St Philip's School has occupied its Victorian townhouse at 6 Wetherby Place in South Kensington since its foundation in 1934, making it one of the few central London prep schools to remain on its original site for over ninety years. This small, independent Roman Catholic prep school educates approximately 110 boys aged 4 to 13, combining a strong academic programme with the pastoral care and moral formation central to its Catholic identity. Headmaster Alexander Thomas has led the school since 2016, greeting every boy by name on the front steps each morning. Fees for the 2025/26 academic year range from £8,760 per term for Reception to £9,840 per term for the upper years. With one class per year and an average of 14 boys per class, St Philip's offers an intimate learning environment where individual attention is the norm. The school received a 'Good' rating from Ofsted in its March 2025 inspection, maintaining the quality for which it is known among families seeking a faith-based, traditional prep school in central London.
Founded in 1934, St Philip's was established to provide a Catholic preparatory education for boys in central London, and its enduring presence in South Kensington speaks to its stability and continuity. The school's Catholic values are, in its own words, at the heart of all it does, yet it welcomes boys of all faiths and none, recognising that families from diverse backgrounds are often drawn to the school's clear moral framework and community spirit.
Despite its small size and urban setting, St Philip's aims to deliver what it describes as a broad and balanced curriculum, combining a strong academic, moral and religious education with creative and sporting opportunities. The atmosphere is one of warmth and familiarity; Mr Thomas is known for taking a personal interest in every boy, and the single-form entry structure means that each cohort develops close bonds throughout their time at the school. Parents considering St Philip's often value the school's traditional ethos, clear discipline, and the sense that their sons are known and nurtured as individuals rather than absorbed into a large institution.
As an independent prep school, St Philip's does not participate in national Key Stage 2 testing, and performance data is not available in the public domain. The school follows both the National Curriculum and the Independent Schools Examinations Board (ISEB) Common Entrance curriculum, preparing boys for entrance to selective day and boarding schools at 13+.
The curriculum in the Early Years Foundation Stage (Reception) focuses on literacy and numeracy each morning, with afternoons dedicated to humanities, science, movement, singing, music, drama, art, crafts, team-building and personal, social, health and economic education. As boys progress into Years 1, 2 and 3, they spend progressively more time on science, French, history, geography, religious studies, ICT, music, drama and games. From Year 5, all boys study Latin, and boys may opt to take Ancient Greek from Year 6 as an extracurricular subject, a distinctive offering that reflects the school's commitment to the classics.
The school operates an academically selective admissions policy. Assessment for occasional places includes reading, writing, spelling, vocabulary and mathematics, and the school requests current reports from a candidate's existing setting in advance of the assessment. Bursaries of up to 100% of tuition fees are available at 7+, 8+ and for in-year placements, awarded on a means-tested basis as part of the school's charitable mission to broaden access.
The school acts in accordance with the Equality Act 2010 and will not put pupils with special educational needs or disabilities at a substantial disadvantage in matters of admission. Where possible, the school will make adjustments for accessibility and take reasonable measures to support children with physical or learning difficulties, though as a small independent prep, the range and intensity of support available will be more limited than in larger institutions with dedicated specialist facilities.
St Philip's occupies a red-brick Victorian townhouse in one of London's most prestigious postcodes. While the building itself is traditional and compact, the school has access to a delightful enclosed and secure garden that runs the length of the block, providing boys with outdoor space for play and informal games in the heart of the city. Sports provision is mainly off-site: games use purpose-built facilities at Barn Elms Sports Trust (Barnes), while swimming is at Fulham Pools.
The main sports are football, cricket, rugby and hockey, with representative teams in major sports starting from Year 3. Given the school's size, sports fixtures are tailored to the cohort, and the emphasis is on participation, skill development and enjoyment rather than large-scale competitive programmes.
Art and music are taught as discrete curricular subjects to all pupils, and drama is part of the co-curriculum. All pupils learn an instrument in class, and about a third take extracurricular instrumental lessons. The school has two choirs and one or two instrumental ensembles. Extracurricular activities include Ancient Greek, LAMDA (London Academy of Music and Dramatic Art) lessons, chess, and a range of other clubs that take place at lunchtimes and after school. There is no formal wraparound care, but the school day runs from 8.30am to 4.00pm, and clubs can extend the day from 8.00am to 5.30pm.
The single-form entry structure means that boys develop close friendships within their year group and benefit from a strong sense of community. With a pupil-to-teacher ratio that allows for individual attention, boys are known well by staff, and pastoral care is delivered with the personal touch that characterises small schools.
St Philip's enjoys a strong track record of placing boys at leading independent day and boarding schools at 13+. Destinations for leavers since 2016 have included a range of 10 to 15 independent schools, with the most popular being Wetherby Senior (16% of leavers), Dulwich College (12%), Eton College (9%), City of London School (8%) and Harrow School (6%).
The school describes itself as a top London prep sending boys in the majority to Eton, City of London, Dulwich, Harrow and Radley. Roughly half the students go on to board, with Eton, Harrow and Winchester being traditionally popular boarding destinations. Other leavers since 2010 have progressed to Alleyns, Charterhouse, Cranbrook, Downside, Emanuel, Ibstock Place, King's School Canterbury, Latymer Upper, Marlborough, Portland Place, Rugby, St Benedict's, Stowe, The Oratory, Woodcote, University College School Hampstead, and Wellington.
