What Is a Prep School? A Parent’s Guide
Prep school refers to a preparatory school, a usually independently run school that prepares primary age children for the next stage of their education. If you’re new to the prep school system, all the terminology and conventions can seem overwhelming even before you’ve started exploring your specific school options.
This guide will detail what exactly a preparatory school is and the key differences from a state primary school. We will explain what children learn day to day as well as the prep school experience, as well as giving you all the information so you can make an informed decision on if it is the right route for your family. Notting Hill Prep (NHP) is used here as a London based example of how this works in real life.
Prep School Meaning: A Simple Definition
Simply, prep school means preparatory school and the terms can be used interchangeably. Prep schools are normally fee-paying institutions and typically cater for children from the age of 4-13.
The details of course vary from school to school, but these are considered the norms
- Usually they are independent, funded by fees from parents whose children attend the school, and not from the government.
- Mostly pupils are prepared for 11+ or 13+ senior school entry.
- Some schools even include a pre-prep or nursery for younger children.
- Prep schools are generally smaller than the average state-run primary, including in the size of classes.
What Are Preparatory Schools For?
When people hear ‘preparatory’ it can give the false impression that the end goal is simply to pass an exam. But this is untrue of the aims of a good prep school. Preparatory is applied to many aspects of school life, academics, social skills and emotional intelligence are also necessary to equip children for senior school and beyond.
Preparation usually includes:
- Academic foundations — A varied and comprehensive curriculum to provide children with the knowledge and skills they’ll need in each academic year.
- Confidence — The ability to make their voice heard, question things and confront obstacles without fear of making mistakes.
- Curiosity — Real engagement with what they are learning, not just completing tasks.
- Study habits — Planning, independence and management of workloads and timetables. In and out of the classroom.
- Social development — Nurturing friendships and working relationships with mixed groups of people, not just in a single class environment.
- Pastoral growth — Supporting the needs of every individual and reinforcing emotional resilience and self-awareness.
- Independence — Responsibility for one’s own learning and choices as pupils move through the school system.
- Senior school readiness — Skills both academic and otherwise that are essential for 11 or 13+ entry requirements.
- Co-curricular breadth — Enrichment opportunities such as music, drama and sport run alongside academics, not as an add on or bonus.
A well organised prep school is getting children ready not only for tests or exams but for life. Developing their confidence and teaching them to be confident, curious learners. Exam results usually come as a biproduct of this approach and not the other way round.
What Age Is Prep School For?
Age ranges can vary for different schools, but independent schools in the UK usually follow this structure:
| Stage | Typical Age Range |
| Nursery | Usually under 4 |
| Reception | Age 4–5 |
| Pre-prep | Often Reception to Year 2 |
| Prep | Often Year 3 to Year 8 |
| Senior school | Usually from age 11 (11+) or 13 (13+) |
It’s always worth checking the specifics with your chosen preferences, as while this is a standard guide, schools set their own exact age ranges. At Notting Hill Prep as an example educates children of all genders from ages 4-13, covering pre-prep and prep education all under the same roof.
Prep School vs Primary School: What’s the Difference?
This is understandably one of the main questions prospective parents have about independent education, and it’s a fair one.
The main differences are:
- Funding. State primary schools are funded by the government and free to attend where prep schools are independent and fee-paying.
- Size and structure. Prep schools use more specialist teaching by subject in smaller classes, especially in the later primary years.
- Senior school preparation. Prep schools’ curriculum and pastoral units are focused around preparing pupils for entry into independent senior schools, both at 11+ and 13+.
- Co-curricular breadth. Prep schools have smaller staff to student ratios and dedicated facilities to allow for a broader range of clubs, trips and sporting endeavours. These are a standard part of prep school life.
It is important to note that one or the other is not ‘better’ or incapable of providing a great education. The correct choice for your family is the one that fits you and your child’s circumstances, priorities and budget, not a perceived idea of one route being superior.
Prep School, Pre-Prep, Junior School and Senior School Explained
Terminology can be a barrier for those new to the independent school as it can be genuinely confusing. Especially as some terms like ‘prep’ and ‘public’ don’t always mean exactly what they sound like when you first read them. So, here’s a simple glossary to make your search a bit easier.
- Pre-prep — The step before prep school, covering reception to year 2, roughly ages 2-7.
- Prep school — An abbreviation for preparatory school, meaning an independent school that typically aims to prepare children for senior school entry and catering for primary and middle years pupils.
- Junior school — Can be interchangeable with prep school, though can be used to refer to any schools younger-years department.
- Senior school — An independent secondary school, typically starting at age 11 or 13, that pupils. After this, students can move onto after prep school or an independent secondary school.
- Independent school — A school that is funded (by fees or other sources) and run outside of the government.
