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Notting Hill Preparatory School

United Kingdom, London

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The school at a glance
Instructs in English
Fees £31,488
Ages 4 - 13 years
Pupil numbers 384
Type Co-educational
Opened 2003
Bus Service No
Academic offering
Curriculum British Curriculum, Bespoke Curriculum
Taught languages Spanish, French, Latin
Typical class size 22
Strengths Sport, Performing Arts, Academic Enrichment
Clubs Arts and Creative, Cultural and Language, Community and Service
Stages Early Years, Primary School, Secondary School
Introduction

Notting Hill Preparatory School is a co-educational independent prep in London for ages 4 to 13. Located at 95 Lancaster Road, W11, it sits within the Dukes Education family and offers a British curriculum alongside a bespoke cognitive framework designed to develop metacognition and independent thinking. The school is an Advanced Thinking School, integrating Philosophy for Children, Thinking Maps and De Bono's Six Thinking Hats, with mindfulness, yoga and dance woven into core subjects such as English, Mathematics, Science, Humanities, Languages and Creative Arts. From Year 4, art and design take place in a dedicated, state-of-the-art facility with an in-house kiln, while science labs support hands-on investigation. Class sizes are capped at 22. Facilities span three specialist buildings, including a woodland adventure playground, beehives and a soundproof teaching bubble. The programme emphasises sport and performing arts, and 11+ and 13+ preparation begins in Year 5 for transition to senior schools.

95 Lancaster Road, London W11 1QQ

The Essentials

Notting Hill Preparatory School has 384 pupils, typical class sizes of 22, instruction in English.

Location
Notting Hill Prep is located in Notting Hill, London. The address is 95 Lancaster Road, London W11 1QQ. It sits in the Notting Hill area in west London.

Stages
Ages 4–13; education from Reception to 13+. Pupils follow a curriculum from Reception to 13+.

Type
Co-educational independent preparatory school.

Additional learning support
The school has a Special Education Needs policy and an English as an Additional Language policy. When a pupil has an Educational Psychologist's report indicating a learning need, the school provides additional time for entrance assessments and liaises with parents and outside agencies to assess and support the pupil's needs.

Country affiliation
England.

Bus service
Y1 – Transport not available.
Diving Deeper

Uniform Requirement
The uniform is designed to be practical and robust; uniforms are supplied by Perry Uniform and can be ordered by phone or online.

Food Options
Catering is provided by Sodexo; meals are varied and balanced and planned on a three-week rota, with pupils free to choose items on their plates and attention paid to dietary needs.

House System
The school has a house system; pupils vote for Head of House.

Governance and Ownership
Governing Body is Dukes Education; Notting Hill Prep is part of the privately owned Dukes Education group.
Fees

Annual tuition at Notting Hill Preparatory School ranges from GBP 31,488 for 2026/27.

Overview (2026/27 academic year)

Application & Registration Fees
- Registration fee (non‑refundable): GBP 180.
- Acceptance deposit to secure a place: GBP 5,248 (payable on acceptance). This deposit is returned at the end of the child's last term at the school, subject to all due fees having been paid and the required notice having been given. The deposit will not be refunded if a place is accepted but the child does not subsequently take up the place.

Tuition fees (by year group) — per term and per academic year
- Reception: GBP 10,496 per term (VAT included) — GBP 31,488 per academic year (three terms).
- Year 1: GBP 10,496 per term — GBP 31,488 per academic year.
- Year 2: GBP 10,496 per term — GBP 31,488 per academic year.
- Year 3: GBP 10,496 per term — GBP 31,488 per academic year.
- Year 4: GBP 10,496 per term — GBP 31,488 per academic year.
- Year 5: GBP 10,496 per term — GBP 31,488 per academic year.
- Year 6: GBP 10,496 per term — GBP 31,488 per academic year.
- Year 7: GBP 10,496 per term — GBP 31,488 per academic year.
- Year 8: GBP 10,496 per term — GBP 31,488 per academic year.

Notes: The termly tuition figure above is inclusive of VAT where applicable and includes tuition, school lunches, extra‑curricular activities, digital learning and pastoral support. Optional trips or certain optional activities may incur additional charges.

