GAP Student

Kingswood House is a co-educational, mainstream independent day school from age 7 to 16. The school educates just under 225 pupils on its three acre site in West Hill, Epsom, which is well-served by its proximity to Epsom mainline train station. The Headmaster, Mr Matthew Bryan, has been in post since April 2024. He says,

"When looking at schools, many people are tempted to compare facilities, or exam results, or gender ratios, or any other easily quantifiable metric. In reality though, it is more often the intangibles, the hard to pin down more elusive qualities like values, culture, character and spirit that really set one school apart from another. We believe it is these qualities that determine the single most important aspect of how a school operates, that shape and define a pupil’s experience at school, and that should be the basis on which a parent should choose a school for their child.

Both children and adults at KHS will use lots of words to describe Kingswood House. But one word rises above all others: believe. Our belief system is to believe in children. We know it works, because to believe is to have hope, and to have hope is the key to being happy.

The provision looks different whether you’re 7 or 16, whether you’re indoors or outdoors, at work or play. But the ethos stays the same: we believe in the power of education to transform a child’s life and prospects; pupils learn to believe that they can make a difference, no matter what their own unique blend of strengths and difficulties; we believe teachers who care make the biggest impact.

At the end of the day, though, these are just words. My promise to you is that you’ll feel the ethos at Kingswood House if you come to visit us. It’s a special place, and I’ll look forward to living up to the big promises I’ve made above".

Accredited as “excellent in all areas” in their last full ISI inspection, Kingswood House is also endorsed by the Independent Association of Preparatory Schools (IAPS) and the Society of Heads (SoH). The school’s values promote tolerance, respect and friendship and families are welcome from all faiths, or none.

Founded in 1899, Kingswood House was formerly a preparatory school for boys up to the age of thirteen. In September 2016, the school embarked on its expansion up to GCSE and also moved to co-education in September 2021. The school might be 125 years old, but we are always looking for ways to improve the school and give pupils bigger and better opportunities. Expanding the school to include girls was the biggest example of this, and the positive impact of having girls here has been just as huge.

Life is co-ed. School is about learning the vital skills and knowledge that you will need throughout your adult life. That means learning about yourself, as well as about other people. We have girls working with boys, as well as artists working with scientists, sporty types and musicians, children who have a range of interests and those who haven’t found their ‘thing’ yet. The broad mix of both pupils and staff at KHS ensures that we have varied perspectives and holistic development for all.

Every single area of school life has improved as a result of the move to co-education, and after only this short space of time it is already impossible to imagine life without girls! The success is down to the fact that nothing is taken for granted. Everyone in our school community works to ensure that all children are happy, have what they need, and share in the responsibility to keep improving.

Kingswood House is committed to nurturing pupils in an inclusive, safe, respectful and diverse environment. This is the best – the only – way to prepare them for the complexities, challenges and opportunities of adult life.

View Kingswood House School's latest ISI report