The Independent Schools Association (ISA) represents the Heads of over 650 of the UK’s best independent schools. As a member of the Independent Schools Council (ISC), it provides professional support, fellowship, and a collective voice for its members. The ISA is known for its diverse membership, which includes co-educational and single-sex schools, boarding and day schools, and specialist schools for the arts or specific educational needs. It fosters collaboration and high standards, and also organises a wide array of national sporting, artistic, and cultural events for pupils.
ISA Member Schools (141)
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.
Maida Vale School is a co-educational independent day school for pupils aged 11 to 18, situated in West London. Established in 2020 as part of the Gardener Schools Group, it is housed in a substantial, restored Victorian building. The school promotes a holistic approach to education with a particular emphasis on the creative and performing arts. Facilities include a double-height theatre, specialist art and design studios, and high-specification science laboratories. Pupils also benefit from an extended school day and access to nearby sporting venues, including Paddington Recreation Ground.
Wildwood Nature School is a co-educational independent primary school for children aged 4 to 11, located in Camden, North London. Founded in 2023, the school operates from St Mary Brookfield Hall and offers a nature-based alternative to mainstream education. Following Forest School principles, pupils spend at least half of their time learning outdoors in local green spaces such as Hampstead Heath. The curriculum integrates academic subjects with emotional well-being and creative development. The school maintains small, mixed-age classes and high staff-to-pupil ratios to support a collaborative learning environment.
Situated in the Sussex countryside in Upper Dicker, near Hailsham, Bede’s Senior School is a co-educational day and boarding school for pupils aged 13 to 18. The school claims to offer a holistic education that prioritises individual interests, combining academic study with traditions in the performing arts and sport. Notable facilities include an on-site zoo housing over 70 species and the Legat School of Dance. Its ethos focuses on cultivating curiosity and ambition within an inclusive community that values personal growth and both creative and academic achievement.
Lingfield College is a co-educational independent day school for pupils aged 2 to 18, situated in 40 acres of grounds in the Surrey countryside. Originally founded in 1940 by the Sisters of Notre Dame des Missions, the school transitioned from its origins as a convent school to its current secular status. The college emphasises a well-rounded education, combining academic study with a focus on pastoral care and extracurricular engagement. Facilities include a dedicated Sixth Form Centre and extensive sporting grounds, supporting a curriculum designed to foster individual growth and community spirit.
St James Senior Girls' School is an independent day school for girls aged 11 to 18, situated in West Kensington, London. Founded in 1975, the school follows a holistic ethos that integrates mindfulness and periods of stillness, known as 'The Pause', into the daily routine. The curriculum balances academic rigour with philosophy, the creative arts, and the study of Sanskrit. Facilities include specialised science laboratories, an on-site gymnasium, and a dedicated Sixth Form centre nearby. Set within a gated garden courtyard, the school offers a broad extracurricular programme including lacrosse, netball, and yoga.
St Mary's School, Hampstead, is an independent Catholic preparatory school for girls aged 2 to 11, with a co-educational nursery. Established in 1871 as a convent boarding school, it has occupied a Grade II listed building on Fitzjohn’s Avenue since 1926. The school is set within extensive grounds that include a leafy playground and a dedicated nursery garden. Notable facilities include a full-size chapel and a virtual reality room. Following "The St Mary’s Way", the school focuses on developing academic excellence, resilience, and moral integrity within a nurturing, faith-based community.
Skippers Hill Manor Preparatory School is a co-educational independent day school located in Five Ashes near Mayfield, East Sussex. Set within 22 acres of rural countryside, the school provides an environment for children aged two to thirteen. The school claims an ethos of teaching individuals rather than classes, with a focus on academic, artistic, and sporting achievement. Its curriculum integrates a bespoke programme of outdoor learning and emphasises the development of social confidence and community spirit. As part of the Bellevue Education Group, it prepares pupils for entry into senior schools at age thirteen.
Egerton-Rothesay School is a co-educational independent day school for pupils aged 6 to 19, situated in Berkhamsted, Hertfordshire. Formed by the amalgamation of two local preparatory schools founded in 1922 and 1951, the school moved to its current campus on Durrants Lane in 1988. It provides a mainstream curriculum tailored with specialist support for pupils with specific learning requirements, including dyslexia, dyspraxia, and autism. Grounded in a Christian ethos, the school focuses on individual development and life skills within a supportive environment featuring modern teaching blocks and dedicated specialist facilities.
Founded in 1936, Annemount School is a co-educational nursery and pre-preparatory school for children aged two to seven. Located in Hampstead Garden Suburb near Hampstead Heath, the school is set within a garden environment that supports its focus on individuality and independence. The curriculum incorporates Montessori methodology in the early years and is enriched by specialist-led activities including French, chess, and yoga. Annemount School emphasizes a nurturing ethos where pupils are encouraged to develop self-discipline and mutual respect, typically transitioning to their next schools at the end of Year 2.
The Stewart Bilingual School is an independent, co-educational day school in West London, catering for pupils aged 2 to 11. Based across sites in North Kensington and Notting Hill, the school offers a dual-language programme that integrates the French National Curriculum with the National Curriculum for England. This family-owned institution provides a small, nurturing environment with a 50/50 balance of French and English instruction. Its ethos focuses on fostering early bilingualism and cultural diversity, preparing children for successful entry into both British and French secondary educational systems.
St John's Preparatory and Senior School is a co-educational independent day school for pupils aged 3 to 19, situated in Potters Bar, Hertfordshire. Set within 28 acres of green belt countryside, the school is arranged across two sites, with the senior department housed in a Grade II listed building. The ethos focuses on developing well-rounded individuals, combining academic rigour with a supportive social environment. Notable features include a compulsory supervised prep hour for pupils aged seven and above, alongside facilities such as a large sports hall and extensive outdoor space.