Person riding a bicycle on a road lined with trees and flags towards a modern building partially covered in green ivy under a clear sky.
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Middle school students in school uniforms and safety goggles conducting a chemistry experiment using Bunsen burners in a science lab.Three young boys wearing school uniforms closely examine plants outdoors, two of them using magnifying glasses, one red and one yellow.Group of young boys in green school uniforms sitting in a line on wooden play structures resembling a train outdoors surrounded by trees and greenery.A teacher in a white coat watches attentively as a student explains a science model involving a light bulb to three other students wearing red school uniforms with striped ties in a classroom with a laptop and supplies on the table.Four smiling children in green school uniforms standing on a wooden playhouse balcony outdoors.
St paul's School group
Text
Arnold House update
Introduction

Five independent London schools, united by a shared commitment to educational excellence

The St Paul's School Group brings together St Paul's School, St Paul's Prep School, Durston House, Shrewsbury House, The Rowans and Arnold House. The Group was formed in 2025, in response to change within the independent sector, to protect choice for parents and to safeguard the opportunities independent schools provide to wider society.

Each school benefits from strong leadership and offers an outstanding education in its own right. Each brings its own identity, and it is from this shared position of strength that the Group was formed.

Every school retains its own leadership, name, ethos, culture and uniform, and continues to prepare its pupils for the broad range of senior schools that is right for them.

What membership brings is shared expertise and best practice, professional development for staff across all five schools, stronger governance, and the St Paul's School Group Charter.

Shrewsbury House School logo featuring a red lion holding a cross inside a red-bordered shield, with the motto 'Alta Peto' below and the text 'Shrewsbury House School Founded 1865' to the right.

Shrewsbury House School

A leading independent prep school for boys, combining academic excellence with outstanding pastoral care. Shrewsbury House School has over 150 years of heritage, continually inspiring curiosity, confidence and character, whilst offering a supportive environment where every boy is encouraged to thrive, discover his strengths and achieve his full potential.
View Website
Three smiling young boys in gray short-sleeve shirts and red striped ties standing close outdoors with one boy's arm around another under trees.
Durston House shield featuring a grey and black bird with a red beak and legs standing on a green and black twisted rope, with the year 1886 below, above a green ribbon bearing the motto 'SE ADJUVANTIUM ADJUTOR DEUS'.

Durston House School

Durston House is a vibrant co-educational school combining academic excellence with outstanding pastoral care. Established in 1886, it blends tradition with a forward-thinking approach, creating a warm, stimulating environment where every child is able to flourish. With ambitious teaching and a strong sense of community, pupils are prepared for leading senior schools and beyond.
View Website
Two schoolboys in grey uniforms sitting at a desk and looking at a Lenovo ThinkPad laptop, smiling in a classroom with colorful bulletin board in the background.
Coat of arms with three white deer and three black rings on a white chevron background inside a golden border featuring four red crossed swords, above a white ribbon with the Latin motto 'Fide et Literis,' above the text 'St Paul's School Founded 1509.'

St Paul's School

St Paul's School is a leading independent school for boys aged 13 to 18. Rooted in a 500-year tradition of scholarship, it provides an intellectually ambitious education that encourages curiosity and independent thought. Boys benefit from an exceptional breadth of opportunities across sport, the arts and co-curricular life, developing the character to make a positive contribution beyond school.
View Website
Teenage boys in school uniforms sitting at desks in a classroom, writing on papers, with a calculator and pencil case on the table, one boy looking away thoughtfully.
Logo showing a branch with green leaves and red berries above the name The Rowans School in black text separated by horizontal black lines.

The Rowans School

As an exceptional pre-prep school, The Rowans offers a nurturing and dynamic environment for boys and girls aged 3 to 7, where every pupil is valued and empowered to reach their potential. With a long-standing reputation for academic and all-round excellence, the school combines outstanding education with a warm and supportive atmosphere, set within spacious grounds close to Wimbledon Common.
View Website
Four young children in green school uniforms sitting at a classroom table extending their arms forward, with one boy smiling brightly in the foreground.
Red shield with a white stylized cross and dots, with the words Arnold House below.

