What is a Prep School? Differences Between State and Private Schools

There’s plenty to think about as you try to choose the best school for your child during their formative years.

One of the most common choices is between state and private schools. Prep schools are one of the main types of private schools for young children.

So, what is a prep school exactly – and what value can a prep school provide?

Summary

• Prep schools are independent, fee-paying primary schools. Traditionally, they prepare children for selective secondary schools. At Maple Walk and Faraday Prep Schools we prepare for both selective secondary schools and state schools.
• They differ from state schools in key areas such as funding sources, curriculum, class sizes and admissions processes.
• Whilst parents often choose prep schools for more individualised support, specialist subject teaching, strong pastoral care and structured support for entrance exams at secondary schools, we prepare pupils for both independent and state schools. Many receive offers from both and with scholarships – be those academic, for music, drama or art.

What are prep schools?

A prep school is a type of primary school that is independent from the state system. Therefore, it can set its own curriculum and admissions policies.

Prep schools are a type of private school, meaning that the government does not run or fund them, unlike state schools. Instead, private schools often have a board of governors and raise funds independently.

The New Model School Company is a limited, not-for-profit philanthropic company with a Chairman, CEO, CFO, Board of Directors, Advisors and Teaching and Learning committee. Annual Reports publish the accounts and a review of the schools each year.

Short for preparatory school, one of the traditional purposes of a prep school is to prepare children for entrance exams to attend their next school. These assessments, such as the 11+ exams, are part of the selective admissions processes at secondary schools, including independent and grammar schools.

Different types of prep schools include standalone day schools, boarding schools and specialist ones, including choir schools or schools focusing on special educational needs (SEN). Many are co-educational while some are for boys or girls only.

Most prep schools receive inspections from the Independent Schools Inspectorate (ISI), appointed by the Department for Education.

At the New Model School Company, we are very proud to have two highly reputable prep schools with multiple industry awards – Maple Walk and Faraday, which won The Independent School of The Year’s Independent Prep School of The Year 2024. Both are independent co-ed prep schools in London for children aged between 4-11.

Main differences between state and prep schools

Below are some of the most common differences between prep schools and state schools.
Sources of funding

• State schools: Receive funding from the government or local authorities through taxation, with no additional tuition fee costs for parents.
• Prep schools: Receive funding from tuition fees but also other sources such as philanthropy, charitable endowments and ancillary income outside of teaching hours.

Our prep schools’ fees are lower than 90% of other independent schools in London. Philanthropy is at the heart of our ethos and both our schools are not for profit – we reinvest any surpluses made at Maple Walk and Faraday back into the schools, including our bursary support.

Curriculum

• State schools: Follow the National Curriculum, set by the Department for Education, for all subjects based on four Key Stages.
• Prep schools: Use their own curriculum, with a strong emphasis on preparing children for entrance exams at selective private secondary schools.

At our prep schools, a dedicated Teaching and Learning Committee oversees a forward-thinking, knowledge-based curriculum. Our aim is to instill a love of learning through an exciting, broad curriculum taught in a creative way, enriching the education with strong community links and collaboration.

Class sizes

State schools: Have an average class size of 26 pupils, according to government data.
Prep schools: Have class sizes of roughly 10-15 pupils each or even fewer.

Our prep schools have smaller than average class sizes. We believe that with smaller class sizes, every child has more space to thrive academically, artistically and socially.

Admissions

• State schools: Provide all children aged 5-16 a place at one of their local state schools, based on catchment areas and oversubscription criteria.
• Prep schools: Set their own admissions policies, sometimes with selection criteria based on assessments.

However, both our prep schools are academically non-selective at Reception, with no daunting assessments for young children during admissions. Our vision is to provide an excellent education that inspires, challenges and brings out the best in every child, helping them to find their niche.

Why choose a prep school?

