Open-day season is here: a chance for parents to hear the head, see the dorms, meet the pupils and generally get a sense of whether a school might suit their child. Keep scrolling for our handy list of all upcoming open days in each area of the country, and get booking – spots fill up fast...

And remember: if you can’t snag a place at any of these open events, don’t panic. Schools will always be as accommodating as possible to prospective parents, so our advice is to pick up the phone and contact the school to arrange a visit.

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GLOBAL SCHOOLS

London

Prep Schools

Bancroft's Prep School, Woodford Green Open Morning - 07 October 2023 Younger sibling to the mighty Bancroft’s, this delightful prep is a successful fusion of academics and co-curricular, results and facilities, embracing and celebrating the wide variety of cultures it represents. The school is cohesive and high-functioning and there’s a robust sense of both tradition and transformation here. Popular among locals, not least because it offers automatic entry into the thriving senior school at 11+, it was established in 1990 and now flourishes with a 260-strong cohort.
Dallington School, London Open Event - 21 September 2023 Open Event - 19 October 2023 Open Event - 29 November 2023 With its spot-on location in the centre of London’s Clerkenwell, Dallington is a pocket-sized, family-run primary school that puts creativity at its heart and where pupils of mixed ages learn alongside each other in bright, open-plan classrooms. It was founded by visionary head Mogg Hercules in the 1970s and is overseen today by her daughter Abi.
Devonshire House Preparatory School, Hampstead Virtual Open Morning 10.00am - 07 June 2023 Open Morning 10.00am - 13 June 2023 There’s a lovely relaxed vibe at this academically ambitious north-London prep, which does a fantastic job of packing children off to the pick of London’s most academic independent schools.
Falcons Pre-Preparatory Chiswick, Chiswick Open Morning - 29 September 2023 This Chiswick pre-prep – part of the Alpha Plus Group – is underpinned by the core values of courage, curiosity and care.
Ibstock Place Prep School, Roehampton Prep School Open Morning - 13 June 2023 Whole School Open House - 16 September 2023 Prep School Open Morning - 07 November 2023 A school within a school, this co-ed prep on the edge of Richmond Park offers a ‘safe passage’ to the senior school it is a part of.
Kensington Wade , London School in Action Open Morning 8.30-9.30am - 14 June 2023 Opened in 2017, Kensington Wade is the first prep in the UK to offer a dual-language English-Chinese education. Inspired by the belief that future generations should be immersed in Mandarin from an early age and have a bilingual mindset that enables them to transfer easily between two cultures, the school combines the thorough Chinese approach to teaching with a warm, nurturing environment.
King's College Junior School - Wimbledon, London Open Morning - 16 June 2023 King’s College School, Wimbledon is the high-octane school du jour – and if you’ve got your eye on a highly coveted place there, this is a very good place to start. Totally autonomous but part of the same leafy campus as the big school, the junior school is home to 280 or so of south-west London’s brightest buttons, unmissable in their cheery cherry-red blazers.
King's InterHigh UK - Primary, UK Virtual Open Event - UK TT - 6pm BST - 20 June 2023 Virtual Open Event - 3pm BST - 26 July 2023 Offering a first-class British education to pupils wherever they are in the world, King’s InterHigh is a pioneer of online learning – and the gold standard of virtual schooling. As part of the Inspired group of schools (which boasts over 70 bricks-and-mortar schools across five continents), it cleverly combines a fully remote education with the resources and expertise of a truly global community, while offering a hugely successful alternative to mainstream school at a fraction of the price.
Shrewsbury House Preparatory School, Surbiton Open Morning 9.30 - 11.30am - 30 September 2023 Alta Peto (Aim High) is an apt motto for this Surrey prep school, one of the oldest in the country. Academic results are top-notch, but boys don’t just have an opportunity to shine in the classroom – there is something here for the actor, the artist, the sportsman and the musician. The aspirational mindset encompasses moral values too, with good manners and kindness instilled in every pupil. Head Joanna Hubbard says the secondary schools she’s in touch with tell her they can always identify a Shrewsbury House boy as ‘he will be the one who notices the boy needing friendship’.
St Anthony's School for Boys, Hampstead Summer Open Morning 9am - 10.30am - 06 June 2023 In the words of St Anthony’s head Richard Berlie, this all-boys Catholic prep in Hampstead, north London, is ‘more akin to a greenhouse than a hothouse’. The unstuffy, relaxed atmosphere certainly seems the ideal environment for developing pupils’ curiosity and fostering a love of learning. Add an ethos that celebrates the boys for who they are rather than what they do, and you end up with reflective, confident pupils equipped with a strong moral compass.
St Benedict's Junior School, Ealing Senior School Open Morning - 14 September 2023 Nursery and Junior School Open Morning - 21 September 2023 Whole School Open Morning - 07 October 2023 Sixth Form Open Evening - 12 October 2023 Part of an all-through Catholic education, pupils at this junior school seamlessly transition to the senior after sitting St Benedict’s own entrance exam, an induction programme and team-building day. The approach is holistic, aimed at getting children excited about learning and enabling them to fulfil their potential. The choristers of the Ealing Abbey Choir attend the school.
Surbiton High Boys' Prep School, Surbiton Open Day - 07 June 2023 This popular boys’ prep is just a short commute to central London and yet also has 39 acres of green space on its doorstep alongside two Royal Parks. The school is one branch of the Surbiton High School family, spread over four main buildings on an impressively spacious campus.
Surbiton High Girls' Prep School, Kingston upon Thames Open Day - 22 June 2023 Established in 1884, Surbiton High is a leading independent school founded on the belief that being happy and successful as a child is the foundation of future accomplishment.
Tower House School, East Sheen Open Morning - 29 September 2023 When this boys’ prep was founded in 1934, its intake was just three boys. It’s come a long way since then and is now known as one of the best schools in south-west London, with some startlingly A-list alumni, including Rory Kinnear, Robert Pattinson, Louis Theroux and Jack Whitehall. However, at heart it is still a small, local school, catering mostly for families who live near its East Sheen site, on the borders of Richmond Park.

