Independent Prep & Private School London

Just a short walk from famous Hampstead Heath, we wear our North London colours proudly. From educational trips to the many museums and our own development partnership with Tottenham Hotspur Football Club, locals have chosen Devonshire House for over three decades.

Devonshire House is one of London’s leading independent prep schools in North London, a co-educational day school for boys and girls aged 2 to 13, set across a cluster of Victorian houses in the heart of Hampstead. As part of the Dukes Education family, we welcome both local and expatriate families searching for private schools in London.

This page explains why families choose us, how to get here, and where our pupils go on to thrive.

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Why Families Choose Devonshire House School

“A rare midground: academic rigour and a happy, balanced, nurturing childhood.”
Mrs Sinead O'Brien, Headteacher

Academic excellence and nurture

A broad, ambitious curriculum, underpinned by a long-established culture of wellbeing, so pupils do not have to choose between rigour and happiness. Specialist teachers deliver subjects including French, STEM and the arts, alongside a full Games and PE programme from a very young age. By Year 4, learning is taken further with all lessons delivered by specialist teachers, including Maths and English.

Individual pastoral care

Every child is known as an individual, with bespoke relationships between staff and families at the centre of school life – this approach was mentioned in our March 2024 ISI inspection, which placed pupils’ wellbeing at the heart of the School.

A strong, diverse community

Over 30% of our pupils join us from over 50 countries worldwide, creating a genuinely global outlook alongside a village feel.

Generous Outdoor Spaces

Large learning spaces including an on-site purposed-built Forest School, three large Astro-turfs and two Early Years playgrounds.

Our Facilities and Learning Environment

Devonshire House is set across a cluster of large Victorian houses in the heart of Hampstead, giving pupils space to explore, learn, and let off steam in a genuinely residential, village-like setting rather than a single large institutional building.

Forest School: regular access to outdoor learning and play, supporting the well-documented boost to wellbeing that comes from being outside.

Specialist teaching spaces: dedicated rooms for the arts, STEM and languages, alongside our core classrooms.

Sport and enrichment: a full Games and PE programme, enhanced by our official coaching partnership with Tottenham Hotspur Football Club.

Full details of our site and specialist spaces are available on our Facilities page.

Preparing Children for Leading Senior Schools

Our leavers move on to a wide range of leading senior schools, including South Hampstead High School, University College School (UCS), Highgate, St Paul’s School, Channing, Francis Holland, Merchant Taylors’ School, Wetherby Senior and Mill Hill School, alongside a broad array of scholarships awarded each year.

As part of Dukes Education, many families also benefit from a guaranteed entry policy to Dukes senior schools, subject to availability and fit, without the need to sit the 11+ or 13+, plus the option of early acceptance from Year 5.

This progression builds on strong foundations from the earliest years. Our March 2024 ISI inspection confirmed that all relevant Independent School Standards are met, with inspectors noting that:

“Leaders actively promote pupils’ wellbeing and place their needs at the heart of the School.”

– Independent Schools Inspectorate, March 2024

A Diverse, Global Community

Around 30% of our pupils join us from overseas, from over 50 countries worldwide, creating a genuinely diverse, non-denominational and inclusive community. Despite this global outlook, our community spirit has a village feel, bringing belonging, connection, and a network for the whole family.

Our experienced Admissions team regularly supports international families through the process, and our full-time English as an Additional Language (EAL) teacher, part of our SEN department, helps pupils with little or no English make rapid progress in reading, writing, grammar and spelling.

Devonshire House holds a licence to sponsor Child Student visas and works in partnership with the Office of Overseas Schools and the Community Liaison Office of the U.S. Embassy London, supporting diplomatic families choosing an independent school in London for a short or long stay.

Life Beyond the Classroom

Choosing an independent school in London is about more than the timetable. At Devonshire House, School Life includes an active Charity Committee, an Eco-School with a genuinely effective Student Council, and a strong sense of community that brings families together well beyond the school gates.

Every child benefits from nutritious school lunches, included within tuition fees, and a full calendar of clubs, trips and holiday activities that make the most of our location in one of London’s most vibrant boroughs.

The school also offers wraparound care – daily care from 8 am to 6 pm, giving working parents genuine flexibility.

We also provide care for your children during school holidays and half-terms through Let’s Leap Holiday Clubs. Let them get stuck into over 50 activities, including archery, go-karting, arts and crafts, multi-sports, and inflatable obstacle courses, in a safe, trusted location where they can build confidence and forge new connections.

From Nursery to Prep School

Families join us at a range of entry points, and our Admissions team guides you through each transition.

Stage	Entry Point	Overview	Admissions Information
Nursery	From age 2 or 3	Early Years provision (Acorns and Oaks) focused on developing confidence, curiosity and key foundational skills.	See our Nursery for entry requirements and availability.
Reception	4+	The first formal year of school, supporting children’s transition into a structured learning environment.	See our Reception for the application process, assessment details and key dates.
Senior School Transition	11+	Preparation for the next stage of education, including applications, exam preparation and transition support.	See our 11+ page for entry requirements and information about Years 7 & 8.

