St James Nursery & Preparatory School
11+ Admissions Guide 2026

St James Prep School is an independent day school for pupils aged between 2 and 11 years, located in Kensington Olympia. Founded in 1975 as part of St James Schools, it moved to its current site in 2000, where it shares the grounds with St James Senior Girls' School. The school is part of the Independent Educational Association Limited, a registered charity and private limited company by guarantee. The school aims to provide a vibrant, creative climate for learning that inspires, challenges and supports children to achieve their best. It also seeks to develop spiritual understanding, a strong moral compass and an appreciation of stillness and well-being. Most pupils live within a 5-mile radius of the school and come from professional families that reflect the wide ethnic mix of the local community. The school supports pupils with a range of special educational needs and disabilities, as well as those for whom English is an additional language, and adapts its curriculum for academically able and gifted pupils.

Pupils who walk to/from school are allowed to bring in their phones after agreement between parents and the school. The phones are handed in for safe keeping by the school office for the day.