The Children's House is a long running independent day school in north London, and its Upper School is the preparatory stage that follows the early years site. It is one of the smaller, more local options among the international schools in London and the capital's wider independent sector, teaching the English national curriculum to children from Reception to the end of primary, then preparing them for 11 plus entry to London senior schools. Despite a name that echoes the Montessori Casa dei Bambini, the school runs a mainstream English programme through theme based learning rather than a Montessori method.
The Children's House at a glance
| Curriculum and exam boards | English national curriculum, theme based learning, 11 plus preparation |
|---|---|
| Stages | Reception to Year 6 at the Upper School (roughly age 4 to 11); nursery at the early years site |
| Founded | Not published |
| Accreditation | Member of the Independent Schools Association; within the Independent Schools Council |
| Selection | Not academically selective; places on a first come, first served basis |
| Fee band | Below the premium international band, toward the more affordable end of the London independent range |
| Campus area | King Henry's Walk, De Beauvoir and Islington, north London, N1 |
Curriculum and academics
The Children's House teaches the British curriculum in its English national curriculum form, delivered through a broad, theme based approach that links subjects around topics rather than teaching each in isolation. The aim across the Upper School is depth of understanding alongside strong core skills in English and maths, so that pupils are well placed for the 11 plus assessments that decide entry to London senior schools. The school reports good academic results and onward destinations at competitive day and grammar schools, which is the natural measure for a primary stage of this kind.
Provision covers the usual prep school breadth of science, the humanities, the arts, music, outdoor learning and a programme of clubs and enrichment. Because it is a feeder for selective senior schools rather than an all through international school, families weighing it against an international option will want to compare the 11 plus route with continuous IB or American pathways. Our compare tool sets schools side by side on curriculum, fees and stages, which helps when the choice is between a local prep and a larger international campus.
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The Children's House Upper School fees
The Children's House Upper School fees sit well below the top of the London international school fees range. As a small day prep school rather than a fee heavy international campus, it falls toward the more affordable end of the capital's independent sector, though it remains an independent fee charging school and was within the January 2025 change that applied 20 per cent VAT to private school fees in England. The school publishes its current termly fees by stage, which is the figure to rely on because it reviews them each year.
Beyond tuition, budget for the usual prep school extras. These typically include a registration fee, and charges for lunches, clubs, trips and any wraparound care before and after school. There is no boarding option and no large capital levy of the kind seen at premium international schools. Because precise figures change annually, confirm the current termly fee and the ancillary charges directly with the school office before registering.
Admissions
Admission to The Children's House is not based on an entrance test. Places are offered on a first come, first served basis, so registering early is the single most important step for families who want a place. There is one registration across both sites, and children at the early years site are automatically offered a Reception place to continue into the Upper School, which means the main external entry point is at the start of the primary years where places remain.
Families relocating to north London should register as soon as a move is likely, since popular year groups fill quickly. The school is used to working with parents new to the English system and can explain how the 11 plus and London senior school timetable works. Overseas families should also factor in any documentation needed for visas where applicable. As the practical first step, contact the school office to check availability in the year group you need.
Location and who goes there
The Upper School is on King Henry's Walk in the De Beauvoir and Islington area of north London, postcode N1, a short distance from the early years site on Elmore Street. This is a settled residential part of the capital with a strong local family community, good green space and quick links into the City and the West End, which suits families who want a neighbourhood school within walking or short travelling distance rather than a long commute to an out of town campus.
The intake is predominantly local, drawing from Islington, De Beauvoir, Canonbury, Hackney and the surrounding districts, with a mix of British and international families settling in this part of north London. It is a different proposition from the large international campuses in west and central London, and appeals to parents who value a small, community focused prep stage. For how Islington and the wider north of the capital compare on schooling, the London city hub maps where the main communities settle, and our guide to primary schools in London covers the early stages in more depth.
Reviews
No verified reviews yet. GlobalSchoolGuide is independent and accepts no payment from schools, so we publish parent reviews only after confirming the reviewer is part of the school community. If your family knows The Children's House first hand, please share your experience through our school reviews hub.
Frequently asked questions
How much are The Children's House Upper School fees?
As a small independent day prep school rather than a fee heavy international school, The Children's House sits below the premium international band in London, toward the more affordable end of the city's independent range. The school publishes its current termly fees by stage, alongside a registration fee and charges for lunches, clubs and trips.
Is The Children's House a Montessori school?
No. Despite a name that echoes the Montessori Casa dei Bambini, The Children's House follows the English national curriculum through theme based learning rather than a Montessori programme, and prepares pupils for 11 plus entry to London senior schools.
Is The Children's House Upper School a good school?
The Children's House is a well established independent prep school, a member of the Independent Schools Association, with a strong record of 11 plus results and onward places at London day and grammar schools. We do not publish a star rating without verified parent reviews, so we set out its programme and provision rather than score it.
When do The Children's House applications open?
The school is not academically selective and offers places on a first come, first served basis, so early registration matters. There is a single registration across both sites, and nursery children are automatically offered a Reception place to continue into the Upper School.
Where is The Children's House Upper School?
The Upper School is on King Henry's Walk in the De Beauvoir and Islington area of north London, postcode N1, a short distance from the Early Years site on Elmore Street.