Senior Schools

Bancroft's School, Woodford Green Open Morning - 10 June 2023 Sixth Form Open Morning - 28 September 2023 Open Morning - 11 November 2023 Ambitious, competitive pupils (and parents), splendid buildings, an admirable academic output, all right there at the end of London’s Central line: Bancroft’s School could be said to have it all. Diversity is key here – economic, cultural, national – with an emphasis on scholarship in the widest sense: CCF and DofE, house drama, jazz band and art and design, a rich tapestry of cultures and backgrounds, and a healthy, happy attitude to learning.
Ibstock Place School, Roehampton Whole School Open House - 16 September 2023 Sixth Form Open Evening - 26 September 2023 Senior School Open Morning - 11 October 2023 This all-through school on the edge of Richmond Park seamlessly combines tradition and innovation, offering pupils a ‘safe passage’ from prep to senior. The Independent Schools Inspectorate recently graded it excellent in all areas, its highest rating, and it’s easy to see why. With its clear-sighted head and polished atmosphere, Ibstock Place is a serious London contender.
King's College Senior School - Wimbledon , London Open Evening (Sixth Form Entry) - 12 June 2023 Open Evening (11+ Entry) - 14 June 2023 Academically ambitious and pastorally supersonic, King’s College School Wimbledon is firing on all cylinders – and if we could turn back the clock and go back to school, this one would be high on our list. King’s Wimbledon is a major player in boys’ education – and since the sixth form went fully co-ed back in 2010, girls have been getting a slice of the pie too, with places for both boys and girls becoming more sought-after year upon year.
King's InterHigh UK - Secondary and Sixth Form, London Virtual Open Event - UK TT - 6pm BST - 20 June 2023 Virtual Open Event - 3pm BST - 26 July 2023 Offering a first-class British education to pupils wherever they are in the world, King’s InterHigh is a pioneer of online learning – and the gold standard of virtual schooling. As part of the Inspired group of schools (which boasts over 70 bricks-and-mortar schools across five continents), it cleverly combines a fully remote education with the resources and expertise of a truly global community, while offering a hugely successful alternative to mainstream school at a fraction of the price.
Kneller Hall, London Open Day - 10 June 2023 Open Day - 07 October 2023 This brand-new London senior is the organic extension of hugely popular Radnor House, also owned by the Dukes family of schools. In September 2023, Radnor House will become a dedicated prep, while Kneller Hall will offer a co-ed senior education for up to 1,000 pupils.
Merchant Taylors' School, Northwood Open Morning - 23 September 2023 An art deco gem of understated excellence on a 285-acre campus only 30 minutes from central London, MTS felt to us like a happy school full of courteous and articulate boys whose compassion and community ethos are remarkable.
Queen's College, London, London Open Event - 20 September 2023 Open Event - 21 September 2023 Open Event - 27 September 2023 Open Event - 07 November 2023 Times have certainly changed at this traditionally liberal, non-competitive school. Queen’s College is a calm, warm, friendly place that now ranks alongside the best of the London day schools, firmly on the 11+ list for many parents. With a broad church of ability, academic results are rising, the quality of teaching across the curriculum is excellent and there is a real sense that this is a school that is going places.
St Benedict's School, Ealing Senior School Open Morning - 14 September 2023 Nursery and Junior School Open Morning - 21 September 2023 Whole School Open Morning - 07 October 2023 Sixth Form Open Evening - 12 October 2023
Surbiton High - Senior School & Sixth Form, Kingston upon Thames Sixth Form Open Day - 11 September 2023 Senior School Open Day - 12 September 2023 Spread across five buildings in Surbiton, this fantastic girls-only school also has a 39-acre sports facility a few miles away and a boathouse on the Thames. It’s an excellent all-rounder with a ‘Nourish to Flourish’ charter for wellbeing, national success in several sports and trips that range from Iceland to Nepal.
Wetherby Senior School, London Open Day - 07 October 2023 The final step in a sterling all-through education that begins for some lucky boys in one of the pre-preps and continues all the way to 18. Wetherby Senior is still a relatively new school – but with numbers going from strength to strength, its success is already abundantly clear.
Whitgift School, South Croydon Open Morning - 23 September 2023 Open Evening - 28 September 2023 Successful, popular and a real contender on the London day-school circuit, Whitgift has wowed us. Applications are rising, academic results are stellar, sport spectacular, the pace of change and innovation terrific and the social conscience inspiring.

South East England

Prep Schools

Barfield Prep School, Farnham Open Evening 5.30pm - 7.00pm - 22 June 2023 This co-ed day school in Farnham in Surrey has its feet on the ground even if its pupils often don’t – thanks to a treehouse classroom, Aeroball matches (think basketball on trampolines) and the weekly adventure programme of activities, which includes a ‘Leap of Faith’.

Cheam School, Newbury Open Morning - 13 October 2023 Undisputedly smart on the outside, delightfully down to earth on the inside, this impressive Berkshire prep is one of the oldest in the country – and wears its history and heritage with pride. It’s a winning mix of old-fashioned country values and progressive quirkiness, where academic standards are sky-high and children hop off to top boarding schools all over the country. An exciting place to be.

Cranleigh Preparatory School, Cranleigh Open Morning - 10 June 2023 Open Morning - 30 September 2023 A country prep an hour’s drive from Wimbledon that has 40 acres for pupils to run free in and an all-round education delivered with a relaxed, but focused attitude – it’s no wonder more London parents are eschewing the fevered competition in the capital for Cranleigh Prep.

