The 30 Best Boarding schools in London

“We had a glorious sunny morning for our SUP lesson with Claire who could not have been more helpful. She was on hand with advice and encouragement throughout and quickly had us all up and paddling down the Thames. The equipment felt good quality and safe. It was a thoroughly enjoyable experience and one I would definitely recommend for all ages. I was a little apprehensive about falling into the Thames but Claire quickly comes to the rescue to help get you back onboard and it's all part of the fun providing entertainment for the local residents and passing rowers! :-) A great morning out on the river!”

“I booked a combined session of sup yoga and paddleboarding. Experience and location for this activity was great. Small group and relaxed atmosphere. Lots of lovely pics from organisers shared after the session. Will definitelly book with them again. They also run a club with regular social paddles whole year round.”

“Boardies is run with warmth, enthusiasm and real dedication by its teachers. My daughter loves it, and has blossomed in confidence in the two years she's been attending.”

“Our daughter (now in year 8) has been at Edge Grove since year 6 having spent all her previous schooling in the French system. We joined the school at a time when the new headmaster, Me Evans, was still putting in place his vision, but we felt that he knew exactly what he was wanting to do, and we completely bought into that vision. We have not been disappointed. The pastoral care has been first rate, particularly helping our daughter in the transition to a British Independent school. From what we have seen, any pastoral issues are dealt with speedily and sensitively. Great emphasis is put on politeness and creating the right environment for learning, whilst enjoying everything that the school has to offer. The education curriculum is innovative, supportive and stretching, and the school is doing a fantastic job of supporting all year 8 pupils in preparation for CE, truly differentiating based on the schools they are applying to and the exams they will be taking. Extra-curriculum activities are great too - the Director of Music is fantastic and the improvement in the quality of all school music activities has been marked, while the head of girls' games is really raising the bar too. Staff go beyond what one might expect and respond rapidly and helpfully to any questions or concerns. The parent community is friendly and welcoming. The school certainly deserves its recent rating of Excellent in all regards from the Independent Schools Inspection. I highly recommend the school to any prospective parent.”

“It is a very good school but bad in building at the same time children Are passing”

“The teachers are really passionate about their teachings. I am extremely pleased with the school as my daughter is getting a private school education without paying the school fees.”

“What an impressive building in the middle of the Richmond park. Commissioned in 1725 as a hunting lodge for George I, White Lodge remains part of the Crown Estate to this day and partly housing the well known The Royal Ballet School. Here a little bit of a history: A misunderstood politician John Stuart, 3rd Earl of Bute (1713–1792) was appointed Ranger of the Park by George III in 1761 and took up residence at White Lodge. In 1801, George III assigned White Lodge to Henry Addington (a middle-class Prime Minister), later Viscount Sidmouth, as a ‘grace and favour’ residence. Addington, who served as Prime Minister from 1801 to 1804, remained at the Lodge until his death in 1844. The Empress Elizabeth of Austria-Hungary (Sissi) (1837–1898) stayed at White Lodge for the hunting season in the summer of 1874. In 1881 Sir Henry Irving and Ellen Terry were guests, the famous Victorian actors, who had recently starred at the Lyceum Theatre as Hamlet and Ophelia in Shakespeare’s tragic play of Hamlet. In January 1912, the famous ballerina, Anna Pavlova, and her partner, Laurent Novikoff, performed at Richmond Theatre with the members of the Company of the Imperial Ballet, St Petersburg. Many decades later, students of The Royal Ballet School would follow in Pavlova’s footsteps, dancing each summer at Richmond Theatre during the 1970s and 1980s. On 13 August 1924, there was another royal birth at White Lodge. Prince Aleksander Pavlov Karadorevic was born to Princess Olga of Greece and Denmark and Prince Paul of Yugoslavia, in the same room as that in which Prince Edward of Wales had been born, 30 years earlier. The marriage of Mrs Reynolds Albertini and Colonel James Veitch of the Coldstream Guards was reported in the Evening News on 12 April 1950. They continued to occupy White Lodge after the war, and hosted Marshal Tito there when he came to England on a state visit, March 1953. The Foreign Office agreed to Tito’s entourage being 29 strong, but let only 12 reside with him at White Lodge. For security reasons, Tito was not accommodated in a London. During the Autumn Term of the new academic year 1955/6, the first cohort of students boarding at White Lodge had to travel to their daily lessons at the School's Colet Gardens site in Barons Court, as the Stable Block classrooms were not yet ready.”

“Fantastic school, I loved it; the tour, the exams and everything, best IB school, but also fairly complex to pass”

“Exceptional school, exceptional facilities and teaching. Unbeatable in many aspects.”

“Great small independent girls school with a strong Catholic ethos. Girls aged, 2 years to 18 years, are well cared for and receive an excellent all-round education. This school caters well for high achievers but does not deselect underperforming pupils (as some schools do) girls are instead encouraged to achieve their potential. Extra curricular activities are fantastic - strong drama and music (with the most spectacular theatre). Full sized swimming pool. New all weather sports pitches.”

“Such a friendly, warm school with wonderful staff and amazing children! My child has flourished in confidence and happiness since joining Ripley Court and the opportunities to grow are endless.”

“Great, beautiful school with nice and caring teachers and staff. Lovely environment to have the kids growing.”

“Left the school 6 years ago and am now going into my 2nd year of university. Orley Farm was a great experience. Brilliant facilities, staff and I thoroughly enjoyed my 9 years at the school. Orley Farm’s holistic education and excellence in all areas of school life is what makes it stands out from the rest.”

“My daughter benefited greatly from attending . She received personalised attention and her confidence was greatly improved as a result . Areas of concern were highlighted on a regular basis and the tutors worked closely with me to make sure she got the best out of the course . I would highly recommend not only for independent school entry but also for a strong academic foundation .”

“My son and me loved so much this school”

“I have worked with this school for 2 years. Great place to work.”

“We currently have our daughter attending the preschool (having started in lower kindie), for 2 years now and it has been a pleasure seeing how far she has progressed. Our daughter has really grown in confidence whilst developing through the EYFS, as well as her own personal development. All her teachers are so lovely, and caring. The pastoral care at this school really is fantastic and that is one of the many reasons why we chose St Christopher’s for our daughters primary education. We look forward to Sept 2022 when she starts Reception, and enjoy everything the school has to offer.”

“It is such a good school , i am glad we choose this school for our daughter”

“The open evening was great. I'd really love to study here for sixth form.”

“Daughter thriving there - happy and nurturing school. Inspiring teachers and really enjoying the new after-school clubs. Lots of lovely friendships.”

“As former pupil at Reed's I can attest that the excellent education I received has been my reward and my recent visit to the Reed's Speech Day cemented that view when it was evident from the success and determination of current pupils that the school continues to thrive and produce polite and interesting students who are a joy to meet. The extensive range of academic subjects and sporting opportunities is enviable.”

“Best school in Islington by a mile! A great team with a great Head.”

“My son loved this place but, we moved area and I don't know if we will be able to still use this great place.”

“Lovely church, with nice people”

“I went to a trip there today (28 June 2017) It was GREATTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTT”