Founded in 2006 to address a shortage of prep school places in central London, Knightsbridge School stands out as the first independent day school to integrate Place2Be, the children's mental health charity, into the fabric of school life. This co-educational independent school in the heart of Knightsbridge serves approximately 400 pupils aged 3 to 16 across a vibrant all-through structure, from nursery provision through to GCSE. Located on Pont Street in the Royal Borough of Kensington and Chelsea, the school operates with an extended day (8am to 6pm) designed for busy working families. The school's founding principle centres on what founder Magoo Giles calls "an ecosystem of happiness", where academic rigour meets emotional resilience through the KS Code – a framework of shared values focused on treating others well, daily creativity, and maintaining healthy minds and bodies. Term fees range from approximately £8,940 to £11,280, with the school offering up to four full 100% bursaries annually to Year 7 entrants through its Educational Foundation, which has supported 21 bursaries since 2008.
Knightsbridge School was established in 2006 by former Lord Mayor of London William Russell and Magoo Giles (who remains Principal) to fill a gap in central London prep provision. From the outset, the school rejected the "academic hothouse" model in favour of a more holistic philosophy encapsulated in the KS Code. This code promotes treating others as you wish to be treated, expressing creativity daily, maintaining environmental responsibility, and appreciating privilege – a set of values designed to create synergy between pupils, parents, and staff. The atmosphere is described as unashamedly happy and vibrant, with a strong sense of community threading through all aspects of school life.
In 2014, the school made educational headlines by becoming the first independent day school to partner with Place2Be, bringing in-house counselling services not just for children but also for staff and parents. The partnership reflects a bottom-up approach to mental health, with early intervention at its core. Place2Be offers drop-in sessions through Place2Talk, one-to-one counselling, in-class circle times, parent coffee mornings, and access to visiting mental health professionals. The integration of this support has helped pupils build emotional resilience and created an environment where seeking help is normalised rather than stigmatised.
The school joined the Dukes Education family in 2018, a move that facilitated expansion into the senior years. Year 9 launched in 2021, Year 10 in 2022, and Year 11 in 2023, allowing pupils to stay through to GCSE rather than leaving at 11+ or 13+ as had been traditional. Dukes Education's philosophy of supporting individuals to live with purpose and encouraging a love of learning aligns with the school's founding ethos, and families benefit from guaranteed progression pathways within the Dukes network, subject to availability and the child's ability to thrive within the school's ethos.
Community engagement forms another pillar of the school's identity. Knightsbridge School supports three main charities annually: the Royal Hospital Chelsea (whose facilities pupils use for sports lessons), Place2Be, and the Knightsbridge School Educational Foundation. This local connection reinforces the school's belief in being part of something larger than itself, nurturing pupils who understand their responsibilities beyond the school gates.
As an independent school, Knightsbridge School does not publish national curriculum SATs or Progress 8 data, and is not subject to Ofsted inspection. Instead, the Independent Schools Inspectorate (ISI) conducts regulatory oversight. The school received ISI inspections in 2016, 2019, and 2023, with the 2016 integrated inspection awarding "excellence across the board" and the school consistently meeting or exceeding regulatory standards. Admissions are non-selective, with entry by informal interview and, for Year 1 and above, a day of informal assessment in the child's prospective year group, alongside a reference from the current school. The school seeks children who can cope academically and thrive within its values-driven environment, but it is not academically selective in the traditional sense.
The curriculum is broad and balanced, teaching the major components of the national curriculum with significant enrichment. All pupils study French from an early age, and from the Junior School upwards, children choose a second modern foreign language from Italian, Spanish, Mandarin, or Greek. This linguistic emphasis reflects the school's international outlook and its central London location. Specialist teaching includes swimming, judo, fencing, and ballet, with an extensive co-curricular programme offering more than 80 clubs. Music is hugely popular, with 15 peripatetic teachers delivering lessons on-site, and traditional sports such as football, rugby, cricket, netball, hockey, athletics, and rounders are complemented by specialist options including horse riding, rock climbing, and karate.
Despite having no outdoor space on its central London site, the school maintains a strong "healthy body, healthy mind" ethos by accessing nearby facilities. Games sessions run twice a week, using venues such as Imperial College, Battersea Park and Burton Court. The Royal Hospital Chelsea also provides sports facilities and offers pupils direct contact with Chelsea pensioners, fostering intergenerational connections.
Historically, Knightsbridge School functioned as a prep school, with most pupils leaving at 11+ or 13+ to attend leading senior independent schools. Destinations have included City of London School (for boys and girls), Latymer Upper, Godolphin & Latymer, Westminster, St Paul's, Queen's Gate, Francis Holland, Wetherby Senior, Harrow, Uppingham, Charterhouse, Cheltenham Ladies' College, Heathfield, Wycombe Abbey, and Wellington. The school covers the ISEB Common Entrance syllabus, with 11+ preparation beginning in Year 5 and culminating in examinations during the spring term of Year 6, while 13+ preparation starts in Year 6 and exams are taken in June of Year 8. Senior staff work closely with families to ensure each child finds the right senior school match, balancing academic ability, personality, and ambition.
Since the introduction of Year 11 in 2023, the school now offers a full pathway to GCSE, and early results are exceptionally strong. In 2024, 78% of pupils achieved grades 9–7 (equivalent to A*–A), and 100% achieved grades 9–5 (equivalent to A*–B). One pupil achieved ten grade 9s, with 100% of their grades at 9–8. All Year 10 pupils achieved 9–7, and 100% of pupils achieved 9–7 in English Literature, English Language, and all Year 10 and Year 11 languages (including Chinese, Arabic, and Latin). These results represent a 32% increase on the previous year, demonstrating rapid upward momentum. Parents should note that, as the senior school is still in its infancy, longer-term trends and post-16 destinations are not yet established. The school does not currently offer A-level provision.
Scholarships are awarded in academics, performing arts, and sport to pupils who have excelled in a particular area. Bursaries of up to 100% are available to a maximum of four applicants per year at Year 7 entry, with the Knightsbridge School Educational Foundation providing additional bursaried places for local children. Financial support is means-tested and aims to ensure access for families who could not otherwise afford the fees.
Life at Knightsbridge School is characterised by a sense of busyness, warmth, and purposeful activity. The extended school day, running from 8am to 6pm, accommodates the needs of working parents and provides time for a rich programme of clubs, activities, and homework support. The atmosphere is deliberately informal and child-centred, with pupils encouraged to take ownership of their learning and wellbeing through the KS Code.
The lack of outdoor space is a constraint of the school's central London setting, but this is mitigated through strategic use of local facilities. Pupils walk to nearby parks and sports venues, and the school's "walk to school" policy means many families live within walking distance in neighbourhoods such as Knightsbridge, Belgravia, Chelsea, and South Kensington. This geographical concentration fosters a strong local community feel, with families often knowing one another outside school.
Music and the arts feature prominently in school life. With 15 peripatetic teachers on-site, pupils have access to a wide range of instrumental and vocal tuition. Drama and performing arts are also supported through scholarships and dedicated teaching, and the co-curricular programme ensures every child can find their niche, whether in sport, creative arts, academic clubs, or community service.
The Place2Be provision creates an unusual layer of pastoral support. Pupils are accustomed to drop-in sessions and circle times that normalise discussion of feelings, worries, and challenges. Parents appreciate the fact that they too have access to guidance and support, particularly during times of family change or stress. This whole-school approach to mental health and wellbeing is rare in the independent sector and represents one of the school's most distinctive features.
Knightsbridge School operates direct admissions, with applications managed by the school rather than through a local authority. Early registration is strongly advised, as the school is popular and places fill quickly, particularly at the main entry points of Reception, Year 1, and Year 7. The small nursery is largely filled by siblings, reflecting the school's family-friendly ethos and the tendency for younger siblings to follow older ones through the school.
Entry is non-selective but not uncompetitive. The school seeks families who align with its values and children who will thrive in a happy, nurturing environment. The informal interview and assessment process aims to gauge fit rather than academic prowess alone. For children entering above Reception, the school requests a reference from the child's current school and invites the child to spend a full day in their prospective year group, allowing both child and school to assess whether the match is right.
The catchment is concentrated in central London, with most families living within walking distance in Knightsbridge, Belgravia, Chelsea, South Kensington, and surrounding areas. The school's commitment to being part of the local community is reflected in its bursary provision for local children and its partnerships with nearby institutions such as the Royal Hospital Chelsea. For international or relocating families, the central location offers excellent transport links and proximity to other key London destinations.
Fees are set annually and typically reviewed in line with inflation and operational costs. For the most current fee information, parents should consult the school's website or contact the admissions team directly. Scholarships and bursaries reduce the financial barrier for some families, but competition for these awards is strong, reflecting the school's desirability among London families.
