The Association of Governing Bodies of Independent Schools (AGBIS) is a UK-based organization that supports and advises the governing bodies of independent schools. AGBIS aims to advance education and promote good governance within the independent school sector. The association provides guidance, training, and resources to member schools on all aspects of governance, helping them to operate effectively and meet their charitable objectives. It also represents the interests of its members and the wider independent education sector.
AGBIS Member Schools (246)
Aberdour School is a co-educational preparatory day school for children aged 2 to 11, situated in 12 acres of grounds in Tadworth, Surrey. Founded in 1928, the school emphasises a personalised approach to learning through its bespoke "Personalised Achievement Leaders" system. Facilities include a purpose-built nursery, modern science laboratories, and extensive outdoor space for sport and play. The curriculum is designed to identify and nurture individual talents, preparing pupils for transition to a wide range of senior schools while fostering a supportive and inclusive community environment.
Aldro is a co-educational day and boarding preparatory school for pupils aged 7 to 13, located in Shackleford near Godalming. Founded in 1898 and relocated to its current Surrey site in 1940, the school operates with a Christian foundation. Set within extensive grounds, facilities include a rowing lake, an adventure island, and a swimming pool. The school focuses on the development of the whole child through a broad curriculum and co-curricular programme, preparing pupils for transition to leading senior schools via the Common Entrance pathway.
Aldwickbury School is an independent day and flexi-boarding preparatory school for pupils aged 3 to 13, set within 20 acres of grounds in Harpenden. Originally established in 1948, the school is housed in a Victorian mansion and recently began its transition to a fully co-educational environment. Its ethos focuses on holistic development and pastoral care, encouraging kindness and resilience. Notable facilities include a dedicated STEM hub, a heated indoor swimming pool, and a modern sports hall with a climbing wall. The school offers a broad extra-curricular programme alongside traditional academic foundations.
Amesbury is a co-educational day school for pupils aged 2 to 13, situated within 34 acres of grounds in Hindhead, Surrey. The school is housed in a Grade II* listed building designed by the architect Sir Edwin Lutyens. It offers a broad curriculum that balances academic study with creative and physical activities, supported by facilities such as a purpose-built visual arts centre and extensive sporting grounds. The school focuses on personal development and community, preparing children for transition to a variety of leading senior schools.
Ardingly College is a co-educational boarding and day school for pupils aged 2 to 18, situated on a 230-acre campus in the West Sussex countryside near Haywards Heath. Founded in 1858 by Canon Nathaniel Woodard, the school features notable Gothic Revival architecture and a Grade II listed chapel. The college emphasises a "world-ready" ethos, providing a choice between A-levels and the International Baccalaureate in the Sixth Form. Facilities include a dedicated art school and access to a reservoir for water sports. It maintains a strong focus on competitive sports, including football, hockey, and cricket.
Arnold House School is an independent preparatory day school for boys aged three to thirteen, situated in St John’s Wood, London. Founded in 1905, the school operates across two main sites, featuring a dedicated pre-prep department on Marlborough Place. The curriculum balances academic study with a strong emphasis on music, art, and sport. Pupils benefit from the school’s 20-acre activity centre at Canons Park, which provides extensive facilities for outdoor learning and games. The school’s ethos is centred on providing a nurturing and supportive environment that encourages boys to become well-rounded, kind, and confident individuals.
Ashford School is a co-educational independent day and boarding school in Kent for pupils aged three months to 18 years. Founded in 1898, the school operates across two campuses: the Senior School at East Hill and the Prep School in the village of Great Chart. Facilities include an All-Steinway music school, indoor swimming pools, and a modern sports centre. Part of the United Learning group, the school occupies a 25-acre main site and incorporates a Grade II listed building. The curriculum is designed to foster individual character and adventurous learning.
Babington House School is an independent co-educational day school for pupils aged 3 to 18, situated in Chislehurst, Kent. Established in 1887 by Madame Rossel and named after the writer Lord Thomas Babington Macaulay, the school moved to its current site at Elmstead Grange in 1957. It combines academic rigour with a nurturing ethos underpinned by Christian values. The school is known for its small class sizes and a broad curriculum with a strong focus on the arts, music, and sport, supported by modern facilities for performing arts and extensive games areas.
Barfield Prep School is a co-educational day school for children aged 2 to 11, situated in 12 acres of parkland in Farnham, Surrey. Founded in 1933, the school provides a broad curriculum with a strong emphasis on outdoor learning and physical activity. Facilities include an on-site outdoor education centre, Three Peaks, which offers climbing and high ropes courses. The school aims to foster a nurturing environment where pupils develop confidence and independence through a balance of academic study, creative arts, and sport.
Barrow Hills School is a co-educational day school and nursery for children aged 2 to 13, located in Witley near Godalming. Set within 33 acres of Surrey countryside, the school is housed in a Grade II listed Arts and Crafts building known as Great Roke. Originally founded in 1950 as a preparatory school for St George’s College, it now operates as a partner school to King Edward’s Witley. The school maintains a Catholic ethos while welcoming families of all faiths, providing a broad curriculum that emphasises both academic development and outdoor learning.
Battle Abbey School is an independent coeducational day and boarding school for pupils aged three months to 18 years, situated in Battle and Bexhill, East Sussex. The Senior School occupies the historic site of the 1066 Battle of Hastings, utilising the 13th-century Abbot’s House and surrounding grounds. The school claims to foster an ethos of kindness, compassion, and mutual respect, prioritising individual pastoral care. Facilities include a dedicated Sixth Form centre and a preparatory department in Bexhill featuring extensive gardens and a 25-metre indoor swimming pool.
Bede’s Prep is an independent, co-educational day and boarding school situated on a coastal site in Eastbourne, East Sussex. Located at the foot of the South Downs National Park, the school overlooks the sea and educates children from three months to 13 years. Its ethos centres on a holistic approach to learning, aiming to nurture individual talents through academic, creative, and sporting programmes. The grounds include historic buildings and modern facilities, such as a swimming pool, sports hall, and dedicated outdoor learning spaces.