Brighton College Prep Kensington brings a distinguished educational pedigree to the heart of London. Established in 2023 when the Sussex-based Brighton College partnered with Cognita to reopen the former Prince's Gardens Preparatory School, this independent prep school serves 335 boys and girls aged 2 to 13 in South Kensington. The school's location opposite the Natural History Museum and within walking distance of the V&A and Science Museum allows London itself to become an extended classroom. A distinctive two-acre Secret Garden provides space for Forest School activities, balancing urban sophistication with outdoor learning. With small class sizes averaging 16 pupils and a curriculum aligned to the award-winning Brighton College family, the school prepares children for transition to competitive senior schools including Brighton College itself, alongside other London day schools such as St Paul's, Dulwich College, Latymer Upper, and Francis Holland. Fees for 2025–26 range from £10,496 per term in Reception to £11,814 per term in Year 8, with VAT included from January 2025. A £3,000 deposit secures places.
Brighton College Prep Kensington articulates its ethos through three pillars: confidence, curiosity, and kindness. The school's mission centres on the happiness and individuality of each child, fostering a culture where pupils feel comfortable being themselves rather than imitating others. Kindness is described as the school's currency, symbolised by colourful wristbands distributed by the head to remind pupils of generosity and helpfulness each day.
Historically, the site at 10-13 Princes Gardens operated as Prince's Gardens Preparatory School from 1991 until Brighton College and Cognita relaunched it in September 2023. This represents Brighton College's first extension into the capital, bringing the methods and reputation of a school named UK Independent School of the Decade by The Sunday Times to London families. The head, Mrs Lois Gaffney, arrived in 2022 from Brighton College Singapore, where she had served as deputy head since 2020.
The atmosphere reflects a balance of academic ambition and pastoral warmth. Small class sizes and an emphasis on teacher-pupil relationships mean concerns are addressed early. The school frames academic excellence not as an end in itself but as part of a broader commitment to developing confident, well-rounded learners prepared for the demands of senior school and beyond.
As an independent preparatory school catering to ages 2–13, Brighton College Prep Kensington does not participate in national league tables or publish SATs results. Instead, it prepares pupils for Common Entrance and scholarship examinations at the end of Year 8, alongside pre-tests and interviews for senior school entry. The curriculum follows Brighton College's own model, designed to develop reasoning, study skills, literacy, and current affairs from Year 5 onwards.
Specialist teaching begins early, with dedicated subject teachers working alongside class teachers to introduce depth and breadth across the curriculum. The timetable includes traditional core subjects alongside modern languages, science, computing, and the arts. From Reception, pupils engage with a curriculum that balances foundational literacy and numeracy with creative and physical development.
Support for pupils with special educational needs is overseen by a dedicated SENCO, who identifies and assesses pupils requiring additional provision. The school maintains a SEND register and creates Individual Education Plans where appropriate, liaising with external professionals such as educational psychologists and specialist teachers as needed. The approach is inclusive and whole-school, reflecting the ethos that learning should be tailored to individual needs.
Recent ISI inspections include a Non-Routine Inspection in 2024 and a Short Visit in 2023. While Brighton College Prep Kensington is a new school, the parent institution, Brighton College in Sussex, received commendation in its November 2024 ISI report for significant strengths in curriculum, enrichment, and academic excellence.
The school occupies a prime location in South Kensington, with buildings at Princes Gardens, SW7. Facilities include classrooms equipped with modern technology, a music room with original 19th-century architectural features and a domed ceiling for acoustics, a dedicated drama space with staging, a cookery room, and a Makerspace for construction and design activities. The two-acre Secret Garden serves as an outdoor classroom for Forest School sessions, providing pupils with regular contact with nature in an otherwise urban setting.
Sports provision benefits from the school's proximity to Imperial College, where Year 3 and above attend weekly swimming lessons. Hyde Park, moments away, hosts regular sports lessons. The school teaches core sports including football, netball, rugby, hockey, swimming, athletics, and cricket, with additional opportunities in basketball, gymnastics, and badminton. Competitive teams operate from Year 3 onwards.
Music and performing arts are integrated throughout the school. All pupils learn an instrument in class, and private tuition is available through specialist teachers from the Royal College of Music. School ensembles, recitals, and concerts provide performance opportunities. Drama teaching begins in Nursery, with annual productions allowing pupils to showcase their skills.
Extracurricular clubs cater to all age groups from Nursery to Year 8. Options include LAMDA, karate, table tennis, cyber coding, ballet, contemporary dance, creative writing, and more. Clubs are available at the start of each term, with registration open to all pupils.
In Years 7 and 8, the curriculum broadens to include activities such as sailing expeditions and community service projects. These final two years at the school emphasise independence and readiness for senior school transition.