This breadth of destinations speaks to the school's academic preparation and its ability to support families in identifying and securing places at schools that match their sons' abilities, interests and aspirations. The school's long-standing relationships with these senior schools and its familiarity with their entrance processes are assets for families navigating the competitive landscape of London independent education.
St Philip's operates a selective admissions policy and welcomes boys from Reception onwards, though the main point of entry is Reception. Registration is managed by the Registrar, Mrs Fiona Kaye, who supports families through every step of the admissions process. The non-refundable registration fee is £180 (£240 for overseas applicants).
Families are welcome to visit at any time to meet the Headmaster and tour the school, and this is encouraged so that the school's values and approach are clearly understood. Regular open days are held throughout the year, though places are limited and early registration is advisable. At open days, guests gain an insight into the values and approach of the school and receive a tour from some of the older pupils.
Once registered, candidates are assessed. The Registrar contacts families ahead of the two assessment days to organise a convenient time for children to be assessed. Assessment includes reading, writing, spelling, vocabulary and mathematics, and wherever possible, current reports should be sent to St Philip's in advance. Once all supporting evidence has been received, the school will make a formal offer in writing, alongside an acceptance form and a copy of the standard terms and conditions.
The school has a strong preference to keep families together wherever possible. Providing boys meet entry requirements at the point of assessment, all siblings will be given preference on the lists. Bursaries are available on a means-tested basis, and parents have the opportunity to request a bursary application form as part of the registration process, typically when meeting the Headmaster or Registrar during a visit.
Given the school's location in South Kensington, its Catholic identity, its small size and its strong academic track record, demand for places is consistent. Families considering St Philip's should register early, particularly for Reception entry, and should be prepared for a selective assessment process.
St Philip's School, London reviews consistently highlight its intimacy, tradition and strong sense of community. This is a small, single-form entry Catholic prep school that has occupied the same Victorian townhouse in South Kensington for over ninety years, offering a continuity and stability that many families find reassuring. With approximately 110 boys aged 4 to 13, one class per year, and an average class size of 14, every boy is known individually, and pastoral care is delivered with warmth and attention.
The school's Catholic values are central to its identity, yet it welcomes families of all faiths and none, and many are drawn by the clear moral framework, the traditional approach to education, and the academic preparation for leading independent senior schools. Recent leavers have progressed to Eton, Harrow, Dulwich, City of London and a range of other selective day and boarding schools, a testament to the school's academic standards and its relationships with the senior school sector.
Facilities are necessarily compact in central London, but the school makes excellent use of its enclosed garden and accesses high-quality off-site sports provision at Barn Elms and Fulham Pools. The curriculum is broad, with French from the early years, Latin from Year 5, and the option of Ancient Greek from Year 6, alongside a full programme of art, music, drama and extracurricular clubs. The Headmaster, Alexander Thomas, is a visible and engaged leader who greets every boy by name each morning, setting the tone for a school where relationships matter.
For families seeking a small, traditional, faith-based prep school in the heart of Kensington with a strong track record of academic achievement and onward placement, St Philip's School offers precisely that. It is a school where boys are known, where values are clear, and where the intimacy of the setting allows for a genuinely personal education.
St Philip's School received a 'Good' rating from Ofsted in its most recent inspection in March 2025. It is a well-established independent Catholic prep school with a strong track record of placing boys at leading senior schools including Eton, Harrow, Dulwich and City of London. The school's small size, clear Catholic ethos and personal approach to education are valued by families seeking an intimate, traditional prep school environment in central London.
To apply, you must register your son with the Registrar, Mrs Fiona Kaye, and pay a non-refundable registration fee of £180 (£240 for overseas applicants). Reception is the main entry point, but places may open from Reception through to Year 8 for in‑year joiners. Families are encouraged to visit the school, meet the Headmaster and attend an open day before registering. Once registered, your son will be invited to an assessment, which includes reading, writing, spelling, vocabulary and mathematics. Visit www.stpschool.co.uk or contact the school directly to begin the process.
Fees for the 2025/26 academic year range from £8,760 per term for Reception to £9,840 per term for the upper years. These fees include VAT but exclude lunches. Means‑tested bursaries can cover up to the full tuition fee at 7+, 8+ and for in‑year entries; parents can request the bursary form during registration.
Yes, St Philip's is an independent Roman Catholic preparatory school. Catholic ethos is framed as central, and the school’s choristers sing at weekly Mass at Brompton’s Oratory Church, reinforcing links with the wider Kensington Catholic community. However, the school is open to boys of all faiths and none, and welcomes families who are attracted to the school's clear moral framework, traditional ethos and sense of community, regardless of their own faith background.
Since 2016, the most popular destinations for St Philip's leavers have been Wetherby Senior (16%), Dulwich College (12%), Eton College (9%), City of London School (8%) and Harrow School (6%). Other recent destinations include Alleyns, Charterhouse, Downside, Emanuel, Ibstock Place, King's School Canterbury, Latymer Upper, Marlborough, Portland Place, Rugby, St Benedict's, Stowe, The Oratory, UCS Hampstead, Wellington and Winchester. Roughly half the boys go on to board, while the others attend selective London day schools.
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