The Fulham Prep School: Where Discovery Shapes Young Minds

Founded in 1996 by Jane Emmett with just a single class, Fulham Prep has grown into one of west London's most sought-after independent schools, now serving over 650 pupils aged 2 to 13 across two distinct sites. Part of the Inspired Education Group, which operates 120 schools globally, this co-educational day school combines the intimacy of a family-run institution with access to international resources that few London prep schools can match. The ISA Junior School of the Year Award in 2024 signals a school hitting its stride after nearly three decades of steady growth. With specialist teaching from Reception, small class sizes, and a curriculum that introduces philosophy at Year 1 and Latin by Year 5, this is a school that takes intellectual curiosity seriously while ensuring children genuinely enjoy the process.

The school occupies two purpose-designed sites in Fulham: Palace Gardens on the High Street for the youngest children, and Queens Gardens on Greyhound Road for the prep school proper. This separation allows each phase to develop its own character while remaining connected through shared values and shuttle buses that ease logistics for families with children of different ages.

Two campuses define the Fulham Prep experience, each with a distinct personality suited to the age group it serves. Palace Gardens on Fulham High Street houses the nursery through Year 2 in a renovated Victorian school building. The interior delights with large classrooms painted in calm pastels, designed to create a peaceful environment for the youngest learners. Outside it’s lively rather than calm: there’s an AstroTurf pitch, a wooden pirate ship to fuel imaginative play, plus a working garden in which children grow herbs and potatoes. A newer, renovated building provides extra classrooms as well as a dining hall, an assembly‑and‑drama hall, specialist teaching rooms, plus the library and music room.

The prep school at Queens Gardens occupies what was once Holborn College, a magnificent building that older readers may recognise as the setting for the Grange Hill television series in the 1980s. Surrounded by an acre of outdoor space, a substantial amount for any London school, the campus includes a football pitch plus climbing wall. The library is described as a showpiece, with a large wooden tree at its centre and a mezzanine ‘tree house’ used for reading and quiet time. Three science laboratories, two specialist IT suites, a performing arts centre, a dance studio, and several music rooms complete the picture of a school that has invested substantially in specialist facilities.

Thomas Lewis became Head of School in April 2024, having previously worked at Wetherby School Kensington and at Notting Hill. His appointment brought fresh perspective while maintaining continuity with the school's ethos. James McCarthy-Mitchell leads the nursery and pre-prep with particular expertise in early years education. Jane Emmett, who started it all nearly three decades ago, remains as safeguarding governor, maintaining continuity with the school's founding vision. The leadership structure reflects a school that has matured considerably, with an Executive Head, Ms Rebecca Tear, overseeing the broader Fulham School family.

The school's values centre on discovery and individual potential rather than academic pressure. Rather than operating as an examination factory, Fulham Prep encourages children to cultivate a love of learning through practical lessons, open discussions, and educational excursions. The atmosphere is purposeful but relaxed. Children arrive enthusiastically each morning, greeted by staff who know them by name. Teachers are described as approachable, and the relatively small year groups foster genuine community.

The house system (Bishops, Crabtree, Hurlingham, and Peterborough, all names with local connections) creates vertical communities where older pupils look out for younger ones. House representatives form the school council, giving children a genuine voice in school life. Head boy, head girl, and prefect positions provide leadership opportunities for Year 8 pupils.

As a prep school educating children to age 13, Fulham Prep does not sit national examinations that produce publicly comparable data. Independent prep schools are assessed differently: progress is measured through internal assessments, teacher observations, and ultimately through preparation for 11+ and 13+ entrance examinations to senior schools. The ISI conducted a routine inspection in March 2024, examining educational quality, pupil development, and regulatory compliance.

The school's success is better measured by where its pupils go next. Recent Year 8 leavers have secured places at a remarkably diverse range of senior schools, demonstrating that the school prepares children effectively for different destinations. Whitgift admitted 7 pupils (including one with a sports scholarship), while Wetherby Senior took 4, Hampton 3, and Harrodian 3. Fulham School (the senior division, before its closure was announced) accepted 11. Beyond London day schools, pupils secured places at prestigious boarding institutions including Charterhouse, Tonbridge, Stowe, and Sherborne. Two scholarships were awarded in 2024, with sports scholarship success at both Cranleigh and Whitgift.

The range of destinations, spanning over 30 different senior schools, speaks to the school's philosophy of matching children to appropriate environments rather than pushing all pupils toward a narrow band of elite institutions. Senior schools trust Fulham Prep to develop pupils who are adaptable, possess well-developed thinking skills, and arrive ready to engage with new environments.

