There is a huge range of Independent/private schools spread out over Great Britain, Ireland, The Channel Islands and the Isle of Man. These schools are fee paying and most of them are members of the ISI (Independent Schools Inspectorate). Private schools are run by governors and independent of many regulations that apply to state schools. The biggest of these regulations that they are independent of is the National Curriculum.
Private Secondary Schools
Private secondary schools cater for children between 11 / 13 to 16 and often has a Sixth Form within the school for children 16-18. Many of these private schools are members of the Independent Schools Council (ISC). This is a non-profit organisation representing about 80% independent schools in the UK (in 2011).
Independent schools that belong to the ISC are inspected by the Independent Schools Inspectorate (ISI) according to a framework agreed upon between the various assessment bodies including the DfE and Ofsted.
The best way to search for school options is to have a look at the schools in the area and work from there. You can then find the Website and Admissions pages for these schools either through the above links or by going to our various pages like:
Private Secondary School Websites (London)
Admission to Private Secondary School Websites (London)
As each private school manages their own admission procedures, these vary greatly. Most private schools are however academically selective and even those that don’t, require an interview to see whether your child would fit into their particular school environment.
For academically selective schools various forms of assessment can be used either at 11+ or 13+. These may include Maths, English, Verbal Reasoning, Non-verbal Reasoning and exams on various other subjects. The best would be to check the Admissions page of your preferred schools.
For specimen papers and past papers have a further look at our vast collections on the following pages:
Private Secondary Schools (London) A – H
ACS Cobham International School
ACS Hillingdon International School
Alleyn’s School
Bancroft’s School
Canbury School
Caterham School
CATS College London
Channing School
Charterhouse
Chelsea Independent College
City of London Freemen’s School
Cty of London School
City of London School For Girls
Colfe’s School
Collingham Independent College
Cranleigh School
Croydon High School GDST
DLD College London
Duke of Kent School
Dunottar School
Ealing Independent College
Eaton Square School
Emanuel School
Epsom College
Ewell Castle School
Private Secondary Schools F – R
Fairley House School
Fine Arts College
Francis Holland School, Regent’s Park
Francis Holland School, Sloane Square
Frederick Hugh House
Frensham Heights
Guildford High School for Girls
Harrow School
Immanuel School
Italia Conti Academy Of Theatre Arts Ltd
James Allen’s Girls’ School
King’s College School (KCS)
Kingswood House
Latymer Upper School
Mander Portman Woodward (MPW)
Manor House School Bookham
Marymount International School
More House School Knightsbridge
Mount House School (St Martha’s)
Notre Dame Senior School
Notting Hill and Ealing High School GDST
Old Palace of John Whitgift School
Palmers Green High School
Park School for Girls
Portland Place School
Prior’s Field
Queen’s College London
Reed’s School
Reigate Grammar School
Riverston School
Royal Grammar School
Royal Russell School
Private Secondary Schools S – Z
Sir William Perkins’s School
South Hampstead High School GDST
Saint Benedict’s School
St Catherine’s School, Twickenham
Saint Catherine’s, Bramley
St George’s College Weybridge
Saint Helen’s School
St James Senior Boys School
Saint James Senior Girls’ School
St John’s School
Saint Margaret’s School, Hampstead
St Teresa’s Effingham
Streatham & Clapham High School GDST
Susi Earnshaw Theatre School
Sutton High School GDST
Sylvia Young Theatre School
Thames Christian College
The Arts Educational School London
The Cedars School
The Godolphin and Latymer School
The Lady Eleanor Holles School
The Laurels
The Mount, Mill Hill International
The Royal Ballet School
The Swaminarayan School
University College School, Hampstead
Westminster School
Wimbledon High School GDST
Woldingham School
Our Other Which School guides
Firstly, private Sixth Form Admissions, top private sixth Forms Guide , private London Sixth Forms blog and London Sixth Forms Guide.
Secondly, London Prep Schools Guide, Prep schools, London prep schools guide and Top London Prep schools blog.
Thirdly, London private schools, Private London School Admissions (A-M), Sunday Times Private Schools League Table and top private girls schools in London.
Plus, London Independent Schools Guide, and London’s top independent school A-Level results.
Then, Grammar Schools Guide, London 11 plus practice tests, 11Plus GL Guide,Grammars using 11 plus GL Assessment Guide , Guide to Grammar School Entry.
Also, UK Boarding Schools Guide, and primary school league tables,
Finally, London Pre-Schools Guide,
Our Which School Guides