Dragon School, Oxford Prep Open Morning - 16 September 2023 Pre-Prep Open Morning - 22 September 2023 ‘You’re never not proud to be a Dragon,’ our pupil guide told us – and with praise like this, what more could you possibly ask of a school? This big, buzzy, hugely popular Oxford powerhouse does everything on a large scale and, with its incredible mix of characters, manages to teach everyone to rub along pretty well together too.

Dulwich Prep Cranbrook, Cranbrook Whole School Open Morning - 24 June 2023 Set on a glorious 50-acre campus just an hour from London by train, Dulwich Prep Cranbrook was founded when the headmaster of Dulwich Prep London evacuated his pupils here to his in-laws’ house after the outbreak of the Second World War. What was originally a group of huts in the orchards surrounding the main manor house has grown into a thriving, incredibly open and welcoming school for 400 children aged three to 13.

Edgeborough, Farnham Open Morning - 08 June 2023 Easily commutable, yet leaps and bounds less pressured than London schools, this laidback, co-ed prep brims with green space and traditional values.

Frensham Heights Junior School, Farnham Whole School Mini Open Morning - 12 June 2023 Whole School Open Morning - 16 September 2023 Frensham Heights is a Surrey day and boarding school with its focus firmly fixed on the future. Since its foundation in 1925, it has sought to provide an alternative style of education based on mutual respect, tolerance and generosity of spirit. Its invitation to ‘come and be you’ and focused attention on inspiring each child to improve themselves – in any way – was a pleasure to see.

Great Ballard Prep, Chichester Open Morning - 30 September 2023 Set just outside Chichester, this pocket-sized co-ed prep boasts a pretty bucolic location ringed by the South Downs National Park. Pupils get outside whenever they can, getting muddy at forest school, mountain biking across the Downs or camping out in the grounds; in the classroom, they follow a forward-thinking curriculum packed with leadership, problem-solving and entrepreneurial skills.

Highfield Prep School - Maidenhead, Maidenhead Open Morning 9.30am - 16 June 2023 This town prep in Maidenhead fosters a solid, can-do attitude in its pupils. It’s small – from nursery onwards everyone seems to know each other – with a family feel that means the children are relaxed and happy to have a go, whether that’s answering a question they’re not sure about or giving it their all in the school play or on the sports field. From 2022, the school started taking boys up to Year 2 even if they don’t have a sister there, making it a good option for families wanting to keep siblings together for the first few years of education. Academics are strong, which opens up the many 11+ options in the Buckinghamshire catchment.

Holme Grange School Prep, Wokingham Senior School Taster Day for Year 5 - 10 June 2023 Open Day - 16 September 2023 Open Day - 02 February 2024 Open Day - 03 May 2024 Set in the beautiful Berkshire countryside, this co-ed prep gives its pupils plenty of room to grow. Holme Grange offers a balanced education, encouraging children to excel not only academically but in sporting and creative endeavours too. Head Claire Robinson likes to maintain strong relationships with her pupil body, ensuring that everyone feels individually valued. Generally, children progress from the prep to the senior, Eaton Grange, but ambitions to move elsewhere are also encouraged.

Hurst Preparatory School, Hassocks Open Morning (11+ entry) - 10 October 2023 Open Morning (Reception entry) - 20 October 2023 Pastoral care is top of the agenda at this village prep, which is housed in its own building on the 140-acre site it shares with the senior school (little ones regularly use the theatre and sports facilities). Heaps of co-curricular, including five choirs and showjumping teams that compete in the Pony Club Championships.

Papplewick School, Ascot Open Morning - 04 November 2023 A Swallows and Amazons nirvana (without the boats), this traditional all-boys country prep school is quirky and fun with an extremely kind heart. Non-selective at intake but very strong academically, you won’t find in-your-face grandeur here but you will find positive values, enthusiasm, humour and teaching beyond compare.

Shrewsbury House Pre-Preparatory School, Esher Open Morning 9.30-11.30 - 06 October 2023 Part of the Shrewsbury House School Trust (along with The Rowans in Wimbledon and Shrewsbury House prep in Surbiton), this pre-prep’s lovely setting includes the main Victorian building and a wooded area for forest school. Music is strong (there’s a baby grand piano in the main hall) and there are several mini-pitches laid out in front of a beautiful pavilion.

St Andrew's Prep Eastbourne, Eastbourne Open Morning - 13 October 2023 Open Morning - 14 October 2023 Open Morning - 23 February 2024 Located in the sunny Sussex coastal town of Eastbourne, St Andrew’s Prep offers its pupils a superbly rounded education just over an hour from the capital and a stone’s throw from the seafront.

St Swithun's Prep School, Winchester Open Day - 10 June 2023 Housed on the same 45-acre campus as the St Swithun’s Senior, this girls-only prep has its own dedicated teaching spaces (including an art studio, music room, science lab and gym), sports courts and grass pitches, and also has use of the main swimming pool.

Swanbourne House, Milton Keynes Open Day - 24 June 2023 There’s a lot to celebrate at this innovative co-ed full-boarding prep. Rather than being ultra-polished, it’s a comfortable, unpretentious school that keeps quietly producing independent, capable and inquisitive pupils. Swanbourne isn’t overly selective academically as their aim is to help every child unlock their ‘individual greatness’ – two simple words which speak volumes. Who wouldn’t want that for their child?

Thornton College Prep, Milton Keynes Whole School Open Morning 10am-12 noon - 30 September 2023 Whole School Open Morning 10am-12 noon - 02 March 2024 Very much an all-through school, Thornton College is one family on one site with a focus on inclusive values. Girls we met were confident, chatty and exceptionally well behaved – and nurture is well and truly baked in.