Billing schedule & payment terms
- Fees are billed on a termly basis and must be paid in advance of the first day of the term for the child to take up their place. There are three terms in the academic year (Autumn, Spring, Summer).
- A deposit equal to half a term's fees is payable on acceptance to guarantee a place. The deposit is normally returned at the end of the child's last term, subject to conditions.
- Flexible payment arrangements or instalment plans may be available by agreement with the Finance Team; parents should contact the Head of Finance for available billing arrangements.

Deposit & refund information
- Deposit amount for 2026/27: GBP 5,248 (half of the listed termly tuition). The deposit is refundable at the end of the child's final term provided all fees have been paid and appropriate notice has been given. The deposit will not be refunded if a child does not take up an accepted place.
- Withdrawal/refund rules: A full term's written notice (received no later than the last day of the preceding term) is required before removing a child from the school. Failure to provide the required notice will result in liability for a full term's fees. Cancellation of optional extras requires a half‑term's notice, otherwise a half‑term's fees will be charged.

Late payment / non‑payment
- Late payment of fees incurs interest calculated at the Bank of England base rate plus 5% per week. The school may use debt collection procedures and charged parties will be responsible for associated collection costs.

Boarding fees
- Not applicable. Notting Hill Prep is a co‑educational day school (no boarding provision).

Other costs and optional charges
- Optional clubs, certain extra‑curricular activities, and some school trips (including residential trips for older year groups) may attract additional charges. These are charged separately when applicable.
- There may be ad‑hoc charges for specific materials, tickets for performances, or other incidental items when relevant to a particular activity or trip.

Uniform
- School uniform is supplied by Perry Uniform and can be ordered by phone or online through that supplier; uniform costs are borne by parents.

Foundation add‑on (voluntary)
- A discretionary, opt‑in Foundation termly add‑on is operated by the NHP Foundation; parents are asked to opt in to a small termly contribution. (The Foundation has previously operated a termly add‑on and the Foundation accounts describe the practice and amounts requested.)

Fee payment options & contacts
- Payment plans, billing enquiries and information about acceptable payment methods are administered by the Finance Team. Contact: Adrian Butler, Head of Finance (A.Butler@nottinghillprep.com). For admissions and registration enquiries contact the Admissions team (admissions@nottinghillprep.com / admin@nottinghillprep.com).

Summary of most important figures (2026/27)
- Tuition: GBP 10,496 per term (VAT included).
- Annual tuition (3 terms): GBP 31,488 per year.
- Registration fee: GBP 180 (non‑refundable).
- Acceptance deposit: GBP 5,248 (refundable on leaving subject to terms).

(End of fees overview.)
Academics

Notting Hill Preparatory School teaches British Curriculum, Bespoke Curriculum for students aged 4 to 13.

Curriculum
The school follows a progressive academic framework for pupils aged 4 to 13 (Reception to Year 8) and is an Advanced Thinking School. Academic subjects are taught alongside a cognitive curriculum designed to foster advanced learning techniques; pupils analyse their own thinking through Philosophy lessons, mindfulness training, and yoga and dance sessions alongside core subjects. The cognitive curriculum uses Thinking Maps, De Bono's Six Thinking Hats, Philosophy for Children (P4C) and the school's Habits to develop metacognition and independent thinking. The curriculum covers English, Mathematics, Science, Humanities, Languages, Creative Arts, Sport and Digital Learning, with cross-curricular provision including P4C. 11+ and 13+ preparation starts in Year 5, and Years 7–8 follow the Common Entrance syllabus to support transition to senior schools.

Student Teacher Ratio
Small classes capped at 22; 22-sized classrooms.

Gifted and Talented
NACE Challenge Award (2026); 13 scholarships across academic, creative and all-round categories awarded to leavers in 2025.
Wellbeing

Social and Emotional Learning (SEL)
The school places great importance on pastoral care and student well-being. A form tutor knows each pupil academically, socially and personally, helping them feel happy and secure. A dedicated wellbeing team includes an in-house school counsellor. Mindfulness practices, drop-in counselling, self-care routines and mood journaling support mental health and resilience. The NHP Hare that Cares Self-Care Journal provides practical self-reflection and mood tracking.

Mental Wellbeing
The wellbeing team leads the mental health strategy, including an in-house counsellor. Mindfulness practices, drop-in counselling, self-care routines and mood journaling are used to promote resilience and emotional well-being. The NHP Hare that Cares Self-Care Journal supports reflection, mood tracking and goal setting. Notting Hill Prep aims to equip pupils with resilience and emotional well-being for daily life. Every child has the right to come to school feeling safe, happy, and ready to learn.

Safeguarding
Safeguarding is a core focus of the well-being programme. The school safeguards children's mental health and fosters a supportive environment. A dedicated wellbeing team includes an in-house counsellor. Mindfulness, counselling, self-care routines and mood journaling are integral to safeguarding. Every child has the right to come to school each day feeling safe, happy, and ready to learn.
Parent Experience

History
Notting Hill Prep was founded in 2003 under Headmistress Jane Cameron to create a local, co-educational prep school with strong partnerships between the school and parents. It educates children aged 4-13, following a Thinking School philosophy that integrates academic development with the joy of childhood. It is located at 95 Lancaster Road, London W11 1QQ. It is part of the Dukes Education family of schools.

Community
Notting Hill Prep Foundation, established in 2009 as a registered charity, strengthens the school's ties with the local community. The Foundation administers a bursary programme and Radius, a community partnerships programme that works with local schools and charities within a one-mile radius, run with support from the Parents Association. The Foundation also organizes community events and partnerships, including the Notting Hill Children's Community Choir, in which local school pupils participate weekly.

Parent Teacher Association (PTA)
Every parent is automatically a member of the Parents Association, which is made up exclusively of parent volunteers and has an elected class representative on a central committee. The Association conceives and hosts events that bring parents, staff and pupils together socially. It supports the school's charity initiatives by fundraising for the NHP Foundation. It acts as a conduit of information between current and prospective parents on general school matters. The organising committee meets on average twice per term.
Facilities

Facilities Overview
Spread across three specialist buildings in the heart of W11, Notting Hill Prep is designed to grow with your child from the Early Years to Year 8. It houses advanced science labs and a dedicated creative design studio. The school boasts two dedicated art rooms, one in the Lower School and one in the Upper School, and from Year 4 art and design classes take place in a bright, industrial, bespoke state-of-the-art facility equipped with a full design and technology function, sewing machines for textile work and an in-house kiln. The woodland-style adventure playground and a soundproofed teaching bubble with a state-of-the-art air-filtration system—with resident hens and rooftop beehives—are part of the grounds. Class sizes are small, with cohorts capped at 22, and spaces for music, art, sport and enrichment activities support daily learning.

Sports Facilities
Swimming is offered from Reception and team games are introduced from Year 1. The programme covers swimming, gymnastics, football, hockey, rugby, netball, tennis, athletics and badminton. The school uses in-house facilities including a large assembly hall and all-weather space, and benefits from local partnerships with venues such as Kensington Leisure Centre (0.5 miles away) for indoor facilities and the Westway Sports Centre (0.6 miles away) for climbing, football and tennis; the Linford Christie Stadium (1.8 miles away) for athletics; and Kensington Memorial and Avondale Park for tennis and netball (0.6 miles away).

Academic Facilities
Two dedicated art rooms serve the Lower and Upper School. From Year 4, art and design classes take place in a bright, industrial, bespoke state-of-the-art facility equipped with a full design and technology function, sewing machines for textile work and an in-house kiln. Specialised science labs are used across the school. Classrooms and dedicated spaces support music, art, sport and enrichment activities.