Arnold House School

Founded in 1905, Arnold House is a leading independent prep school for boys aged 3 to 13 in St John's Wood. With a belief that happy boys learn best, the school takes a balanced, boy-centred approach, encouraging curiosity, confidence and a strong sense of self. Over a ten-year journey, boys grow academically, socially and emotionally, supported by exceptional pastoral care.
View Website
Four young boys standing close together in front of a brick wall, smiling and wearing school uniforms with grey sweaters and striped ties.
Shield emblem with three white deer and three rings on a black background with a white chevron, surrounded by a gold border featuring crossed swords, above a banner reading 'Fide et Literis' and the text 'St Paul’s Prep School'.

St Paul's Prep School

St Paul's Prep School is a leading independent school for boys aged 7 to 13, offering an academically ambitious education within a lively and stimulating environment. Part of St Paul's School, it combines high academic standards with a broad education encompassing sport, the arts and wider interests. Boys are encouraged to think independently, develop their talents and grow in confidence.
View Website
Two schoolboys in uniforms walking on a garden path surrounded by greenery and flowers, with a picnic table and a brick building in the background.
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Two young boys in green school blazers play a game of chess at a table indoors, focused on the chessboard.
Young children wearing green polo shirts and dark uniforms with school logos play with tambourines and percussion instruments outdoors during daytime, accompanied by an adult in a matching uniform.
Four young boys in black blazers with red and white stripes and red ties sit around a table in a classroom, engaged with an open book that one boy is pointing at while others look on with interest.
School children in uniform reading Philip's Children's Atlas books at a classroom table with colorful shelves and educational materials in the background.
A group of five boys in school uniforms walking outside on a paved path between buildings, carrying bags and smiling.
Two young boys in green school blazers play a game of chess at a table indoors, focused on the chessboard.
Young children wearing green polo shirts and dark uniforms with school logos play with tambourines and percussion instruments outdoors during daytime, accompanied by an adult in a matching uniform.
Four young boys in black blazers with red and white stripes and red ties sit around a table in a classroom, engaged with an open book that one boy is pointing at while others look on with interest.
School children in uniform reading Philip's Children's Atlas books at a classroom table with colorful shelves and educational materials in the background.
A group of five boys in school uniforms walking outside on a paved path between buildings, carrying bags and smiling.
Two young boys in green school blazers play a game of chess at a table indoors, focused on the chessboard.
Young children wearing green polo shirts and dark uniforms with school logos play with tambourines and percussion instruments outdoors during daytime, accompanied by an adult in a matching uniform.
Four young boys in black blazers with red and white stripes and red ties sit around a table in a classroom, engaged with an open book that one boy is pointing at while others look on with interest.
School children in uniform reading Philip's Children's Atlas books at a classroom table with colorful shelves and educational materials in the background.
A group of five boys in school uniforms walking outside on a paved path between buildings, carrying bags and smiling.
Shrewsbury House School logo featuring a red lion holding a cross inside a red-bordered shield, with the motto 'Alta Peto' below and the text 'Shrewsbury House School Founded 1865' to the right.

Shrewsbury House School

A leading independent prep school for boys, combining academic excellence with outstanding pastoral care. Shrewsbury House School has over 150 years of heritage, continually inspiring curiosity, confidence and character, whilst offering a supportive environment where every boy is encouraged to thrive, discover his strengths and achieve his full potential.
View Website
Three smiling young boys in gray short-sleeve shirts and red striped ties standing close outdoors with one boy's arm around another under trees.
Durston House shield featuring a grey and black bird with a red beak and legs standing on a green and black twisted rope, with the year 1886 below, above a green ribbon bearing the motto 'SE ADJUVANTIUM ADJUTOR DEUS'.