Senior Schools

Benenden School, Cranbrook Open Day - 10 June 2023 13+ Open Morning - 14 June 2023 Open Day - 22 June 2023 Why do we love Benenden so much? Because it does exactly what it says on the tin: traditional, all-girls full boarding brought bang up to date. For the academically competent all-rounder who is happy to live in a lovely rural bubble, this is a reassuringly solid choice – and a school that’s firing on all cylinders.
Caterham School, Caterham Virtual Open Event - 13 June 2023 Visitor Morning - 21 June 2023 With the relaxed air of a country senior and the underlying street smarts of a school so close to the capital, Caterham is an impressive hybrid. Day-, weekly- and full-boarding options add to its appeal, and its inclusive, welcoming and innovative style is an attractive proposition. Its popularity has grown steadily to a point where there are five applicants for every place available – and it’s not hard to see why.
Cranleigh School, Cranleigh Saturday Welcome Morning - 09 September 2023 Saturday Welcome Morning (16+ entry only) - 16 September 2023 Afternoon Visits - 26 September 2023 Saturday Welcome Morning - 07 October 2023 Afternoon Visits - 10 October 2023 Saturday Welcome Morning - 14 October 2023 Saturday Welcome Morning - 04 November 2023 Afternoon Visits - 07 November 2023 Saturday Welcome Morning - 02 December 2023 Afternoon Visits - 06 December 2023 Basking in 240 acres of leafy Surrey countryside, Cranleigh is a bit of a Goldilocks school – not too big, not too small, good for girls, good for boys, not greedy for the sportiest or the cleverest, but rather valuing what every pupil brings to the community.
Downe House, Thatcham Open Day - 10 June 2023 Open Day - 09 September 2023 Information evening for Day Girls - 03 October 2023 Open Day - 11 November 2023 A top choice for families looking for the proper full-boarding experience from the get-go, Downe House combines tradition with a refreshing balance of work and play. There’s an unapologetic understanding that hard work and focus are important, but girls do very well academically as a result.
Eastbourne College, Eastbourne Open Evening for Sixth Form - 21 September 2023 Open Morning for Years 9-12 - 07 October 2023 Eastbourne has a best-of-both-worlds location between the South Downs and the sea – head Tom Lawson waxes lyrical about the wellbeing benefits of living by the water. Outdoorsy boys and girls run along the beach after lessons, go mountain biking over the hills and spend the summer term sailing and windsurfing.
Frensham Heights School, Farnham Whole School Mini Open Morning - 12 June 2023 Whole School Open Morning - 16 September 2023 Frensham Heights is a Surrey day and boarding school with its focus firmly on the future. Since its foundation in 1925 it has sought to provide an alternative style of education based on mutual respect, tolerance and generosity of spirit that educates the whole child. Its invitation to ‘come and be you’ and insistence on inspiring each child to improve themselves – in any way – is a pleasure to see.
Great Ballard, Chichester Open Morning - 30 September 2023 Set just outside Chichester, this relatively new senior is the result of the organic growth of Great Ballard prep. Clever marketing, happy prep-school parents and word of mouth have resulted in a real buzz and demand for the senior school, which will grow to encompass GCSEs by 2024 (the school currently caters for Years 7, 8 and 9).
Heathfield School, Ascot Open Morning - 07 October 2023 Open Morning - 15 March 2024 Open Morning - 11 May 2024 ‘The merit of one is the honour of all’ is the school motto here – and there is certainly much to be merited at Heathfield. Cast aside any preconceptions you may have about this all-girls, Ascot-based senior and prepare to be bowled over by an unashamedly girls-first ethos which puts its pupils at the forefront.
Holme Grange School - Eaton Grange, Wokingham Senior School Taster Day for Year 5 - 10 June 2023 Open Day - 16 September 2023 Open Day - 02 February 2024 Open Day - 03 May 2024 Eaton Grange combines the best of a city and a country education, teaching pupils to be global citizens as well as giving them the space to grow. Its emphasis on individual care and attention means that children benefit not only from small class sizes, but also from one-on-one tutorials that give them the confidence to excel. Currently, Eaton Grange only offers education up to GCSE, but pupils are fully supported in making the move to sixth form elsewhere.
Hurstpierpoint College, Hassocks Open Morning (13+ entry) - 23 September 2023 Open Morning (16+ entry) - 07 October 2023 A 140-acre site near the village of Hurstpierpoint is the setting for this well-known West Sussex all-through school. First-class facilities – 1850s chapel, traditional dining room, a state-of-the-art theatre, small farm, extensive sports pitches – and top results (91.8 per cent A*-B at A-level) make this an excellent day and boarding option.
Lancing College, Lancing Small Group Visits for Yr 9 Entry 9.30am & 11am - 10 June 2023 Revitalised, forward-looking and full of energy, Lancing is a flexi boarding school to put firmly on your list. This isn’t an exclusive old-fashioned place oozing with entitlement and privilege – instead, tradition bends for independence, initiative and inspiration, while comparatively small pupil numbers make for a hugely welcoming atmosphere and a solid sense of family and community.
Marymount International School London, Kingston Upon Thames Open Event - 23 September 2023 The first all-girls school in the UK to adopt the IB curriculum – both the Middle Years and Diploma programmes – Marymount International School offers a broad-horizon education from its leafy setting in Kingston upon Thames.
Mayfield School, Mayfield Open Morning - 16 June 2023 A happy, successful, all-girls Catholic boarding school set in beautiful Sussex countryside, Mayfield draws families of all faiths looking for a rounded, grounded education – underpinned by strong moral values too.
