abbey School certainly has the wow factor, with classes held in a former monastery and a clutch of historic 13th-century buildings. But for all its history, this is a school with an impressive forward-thinking mindset, a place where children thrive where they might not in more traditional settings. Famous for its art and creativity, Battle Abbey knows how to bring the best out of each and every pupil.
Bede's School, Hailsham Sixth Form Open Morning - 12 October 2024 ‘This school lets you be yourself,’ says one pupil at this exceptional co-ed day and boarding school in Sussex where pupils thrive and shine in all areas, from the classroom to the playing field, the art studio to the stage (the Legat Dance Academy is part of the St Bede’s School Trust, as is the nursery and prep). Proudly non-selective, the school is interested in the child not league tables and, says head Peter Goodyer, is ‘mindful we sit as a part of a journey for education rather than as the end. We are responsible for preparing pupils so they can do whatever they want to do in the best shape they can be in.’ It’s a holistic approach that pays dividends, with happy and engaged pupils living in the moment and embracing everything that comes their way.
Benenden School, Cranbrook Open Morning - 12 October 2024 Open Morning - 09 November 2024 Open Morning - 26 November 2024 Why do we love Benenden so much? Because it does exactly what it says on the tin: traditional, all-girls full boarding brought bang up to date. For the academically competent all-rounder who is happy to live in a lovely rural bubble, this is a reassuringly solid choice – and a school that’s firing on all cylinders.
Cranleigh School, Cranleigh Open Day - 12 October 2024 Basking in 240 acres of leafy Surrey countryside, Cranleigh School is a bit of a Goldilocks school – not too big, not too small, good for girls, good for boys, not greedy for the sportiest or the cleverest, but rather valuing what every pupil brings to the community. A real family atmosphere and a down-to-earth attitude creates a school filled with happy, well-rounded children confident in their own abilities.
Downe House, Thatcham Day Girls Open Event - 07 October 2024 Open Day - 16 November 2024 Tradition and innovation are expertly entwined at this all-girls powerhouse that achieves enviable results but never at the expense of pupils’ wellbeing. There’s a refreshing balance of work and play here, something the head Emma McKendrick (who is something of a doyenne in the world of education) is rightly proud of. Sixth formers leave with all the tools they need to succeed (including a mini-MBA) and a tight-knit community that stays with them for life.
Embley Senior School & Sixth Form, Romsey Sixth Form Open Evening - 09 October 2024 Prep & Senior School Open Morning - 17 October 2024 Prep & Senior School Open Morning - 20 November 2024 Hampshire’s ‘Digital Downton’, with a stunning aristocratic rural setting juxtaposed with a forward-thinking digital strategy, is a real belter. Add in a truckload of extracurricular opportunities, an impressive academic record, a focus on developing compassionate young people and a headmaster who exudes purpose, and you have a pretty attractive package.
Frensham Heights School, Farnham Whole School Open Morning - 11 October 2024 Volleyball Discovery Taster Session (yrs 10&11) - 15 October 2024 Sixth Form Open Evening - 16 October 2024 Dance Choreography Taster Session (yrs 10&11) - 18 November 2024 Boarding Open Evening - 19 November 2024 Whole School Open Morning - 28 November 2024 Frensham Heights is a Surrey day and boarding school with its focus firmly on the future. Since its foundation in 1925 it has sought to provide an alternative style of education based on mutual respect, tolerance and generosity of spirit that educates the whole child. Its invitation to ‘come and be you’ and insistence on inspiring each child to improve themselves – in any way – is a pleasure to see. With no uniform and pupils on first name terms with their teachers, we love the less formal, more progressive educational ethos here – one that celebrates children in the most holistic way possible, and brilliantly prepares them for a world beyond school.
Great Ballard, Chichester Open Morning - 08 March 2025 Open Morning - 17 May 2025 Set just outside Chichester, this relatively new senior is the result of the organic growth of Great Ballard prep. Clever marketing, happy prep-school parents and word of mouth have resulted in a real buzz and demand for the senior school, which has helped the school double in size over the past 18 months. Ringed by the bucolic South Downs National Park, pupils make full use of their rural location – and in the classroom, they follow a forward-thinking curriculum packed with leadership, problem-solving and entrepreneurial skills.
Heathfield School, Ascot Open Morning - 14 March 2025 Open Morning - 17 May 2025 ‘The merit of one is the honour of all’ is the school motto here – and there is certainly much to be merited at Heathfield. Cast aside any preconceptions you may have, and prepare to be bowled over, Heathfield hits that rare sweet spot of being small enough to give every girl individual attention, and large enough to offer a full school experience in terms of academic options and co-curricular opportunities, whilst offering an astounding amount of flexibility to families. In her short time at the helm, Sarah Rollings has completely re-invigorated this outstanding school, placing pupil well-being and value-added achievement at the forefront of the unashamedly girls-first ethos, and introducing a stunning new sixth form centre, transforming the A-level experience.
Hurstpierpoint College, Hassocks Open Morning - 08 October 2024 This unashamedly academic school nestled in the beautiful Sussex countryside has a real wow factor, with wonderful architecture and grounds that stretch over 140 acres. Ambitious for all its pupils to be the best they can be, there’s a Challenge Grade system that involves each individual being set a personal target so they compete with themselves, not a whole cohort. A warm and friendly community, with boundless opportunities to try new things – from journalism to sailing – means children are happy and stimulated. ‘You have to work hard,’ one told us, ‘but every day is different and you can have a go at everything.’ With the prep on the same site too, it offers an excellent all-through education, with a popular weekly boarding system in the college that sees pupils go home for weekends.
Lancing College, Lancing Year 9 Open Day - 12 October 2024 Year 9 Open Day - 16 November 2024 From the beautiful architecture and grounds to the pupils striding purposefully across quads on their way to lessons, Lancing College seems to have the playbook of an Oxford college. But while the environment feels awe-inspiring, it’s also refreshingly unflashy, with no sense of entitlement or privilege, just the love of learning, working hard and being part of a supportive community underpinning its solid foundation. It's an impressive school that surprisingly flies under the radar – but we suspect that won’t be the case for long.
Marymount International School London, Kingston Upon Thames IB Open Evening - 14 October 2024 This unique offering in Kingston upon Thames (it’s the first all-girls school in the country to adopt the IB from Middle Years to Diploma) is full of laughter and hard work, says its head Margaret Giblin who tells us ‘students become the best version of themselves’. Girls hail from over 55 countries creating a great cultural mix and truly global outlook. Results exceed worldwide averages and pupils stride off confidently to the likes of LSE, Imperial College and Ivy League institutions.
Mayfield School, Mayfield Virtual Open Morning - 08 October 2024 In the words of the newly appointed head Deborah Bligh, Mayfield School helps to shape its pupils but does not seek to change them: ‘A Mayfield girl’s voice has real value.’ Integrity, compassion and joy anchor the pupils, and it’s clearly evident in the close bonds between the girls and with staff. Pastoral care is spot on, academics are impressive and the setting is idyllic. It’s no wonder it’s one of the UK’s leading all-girls Catholic schools.
Radley College, Abingdon Open Day - 12 October 2024 Open Day - 09 November 2024 Open Day - 30 November 2024 Open Day - 08 February 2025 Open Day - 15 March 2025 Open Day - 26 April 2025 Steeped in tradition but not stuck in the past, it’s hard not to be bowled over by Radley. It’s hugely impressive with its glorious grounds, Who’s Who list of alumni and peerless opportunities offered to all who go there. It’s no wonder parents rush to register their sons’ names on the famous Radley List at birth. But while it maintains its all-boys, full-boarding model, this is no hallowed ground institution preserved in aspic – today’s pupils are as passionate about robotics as they are about debating, access has widened with more fully-funded places and scholarships, and innovation continues to thrive under the steady hand of John Moule who’s now led the school for a decade. It’s safe to say that the days of Radley being seen as a bit stuffy and stuck in the past are well and truly over.