Admissions to Brighton College Prep Kensington are handled directly by the school rather than through a local authority process. Parents interested in any entry point are encouraged to attend Open Mornings to tour the classrooms, meet Mrs Gaffney, and explore the Secret Garden. Following a visit, the school arranges an assessment for the child. If a place is available and the school considers itself the right fit, an offer letter is sent shortly after assessment. For Prep classes, offers are typically made at the end of January.
Accepted families pay a £3,000 deposit to secure the place, which is refunded at the end of a pupil's time at the school provided appropriate notice is given and all fees are settled. Fees for 2025–26 are £10,496 per term in Reception, rising to £11,814 per term in Year 8. These termly fees include VAT and lunches. Pre-Nursery and Nursery fees are exempt from VAT. From April 2024, the school has offered Nursery Grant Funding for eligible families with children from age 2.
Scholarships are available for applicants entering in Years 3 or 4. All-Rounder scholarships recognise pupils demonstrating academic excellence alongside talent in art, drama, music, sport, STEM, or languages. Scholarship candidates complete assessments in these areas.
With a capacity of 360 and a current roll of 335, the school is close to full. The central London location and the Brighton College name attract families seeking a curriculum closely aligned to a well-regarded senior school, as well as those valuing the cultural resources of South Kensington. No catchment area applies, and demand is expected to remain strong given the school's newness and affiliation.
Brighton College Prep Kensington represents an established brand entering a competitive London prep school market. For families drawn to the Brighton College ethos and curriculum but wishing to remain in London, this school offers direct alignment with the Sussex parent school, alongside pathways to other leading senior schools. The location in South Kensington provides unmatched access to museums, parks, and cultural institutions, enriching the daily learning experience.
Strengths include small class sizes, specialist teaching from an early age, and a well-articulated pastoral framework centred on kindness and individuality. The school benefits from Cognita's operational infrastructure and Brighton College's academic reputation. Facilities are well-suited to a central London site, with the Secret Garden a notable asset for outdoor learning.
Challenges include the school's relative youth; having reopened only in 2023, it lacks a long track record of senior school destinations and outcomes specific to the Kensington site. While the Brighton College name carries weight, parents will be investing in potential rather than proven results at this location. Fees are at the higher end of the London prep school spectrum, reflecting the prime postcode and brand affiliation.
Brighton College Prep Kensington will suit families seeking a nurturing, academically rigorous environment in central London, particularly those who value access to the broader Brighton College family or who prioritise location and cultural enrichment. It is a school for parents confident in the Brighton College model and willing to support a young institution still establishing its own identity.
Brighton College Prep Kensington is a newly established independent prep school with a strong brand affiliation to Brighton College, named UK Independent School of the Decade. It offers small class sizes, specialist teaching, and a curriculum aligned to a well-regarded educational model. Recent ISI inspections in 2023 and 2024 have been conducted, though the school's relative youth means long-term outcomes specific to this site are still emerging. Families value the central London location, access to museums and parks, and the school's emphasis on kindness, confidence, and curiosity.
Applications are made directly to the school. Prospective families should attend an Open Morning to tour the facilities and meet the head, Mrs Lois Gaffney. Following the visit, the school arranges an assessment for your child. If a place is available and the school deems it a suitable match, an offer letter is sent, typically at the end of January for Prep classes. Accepted families pay a £3,000 deposit to secure the place. For specific entry points and timings, contact the school's admissions team directly via the school website.
For 2025–26, termly fees range from £10,496 in Reception to £11,814 in Year 8. Fees include VAT and lunches. Pre-Nursery and Nursery fees are VAT-exempt. A £3,000 deposit is required upon acceptance of a place and is refunded at the end of a child's time at the school, subject to terms and conditions. Fees are reviewed annually and are payable before the first day of each term. The school offers All-Rounder scholarships for pupils entering in Years 3 or 4 who demonstrate academic excellence and talent in art, drama, music, sport, STEM, or languages.
Pupils leaving at the end of Year 8 progress to a range of competitive senior schools. Many move on to Brighton College in Sussex as weekly boarders, while others secure places at leading London day schools including St Paul's School, Dulwich College, Latymer Upper School, Francis Holland (Regent's Park and Sloane Square), Putney High School, and St Catherine's. The school prepares pupils for Common Entrance and scholarship examinations and offers guidance on senior school selection, pre-tests, and interviews. As the school is newly established, a comprehensive track record of destinations is still developing.
No. Brighton College Prep Kensington caters to pupils aged 2 to 13, concluding at the end of Year 8. Pupils transition to senior schools at age 13 or 14, depending on the destination school's entry point. The school prepares pupils for this transition through a bespoke Brighton College curriculum in Years 7 and 8, including study skills, reasoning, and current affairs, ensuring readiness for the demands of senior school.
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