For pupils leaving after Year 6, the review lists destinations such as Putney High School, Kensington Prep, St Paul’s Juniors and King’s College Junior School. Approximately a quarter of pupils leave after the pre-prep phase, typically heading to these and similar schools. The school provides familiarisation with 11+ style assessments but does not position itself as an intensive preparation centre.

Specialist teaching begins remarkably early at Fulham Prep, distinguishing it from many prep schools where form teachers deliver most subjects. From Reception, children receive instruction in French, swimming, drama, and computing from dedicated subject teachers. This early exposure to specialist teaching develops confidence with different adults and approaches, preparing children for the subject-specialist model of secondary education.

Philosophy joins the curriculum in Year 1, a distinctive feature that encourages critical thinking and reasoned discussion from a young age. Children learn to construct arguments, consider alternative perspectives, and express themselves thoughtfully. Latin or classical civilisation is added in Year 7, while Spanish supplements French as pupils progress through the prep school. By the time children reach Year 8, they have experienced a breadth of subjects that many schools reserve for secondary level.

Setting operates for mathematics but no other subject, a deliberate choice that maintains mixed-ability teaching across most of the curriculum while providing appropriate challenge in a subject where attainment differences are most pronounced. Class sizes are deliberately small: a maximum of 20 in the prep school and 18 in the pre-prep, though classes typically number around 15. This enables the child-centred approach the school champions, with teachers adapting to multiple learning styles and providing individualised attention that larger classes cannot offer.

The curriculum structure reflects practical wisdom about pupil movement. Across Years 5–8 the cohort can be in flux: some pupils remain, others move on, and new children join. To avoid disadvantaging anyone who leaves at 11+ rather than 13+, the approach described is that everyone follows the same curriculum regardless of likely destination. This flexible approach accommodates family decisions without educational penalty.

Recent investment in technology demonstrates forward thinking. The school acquired VR headsets for immersive learning experiences, from exploring volcanic landscapes in geography to studying eye structure in science. Year 6 pupils work with Python programming, Year 7s build websites, and Year 8s design apps. This STEM focus, combined with the school's strength in performing arts (recognised as a finalist in the Talk Education Award 2025), indicates breadth rather than narrow specialisation.

Learning support is coordinated by a SENCO with over 20 years' experience at the school, providing continuity and deep institutional knowledge. Support is described as covering a range of needs (including ADHD, dyslexia and ASD) and delivered in different ways — individual sessions, small‑group support, and help within mainstream classes. A paediatric physiotherapist spends one day weekly in school to help children with dyspraxic-type difficulties. Approximately 29% of pupils receive some form of SEN support, though the school is clear that as a mainstream institution, it may not suit children requiring the most intensive intervention.

The progression patterns from Fulham Prep reflect its position as a genuine prep school with multiple exit points. Roughly a quarter of pupils leave after pre‑prep, with destinations noted as including Kensington Prep, King’s College Junior School, St Paul’s Juniors and Putney High School. These families often seek single-sex education or schools with particular specialisms that align with their child's interests and abilities.

Those remaining progress internally to Fulham Prep, where they continue until either Year 6 or Year 8 depending on family preference and destination school requirements. Year 6 leavers tend toward relatively local schools, often sitting 11+ examinations for London day schools. The school prepares them effectively for these assessments without becoming a tutoring factory, maintaining its commitment to a broad and enjoyable education.

Year 8 leavers spread across a broader range, including both selective day schools and boarding institutions. Recent destinations include Fulham School (11 acceptances, before the closure announcement), Whitgift (7), Wetherby Senior (4), Hampton (3), and Harrodian (3), with smaller numbers to Dulwich, St Paul's, Westminster, Charterhouse, Tonbridge, and Stowe. The diversity of destinations, from competitive London day schools to traditional boarding schools, demonstrates the school's ability to prepare children for different paths.

The school's approach to destinations emphasises diversity of outcome and appropriate matching. Guidance focuses on finding the right environment for each child rather than maximising prestige. Two scholarships were secured in 2024, with sports scholarship success at Cranleigh and Whitgift demonstrating strength beyond academics alone. The transition coordinator works with families from Year 5 onward, ensuring adequate time to research, visit, and prepare for senior school entry.

It should be noted that in November 2024, Inspired Education announced the phased closure of Fulham Senior School, effective September 2025. The school will return to its original identity as a Pre-Prep and Prep for ages 2 to 13. Families should not expect an internal secondary pathway and should plan for external transfer at Year 8 or earlier.

Fulham Prep is non-selective at Reception, offering places on a first-come, first-served basis. This approach means that early registration is essential. The school advises registering as soon as possible after birth, and families who wait until their child is approaching school age may find no places available. The application deadline falls on 31 October the year before entry, but the queue often fills well before this date.

