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)
ACS Cobham International School is a co-educational day and boarding school for pupils aged 2 to 18, situated on a 128-acre campus in the Surrey countryside. The school offers a global curriculum, including the International Baccalaureate (IB) Diploma and the American Advanced Placement (AP) programme. Facilities include a state-of-the-art sports centre with a 25-metre competition pool, an Olympic-sized track, and a 510-seat performing arts theatre. Founded in 1967, the school emphasises developing well-rounded global citizens through a diverse range of academic, sporting, and extracurricular opportunities.
Al-Sadiq School is an independent Shia Islamic day school located in Queen’s Park, London. Established in 1991 by the Al-Khoei Foundation, the school provides a co-educational setting for pupils aged three to seven, before transitioning to single-sex education for boys up to age 16. Named after Imam Ja’far Al-Sadiq, the school integrates the National Curriculum with Islamic studies, Arabic and Qur'anic tuition. Its ethos is built upon the pillars of knowledge, faith and action, aiming to foster moral character and spiritual development. Facilities include specialist science and ICT laboratories.
Al-Zahra School is an independent day school for girls aged 8 to 16, located in Queen's Park, London. Established in 1989 by the Al-Khoei Foundation, the school provides an education underpinned by a strong Islamic ethos. The curriculum combines the National Curriculum with religious studies, including Arabic and Quranic instruction. Operating within a small, close-knit community, the school focuses on academic progress alongside spiritual and moral development. Al-Zahra School aims to nurture well-rounded individuals, encouraging pupils to integrate their faith-based values with active participation in wider British society.
Situated at Easons Green near Uckfield, Annan School is an independent primary school for children aged 2 to 11. Based on a rural site at Annan Farm, the school follows a Froebelian pedagogy, emphasising a holistic approach to education through real-life experiences and creative thinking. Its curriculum incorporates outdoor learning, including a Forest School programme, within a setting described as having a family feel. The school claims to focus on nurturing curious, independent learners while promoting mutual respect and community engagement.
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.
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.
Azbuka Russian-English Bilingual School is a co-educational day school and nursery for pupils aged 2 to 11, located in Hammersmith, London. Established by the AZBUKA Foundation, which pioneered Russian-English bilingual education in the UK from 2000, the school opened its primary department in 2015 as the first of its kind in the country. The curriculum features an equal split between English and Russian, delivered by native-speaking staff. Operating with a small-school ethos, it focuses on immersive language development alongside a broad academic programme designed to support bicultural identity.
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.
Bales College is a co-educational independent school and sixth-form college for pupils aged 11 to 20, located in the Kensal Green area of West London. Established in 1966 as the Modern Tutorial College, the school is set on a quiet campus near Notting Hill. It emphasises academic rigour and individual care through small teaching groups and structured progress monitoring. Facilities include specialist science laboratories and an art department, with pupils also utilising the nearby Moberly Sports Centre. The college’s ethos is guided by its motto, "Semper Perstare", fostering a culture of perseverance, respect, and high achievement.
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.
Beechwood School is a co-educational day and boarding school for pupils aged 3 to 18, located in Tunbridge Wells, Kent. Set within 23 acres of landscaped grounds, the school is centred around a grand Victorian mansion constructed in 1855. Founded in 1915 by the Society of the Sacred Heart, it maintains a nurturing ethos based on its founding traditions while welcoming children of all faiths. Facilities include a dedicated auditorium, sports gym, and MUGA pitch, supporting a broad curriculum that offers a wide variety of academic and creative subjects at GCSE and A-level.
Benedict House Preparatory School is a co-educational day school in Sidcup, Kent, for pupils aged two and a half to 11. Founded in 1989 and situated on a tree-lined residential road, the school is housed within several Victorian buildings and recently refurbished facilities, including a STEAM classroom and library. The school operates with an ethos of “towards the future as a family,” focusing on a nurturing environment and small class sizes. The curriculum is designed to prepare pupils for the 11+ transition, supported by specialist instruction in music, drama, and sport.