WHAT? WHERE?

The Cavendish School has been educating girls since 1875 and today welcomes around 195 pupils aged 3-11. Small by London Prep standards, class sizes average just 16 and are capped at 20, helping to create the close-knit, community feel that runs through the school.

Founded in Cavendish Square (hence the name), the school moved to its current Camden home in 1970 when it became an independent charitable trust. Its roots lie in the vision of pioneering American educator Cornelia Connelly, who believed girls should have access to the same educational opportunities as boys – a pretty progressive idea for the 19th century.

More than a century later, that forward-thinking ethos feels perfectly at home in Camden. Just a few minutes from the Tube, the school is surrounded by one of London’s liveliest neighbourhoods – all bustling markets, legendary music venues and gloriously eccentric energy. Sending your child to prep school in the heart of Camden might not immediately scream “traditional”, but step through the gates and the atmosphere shifts in an instant.

One minute you’re immersed in Camden’s creative buzz; the next you’re in a calm, purposeful school where boys have space to learn, play and simply be children. Better still, Regent’s Park is just a stone’s throw away, giving pupils easy access to one of London’s most beautiful green spaces for sport, outdoor learning and a welcome dose of fresh air. The result is a school that feels refreshingly grounded, with just the right amount of Camden cool running through its veins.

The school’s alumni reflect that independent spirit. Former pupils include singer-songwriter Lily Allen, author Katherine Pangonis, rising rugby talent Tiger Linney and wartime resistance heroine Cicely Lefort – perhaps the ultimate embodiment of the school’s long-standing motto, Where Girls Dare.

Today, Cavendish balances confidence-building and character development with strong academics. Yet for all its ambition, Cavendish doesn’t take itself too seriously. We arrived to find Head Taryn Lombard, dressed and ready to officiate sports day – which set the tone of the school’s grounded approach.

FACILITIES

SPORT

Sport at Cavendish is inclusive by design. Every pupil represents the school, so nobody spends the season warming the bench while the A team gets all the glory. There are squads for those who want to compete more seriously, and judging by the growing trophy cabinet – with recent successes in football and gymnastics – the school punches well above its weight. But the real priority is making sure every girl develops confidence, teamwork and a genuine love of sport, rather than chasing first-team status from the age of seven.

Netball is particularly popular, alongside football and cricket, with gymnastics and swimming (at local facilities) also on offer. Beyond that, there’s a strong co-curricular mix – from the running club to the oversubscribed circus skills. Specialist ballet teachers also come in weekly, teaching girls from Nursery to Y6. And yes, they love it.

CREATIVE & PERFORMING ARTS

Creative subjects are taken seriously at Cavendish, but never at the expense of fun. During our visit, we wandered into a Y4 music lesson and were promptly treated to not one but three songs delivered with such gusto, pride and sheer enjoyment that it was impossible not to smile. It’s the kind of place where performance feels less about perfection and more about participation – although the standard is very impressive.

Music is woven into the fabric of school life, with a more than 80% of pupils learning an instrument and every year group singing in a choir as part of the curriculum. Termly concerts and performances mean there’s no shortage of opportunities to get on stage, while peripatetic teachers cover everything from piano and violin to drums, trumpet and oboe.

Camden’s rich creative scene regularly spills into school life too. Recent visitors have included composer Lucy Armstrong, who workshopped her song Christmas Magic with pupils, while concerts, productions and informal performances ensure every girl has her moment in the spotlight. Drama is equally popular, with Year 6 pupils taking genuine ownership of their final productions, from prop modelling to staging.

Art has a similarly creative, hands-on feel. To mark the school’s 150th anniversary, pupils collaborated with ceramicist Charlotte Moore on a whole-school pottery installation, while projects across the curriculum range from Viking armour to desert landscapes built from scratch. Add in pottery club, regular trips to the National Gallery and Frieze, plus artwork exhibited at Christie’s, and it’s clear creativity isn’t confined to the art room

SCHOOL

Nothing here feels flashy for the sake of it. It’s about what is right for the girls, not what looks impressive on an open day. Parents expecting acres of playing fields, gleaming STEM centres or Olympic-standard facilities may find Cavendish more modest than some of London’s larger prep schools.

The campus is made up of a blend of old and new buildings – from the original Victorian school structure to a repurposed gas board building and the newer St Mary’s development, which houses five new classrooms and an impressive 250-seat performance space (the build cost £2.9m, if you’re asking. We were). The result is a campus that feels both characterful and contemporary.

Classrooms are well-equipped but not over-designed – even the science room is just that: a classroom for science. No bells and whistles (or bunsen burners), which for the money, some parents might expect.

Outside, there’s a good amount of playground space, with a new playground project in development, which the girls were actively involved in designing. The school also makes good use of its location, regularly heading to Regent’s Park for sport and outdoor learning, as well as trips to London galleries and more.

LITTLIES

THE cavendish school camden london pre prep pupil

Nursery is a key entry point, with children able to join from age three and benefit from the government’s 15hrs free childcare scheme. It’s very much part of the school, but has it’s own play area to keep them safe from the (sometimes) boisterous bigger kids!

With a maximum capacity of 18, it’s a calm and welcoming environment, with different areas for play, learning, sleeping, or just curling up with a cuddly toy. It has a Montessori-style of teaching, which means a focus on child-led, hands-on learning and play.

Tiny tots also benefit from the school’s wider facilities and regular outdoor learning through its aptly named Out There! programme. Whether it’s exploring Regent’s Park or taking lessons beyond the classroom walls, the emphasis is on curiosity, fresh air and learning through experience rather than sitting behind a desk. Outdoor play is also firmly built into the school day, giving younger pupils plenty of opportunities to burn off steam while connecting with nature.