Durston House School

Durston House is a vibrant co-educational school combining academic excellence with outstanding pastoral care. Established in 1886, it blends tradition with a forward-thinking approach, creating a warm, stimulating environment where every child is able to flourish. With ambitious teaching and a strong sense of community, pupils are prepared for leading senior schools and beyond.
View Website
Two schoolboys in grey uniforms sitting at a desk and looking at a Lenovo ThinkPad laptop, smiling in a classroom with colorful bulletin board in the background.
Coat of arms with three white deer and three black rings on a white chevron background inside a golden border featuring four red crossed swords, above a white ribbon with the Latin motto 'Fide et Literis,' above the text 'St Paul's School Founded 1509.'

St Paul's School

St Paul's School is a leading independent school for boys aged 13 to 18. Rooted in a 500-year tradition of scholarship, it provides an intellectually ambitious education that encourages curiosity and independent thought. Boys benefit from an exceptional breadth of opportunities across sport, the arts and co-curricular life, developing the character to make a positive contribution beyond school.
View Website
Teenage boys in school uniforms sitting at desks in a classroom, writing on papers, with a calculator and pencil case on the table, one boy looking away thoughtfully.
Logo showing a branch with green leaves and red berries above the name The Rowans School in black text separated by horizontal black lines.

The Rowans School

As an exceptional pre-prep school, The Rowans offers a nurturing and dynamic environment for boys and girls aged 3 to 7, where every pupil is valued and empowered to reach their potential. With a long-standing reputation for academic and all-round excellence, the school combines outstanding education with a warm and supportive atmosphere, set within spacious grounds close to Wimbledon Common.
View Website
Four young children in green school uniforms sitting at a classroom table extending their arms forward, with one boy smiling brightly in the foreground.
Red shield with a white stylized cross and dots, with the words Arnold House below.

Arnold House School

Founded in 1905, Arnold House is a leading independent prep school for boys aged 3 to 13 in St John's Wood. With a belief that happy boys learn best, the school takes a balanced, boy-centred approach, encouraging curiosity, confidence and a strong sense of self. Over a ten-year journey, boys grow academically, socially and emotionally, supported by exceptional pastoral care.
View Website
Four young boys standing close together in front of a brick wall, smiling and wearing school uniforms with grey sweaters and striped ties.
Shield emblem with three white deer and three rings on a black background with a white chevron, surrounded by a gold border featuring crossed swords, above a banner reading 'Fide et Literis' and the text 'St Paul’s Prep School'.

St Paul's Prep School

St Paul's Prep School is a leading independent school for boys aged 7 to 13, offering an academically ambitious education within a lively and stimulating environment. Part of St Paul's School, it combines high academic standards with a broad education encompassing sport, the arts and wider interests. Boys are encouraged to think independently, develop their talents and grow in confidence.
View Website
Two schoolboys in uniforms walking on a garden path surrounded by greenery and flowers, with a picnic table and a brick building in the background.
Three smiling young boys in gray short-sleeve shirts and red striped ties standing close outdoors with one boy's arm around another under trees.
Shrewsbury House School logo featuring a red lion holding a cross inside a red-bordered shield, with the motto 'Alta Peto' below and the text 'Shrewsbury House School Founded 1865' to the right.

Shrewsbury House School

A leading independent prep school for boys, combining academic excellence with outstanding pastoral care. Shrewsbury House School has over 150 years of heritage, continually inspiring curiosity, confidence and character, whilst offering a supportive environment where every boy is encouraged to thrive, discover his strengths and achieve his full potential.
View Website
Two schoolboys in grey uniforms sitting at a desk and looking at a Lenovo ThinkPad laptop, smiling in a classroom with colorful bulletin board in the background.
Durston House shield featuring a grey and black bird with a red beak and legs standing on a green and black twisted rope, with the year 1886 below, above a green ribbon bearing the motto 'SE ADJUVANTIUM ADJUTOR DEUS'.