While every school is different, these are some of the most popular reasons why parents decide to choose a prep school for their child:

Individualised support

Prep schools tend to have smaller class sizes – due to a higher teacher-to-pupil ratio and/or smaller overall school sizes, with fewer pupils per academic year compared to state schools.
With smaller class sizes, staff can teach in ways that are more tailored to each child. They can spend more time helping the pupils who need more support and stretch those who would benefit from more of a challenge.

The ethos at our prep schools is to ensure that every pupil is heard, so that all children can achieve their potential through differentiated learning.

Our schools are academically rigorous with ambitious, memorable and engaging lessons designed to build children’s confidence.

Specialised teaching

While at state primaries it’s common to find the form teacher handling most subjects, many prep schools offer more specialised teaching.

They may have experienced, subject-specific experts across the curriculum, including for extra-curricular activities such as the arts and sports.

Our schools have specialist teachers for music, drama, dance and physical education – helping to achieve the best outcomes for all pupils.

Maple Walk recently received recognition from the Independent Schools Association as a winner in the Outstanding Sport, Small School category and Faraday for Art & Design.

Pastoral care

In a school, pastoral care means the measures in place that are dedicated to a child’s emotional, social and physical wellbeing. A well-rounded education in the early years is crucial for every child’s personal development and confidence.

Prep schools tend to have more resources in place to prepare children for the ‘jump’ to senior school and their teenage years.

We take the time to know all our pupils well, with staff consistently going above and beyond for the children in their care.

Wellbeing measures include everything from private counselling at Faraday to happiness lessons and a dedicated therapy dog at Maple Walk, as well as a buddy system at both schools. The Week Magazine recently recognised Maple Walk as ‘Great for Pastoral Care’ in its Independent School Guide.

Preparation for selective secondary schools

Preparing children for the opportunities and challenges at competitive senior schools is part of most prep schools’ purpose.

While that involves preparing children academically for exams such as the 11+ it also means giving them a well-rounded education so that they can move onto the next stage of their journey with confidence.

Our schools offer exam preparation, including interview practice sessions and the availability of past papers. Pupils leaving Faraday and Maple Walk consistently receive offers and scholarships from some of the top senior schools and state schools in the country.

We also encourage every child to discover their voice, passions and path through a wide range of extra-curricular activities, after-school clubs running until 4.45pm and post-care clubs until 5.30pm.

FAQs: Prep school meaning

Does prep school mean ‘private’?

Prep schools are private and independent – they are fee-paying schools and follow their own curriculum, rather than the National Curriculum. Not all private schools are prep schools though.

Other types of private schools include senior independent schools for pupils aged 13-18, all-through schools for children of nursery age to 16 or 18, specialist schools and international schools.

What is a pre-prep school?

A pre-prep school is an independent school for younger children, usually from around age 3 or 4 up to the age of 7.

At our schools, our pre-prep school starts at Reception – the main point of entry – for children aged 4.

What ages are prep schools for?

Prep schools are for children aged 7 up to the age of either 11 or 13.

Our prep school age range is 4-11 because most of our pupils join us at Reception at age 4, before moving into Lower School aged 5-7.

We prepare our pupils for a wide range of independent destination schools at age 11.

Learn more about our prep schools

Both our schools, Faraday and Maple Walk, are prep schools. Among many other benefits, they offer smaller than average class sizes, an expansive, inspiring curriculum and extra-curricular activities.

Our fees are in the bottom 10% of London’s independent primary schools and our schools are proudly not for profit. By reinvesting any surpluses back into the schools, we believe they offer excellent value for money.

Our core values are:

• Curiosity – seeking knowledge and to love learning
• Creativity – innovating and collaborating
• Community – encouraging a sense of belonging

Both schools also provide a wide range of after-school clubs, educational visits and outdoor learning – with Faraday situated on the banks of the Thames, while Maple Walk is only a few minutes’ walk away from Roundwood Park.

Read more about Maple Walk and Faraday on their websites. To find out more about the New Model School Company, please don’t hesitate to contact us.