Radley College, Abingdon Open Day - 17 June 2023 Open Day - 25 June 2023 It’s an increasingly rare commodity: an all-boys, full-boarding school with that trad British-public-school edge. Radley is one of the all-time greats, quietly getting on with the business of giving boys a solid education and fantastic opportunities. But over the past decade, there has been gentle evolution in the air. Innovation has soared, access has widened exponentially and an impressive partnerships scheme is making waves in both the local and national communities. This is a school in a league of its own – and it’s safe to say that the days of Radley being seen as a bit stuffy and stuck in the past are well and truly over.
Sevenoaks School, Sevenoaks Open Morning - 10 June 2023 Open Morning - 17 June 2023 Headmaster Jesse Elzinga arrived in September 2020 from Reading Blue Coat School, where he had a proven record of raising the academic bar. And what a hugely successful, sought-after school he is inheriting.
Shiplake College, Henley-on-Thames Sixth Form Open Morning - 14 October 2023 Whole School Open Morning - 18 November 2023 Selective but aimed at a broad range of abilities, Shiplake College is an authentic and unpretentious place that takes a holistic approach to educating ‘good eggs’. Until now, girls had only been able to join in the sixth form, but the exciting news is that from September, the school will go fully co-ed, welcoming them from Year 7.
St George's School, Ascot, Ascot Sixth Form Information Evening - 21 September 2023 ‘I feel like I am at the centre of my own story,’ says one pupil at this all-girls’ day and boarding school. It’s a ringing endorsement at a time when so many young girls struggle to navigate their own path in a noisy world. We were struck by how at ease all the girls are across the year groups; it’s a superbly supportive community. And while the school is small, horizons are huge, with girls exceeding expectations in and out of the classroom – taking the lead in clubs, becoming ‘Googlie’ mentors (the school is one of 14 in the country to be awarded Google reference school status) and learning how to make an impact by matching their passions with assertiveness. It really feels like the sky’s the limit here, with the Georgian girls soaring.
St Swithun's School, Winchester Senior School Open Day 9am - 24 June 2023 This all-girls senior school in Winchester has long had a reputation for being academically sound. But with efficient headmistress Jane Gandee at the helm for the past decade, it has also moved towards a more well-rounded approach that puts equal store by out-of-the-classroom activities. Results are consistently strong: last year’s leavers achieved 86 per cent A*-B at A-level and earned places at top universities such as Oxford, Bristol, Durham and Exeter. There’s a prep school for ages three to 11; the main intake for the senior school is at 11+, when places are offered to those with the potential to best keep up in lessons.
The King's School, Canterbury, Canterbury Open Morning (13+ Entry) - 10 June 2023 Open Morning (Sixth Form Entry) - 17 June 2023 Open Morning (Sixth Form Entry) - 16 September 2023 Open Morning (13+ Entry) - 07 October 2023 Thought to be the oldest school in the UK (it’s been around since 597AD, when St Augustine arrived to evangelise England, and was rebranded by Henry VIII in 1541 as his own school – hence the name), The King’s School, Canterbury is also one of the longest-established co-eds. It comes with an extraordinary history-steeped setting, heaps of tradition and a thrilling musical legacy (the cathedral doubles up as the school chapel) – but crucially it’s not stuck in the past. Results are superb, but there’s a much bigger point here: pupils are allowed to excel in any field they choose. This is a school, which, the head tells us, celebrates quirks and wants characters.
The Marist School, Ascot Open Morning - 10 June 2023 Academics are top-notch, sports teams are embarrassingly successful, girls are articulate, kind and thoughtful and the extracurricular programme boasts 97 activities – there’s little doubt that The Marist is, to quote parents and teachers alike, going from strength to strength.
Thornton College, Milton Keynes Whole School Open Morning 10am-12 noon - 30 September 2023 Meet the Head 9.30am-11am - 16 November 2023 Virtual Meet the Head (International applicants) - 16 January 2024 Meet the Head 9.30am-11am - 25 January 2024 Whole School Open Morning 10am-12 noon - 02 March 2024 Meet the Head 9.00am-10.30am - 16 May 2024 Very much an all-through school, Thornton College is one family on one site with a focus on inclusive Christian values. Girls we met were confident, chatty and exceptionally well behaved – and nurture is well and truly baked in.
Tonbridge School, Tonbridge Open Morning 9.30 AM - 12.30 PM - 10 June 2023 Mini Open Morning 11.10 AM - 1.00 PM - 22 June 2023 It is with experience, passion and rigour that we strive to get under the skin of a school and help parents understand why they would send their child there. But at Tonbridge School, we have simply been left wondering ‘why wouldn’t they?’. Academically astounding yet emotionally intelligent, with altruism running through its core, Tonbridge is the heavyweight boxing champion who doesn’t need the shiny gold belt – they just train hard and let their actions do the talking.
Wellington College, Crowthorne College Tour Day - 10 June 2023 College Tour Days - 23 September 2023 A progressive school at the forefront of educational innovation, Wellington was transformed by visionary head Sir Anthony Seldon and is soaring once again with James Dahl in charge. With its constant buzz, forward-facing attitude and so much for the taking, its pupils are brilliantly prepared to cope with the pressures of the modern world. There’s a palpable culture of inclusivity and ‘go-getting’ – it’s cool to be busy, and to make the most of life here, children need to be driven and willing to get involved.