Shiplake College, Henley-on-Thames Sixth Form Open Event 10:00 - 13:00 - 12 October 2024 Whole School Open Event 09:00 - 12:00 - 22 March 2025 Selective but aimed at a broad range of abilities, Shiplake College is an authentic and unpretentious place that takes a holistic approach to educating ‘good eggs’. Until now, girls had only been able to join in the sixth form, but the exciting news is that as of September 2023, the school is now fully co-ed, welcoming them from Year 7.
St George's Ascot, Ascot Open Morning - 08 October 2024 Open Morning - 05 November 2024 Open Morning - 03 December 2024 ‘I feel like I am at the centre of my own story,’ says one pupil at this all-girls’ day and boarding school. It’s a ringing endorsement at a time when so many young girls struggle to navigate their own path in a noisy world. We were struck by how at ease all the girls are across the year groups; it’s a superbly supportive community. And while the school is small, horizons are huge, with girls exceeding expectations in and out of the classroom – taking the lead in clubs, becoming ‘Googlie’ mentors (the school is one of 14 in the country to be awarded Google reference school status) and learning how to make an impact by matching their passions with assertiveness. It really feels like the sky’s the limit here, with the Georgian girls soaring.
St James Senior Boys' School, Ashford Open Morning - 16 October 2024 Open Morning - 06 November 2024 This boys-only school in Ashford, Surrey takes a holistic approach to education, with a focus on philosophy, wellbeing and individualised learning. The end result is well-rounded young men who have been encouraged to work outside their comfort zone and grow as learners, as well as people. It’s also the only school in the country to offer Sanskrit to GCSE; head David Brazier believes that ‘the world certainly needs such Renaissance men’ – and St James certainly produces them.
Sutton Valence School, Maidstone Open Day - 09 November 2024 This co-ed school in the picturesque Kent countryside has a work hard, play hard attitude. All-through in the truest sense of the term (the nursery and prep are a mere 800m away), it offers acres of green space, a holistic approach to academics and pastoral care, and an uplifting, joyful mindset. In the words of head James Thomas: ‘It’s a great package: cracking staff, motivated pupils in a beautiful environment, good grades and exhausted kids at the end of the week.’ You couldn’t ask for more.
The Duke of York's Royal Military School, Dover Open Morning - 12 October 2024 Day Boarding Launch Event - 15 October 2024 Open Morning - 16 November 2024 Open Morning - 30 November 2024 Open Morning - 07 December 2024 Open Morning - 11 January 2025 Open Morning - 18 January 2025 Open Morning - 25 January 2025 Open Morning - 01 February 2025 Open Morning - 08 February 2025 Set in an expansive 150-acre campus five minutes from the White Cliffs of Dover, The Duke of York’s Royal Military School is a majestic-looking state boarding school with a rich history.
The Marist School, Ascot VI Form Open Evening - 08 October 2024 Principal's Reception - 18 October 2024 Academics are top-notch, sports teams are embarrassingly successful, girls are articulate, kind and thoughtful and the extracurricular programme boasts 97 activities – there’s little doubt that The Marist is, to quote parents and teachers alike, going from strength to strength.
Tonbridge School, Tonbridge Junior Foundation Award Open Morning (Year 9 Only) - 12 October 2024 Mini Open Morning - 12 November 2024 Mini Open Morning - 05 December 2024 It is with experience, passion and rigour that we strive to get under the skin of a school and help parents understand why they would send their children there. But at Tonbridge School, we have simply been left wondering ‘Why wouldn’t they?’ Academically astounding yet highly emotionally intelligent; big on community spirit; filled to the brim with a wonderfully refreshing mix of pupils; and faultless at turning out charming boys ready to tackle an ever-changing world, Tonbridge sets itself apart from the rest.

