Hill House

Focus

Developing curious lifelong learners

Day fees 2025/26

$30,900-$39,400

Term dates

• Term 1: 2 September to 10 December 2025
• Term 2: 6 January to 27 March 2026
• Term 3: 21 April to 8 July 2026

Ages

4-13

Pupil count

465

Spear’s Review

‘A child’s mind is not a vessel to be filled, but a fire to be kindled’ runs the warming tagline of Hill House’s online prospectus. A London prep school that caters to an international mix of pupils, the school has a strong connection to a similarly named sister school in Switzerland – the original birthplace of Hill House, founded in 1949 – which offers up to 10 courses for the Knightsbridge pupils and an opportunity to explore the boarding school experience.

Championing a ‘broad-based curriculum’, the prep school aims to encourage a ‘lifelong love of learning’ in its pupils. Hill House students are raised to be well-rounded individuals, and can take part in a variety of clubs and sports, including football, cricket, tennis, squash, art, chess, singing and cooking.

Head teacher

Hill House is now the only London school in which the day-to-day administration of every aspect of the school remains in the care and control of the founding family, the Townends, with Edmund Townend as head teacher. He took the reins upon his father’s retirement in 2022.

Senior school destinations 

Many pupils at Hill House go on to enrol at prestigious schools around the country, including Dulwich College, Downe House, Brighton College and Eton. In addition, more than 20 per cent of students regularly win scholarships, according to the school.

Admissions

The main point of entry to the school is at 4 years old; however, children can join the school at any stage subject to places being available. The admissions process begins with a visit to the school. From there, younger children are invited for a ‘getting to know you’ session; older children sit an academic and pastoral assessment.

Notable alumni

• Lily Allen (singer)
• HRH King Charles III
• Ian Macpherson, Lord Strathcarron (Hereditary Peer of the House of Lords)

Accessibility

Heathrow Airport: 1 hour

Location

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