South West England

Prep Schools

Badminton Junior School, Westbury-on-Trym Whole School Open Morning - 30 September 2023 Junior School Open Morning - 01 February 2024 As a small, single-sex school, Badminton offers an incredible level of support from the get-go, with all girls well known individually and allowed to grow at their own pace. That’s not to say the junior school doesn’t have academic clout – it definitely does. Most pupils transfer to the senior school in Year 7, but even for those who don’t, this is a smashing launch pad.
Cheltenham Prep School, Cheltenham Whole School Open Morning - 14 October 2023 A thriving school with outstanding facilities of its own as well as some of the additional resources of Cheltenham College, Cheltenham Prep really does tick all the boxes. With a very visible and engaged headmaster to boot, this impressive school is surely – in the local racing parlance – a dead cert.
Dean Close Pre-Preparatory School, Cheltenham Open Morning - 07 October 2023 Known as the Squirrels, this pre-prep is the natural starting point for those wanting an all-through education at Dean Close. The WOW days are a neat way to top or tail a study topic, with exciting activities such as treasure hunts, detective trails or hands-on science experiments.
Dean Close Preparatory School, Cheltenham Open Morning - 07 October 2023 A co-ed prep with a family feel set in 50 acres near the centre of Cheltenham. Children here are championed and challenged through positive reinforcement and strong pastoral care and the school also educates the choristers of Tewkesbury Abbey as part and parcel of its offering. A pre-prep that takes children from two years old, as well as providing pupils with a seamless transition to the senior are massive boons for most – plus the expansive zoned campus gives prep pupils the best of both worlds with dedicated spaces just for them and a world of further opportunity on the doorstep.
Godolphin Prep , Salisbury Prep Snapshot Morning - 09 June 2023 A lovely pint-sized, pocket rocket of an all-girls prep school offering small class sizes and exemplary pastoral care. Gorgeous trademark red pinnies give a traditional feel to this down-to-earth school, where individual support is front and centre.
Pinewood School, Shrivenham Whole School Open Morning 10am -12.30 - 05 October 2023 We left this popular Wiltshire co-ed prep beaming from ear to ear. Pupils are cheery, outdoorsy, unsophisticated in the best possible way and there’s a sense of merriment in the air – of doing all the important things very well while not taking life too seriously. Which is exactly what prep school should be.
Port Regis School, Shaftesbury Pre-Prep Open Morning - 29 September 2023 Prep Open Morning - 04 November 2023 Don’t be fooled by the turreted façade of Motcombe Park, Port Regis’ magnificent Victorian red-brick home: this is no draughty, creaky old school. It’s a place that shimmers and shines; hot on manners, hard work and integrity, yet dynamic and progressive. Brilliant head Titus Mills arrived in 2021, tasked with reinvigorating Port Regis – if you’re expecting a sleepy country school, prepare to be blown away.
Taunton Prep School , Taunton Open Morning 09.00-12.30 - 30 September 2023 Virtual Open Morning 09.00-13.00 - 14 October 2023 Virtual Open Morning 09.00-13.00 - 27 January 2024 Open Morning 09.00-12.30 - 03 February 2024 Virtual Open Morning 09.00-13.00 - 20 April 2024 Open Morning 09.00-12.30 - 27 April 2024 Taunton Prep offers families a compelling all-through school experience, with siblings moving easily between the pre-prep, prep and senior schools with no exam pressure. The prep’s campus sits in the middle and feels spacious with its own half of a brand new dining hall and dedicated performing arts centre. The school is proudly inclusive with top-notch co-curricular credentials. A real all-rounder, it stands its ground against other competitors in the area.
Wells Cathedral Prep School, Wells 'Be a mathematician for a day' Yrs 5 & 6 - 17 June 2023 'Be a chorister for a day' Yrs 5 & 6 - 16 September 2023 Autumn Open Morning - Whole School 10am - 07 October 2023 'Be a specialist musician for a day' 10-16yrs - 04 November 2023 Scholarships Online Q&A session 10am - 11 November 2023 For one of the oldest educational establishments in the world (founded in 909), Wells Cathedral School has a decidedly modern motto: Esto Quod Est (Be What You Are). This co-ed day and boarding all-through school is very well set up for getting the best out of every pupil, and it’s clear that the prep school – which shares the same site as its senior sibling – takes this warm, accepting attitude seriously.

Senior Schools

Badminton School, Bristol Sixth Form Open Evening - 22 September 2023 Whole School Open Morning - 30 September 2023 Senior School & Sixth Form Open Morning - 23 February 2024 A small, all-girls, all-through day and boarding school from three to eighteen, where strong relationships are forged and a real culture of tolerance and respect is fostered. Badminton girls are, in the words of former head Rebecca Tear, ‘not in a rush to grow up’, but at the same time ‘empowered, passionate and independent’ – a winning combination, we’d say. This is a hugely democratic sort of place, where girls are encouraged to be proactive – and it has an air of intellectual rigour to boot.
Canford, Wimborne Open Morning - 07 October 2023 It’s hard not to be blown away by the grandeur of Canford, a Sir Charles Barry-designed castle in the thick of 250 acres of Capability Brown parkland. But despite all this magnificence, both school and pupils are unstuffy and flash-free. Gearing up to celebrate its centenary in 2023, this is a brilliant all-rounder that looks outside of the bubble, aces exams and turns out wonderfully grounded young men and women with a real awareness of the world around them.
Clifton College, Clifton 6th Form Open Evening - 29 September 2023 Cross College Open Day - 30 September 2023 International Online Open Event - 07 October 2023 A flourishing pre-prep, prep and upper school that offers a seamless education all the way through from age two to 18 – and has very respectable results from its broad pupil intake.
Dean Close School, Cheltenham Open Morning - 07 October 2023 A fabulous educational oxymoron, Dean Close is a smallish big-hitter. With around 500 pupils, it has enough numbers to pack a punch, but it retains the family feel of its prep-school sibling. Facilities are fantastic and this is a school which seems very clear about its identity and purpose. It really is, as their strapline suggests, ‘Distinctly Dean Close’.
Godolphin , Salisbury Senior Snapshot Morning - 23 June 2023 This might be one of the oldest single-sex boarding schools in the country, but there’s nothing stuck in the past about this Salisbury senior where pupils are instantly recognisable by their signature blue pinny uniforms. It’s refreshingly down to earth, parents work hard to send their daughters here and greatly value the opportunities that Godolphin has to offer.
Marlborough College, Marlborough 16+ Afternoon Visit (2024) - 07 June 2023 13+ Open Day (2027) - 10 June 2023 We all know Marlborough as the alma mater of our future Queen – but while appearing traditional on the surface, this is a school that ripples with vibrancy, vivacity and a certain amount of edge. It is one of the country’s most popular co-ed, full-boarding all-rounders, and one of the very few genuinely seven-days-a-week schools left in the UK. It is incredibly popular and deservedly so, it strives to exceed its acclaim rather than resting on its reputation.
St Mary's Calne, Calne Open Day - 11 November 2023 Open Day - 24 February 2024 Small and nurturing, academic but not a hothouse and brimming with laidback, nicely gung-ho girls, St Mary’s Calne is, says its head, ‘the best of the British boarding school tradition – with a modern twist’. Girls are equipped with firm foundations for life, leaving armed with bucketloads of confidence and self-esteem.
Taunton School, Taunton Open Morning 09.00-12.30 - 30 September 2023 Virtual Open Morning 09.00-13.00 - 14 October 2023 Virtual Open Morning 09.00-13.00 - 27 January 2024 Open Morning 09.00-12.30 - 03 February 2024 Virtual Open Morning 09.00-13.00 - 20 April 2024 Open Morning 09.00-12.30 - 27 April 2024 A proudly inclusive school that excels in academics as well as co-curricular subjects, Taunton Senior School offers families a compelling all-through educational experience with children moving seamlessly from pre-prep to prep to senior school, meaning parents don’t have to worry about multiple school locations as their children move up the years. This is just one of its strengths in an area with plenty of independent schools vying for pupils.
Wells Cathedral School, Wells 'Be a mathematician for a day' Yrs 5 & 6 - 17 June 2023 'Be a chorister for a day' Yrs 5 & 6 - 16 September 2023 Autumn Open Morning - Whole School 10am - 07 October 2023 'Be a specialist musician for a day' 10-16yrs - 04 November 2023 Scholarships Online Q&A session 10am - 11 November 2023 For one of the oldest educational establishments in the world (founded in 909), Wells Cathedral School has a decidedly modern motto: Esto Quod Est (Be What You Are). This co-ed day and boarding all-through school is well set up for getting the best out of every pupil, regardless of their talents. It’s also one of only four specialist music schools in England, and the only one to operate within the broader context of a traditional school.