South West England

Prep Schools

Badminton School Prep, Westbury-on-Trym Prep School Open Morning - 06 February 2025 As a small, single-sex school, Badminton offers an incredible level of support from the get-go, with all girls well known individually and allowed to grow at their own pace. That’s not to say the prep school doesn’t have academic clout – it definitely does, and the blue sky-thinking head Heidi Welch is adept at weaving tip-top academics into the super-secure pastoral setting. All but a tiny number of pupils transfer to the senior school in Year 7, but even for those who don’t, this is a smashing launch pad.
Chard Prep School, Chard Open Day - 15 November 2024 A traditional co-ed prep school in Chard town centre that puts the three Rs first. Assemblies take place in the chapel; Reception children make regular forest-school visits; and the sports teams have a noteworthy track record, with hockey, cross country, running, swimming, netball and football all clocking up successes.
Exeter Junior School, Exeter Whole School Open Morning - 28 November 2024 There’s a lovely warm environment at this academically ambitious school in the heart of Exeter, where pupils are as industrious outside the classroom as they are in, throwing themselves into a huge range of different activities. With the pre-prep (on a different site) and senior (on the same site) it’s a compelling all-through option, with engaging overall head Louise Simpson expertly overseeing all three schools, following her pupils from age three to 18.
Exeter Pre-Prep School, Exeter Whole School Open Morning - 28 November 2024 Like its big sibling junior and senior schools, this pre-prep has a lot of academic ambition. It’s achieved through a tremendous sense of teamwork, with every teacher involved with every pupil, which makes for a very special environment, and means little ones are ready to fly when they reach junior school.
Godolphin Prep, Salisbury Godolphin Prep Snapshot with Art - 11 October 2024 A lovely pint-sized, pocket rocket of a prep school offering small class sizes and exemplary pastoral care. There is a traditional feel to this down-to-earth school, where individual support is front and centre. Significantly, after educating only girls for nearly 300 years, in September 2024 Godolphin Prep became co-ed, welcoming boys across all year groups (as well as offering a new nursery provision). The senior school will follow suit from September 2025.
Kingswood Prep School, Bath Prep School Open Morning - 10 October 2024 It isn’t always easy to hit the sweet spot between academically ambitious and passionately nurturing – but Kingswood Prep has nailed it. ‘Be kind, be kind, be kind’ is the mantra here, and learning starts with attending to the wellbeing of each and every child. Glorious architecture, spacious grounds and uplifting views over Bath are added bonuses, while the senior school offering an all-through option up to 18 makes it the complete package.
Pinewood School, Shrivenham Open Day - 15 May 2025 Welcoming, warm, thoughtful, busy, varied, thriving and all about the children, Pinewood is a must-see. The lack of head boy/girl encapsulates the overarching takeaway from this 84-acre nirvana which is that every child is important.
Sandroyd School, Salisbury Open Day - 09 November 2024 Deliberately small and deliciously rural, Sandroyd attracts outdoorsy types looking for the full traditional-prep-school experience. Hold the glitz; here, it’s all about fresh air, building dens, riding ponies and producing happy, spirited children. The academics aren’t half bad either.
Taunton Prep School , Taunton Pre-Prep & Nursery Open Afternoon - 11 October 2024 Taunton Prep offers families a compelling all-through school experience, with siblings moving easily between the pre-prep, prep and senior schools with no exam pressure. The prep’s campus sits in the middle and feels spacious with its own half of a brand new dining hall and dedicated performing arts centre. The school is proudly inclusive with top-notch co-curricular credentials. A real all-rounder, it stands its ground against other competitors in the area.
Wells Cathedral Prep School, Wells Pre-Prep Open Morning - 06 November 2024 Spring Open Morning - 08 March 2025 Summer Open Morning - 10 May 2025 For one of the oldest educational establishments in the world (founded in 909), Wells Cathedral School has a decidedly modern motto: Esto Quod Est (Be What You Are). This co-ed day and boarding all-through school is very well set up for getting the best out of every pupil, and it’s clear that the prep school – which shares the same site as its senior sibling – takes this warm, accepting attitude seriously.