- Private school — Interchangeable with independent school.
- Public school — The name can be misleading here, this typically refers to a more historic category of often boarding, independent schools in the UK. Public does not mean a state funded school which is a common misconception.
- 11+ — The entrance testing process for senior school entry, typically sat by Year 6 pupils aged 11.
- 13+ — The entrance testing process for senior school entry, typically sat by pupils aged 13. Involving in-advance registration and a Common Entrance exam in Year 8.
- Common Entrance — A standard set of assessments used by senior schools as part of 13+ admissions.
What Do Children Learn at Prep School?
Prep school curriculums are usually much more expansive than parents first expect, covering not only core subjects but a variety of co-curricular activities as well:
- English, Maths and Science
- Humanities (History, Geography, Religious Studies)
- Modern Foreign Languages
- Art, Music and Drama
- Sport and PE
- Technology and Computing
- Outdoor learning
- PSHE and wellbeing
- Clubs, trips and enrichment activities
At Notting Hill Prep, this breadth sits alongside the school’s core belief that academic ambition and the joy of childhood aren’t in tension with each other, a well-rounded curriculum is treated as central to preparing children well, not as a distraction from academic results.
How Prep Schools Prepare Children for Senior School
The ‘preparatory’ element of this genre of education is, of course, key to their operations. But it’s worth considering as more than just exam revision:
- Strong academic foundations, taught from early to later years consistently, not crammed in at the end when its most relevant.
- Study skills, productive habits including organisational, time management and independence.
- Exam confidence, developed through early introduction to exam formats before the assessments themselves.
- Interview preparation, assisting pupils to be comfortable in unfamiliar scenarios with examiners.
- Independence and resilience, equipping children with the tools to handle the pressure of a competitive process.
- Support with senior school applications, including advice on which schools are best suited to your individual child.
- Clear communication with parents, helping families understand the timeline and process well in advance to avoid undue pressure and stress.
- Scholarship guidance and destination advice, where applicable to an individual student’s skillset and goals.
All these factors are to be considered alongside a child’s personal development. A well-equipped prep school one that treats senior school entry as one of many important factors instead of the only one. Especially as this period can be immensely stressful for a ten- or eleven-year-old.
Is Prep School Right for My Child?
Some things worth asking yourself when you’re making the decision if prep school is appropriate for your child include:
- Would your child benefit from a diverse curriculum, encompassing academics, sport and the arts?
- Are you also considering independent senior schools for further years of your child’s education?
- Would structured support regarding 11+ and 13+ transition be helpful?
- Does a smaller, more personal environment suit your child?
- Is proficient pastoral care a priority for your family?
- Are co-curricular activities (sport, drama, music, trips) important to you and your child?
- Do you want a balance of academic ambition while protecting the joy of the childhood experience?
If these questions resonate with you, it’s worth looking into the option of prep schools in a little more depth. The best way to get a detailed picture of what prep schools look like in practice is to book a visit and see for yourself.
What to Look for When Choosing a Prep School
Once you’ve settled on the prep school route it can still be a task to choose the right school. So here are a few things to help you narrow down your list:
- Ethos and values — Does the school’s ethos and philosophy fit what your family is looking for?
- Academic approach — How do they structure their curriculum and how do they support your child’s academic process?
- Pastoral care — How is child wellbeing and social life supported day to day, not just in an emergency?
- Class sizes — Not in all cases, but smaller classes can mean more individual care and attention.
- Senior school destinations — Which destinations do leavers typically move on to and does this match your child’s ambitions?
- Admissions process — How are admissions conducted and does this fit your child’s age and current educational situation?
- Inspection reports — Independent schools are regularly observed and assessed by independent bodies. These can offer great insight on a school’s strengths and areas for improvement.
- Fees and extras — Ensure you are aware of the full cost including any extras for trips. Activities or school lunches.
- Location and journey time — Some schools can look excellent on paper, but an exhausting commute can take its toll a child’s energy, sleep and focus.
- Co-curricular provision — The quality of co-curricular activities on offer including sport, music and art.
- Communication with parents — What channels of communication do the school use and how often are parents informed?
- How the school feels during a visit — Often the deciding factor and something no brochure or conversation can replace.
What Is Notting Hill Prep?
Notting Hill Prep is an independent co-educational prep school in West London for children aged 4-13, with the philosophy of striving for academic success while preserving the joy of childhood.
Notting Hill Prep is additionally an Advanced Accredited Thinking School, recognised for its work with cognitive learning strategies by the University of Exeter. This means pupils are not simply taught subject content but how to reflect on their learning and approach obstacles with confidence. We also place a strong emphasis on wellbeing and pastoral care to prepare children not only for the next stage of their education but for life.