East of England

Prep Schools

Chigwell Pre Prep & Junior School, Chigwell 4+,7+,11+ Open Morning - 17 June 2023 With foundations stretching back all the way to the early seventeenth century (William Penn, the founder of Pennsylvania, was one of the first pupils here), Chigwell sits on an impressive 100-acre site just a stone’s throw from central London. Junior children share knockout facilities with the senior school, and co-curricular opportunities are endless: there’s everything from Stock Market to Astronomy club to keep pupils' young minds engaged.

Old Buckenham Hall , Ipswich Open Morning - 10 June 2023 In the heart of rural Suffolk, near Lavenham, this small, traditional co-ed school is a pinch-me-perfect place for children to grow up. Parents praise the ‘lovely ethos’ and ‘emphasis on kindness and politeness’ – something that stems from the ‘OBH Way’, a set of moral values created by the pupils. Well-regarded head David Griffiths joined from Daneshill School in 2018; since then he has made gentle changes, focused on improving the already solid academics and boosting the pastoral provision.

Orwell Park School, Ipswich Open Morning - 07 October 2023 Orwell Park is undoubtedly academic and takes sporting achievements very seriously – but at the same time, there’s also a real understanding of the need to develop independent learners with curious minds and a kind attitude.

St Faith's, Cambridge Pre Prep Open Morning - 07 June 2023 We love this forward-looking, progressive school that puts as much emphasis on STEM subjects as it does sports. Academically, St Faith’s is flying and, on our visit, we met engaged, chatty children bubbling with confidence.

Senior Schools

Chigwell Senior School , Chigwell 11+ & 16+ Open Morning 9am - 17 June 2023 With foundations stretching back all the way to the early seventeenth century (William Penn, the founder of Pennsylvania, was one of the first pupils here), Chigwell sits on an impressive 100-acre site just a stone’s throw from central London.

Midlands

Prep Schools

Abberley Hall School, Worcester Pre-Prep Open Day - 09 June 2023 Whole School Open Day - 10 June 2023 If you take all the traditional offerings of a country prep school, add an enlightened head with bags of experience and enthusiasm, and a nurturing relationship with its fellow public school, you end up with an energetic co-ed prep school that is going places.
Bilton Grange, Rugby Whole School Open Event - 07 October 2023 The clamour for places at this country prep has been skyrocketing ever since it merged with Rugby School in 2020. But while numbers are flourishing, the cosy family atmosphere remains intact, and as preparations to celebrate its 150th anniversary in September 2023 get underway, it feels like the sky’s the limit. Bilton Grange is definitely a school to keep your eye on.
Edgbaston High Preparatory and Pre-Prep School, Birmingham Whole School Open Morning 9.30am-12.00 noon - 23 September 2023
King's Hawford, Worcester Open Morning - 06 October 2023 Of the two prep schools that are part of the King’s Worcester Foundation, co-ed King’s Hawford is the more rural, set on a large site on the banks of the Droitwich Canal, which means outdoor learning is integral to the way of life here. In kindergarten (from age 2) and Reception, every pupil gets a weekly forest-school session in woodland with space to plant trees, build shelters and learn about wildlife. These outdoor activities give boys and girls the self-confidence and independence of mind that fosters achievement in the mainstream curriculum.
King's St Alban's , Worcester Open Morning - 07 October 2023 Part of the King’s Foundation, which includes sibling prep King’s Hawford and senior school King’s Worcester, King’s St Alban’s sits with ‘Big King’s’ adjacent to the grounds of Worcester Cathedral.
Malvern St James Girls' School - Prep, Great Malvern Open Day - 23 June 2023 Malvern St James is one of only a handful of all-through, all-girls boarding-schools in the UK. Pupils from the age of four are carefully nurtured in a warm and confidence-building environment that is unashamedly all about the girls.
Wolverhampton Grammar Junior School, Wolverhampton Whole School Open Day 9.30am-2.00pm - 07 October 2023 Wolverhampton Grammar, located in the city’s suburbs, is refreshingly down to earth. Children are supported right the way through their educational journey at this highly aspirational, friendly and well-rounded day school – and we were blown away by the charming, engaged and conscientious pupils we met during our visit. The exciting news here at the junior school is its imminent growth: in September, a shiny new infant school will open, expanding the all-through offering from Reception to Year 13.