Senior Schools

Badminton School, Bristol Sixth Form Open Evening - 11 October 2024 A smart, unfussy, forward-looking school that is both quintessentially British and wonderfully diverse with a phenomenal global, outward-looking view on the world, Badminton offers a compelling all-through education for girls. Its small size allows strong relationships to be forged and a real culture of tolerance and respect to be fostered. This is a hugely democratic sort of place, where girls are encouraged to be proactive in and outside school – and it has an air of intellectual rigour to boot.
Cheltenham College, Cheltenham Small Group Visit 9.30am - 1.00pm - 07 December 2024 Small Group Visit 9.30am - 12.30pm - 01 February 2025 Small Group Visit 9.30am - 12.30pm - 22 March 2025 Small Group Visit 9.30am - 12.30pm - 10 May 2025 Cheltenham College has long held a reputation for academic success and the broad range of co-curricular opportunities it offers, but the current head’s constant scrutiny of what’s on offer and how it can be enhanced or adjusted to give pupils the best and most rounded education possible has given Cheltenham College an added and very tangible sense of positivity and purpose. A stunning campus in Regency Cheltenham with state-of-the-art facilities provides the backdrop for this impressive and adaptable school – which, despite its size, maintains a very family feel.
Exeter School, Exeter Sixth Form Open Evening - 07 November 2024 Whole School Open Morning - 28 November 2024 A school where academic sights are set high and pupils rise to them through excellent teaching and a programme of mind-expanding lectures, masterclasses and educational trips. Co-curricular is equally strong, with wonderful facilities and a ‘let’s do it’ mentality. The pre-prep and junior sibling schools means it’s a compelling all-through option, with engaging overall head Louise Simpson expertly overseeing all three schools, which means she follows many pupils through their whole educational journey from age three to 18.
St Mary's Calne, Calne Open Day - 09 November 2024 Small and nurturing, academic but not a hothouse and brimming with laidback, nicely gung-ho girls, St Mary’s Calne is, says the school, ‘the best of the British boarding school tradition – with a modern twist’. Girls are equipped with firm foundations for life, leaving armed with bucketloads of confidence and self-esteem.
Taunton School, Taunton Sixth Form Information Evening - 11 October 2024 A proudly inclusive school that excels in academics as well as co-curricular subjects, Taunton Senior School offers families a compelling all-through educational experience with children moving seamlessly from pre-prep to prep to senior school, meaning parents don’t have to worry about multiple school locations as their children move up the years. This is just one of its strengths in an area with plenty of independent schools vying for pupils.
Wells Cathedral School, Wells Spring Open Morning - 08 March 2025 Summer Open Morning - 10 May 2025 For one of the oldest educational establishments in the world (founded in 909), Wells Cathedral School has a decidedly modern motto: Esto Quod Est (Be What You Are). This co-ed day and boarding school is well set up for getting the best out of every pupil, regardless of their talents. While often compared to four other music specialist schools in the UK, Wells Cathedral School has a very different modus operandi. It’s the only one that is set within a traditional school environment and, perhaps more crucially, it offers an all-through, all-round education in addition to delivering excellence in music.

East of England

Prep Schools

Beechwood Park, St Albans Open Morning - 11 October 2024 Pupils make the most of the idyllic Hertfordshire location of this day and boarding prep – which, as a truly independent school, sees leavers hop off to senior schools everywhere from Uppingham to Merchant Taylors. Academic successes come thick and fast but there’s no sense of unnecessary pressure, and classroom learning is balanced with a busy co-curricular programme called ‘Roar!’. Facilities include a smart indoor swimming pool, pottery cellar and state-of-the-art music technology suite; outside, there’s heaps of parkland, woods and pitches – and even a friendly resident flock of guinea fowl.

