Perched on Kingston Hill in a Grade II listed building, Canbury School serves a distinct purpose in the London education landscape. With a capacity of just 76 students, it operates on a scale closer to a large family than a typical secondary school. This is not a hot-house for the academically aggressive but a nurturing environment for students who may find larger settings overwhelming. The atmosphere is calm, the attention is personal, and the ethos is resolutely inclusive.
The setting is domestic rather than institutional. The main building, a former laundry to the Coombe Estate, retains a residential feel that lowers anxiety for new arrivals. There are no imposing corridors or vast halls; instead, the school feels like a bustling, purposeful home.
Mrs Philippa Rich has led the school since 2021, bringing a focus on wellbeing that permeates every aspect of school life. Her leadership defines the school's character: warm, observant, and flexible. She knows every student not just by name, but by quirk, strength, and struggle. The school motto, Embracing Difference, is lived daily. Students here often arrive having felt lost or overlooked elsewhere; the school’s primary function is to rebuild confidence as the foundation for learning.
In 2024, the school's GCSE performance placed it in the lower 40% of schools in England, ranking 3,897th in England and 7th locally. However, raw rankings tell a fraction of the story at Canbury. With very small cohorts, statistical averages fluctuate significantly, and the non-selective intake means value-added—the progress a student makes from their individual starting point—is the metric that matters most to the school.
Students follow a core curriculum of GCSEs, with class sizes small enough to allow for significant differentiation. While the school is not an exam factory, expectations remain in place, and students are supported to achieve grades that reflect their true potential rather than a league table target.
England ranks and key metrics (where available)
A-Level A*-B
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% of students achieving grades A*-B
GCSE 9–7
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% of students achieving grades 9-7
Class sizes are strictly limited to a maximum of 15, though often run with fewer. This allows teachers to spot gaps in understanding immediately. The approach is adaptive; if a student needs to stand up to think, or requires a quiet corner, the system accommodates it.
The curriculum covers the key academic bases but includes bespoke support. Specialist teachers are adept at working with mild to moderate SEN, particularly dyslexia, dyspraxia, and ASD (High Functioning). The Learning Support department is central to the school's operation, not a sideline. Lessons are structured to reduce cognitive overload, ensuring instructions are clear and tasks are manageable.
Post-16 pathways are diverse. Some students stay for the Sixth Form, which offers a range of A-levels in a familiar environment. Others transition to local sixth form colleges or vocational courses that better suit their career aspirations. The school provides intensive 1-to-1 careers guidance to ensure the next step is right for the student's developing confidence. Recent leavers have progressed to universities including Roehampton, Kingston, and creative arts colleges, as well as apprenticeships.
Canbury is non-selective academically. The admissions process looks for "fit" rather than raw ability. It typically begins with a visit, followed by a meeting with the Headmistress. Prospective students then attend taster days to see if they settle into the rhythm of the school.
The school seeks students who will benefit from the small environment. While they support SEN, they are not a specialist school for severe behavioural difficulties; students must be able to access the curriculum and function within the community. For September 2026 entry, assessment days are scheduled for September 2025, October 2025, and January 2026.
Pastoral care is the engine room of Canbury School. The small numbers mean there is nowhere to hide, in the best possible sense; staff notice changes in mood or behaviour instantly. Form tutors play a pivotal role, often acting as the primary link between home and school.
The Independent Schools Inspectorate (ISI) confirmed in February 2024 that the school meets all standards, highlighting the strength of its pastoral provision. Wellbeing is supported by an on-site counsellor and a culture that normalises asking for help. Students describe the school as a "safe haven" where they can be themselves without the social posturing often found in larger schools.
Despite its size, the school runs an active enrichment programme. The "Canbury Enrichment" slots include options like coding, cookery, photography, and chess.
Facilities on-site are modest, including a well-equipped art room, science laboratory, and ICT suite. For sport, the school makes effective use of local facilities. Students travel to the nearby YMCA or King's Field for PE, which covers football, netball, basketball, and athletics. The limitations of the site are managed creatively, ensuring students still get competitive and recreational sporting opportunities.
For the 2025/2026 academic year, fees are £6,774 per term for Years 7-11 and £7,370 per term for the Sixth Form. These figures are exclusive of VAT. The school offers a Bursary Scheme which can provide up to 30% fee remission for eligible families. These are means-tested and intended to support families who would otherwise be unable to afford the fees.
Fees data coming soon.
The school day runs from 8:40am to 3:40pm. Located on Kingston Hill, the school is served by the 85 and K3 bus routes. There is no on-site parking for parents, so drop-off requires care on the busy road.
Limited Facilities: The domestic scale of the buildings means there are no vast sports halls or theatres on-site. The school relies on external providers for these, which may not suit students who want sports facilities on their doorstep.
Small Peer Group: With fewer than 80 students in the entire school, the social circle is intimate. This is perfect for some, but others may eventually crave the variety of a larger sixth form or college.
Not a Specialist SEN School: While support is excellent, Canbury is a mainstream independent school. It is not designed for students with complex behavioural needs or those requiring 1-to-1 support throughout the entire day.
Canbury School is a lifeline for students who need to be seen and heard. It offers a compassionate, human-scale education that prioritises mental health and confidence alongside academic progress. Best suited to students with mild SEN or anxiety who would vanish in a large comprehensive but thrive in a setting where kindness is the currency. The main challenge is the limited on-site facilities, but for families prioritising wellbeing, this is a trade-off worth making.
Yes. The most recent ISI inspection in February 2024 confirmed that Canbury School meets all independent school standards. It is highly regarded for its pastoral care and ability to support students who may struggle in larger educational settings.
For the 2025/2026 academic year, fees are £6,774 per term for Years 7-11 and £7,370 per term for Sixth Form (exclusive of VAT). A registration fee of £100 applies.
For 2026 entry, the process involves an assessment day where prospective students join lessons and sit an online assessment (Cambridge Primary Insight). Assessment days are held in September, October, and January. Offers are made based on whether the school can meet the child's needs.
Yes. The school offers means-tested bursaries of up to 30% of tuition fees. These are available to both new applicants and current parents who experience financial difficulty.
No. Canbury is a mainstream independent school with strong learning support. It caters well for students with mild to moderate needs such as dyslexia or dyspraxia but is not suitable for those with severe behavioural or complex medical needs.
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