A non-refundable registration fee of £140 is required upon application. To secure a place once offered, parents pay a £2,000 deposit per child, returnable at the end of the final term with adequate notice (at least one term). If a family accepts a place and subsequently declines, the deposit is forfeit.

For Nursery and Reception entry, no assessments are involved. From Year 1 upward, children attend a taster morning at the pre-prep, allowing staff to observe how they engage with the environment and other children. For prep school entry at 7+, 8+, or 11+, the process is more thorough: an online assessment evaluates academic readiness, an activity day provides opportunity for observation in group settings, and an interview with the Head of School or a member of the Senior Leadership Team allows discussion of the child's interests and suitability. Offers are made based on each child's individual fit for the school environment.

Sibling priority applies, reflecting the school's commitment to serving whole families. The school aims to accommodate families with children of different ages, running shuttle buses between sites to ease the logistics of multiple drop-offs.

Open events run throughout the year, with both virtual and in-person tours available. The school has adapted to modern expectations by offering flexible visiting options. Prospective families should contact the admissions team at admissions@fulhamprep.co.uk or call +44 20 7386 2460 to arrange a visit and discuss specific questions about their child's needs.

The pastoral structure at Fulham Prep provides clear points of contact for children seeking support. Each class has a tutor as the first port of call, the adult who knows each child best and can notice changes in behaviour or mood. A counsellor visits the prep school twice weekly, available for children who need more intensive support. The deputy head pastoral maintains oversight of pupil wellbeing, particularly for pupils experiencing low self-esteem or anxiety, issues that affect children regardless of their academic success. An art therapist offers creative approaches to emotional expression, while a trained school welfare nurse handles physical health needs.

The pre-prep maintains teaching assistants for nursery and reception classes, with one assistant shared between two classes in Years 1 and 2. This level of support enables early identification of children who may need additional help, whether academically or emotionally. Staff continuity matters: many have been at the school for years, knowing not just current pupils but their older siblings and sometimes their parents.

The house system (Bishops, Crabtree, Hurlingham, and Peterborough) creates vertical communities across age groups. Children from different year groups belong to the same house, creating natural mentoring relationships where older pupils look out for younger ones. House representatives form the school council, meeting regularly to discuss school life and propose improvements. Head boy, head girl, and prefect positions give Year 8 pupils leadership responsibilities that prepare them for senior school roles.

Mobile phone rules strike a pragmatic balance. Until Year 5, devices are handed in on arrival and returned at the end of the day. From Year 5 onward, phones go into a box at the start of each lesson and are returned at the end. This approach acknowledges the reality of modern childhood while maintaining focus during learning time.

The thriving parents' association, with representatives for every year group, organises charity events and social gatherings that strengthen community bonds. Two face-to-face parents' evenings each year provide formal feedback, though some parents have expressed interest in more frequent formal contact.

The performing arts feature prominently at Fulham Prep, reflecting the school's belief that creativity and academic development reinforce each other. The dedicated music and performance building houses several music rooms and a dance studio. Individual instrumental lessons are available, and the school runs five choirs (an impressive number for any prep school), ensuring participation across age groups and ability levels. The prep school comes together for a singing assembly every Tuesday, and there’s a carol service each year at the local church in the run‑up to Christmas. Drama productions run throughout the year, and the school's recognition as a finalist in the Talk Education Award 2025 for Performing and Creative Arts validates this emphasis.

The Fulham Traders project stands out as a distinctive entrepreneurial programme. Once each term, prep pupils set up small businesses, creating and selling products — from dog treats through to tie‑dye T‑shirts. This initiative develops practical skills alongside academic learning, giving children experience of planning, production, marketing, and sales. The school explicitly seeks to encourage an entrepreneurial mindset from a young age, preparing children for a world where adaptability and initiative matter as much as academic credentials.

The art room is described as bright and airy, and pupils are actively encouraged to explore and express their creativity. Staff emphasise that artistic ability develops with practice and guidance, not just innate talent. The library, with its distinctive wooden tree centrepiece and mezzanine tree house, creates an inviting space for reading.

Clubs run Monday to Thursday from 4pm to 5pm, with offerings that change termly to maintain variety. Recent clubs mentioned include robotics (using the specialist IT facilities) and a pet club, plus a a supervised homework club for Years Four and above and above–8 that gives structure for getting work done with teacher support on hand. The school recently acquired VR headsets, opening possibilities for technology-enhanced extracurricular activities as well as curriculum use.

For fixtures, sport uses a 35‑acre sports ground in Chiswick, run by King’s House School — providing facilities well beyond what an urban campus could usually accommodate. On-site, two AstroTurf pitches handle daily PE and break-time activity. Sport centres on football (for both girls and boys), alongside netball, hockey and rugby, plus athletics, cricket and tennis. The school was highly commended in the Muddy's Best Schools Award for being "Passionate About Sport." Most children get opportunities to represent the school in matches against other prep schools, though some girls have expressed interest in seeing more tournaments.