Brookes UK Lower School, Bury St Edmunds Open Morning - 12 October 2024 This unique all-through school in Suffolk proudly focuses on pupil wellbeing by putting the development of the individual child first; their education follows organically. It’s totally non-selective and its inclusive entrance policy means children of all backgrounds and educational needs are welcomed with open arms. Part of the global Brookes Education Group with schools as far afield as India and Canada, internationalism runs through its DNA, with a relaxed, happy atmosphere enveloping the tranquil rural setting.

King's Ely Prep, Ely Prep Open Event - 16 October 2024 Prep Open Event - 08 March 2025 Prep Open Event - 10 May 2025 This high-achieving prep in Ely near Cambridge is part of the King’s Ely family and so offers a seamless all-through education from age two to 18. Music and drama are standout subjects and Christian values and personal development are foundation stones. Add in a good cultural blend of international pupils, choristers and boarding options and you have the complete package.

St Faith's, Cambridge Open Morning - 06 November 2024 Excellent in every area, this Cambridge prep has holistic education down to a tee with stellar academics (the STEM provision is ground-breaking), sports, performing arts and pastoral care. Even in a city where competition is stiff, it stands out from the crowd.

Senior Schools

Brookes UK Senior School, Bury St Edmunds Open Morning - 12 October 2024 This unique all-through school in Suffolk proudly focuses on pupil wellbeing by putting the development of the individual child first; their education follows organically. It’s totally non-selective and its inclusive entrance policy means pupils of all backgrounds and educational needs are welcomed with open arms. Part of the global Brookes Education Group with schools as far afield as India and Canada, internationalism runs through its DNA, with a relaxed, happy atmosphere enveloping the tranquil rural setting.
King's Ely, Ely Sixth Form Open Event - 12 October 2024 Senior Open Event - 16 October 2024 Senior Open Event - 08 March 2025 Senior Open Event - 10 May 2025 One of the oldest schools in the world with the stunning Ely Cathedral at its heart, King’s Ely certainly has gravitas. And with pupils regularly filing into the cathedral for assemblies, services, and choristers’ choir practice, it feels like a grounding force for everyone. But equally appealing is the incredibly friendly atmosphere at the school and the brilliant choice of academic and co-curricular options. And with the prep on the same site and nursery and pre-prep five minutes’ walk away, it offers an all-through option which is certainly compelling.
Royal Hospital School, Ipswich Years 7,8 & 9 Experience Day - 12 October 2024 Sixth Form Open Evening - 15 October 2024 Immensely proud of its maritime heritage yet with no sense of standing still, RHS is set in 200 acres of idyllic Suffolk countryside. The idea of service – both within the school and to the wider community – and adventure is a high priority, with huge numbers continuing CCF and the DofE Award scheme as they move up the school. It is also known for its outstanding sailing academy, based five minutes down the road at the Alton Water reservoir.