ACADEMICS

Non-selective doesn’t mean non-academic here. Year six girls move on to a mix of competitive independent schools and sought-after state schools, including grammars, but without the feverish 11+ culture found at some London Preps.

An impressive 100% of leavers got their first choices in 2026, with destinations including Camden School for Girls, Channing, City of London School for Girls, Francis Holland, Highgate, North London Collegiate, Queen’s College and South Hampstead. Scholarship success is strong too, with 16 out of 35 girls offered scholarships, predominately for academic achievements, but also in music and drama.

Spend time in the classrooms and it’s easy to see how those results are achieved. The atmosphere is purposeful but relaxed, with teachers encouraging discussion rather than simply delivering information. A particular strength is oracy. Girls are taught to articulate ideas clearly, challenge assumptions and contribute confidently. It shows. These are pupils who aren’t afraid to have a view.

Head Taryn Lombard is clear this stems from founder Cornelia Connelly’s progressive belief in educating the whole child – something that still shapes the school today. It’s all reflected in the “Where girls dare” ethos: supportive, non-competitive, but also ambitious.

Entry is primarily at Nursery and Reception, although occasional places become available higher up the school. Prospective pupils attend taster days, and while siblings are given priority where possible, places can be competitive.

SEND

Cavendish has two specialist SENCos (both trained in dyslexia support), with a strong focus on early identification and inclusive teaching. Support is delivered through a mix of in-class strategies and targeted interventions, with teaching assistants playing an active role. What this means in practice is the girls get the help they need, without it feeling like a big deal. Or a big difference.

PASTORAL CARE

What stands out is how embedded wellbeing feels in everyday school life rather than bolted on as a standalone initiative. The school’s small size means staff know pupils exceptionally well, helping concerns to be spotted early before they become bigger issues.

The culture created by Taryn Lombard and her team is warm and inclusive, with a strong emphasis on kindness and respect. There’s also a noticeable lack of hierarchy – something the Head is keen to preserve. Even class captains are chosen by the girls themselves, not the teachers.

Wellbeing Champions give pupils an active role in shaping the community, and there’s a focus on looking out for each other rather than competing. Behind the scenes, the Deputy Head leads on wellbeing and safeguarding, although the school dog (Dexter), is clearly the one in charge, when it comes to creating happy kids at Cavendish.

THE HEAD

Previously Deputy Head at Wimbledon High School, Taryn Lombard has been at Cavendish for five years. Her influence is evident throughout the school, particularly in the balance she has struck between academic ambition and the school’s longstanding inclusive ethos.

In a landscape where many girls’ schools are moving towards co-education, Cavendish remains firmly committed to single-sex education. Under Lombard’s leadership, that commitment feels less about tradition and more about creating a space where girls can develop confidence without limitation.

In person, she is warm, thoughtful and refreshingly unpretentious. More importantly, she appears to embody the qualities the school values most: kindness, curiosity and a quiet determination to help girls find their voice.

QUIRKS

The annual talent show (held in honour of founder Cornelia Connelly) encapsulates the Cavendish ethos. Acts range from music and dance to more unexpected performances – including a presentation on the merits of pet rocks. It received a standing ovation, and pet rocks have since become a ‘thing’ at Cavendish. Well, it’s certainly cheaper than a pony…

WRAP AROUND CARE

Wrap-around care runs from 8am until 6pm (5:30pm on Fridays), alongside a wide range of after-school clubs, which are largely run by school staff. These include everything from sport and music to debating, STEM and creative activities.

MOBILE PHONE POLICY

Mobile phones are not allowed during school hours. Pupils who travel independently hand them in on arrival and collect them at the end of the day.

TRANSPORT

Most families come from Camden, Primrose Hill, Kentish Town and Islington, although the catchment stretches much further thanks to excellent transport links. Camden Town and Mornington Crescent Underground stations are both within easy walking distance, while King’s Cross St Pancras, Euston and several major bus routes are nearby, making the school surprisingly accessible from across North and Central London. For families travelling from further afield, a dedicated school bus currently serves Islington, with additional routes under consideration as demand grows.

FEES

Fees are currently £6,497 per term (plus VAT) for Reception to Y6. Nursery mornings cost £3,765 per term, with 15hrs of government-funded childcare available for children up to five.

ISI REPORT

The school’s most recent ISI inspection (2023) rated both teaching and pastoral care as excellent, praising Cavendish’s success in nurturing resilient, curious and enthusiastic learners. Inspectors were also impressed by the breadth of opportunities beyond the classroom, highlighting a co-curricular programme that enables pupils to develop their interests and talents to a notably high level for a school of its size.

WORD ON THE GROUND

Cavendish has a reputation as a friendly, nurturing school where girls are genuinely happy – something parents repeatedly mention. Several families told us they chose the school precisely because it feels refreshingly normal in an increasingly competitive London prep market. There is ambition here, certainly, but it doesn’t come wrapped in anxiety.

Pastoral care is a clear strength here, with wellbeing given almost as much weight as academic progress. The parent community feels sociable and refreshingly unpretentious, while pupil numbers remain buoyant thanks to strong demand at 7+, with families joining from the state sector, overseas and other independent schools. It all adds up to a school that feels welcoming, settled and quietly confident in what it offers.

THE MUDDY VERDICT

GOOD FOR: Families looking for a down-to-earth, inclusive girls’ school with strong academics and a genuine sense of community.

NOT FOR: Families looking for a Prep built around elite, weekend sports fixtures and the most intensive competitive circuit. Sport is taken seriously here, but the emphasis is on broad participation, weekday fixtures and leaving weekends free for family time.

DARE TO DISAGREE? Cavendish holds regular open mornings and private tours, which you can book here.

The Cavendish School, 31 Inverness St, London NW1 7HB. Tel: 020 7485 1958.

The Cavendish School, Camden, London

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