Senior Schools

Edgbaston High School for Girls, Birmingham Senior School Open Evening & Art Exhibition 4.30pm-7.00pm - 22 June 2023 Whole School Open Morning 9.30am-12.00 noon - 23 September 2023 We were floored by the pace, variety of life and buzzing sense of activity at this aspirational and inspirational all-girls day school in leafy Edgbaston, just to the south of central Birmingham. Girls zip in all directions across the compact campus, out along the 10-minute walk to the sports fields and, once their time to leave has come, off to an impressive range of universities.
King's Worcester, Worcester Open Morning (Sixth Form Entry) - 18 September 2023 Open Morning - 30 September 2023 An upbeat, modern school with a storied history reaching back to the 7th century, King’s Worcester has a uniqueness that not only stems from its historic location at the heart of the city’s cathedral, but also from the caring atmosphere shaped by centuries of Christianity, and given a fresh injection of warmth by new head Gareth Doodes.
Malvern College, Malvern Open Day - 07 October 2023 A true English public school in a splendid setting, Malvern College was one of the earliest adopters of the IB and, with its proper global outlook, pupils flock here from around the world for a slice of this very British, very wholesome education. No longer a hidden gem, the relatively new head Keith Metcalfe is keen to ensure that Malvern is out there – why be hidden when you are as sparkly as this?
Malvern St James Girls' School, Great Malvern Open Day - 23 June 2023 Malvern St James is one of only a handful of all-through, all-girls boarding-schools in the UK. Pupils from the age of four are carefully nurtured in this warm and confidence-building environment, which is unashamedly all about the girls.
Rugby School, Rugby Open Day 16+ Day & Boarding Entry (2024) - 10 June 2023 Open Day 16+ Day & Boarding Entry (2024) - 16 September 2023 Open Day 13+ Day Entry - 10 October 2023 Steeped in history and heritage, Rugby is an old, well-established school with strong traditions and a big foundation – and probably best known as the birthplace of the game that shares its name. Thousands of visitors and sports fans flock here each year from all corners of the globe to nose around the school museum and the blockbuster ancient buildings. But behind all the rugby hullabaloo, you’ll find a terrifically down-to-earth, unpretentious place that’s been educating pupils since 1567 (the school went fully co-ed in 1992). It’s a friendly place, renowned for producing glittering exam results while maintaining that all-important balance for life – we’re big fans of this Midlands legend.
Uppingham School, Uppingham Visiting Days - 30 September 2023 Visiting Days - 09 March 2024 Visiting Days - 24 April 2024 We were particularly impressed by Uppingham on our visit – not just by its bricks and mortar, but its pupils too, and our guide’s enthusiasm for his school was so palpable it left us buzzing. The great educationalist Edward Thring was headmaster here in the 1850s: he believed the key to a good education was a holistic one that celebrates and nurtures pupils’ talents – and his legacy still lives on at Uppingham today. If we had to sum up its ethos in a few words, we’d go for full-boarding, properly co-ed, all-rounder and, yes, academics are superb – but there’s so much more to this super-school than sackloads of A*s.
Wolverhampton Grammar School, Wolverhampton Sixth Form Open Evening 6.30-8.30pm - 22 June 2023 Whole School Open Day 9.30am-2.00pm - 07 October 2023   Wolverhampton Grammar, located in the city’s suburbs, is refreshingly down to earth. With both a senior and junior school, pupils are supported all the way through their educational journey at this highly aspirational, friendly and well-rounded day school. During our visit, the thing that most stood out to us were the pupils, who were charming, engaged and conscientious, and the school’s enthusiastic new head, who is the driving force behind the expansion of the junior school and the retooling of the house system. This is a modern, forward-thinking and tech-savvy senior that retains its strong grounding in its identity as a city school.

North of England

Prep Schools Senior Schools

Giggleswick School, Settle Senior School & Sixth Form Open Day - 14 October 2023 This school in the beautiful Yorkshire Dales is one to watch. Numbers are growing and families far and wide are taking note of its unique offering – a nurturing setting that celebrates the individual and has some of the UK’s best outdoor pursuits on its doorstep. It’s no wonder it’s seeing both a drift from local schools and an interest from parents further afield. Giggleswick’s #throwyourselfin campaign really sums up the ‘let’s go for it’ spirit which is seen everywhere from the classroom to the sports field.

Scotland

Prep Schools

Fettes College Prep School, Edinburgh Prep School Open Morning - 10 June 2023 Open Day (Whole School) - afternoon - 08 October 2023 Fettes College Prep is affectionately referred to as the college’s little sibling, and it’s the best of both worlds: small and family-friendly, with all the facilities of a world-renowned senior school. Pupils join at 7+ and can board from the word go.

Senior Schools

Fettes College, Edinburgh Open Day (afternoon) - 08 October 2023 Fettes is nicknamed ‘the Eton of the north’, and it’s easy to see why. Scotland’s top (and most expensive) public school has a rep for producing judges, diplomats, politicians and even fictional super-spies (James Bond spent his schooldays up here in the Edinburgh suburbs); academics are strong and rugby is practically a religion.

Global Schools

King's InterHigh UAE, Dubai Virtual Open Events: Asia Pacific - 10am BST, Middle East - 2.30pm BST - 21 June 2023