Midlands

Prep Schools

Edgbaston High Preparatory and Pre-Prep School, Birmingham Pre-Prep and Prep 'School in Action' Morning - 13 November 2024 Pre-Prep and Prep 'School in Action' Morning - 15 January 2025 Pre-Prep and Prep 'School in Action' Morning - 28 February 2025 We were floored by the pace, variety of life and buzzing sense of activity at this aspirational and inspirational multicultural all-girls day school in leafy Edgbaston, just to the south of central Birmingham. Girls zip in all directions across the compact campus, out along the 10-minute walk to the sports fields and move seamlessly up to the senior school (the whole school shares the same campus and even some teachers).
King's Hawford, Worcester Open Morning - 11 October 2024 Open Morning - 28 February 2025 Open Morning - 16 May 2025 Of the two prep schools that are part of the King’s Worcester Foundation, co-ed King’s Hawford is the more rural. A newly built elevated wooden fort now greets visitors, visible from the main road and a fitting first glimpse of a school where childhood is front and centre. In kindergarten (from age two) and Reception, every child gets a weekly forest-school session in woodland with space to plant trees, build shelters and learn about wildlife. These outdoor activities give boys and girls the self-confidence and independence of mind that fosters achievement in the mainstream curriculum. There’s a quietly dynamic evolution going on here, and we love it.
King's St Alban's , Worcester Open Morning - 07 February 2025 Open Morning - 09 May 2025 Part of the King’s Foundation – which includes sibling prep King’s Hawford and senior school King’s Worcester – King’s St Alban’s sits with ‘Big King’s’ adjacent to the grounds of Worcester Cathedral. A brilliant blend of small-scale, prep-school nurturing with the fully shared knockout facilities of the senior, this place is a highly attractive proposition. It’s down to earth, hardworking and hardwired to make education as valuable as possible for both pupils and parents. We came away feeling that it is a great choice for any child, with a tailor-made preparation for King’s Worcester built right in.
Repton Prep, Derby Prep School Open Morning - 16 November 2024 Prep School Open Morning - 15 March 2025 Prep School Open Morning - 10 May 2025 This beautiful school in rural Derbyshire sits in gorgeous countryside and is among one of the most stunning preps we’ve visited. It’s just as beautiful on the inside too, with the super-friendly head Vicky Harding instilling a calm and collaborative atmosphere where pupils really thrive. Pastoral care is wonderful and academics are spot on. And to top it all off, the senior school offers a seamless, all-through path.
The Croft Preparatory School, Stratford-upon-Avon Open Morning - 08 October 2024 This family-owned prep has a delightfully rural feel, with buildings based around a farmhouse on the outskirts of Stratford-upon-Avon. With a recent ISI report praising The Croft as ‘excellent’ for both pupil achievement and personal development, it’s obviously not just us who think this child-centred haven is a must-see.
The Downs Malvern, Malvern Open Morning - 12 October 2024 Chatting with the headmaster in his study, we could not help but be distracted by the almost fictionally idyllic surroundings here. The furthest view is of the stunning Malvern Hills, the backdrop is green space and trees and, in the foreground, children shriek, laugh and race all over Brock Meadow which is encircled by the school’s very own light railway. If you could draw a picture of childhood – this might well be it.
Witham Hall Preparatory School, Stamford Open Day - 09 November 2024 ‘A quintessential country prep school with a bit of ambition,’ is how head Will Austen describes Witham Hall. We think he’s being modest. This co-ed in rural Lincolnshire seems to have cracked the formula for providing a near-perfect education, with pupils gaining scholarships left, right and centre to the country’s top public schools. It’s no wonder parents travel up to an hour each day to send their children here.
Wolverhampton Grammar Junior School, Wolverhampton Junior & Infant School Open Morning - 25 January 2025 Wolverhampton Grammar, located in the city’s suburbs, is refreshingly down to earth. Children are supported throughout their educational journey at this highly aspirational, friendly and well-rounded day school, which has evolved and extended gradually from its original incarnation as an all-boys senior to its current status as a fully co-ed all-through with provision from Reception to Year 13.

