Knowledge Hub

A prep or preparatory school is an independent school for primary age children that aims to prepare them properly for the next stage of their education. This is typically senior school through the 11+ or 13+ pathways. 

Typically, ‘primary school’ refers to a state funded school that is free to attend. Whereas prep schools are usually independent and parents are required to pay fees for their child’s education. Prep schools usually offer smaller class sizes and more specialist teaching. 

Pre-prep is normally used to refer to the younger years of prep school, this is Reception through to Year 2. ‘Prep School’ is what follows, spanning the years leading up to senior school. 

Prep schools in the UK are typically accommodating of children from Reception to Year 6, with many schools continuing to Year 8. This includes children aged 4-13. 

No. While for many prep schools 11+ and 13+ preparation are a core part of their operations, a good prep school should aim to develop confidence, communication and independence in their students to equip them for life and not just an exam. 

A thinking school is an educational establishment that has been formally recognised by the University of Exeter for their work and commitment in integrating cognitive learning strategies into everyday school life. Thinking schools are externally assessed and a title we are extremely proud of here at NHP. For more information you can read our full guide: What Is a Thinking School? 

Notting Hill Prep is a fully accredited Thinking school, having first achieved recognition in 2014. Since then, we have been recognised as an Advanced Thinking School in 2021, a title that was reaccredited in March 2024. 

A cognitive curriculum describes academic teaching with intentional development of thinking skills. This teaches pupils not only subject content, but how to consolidate and reflect on their learning. Find out more about Our Philosophy. 

The Six Thinking Hats is a concept developed by psychologist Edward de Bono. He separates cognitive functions into six different methods. Facts, feelings, caution, optimism, creativity and process. Teaching this deliberately to pupils helps them to approach a problem methodically without becoming overwhelmed, as well as being able to reflect on and evaluate what they have learned instead of just completing a task. 

These are a set of core behaviours we emphasise to our students at Notting Hill Prep, throughout their time with us. Curiosity, resilience, empathy, collaboration, independence and reflection. These are woven into our curriculum and reinforced daily, not just buzzwords. 

Metacognition literally, is thinking about thinking. Ensuring you actually understand what you’re learning instead of just finishing your work. NHP teaches children how to develop these habits that they can use for the rest of their lives, from planning an approach to reflecting on your successes afterwards. Read our full guide: How Children Learn to Learn. 

A co-educational school is a preparatory school where children participate in class, curriculum, clubs and leadership, unseparated by gender throughout school life. Read our full guide: The Co-Educational Advantage. 

Yes, Notting Hill Prep is a fully co-educational independent preparatory school.  

A coeducational environment can aid in the development of a childs confidence, communication skills, empathy and collaboration. As well as supporting the transition to senior schools which are often mixed, co-ed schools reflect the world your child is going into, where they will live and work with all types of people. 

There is no universal answer for which model is superior, the right choice for your family is purely dependent on your child’s personality and confidence. 

Yes. Notting Hill Prep is a co-ed prep school based in Notting Hill in the west of London. This is alongside a host of other schools that parents are free to compare. 

After being welcomed by the head teacher, families are encouraged to explore the campus and take in the atmosphere, guided by a member of our staff who will be able to answer any questions you may have. See upcoming dates on our Open Days page. 

Of course! Prospective students are encouraged to attend to get a feel for the school, explore and meet current pupils. Afterall your child’s feeling is usually a deciding factor in which school you choose. 

Specific events can vary, but a standard open day will last roughly 1-2 hours. 

Booking in advance is strongly suggested as we only have limited places. But smaller private group tours are also available if you are unavailable on our scheduled dates. 

Notting Hill Prep teaches children aged 4 through to age 13, Reception to Year 8. 

11+ entry is when students transition to senior school after Year 6, while 13+ is when they move on after Year 8, typically via a Common Entrance exam. Prep schools that continue through to Year 8 (like NHP) gives room for families to follow whatever pathway they prefer. 

11+ processes typically assess children’s proficiency in English, maths, verbal and non-verbal reasoning. In many cases this is in the form of the ISEB Common Pre-Test, in combination with interviews and group assessments. 

Instead of specific classes or courses focused around exam prep. These skills are incorporated into our normal curriculum; this creates familiarisation with assessment formants and decreases nervousness in a hugely stressful time for students and parents. Our pastoral team are also on hand to provide individual advice to pupils on which school choices fit them. 

Absolutely, our pupils regularly go on to attend some of London and the UK’s top day schools and boarding schools. Preparation for each pathway is provided including specific support for families unfamiliar with these decisions. 

Not necessarily. The decision depends on what is best for your family’s needs as well as the requirements of your target senior schools. Some pupils sit the 13+ instead, as decided with their family in advance. 

NHP pupils go on to prosper at some of the top London day schools and UK boarding schools at the 11+ and 13+ entries. Including The Harrodian, Francis Holland (Regent’s Park), City of London School, Highgate, Godolphin & Latymer, Ibstock Place, JAGS and South Hampstead. At 13+, destinations include St Paul’s, King’s College Wimbledon, Eton, Wellington, Harrow, Brighton College, Marlborough, St Edward’s Oxford, Bradfield and Bedales. See the full list on our Leavers’ Destinations page. 

In 2025, NHP student results were outstanding, with Year 6 pupils securing an 83% success rate in applications that progressed to interview. This included 163 offers or waitlist places from 196 senior schools. 

Yes. Pupils from Notting Hill Prep are regularly offered scholarships and exhibitions across academics, sport, music and many more. 

At this point some pupils will move on from NHP through the 11+ pathway. However, we continue through to Year 8 for those who wish to follow the 13+ route, which involves entry via Common Entrance or senior school specific assessments. 

Children can learn in a more efficient way when they’re encouraged to consider their understanding and approach to learning. Knowing when something isn’t working and how to amend how they tackle it, rather than passively taking in information simply with the outcome of ‘completing’ their work. This skill, metacognition, is one of the highest impact approaches identified by a UK education evidence review and is a key pillar of our curriculum. 

Learning habits are learned behaviours that relate to the way we take on information. These can be skills like determination, curiosity, reflection and collaboration. These shape how efficiently a child learns, no matter the topic. A hugely important skill as subject content fluctuates regularly but equipped with these tools they can know they truly understand what they’re learning rather than just taking a test. 

This can be achieved with simple steps and subtle changes. Things like asking ‘how did you work that out?’ instead of focusing on if they got the correct answer and letting them sit with a degree of struggle instead of intervening to ‘rescue’ them. Treating mistakes as a normal part of the learning process rather than a failure is also a very useful habit to build. 

Much earlier than most people expect, children as young as Reception and Year one can begin to develop learning habits, with their skillset and understanding growing as they move through school. 

NHP’s approach to phones is that students who need them for a commute of to contact their parents are asked to carry a ‘dumbphone’ with call and text capability only as opposed to a smartphone. This supports independence and relieves the pressure of constant social media and internet access.

There is no specific answer for this, it is more down to your own judgement of when your child is ready. Many families find that a simple phone with text and calls is sufficient before a full smartphone is appropriate. 

There is no conclusive statement on this and research is broadly debated. Some researchers link smartphone use to rising teenage anxiety. While others imply correlation but no clear causation. But what is less controversial to highlight is the blatant opportunity costs of social interactions, hobbies and sleep that excessive screentime can cause. 

Pupils in the early stages of their education with us for the most part have no use for any type of phone during the school day. So, our approach to this usually kicks in once children start independent travel to and from school and activities.