Extra Curricular Facilities
Music includes Senior, Middle and Lower School choirs, Recital Choir, Cubs Choir for Reception, and the Notting Hill Children's Community Choir, with ensembles such as orchestra, violin group, guitar club, recorder ensemble, Little Strings and several rock bands. Drama includes weekly lessons and annual highlights such as nativity, pantomime and end‑of‑year productions. Radius Foundation partnerships provide after-school sports and arts activities for local children; about 70 pupils attend two afternoon sessions weekly, plus cultural projects and visits to venues such as the Natural History Museum and the Design Museum. Enrichment opportunities include trips, residentials and specialist after-school activities.
Extra-Curricular Activities

Academic & Intellectual
The school is an Advanced Thinking School with a cognitive curriculum that teaches thinking skills through Philosophy for Children (P4C), Thinking Maps and De Bono's Six Thinking Hats. Mindfulness training and metacognition are taught across year groups.

Arts & Creative
The performing ensembles include orchestra, violin group, guitar club, recorder ensemble, Little Strings club and various rock bands for middle and upper school pupils. The choral program comprises Senior, Middle and Lower School Choirs and the Notting Hill Children's Community Choir, with annual musical productions and recitals.

Cultural & Language
Beyond the school day, there are language-related extracurricular activities, including languages, drama, and dance; Notting Hill Children's Community Choir brings together pupils from local primary schools.

Social & Hobbies
There are enrichment opportunities beyond the classroom, including trips and residentials and specialist after-school activities.

Community & Service
Pupils build links with the local community through initiatives such as tea parties with elderly neighbours and a shared choir with other local primary schools.

Leadership & Professional
Older pupils take on leadership roles through the house system, and Year 8 pupils benefit from a dedicated careers programme featuring talks from visiting professionals.

Lifestyle & Wellbeing
The well-being programme includes mindfulness practice and an in-house counsellor, supported by a Rabbits with Habits self-care journal. The school grounds feature a woodland-style adventure playground with rooftop beehives and resident hens.
Languages

Language Provision
Languages are taught as part of the curriculum. The school values multilingualism and supports pupils who have English as an Additional Language, recognizing their home language(s), and provides materials such as dual-language texts and dictionaries. Pupils are assessed on arrival and placed on the EAL Stages register (Stages 1–5), with Stage 5 described as Fully bilingual, and additional EAL lessons can be provided if needed.
Reputation

Accreditations
Advanced Accredited Thinking School, University of Exeter. Thinking School since 2014; Advanced accreditation awarded in 2021 and reaccredited in 2024.
Admissions

Admissions
1. Registration and Reception entry. The school is non-selective at Reception; there is no entry assessment for Reception. Places for Reception entry are allocated in registration date order, with birthdays considered to ensure an even mix of ages. Those who register early are offered a place and have the first option of remaining on the waiting list in registration date order should a space arise. Siblings and children joining from The Acorn are automatically offered places when registered at Notting Hill Prep, if available. A Reception child joins one of up to three parallel classes of mixed age range.

Scholarships
3. Bursaries and financial assistance. Notting Hill Prep offers bursaries via the NHP Foundation to make the education accessible to a broader range of families. There are two bursary types: Foundation (2 per year; starting Year 7; £20,000; means-tested and academically selected) and Jane Cameron (1 per year; 4 years; starting Year 4; £20,000; means-tested and outstanding promise in the creative arts). The bursary program is means-tested with a household income threshold of up to £45,000 per year. Bursaries cover tuition fees and other costs, including after-school clubs, music lessons, and residential trips, with the £20,000 annual cost figure reflecting the level of financial assistance. The NHP Foundation was established in 2009 to support local children's education. Past bursary students have gone on to secure scholarships or fully funded places at leading senior schools. How to apply: Enquiry to the Head of Admissions & Marketing, then an assessment process (financial documentation for means-testing and academic tests), followed by a home visit and financial decision. For admissions queries, contact Rhonda Qually, Head of Admissions & Marketing, at admissions@nottinghillprep.com.

Waitlist
2. Waiting list and early registration. Reception places are allocated in registration date order, with early registrants having the first option of remaining on the waiting list if a space arises. Siblings and Acorn Nursery children are automatically offered places when registered, if available. Occasional place lists exist for other year groups in the event a space becomes available. Registration is completed via an online registration form.
School Events
The school has not added events
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