Senior Schools

Edgbaston High School for Girls, Birmingham Spotlight on Sixth - 06 November 2024 Senior School Open Afternoon - 19 June 2025 Sixth Form Open Afternoon - 19 June 2025 We were floored by the pace, variety of life and buzzing sense of activity at this aspirational and inspirational multi-cultural all-girls day school in leafy Edgbaston, just to the south of central Birmingham. Girls zip in all directions across the compact campus, out along the 10-minute walk to the sports fields and, once their time to leave has come, off to an impressive range of universities.
King's Worcester, Worcester Sixth Form Open Morning - 26 November 2024 Senior & Sixth Form Open Week (20th-24th January) - 20 January 2025 Senior & Sixth Form Open Morning - 07 June 2025 An upbeat, modern school with a storied history reaching back to the 7th century, King’s Worcester has a uniqueness that not only stems from its historic location at the heart of the city’s cathedral, but also from the caring atmosphere shaped by centuries of Christianity. A modest day school with all the breadth and opportunity of a boarding giant, King’s is down to earth, ticks every box and is well worth a look.
Rugby School, Rugby 13+ Day Open Evenings - 08 October 2024 13+ Boarding Open Days - 16 November 2024 Steeped in history and heritage, Rugby is an old, well-established school with strong traditions and a big foundation – and probably best known as the birthplace of the game that shares its name. Thousands of visitors and sports fans flock here each year from all corners of the globe to nose around the school museum and the blockbuster ancient buildings. But behind all the rugby hullabaloo, you’ll find a terrifically down-to-earth, unpretentious place that’s been educating pupils since 1567 (the school went fully co-ed in 1992). It’s a friendly place, renowned for producing glittering exam results while maintaining that all-important balance for life – we’re big fans of this Midlands legend.

North of England

Prep Schools

Ackworth School Coram House, Pontefract Whole School Open Morning - 10 October 2024
Chetham's School of Music - Lower School, Manchester Lower and Middle School Open Day - 12 October 2024 A school for the musically gifted, Chetham’s is unique in its offering of gold-standard music tuition alongside a full academic curriculum. Small in numbers (around 330 pupils), the bijou central Manchester site has a history that goes back hundreds of years, with medieval buildings cheek by jowl with acoustically perfect concert halls. A musical oasis amidst the bustle of the north-west metropolis, this is a school alive with happy chatter and, of course, the sound of (exceptionally good) music.
Giggleswick Prep School, Settle Giggleswick Prep in Action Week - 25 November 2024 Giggleswick Prep School Open Week - 03 March 2025 ‘Throw yourself in’ is the motivating ethos at this small prep school in the Yorkshire Dales, and there’s plenty for the 70-odd boys and girls to get stuck into, inside and outside the classroom. From French and philosophy lessons to singing in the chapel and cross-country through the 215-acre campus shared with the senior school, pupils are gently stretched in all directions.

Senior Schools

Ackworth School, Pontefract Whole School Open Morning - 10 October 2024
Chetham's School of Music - Middle School & Sixth Form, Manchester Lower and Middle School Open Day - 12 October 2024 Sixth-form Open Day - 13 October 2024 A school for the musically gifted, Chetham’s is unique in its offering of gold-standard music tuition alongside a full academic curriculum. Small in numbers (around 330 pupils), the bijou central Manchester site has a history that goes back hundreds of years, with medieval buildings cheek by jowl with acoustically perfect concert halls. A musical oasis amidst the bustle of the north-west metropolis, this is a school alive with happy chatter and, of course, the sound of (exceptionally good) music.
Giggleswick School, Settle Open Day - 12 October 2024 Sixth Form Open Evening - 06 November 2024 Giggleswick in Action Open Event - 17 May 2025 This school in the beautiful Yorkshire Dales is one to watch. Numbers are growing and families far and wide are taking note of its unique offering – a nurturing setting that celebrates the individual and has some of the UK’s best outdoor pursuits on its doorstep. It’s no wonder it’s seeing both a drift from local schools and an interest from parents further afield. Giggleswick’s #throwyourselfin campaign really sums up the ‘let’s go for it’ spirit which is seen everywhere from the classroom to the sports field.

Scotland

Prep Schools Senior Schools

Global Schools

Marlborough College Malaysia, Johor Bahru Open Morning 08:30 - 12:00 - 19 October 2024 Online Admissions Evening 17:30 - 18:30 MYT - 21 November 2024 Online Admissions Evening 17:30 - 18:30 MYT - 21 November 2024 Open Morning 08:30 - 12:00 - 30 November 2024

Tanglin Trust School, Singapore Nursery Open Morning - 17 October 2024 Sixth Form Information Evening - 07 November 2024