What Families and Reviewers Say

The Good Schools Guide, one of the UK’s most trusted independent school guides, described Devonshire House as:

“A solid, stretching, well-connected prep school of the highest standard.”

– The Good Schools Guide, November 2023

Families relocating from overseas often comment on how quickly they felt part of the community:

“The kind and welcoming staff, supportive families, and inclusive school environment made all of us feel at home from day one.”

– Mrs Heyn, Devonshire House parent from Sweden

Getting to Devonshire House School

Devonshire House School is split between three locations just around the corner from each other: The Nursery and Prep-School building is based at 2 Arkwright Road, Hampstead, London, NW3 6AE, while the Pre-Prep school is 69 Fitzjohn’s Ave, London NW3 6PD. Both are within easy reach of families across North and Central London.

This central Hampstead location makes Devonshire House a realistic, well-connected choice for families across neighbourhoods including Belsize Park, St John’s Wood, Highgate, Camden, West Hampstead, Queen’s Park and Primrose Hill, as well as Hampstead itself.

CONTACT ADMISSIONS

Mode of Travel	Nearest Options	Distance from School
Underground	Hampstead station (Northern Line)	5-minute walk (0.3 miles)
Overground	Finchley Road & Frognal station	9-minute walk (0.4 miles)
Underground	Finchley Road station (Jubilee and Metropolitan lines)	Short walk
Bus	Routes 268, 603 and 46	Nearby stops
School Bus	Dedicated Devonshire House school bus service	See our School Bus page for routes

10 reasons to choose Devonshire House

1. Co-educational

Devonshire House is a co-educational school that caters to the whole family, welcoming children aged 2 to 13.

2. Springboard to a range of reputable senior schools

Our intimate knowledge of your child and the senior school landscape means we consistently secure places at your preferred schools.

3. Belonging for all

We are a diverse, non-denominational, inclusive community that reflects our location in a global city. Yet the community spirit feels like a village, bringing belonging, connection, and a network for the whole family.

4. Academic excellence AND nurture

Our academic excellence and fearless love of learning are underpinned by shared values and a long-established culture of wellbeing. You don’t have to choose between an academically rigorous and pastorally nurturing school; here, the two go hand in hand.

5. Professional leadership

You have the peace of mind that comes with strong leadership from an experienced, well-connected Head, underpinned by the quality, investment, security, and training that come with being part of the Dukes Governance family of schools.

6. Space to be a child

Thanks to a variety of outdoor spaces, including a forest school, your child will have space to explore, let off steam, and experience the well-documented boost to wellbeing that comes from being outside.

7. A place to find your spark

Our specialist teachers and facilities offer exceptional co-curricular opportunities. Your child can discover what makes them feel alive, whether that’s creative expression through the arts, playing sport, or contributing to society through the eco-club or the charity committee.

8. Preparation for life

We focus on world-readiness from a young age: learning how to function in society; seeing and becoming positive role models; developing leadership skills; forging confidence.

9. Flexibility for working parents

You have the flexibility of extended-day and holiday clubs, aided by our location in the heart of Hampstead, with ready access to transport links.

10. Partnership & communication

We understand how much it means to entrust your child to school. We believe it takes a village to raise a child, and we promote partnership, transparency, and two-way communication.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Devonshire House School close to Hampstead station?

Yes. The School is a 5-minute walk (around 0.3 miles) from Hampstead Underground station on the Northern Line, and a 9-minute walk from Finchley Road & Frognal Overground station.

Which areas does Devonshire House serve?

Families join us from across North and Central London, including Hampstead, Belsize Park, St John’s Wood, Highgate, Queen’s Park, Camden and Primrose Hill, along with families relocating from overseas.

What age range does Devonshire House School accept?

Devonshire House is a co-educational day school for children aged 2 to 13, from Nursery through to Year 8, with entry points at Nursery, Reception, and 11+.

Is Devonshire House School suitable for international or relocating families?

Yes. Over 30% of our pupils join us from over 50 countries worldwide. We hold a licence to sponsor Child Student visas, and our dedicated EAL teacher supports children who join us with little or no English.

Which senior schools do Devonshire House pupils move on to?

Our leavers progress to schools including South Hampstead High School, UCS, Highgate, St Paul’s, Channing, Francis Holland, Merchant Taylors’ and Mill Hill, with many also benefiting from guaranteed entry to Dukes Education senior schools.

What makes Devonshire House different from other London prep schools?

Our combination of academic ambition and genuine pastoral care, an outstanding outdoor space for London, a diverse international community, an exclusive coaching partnership with Tottenham Hotspur Football Club, and guaranteed progression within the Dukes Education family together set Devonshire House apart.