Knightsbridge School offers a distinctive blend of academic ambition, pastoral warmth, and mental health awareness that sets it apart in London's crowded independent sector. Its integration of Place2Be is pioneering, creating a culture where emotional resilience is valued as highly as academic achievement. For families seeking a non-selective, nurturing environment in the heart of London, with the flexibility of an extended school day and a values-driven ethos, Knightsbridge School delivers consistently. The recent expansion into the senior years and the strong GCSE results of 2024 suggest a school confident in its direction and capable of supporting pupils through to age 16.
The lack of outdoor space is an inevitable compromise of the central location, and parents should consider whether their child will flourish in a school that relies on off-site facilities for sport and outdoor activity. Similarly, the absence of A-level provision means families whose children stay to GCSE will need to secure a sixth-form place elsewhere. For pupils leaving at 11+ or 13+, the school's track record of securing places at leading senior schools is strong, and the Common Entrance preparation is thorough.
Knightsbridge School is best suited to families who prioritise happiness, community, and holistic development, who appreciate the value of mental health support embedded into daily school life, and who are comfortable with the informality and energy of a relatively young and evolving institution. It is a school where children are seen, heard, and supported – not just academically, but as whole people learning to navigate the world with confidence, creativity, and kindness.
Knightsbridge School is recognised for its warm, values-driven environment and its pioneering approach to mental health through its partnership with Place2Be. The Independent Schools Inspectorate awarded the school "excellence across the board" in its 2016 inspection, and the school meets regulatory standards consistently. Recent GCSE results show 78% of pupils achieving grades 9–7 and 100% achieving grades 9–5, which is exceptionally strong. Destinations at 11+ and 13+ include leading London day schools such as Westminster, St Paul's, and Latymer Upper. Parents value the non-selective admissions, the extended school day, and the strong sense of community. The school's ethos is best suited to families who prioritise happiness, creativity, and emotional wellbeing alongside academic achievement.
Applications are managed directly by the school. Early registration is strongly recommended due to high demand, particularly for Reception, Year 1, and Year 7 entry. The admissions process begins with an informal interview with parents and the child. For children entering Year 1 and above, the school invites the prospective pupil to spend a full day of informal assessment in their year group, and a reference is requested from the child's current school. The school seeks families whose values align with the KS Code and children who will thrive in a happy, nurturing environment. Detailed information and application forms are available on the school's website at www.knightsbridgeschool.com, or by contacting the admissions team via email or telephone.
Term fees range from approximately £8,940 to £11,280, with annual fees between approximately £22,251 and £24,942. Fees are inclusive of VAT but exclude school lunches, residential trips, clubs, music lessons, drama lessons, external exams, and additional support, which are charged as extras. School trips are included. The school offers up to four full 100% bursaries annually to Year 7 entrants, awarded on a means-tested basis. The Knightsbridge School Educational Foundation provides additional bursaries for local children, having supported 21 bursaries since 2008. Scholarships are available in academics, performing arts, and sport. For the most current fee information, parents should contact the admissions office or visit the school's website.
No, Knightsbridge School does not currently offer sixth form or A-level provision. The school caters for pupils aged 3 to 16, with the senior school culminating in GCSE examinations at the end of Year 11. Historically, most pupils left at 11+ or 13+ to attend senior independent schools, and the school has a strong track record of securing places at leading London day and boarding schools. Families whose children complete GCSEs at Knightsbridge School will need to secure a sixth-form place at another institution. The school is a member of the Dukes Education family, which offers guaranteed progression pathways within the network, subject to availability and the child's ability to thrive within the receiving school's ethos.
Knightsbridge School is the first independent day school to integrate Place2Be, the children's mental health charity, providing in-house counselling and wellbeing support for pupils, parents, and staff. This pioneering partnership reflects the school's commitment to emotional resilience and creates a culture where mental health is openly discussed and supported. The school's founding ethos, embodied in the KS Code, prioritises happiness, creativity, and community over academic hot-housing. The extended school day (8am to 6pm) is designed for working families, and the school's central London location means pupils walk to school from nearby neighbourhoods. More than 80 co-curricular clubs, a strong modern languages programme (including a choice of second language from Italian, Spanish, Mandarin, or Greek), and partnerships with local institutions such as the Royal Hospital Chelsea further distinguish the school within London's independent sector.
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