St Paul's Prep School

Focus

All-round excellence

Day fees 2025/26

$38,700

Term dates

• Term 1: 1 September to 12 December 2025
• Term 2: 7 January to 27 March 2026
• Term 3: 21 April to 3 July 2026

Ages

7-13

Pupil count

502

Spear’s Review

Pupils at St Paul’s Prep School receive what one Spear's judge describes as ‘the best primary education in the country’. To enter at aged 7 or, less commonly, at 11, is to take a place in a school where academic standards are extremely high but the very selective admissions process filters out anyone for whom that would be a difficulty.

In an environment where achievement is such a priority, properly organised pastoral care is a necessity. Form tutors, along with Tootoot – a discreet online reporting tool that allows students to raise personal or difficult issues with school leaders – provide support. Additionally, the formal buddy system, where older students mentor younger ones, plays a key role in helping students.

Head teacher

Before his appointment as head of St Paul’s Prep, Oliver Snowball was headmaster at Eaton House the Manor Girls’ School for five years. Prior to that he spent 10 years at Kent College, Pembury. Snowball read English at Nottingham before gaining a master’s in drama/theatre arts at Goldsmiths. 

Senior school destinations

Naturally, many students progress to St Paul's School, but also go to other similarly prestigious institutions.

Notable alumni

• Kwasi Kwarteng (MP and former chancellor)
• Eddie Redmayne (actor)
• Nathaniel Rothschild (financier and peer)

Admissions

For 7+ entry, applicants take assessments in English, mathematics and reasoning skills. Selected candidates are invited for an interview, where academic potential and personal qualities are assessed. For 11+ entry, the process follows a similar structure, with age-appropriate assessments and interviews. Offers are made based on performance in the assessments and interview. Students will no longer be able to apply for entry at 8+ from 2027.

Accessibility

Heathrow Airport: 30 minutes

Location

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