As part of the Inspired Education Group, pupils can access international exchanges across 24 countries, summer camps, and inter-school tournaments. These opportunities distinguish Fulham Prep from standalone independent schools, offering experiences that broaden horizons and create lasting memories.

Fees for 2025-26 are payable termly:

• Nursery: £7,320 per term (approximately £21,960 annually)
• Reception to Year 2: £7,638 per term (approximately £22,914 annually)
• Year 3 to Year 8: £8,481 per term (approximately £25,443 annually)

Lunch is additional: £340 per term for Reception to Year 2, £380 for Year 3 upward. Nursery lunch is included in the tuition fee. Transport is available at £510 one-way or £725 return per term.

Importantly, the school is fully absorbing VAT for the 2025-26 academic year, shielding families from the impact of recent policy changes that have affected independent school fees across the country. This decision demonstrates commitment to affordability within the sector.

A £2,000 deposit per child is required upon acceptance, refundable at the end of the final term with adequate notice (at least one term). The registration fee of £140 is non-refundable.

A 10% sibling discount applies, meaningful for families with multiple children at the school. Bursaries for family hardship are considered on a case-by-case basis, allowing the school to support families whose circumstances change. Scholarships are available at 11+ and 13+ entry in STEM, creative arts (including music, art, and drama), and sport, with awards of up to 100% of fees possible. Scholarships are reviewed annually based on performance, with an expectation that scholars engage with a dedicated programme to develop their talents.

Extracurricular clubs and specialist SEND tutoring incur additional charges, quoted individually through the admissions team. Families should budget for these when calculating true costs.

The school day runs from 8:30am, with wraparound care available from 7:30am for early arrivals. After-school care extends to 4:30pm or 5:30pm, a genuine boon for working parents who need reliable supervision beyond the core school day. The two campuses are connected by shuttle buses, simplifying logistics for families with children in different age groups. This practical solution means parents with a nursery child and a Year 5 pupil need not make separate journeys.

Palace Gardens (Nursery to Year 2) is located at 47A Fulham High Street, SW6 3JJ. Drop-off is at the quieter back of the building rather than the busy main road. Queens Gardens (Reception to Year 8) sits at 200 Greyhound Road, W14 9SD. The school draws from approximately a two-mile radius. Older pupils often walk, cycle, or scoot; others are dropped off by parents.

Smart navy uniform is required throughout, with boys wearing ties from an early age. In nursery, children wear gingham smocks in navy and white. Food is cooked on site with plenty of choice, and the vegetarian curry gets a particular mention as a favourite. Meals are eaten together, reinforcing the community atmosphere that characterises the school.

Transport is available for an additional fee: £510 one-way or £725 return per term. Given London traffic, this option particularly suits families whose work commitments make personal drop-off difficult.

Register early. Reception places are allocated first-come, first-served. Families who wait until their child is approaching school age may find no places available. Registering soon after birth is not unusual in competitive London prep school markets.

Senior school closure. In November 2024, Inspired Education announced the phased closure of Fulham Senior School, effective September 2025. The school will return to its original DNA as a Pre-Prep and Prep for ages 2 to 13. Families should not expect an internal secondary pathway and should plan for external transfer at Year 8 or earlier. This change affects planning for families who had anticipated continuing within the same institution.

Not an academic hothouse. The school explicitly avoids pressurising children academically. Families seeking intensive preparation for highly selective senior schools may find the approach too gentle, though results suggest children do secure places at competitive destinations. The philosophy prioritises love of learning over examination drill.

Learning support has limits. The school caters for a range of needs, including ADHD, dyslexia, and ASD, with a SENCO of over 20 years' standing and specialist support staff. However, as a mainstream school, significant support needs may be better served elsewhere. Approximately 29% of pupils receive some form of SEN support, indicating willingness to accommodate difference, but the school is honest that it is not a specialist setting.

Fulham Prep delivers on its promise of developing individual potential rather than forcing children through an academic mould. The early introduction of specialist teaching, the emphasis on entrepreneurship through the Fulham Traders project, the five choirs and performing arts recognition, and the genuine warmth of the school community create an environment where children enjoy coming to school. Strong results at 11+ and 13+, with destinations spanning from London day schools to prestigious boarding institutions, demonstrate that the relaxed approach does not compromise outcomes.

Best suited to families within the two-mile catchment who value intellectual curiosity over exam factory intensity. Children who thrive here are those who engage with the breadth of opportunities available, from the five choirs to the VR-enhanced science lessons to the pirate ship in the pre-prep playground. The challenge lies not in the education itself but in securing a place at Reception, where early registration is essential.