Durston House School

Durston House is a vibrant co-educational school combining academic excellence with outstanding pastoral care. Established in 1886, it blends tradition with a forward-thinking approach, creating a warm, stimulating environment where every child is able to flourish. With ambitious teaching and a strong sense of community, pupils are prepared for leading senior schools and beyond.
View Website
Teenage boys in school uniforms sitting at desks in a classroom, writing on papers, with a calculator and pencil case on the table, one boy looking away thoughtfully.
Coat of arms with three white deer and three black rings on a white chevron background inside a golden border featuring four red crossed swords, above a white ribbon with the Latin motto 'Fide et Literis,' above the text 'St Paul's School Founded 1509.'

St Paul's School

St Paul's School is a leading independent school for boys aged 13 to 18. Rooted in a 500-year tradition of scholarship, it provides an intellectually ambitious education that encourages curiosity and independent thought. Boys benefit from an exceptional breadth of opportunities across sport, the arts and co-curricular life, developing the character to make a positive contribution beyond school.
View Website
Four young children in green school uniforms sitting at a classroom table extending their arms forward, with one boy smiling brightly in the foreground.
Logo showing a branch with green leaves and red berries above the name The Rowans School in black text separated by horizontal black lines.

The Rowans School

As an exceptional pre-prep school, The Rowans offers a nurturing and dynamic environment for boys and girls aged 3 to 7, where every pupil is valued and empowered to reach their potential. With a long-standing reputation for academic and all-round excellence, the school combines outstanding education with a warm and supportive atmosphere, set within spacious grounds close to Wimbledon Common.
View Website
Four young boys standing close together in front of a brick wall, smiling and wearing school uniforms with grey sweaters and striped ties.
Red shield with a white stylized cross and dots, with the words Arnold House below.

Arnold House School

Founded in 1905, Arnold House is a leading independent prep school for boys aged 3 to 13 in St John's Wood. With a belief that happy boys learn best, the school takes a balanced, boy-centred approach, encouraging curiosity, confidence and a strong sense of self. Over a ten-year journey, boys grow academically, socially and emotionally, supported by exceptional pastoral care.
View Website
Two schoolboys in uniforms walking on a garden path surrounded by greenery and flowers, with a picnic table and a brick building in the background.
Shield emblem with three white deer and three rings on a black background with a white chevron, surrounded by a gold border featuring crossed swords, above a banner reading 'Fide et Literis' and the text 'St Paul’s Prep School'.

St Paul's Prep School

St Paul's Prep School is a leading independent school for boys aged 7 to 13, offering an academically ambitious education within a lively and stimulating environment. Part of St Paul's School, it combines high academic standards with a broad education encompassing sport, the arts and wider interests. Boys are encouraged to think independently, develop their talents and grow in confidence.
View Website
The programme

What every pupil will recieve

Our Programme provides enrichment that will benefit all pupils in the Group, regardless of next school destination.

Academic

Certified courses focusing on academic excellence beyond the curriculum

Wellbeing

Enriching PSHE and Mental Health programmes throughout the Group

Community

Group-wide collaboration, including competitions, tournaments and events

Innovation

Future-focused co-curricular experiences, including AI education, public speaking and entrepreneurship

Pathway

A stewarded route to St Paul’s School for boys within the Group

stewarded pathway

The route to St Paul's

A supported route to St Paul's for boys within the Group, from early identification through to entry at 13+

group schools only

  • Unconditional 13+ offers are made by the end of the Spring term.
  • Following discussion with individual families, Group Prep school Heads will offer parents the opportunity to register in Years 3, 4 or 5.
  • Assessed in the pupil’s own classroom: CAT4, teacher observation of behaviour sfor learning and Maths & English work
  • Interviews at St Paul’s: no formal exam.
Unsuccessful pupils can re-register the following year, or take the Year 6 exam instead.

group schools only

Early offer
Registration in Years 3, 4 or 5, then classroom assessment and interviews, with no formal exam

All candidates

Year 6 Exam
The standard route into St Paul's, with a pre-test, a Mathematics and English exam and interviews

All candidates

  • The standard route into St Paul's at 13+.
  • Pupils take the ISEB Pre-test, a Maths& English examination and haveinterviews at St Paul's.
  • Offers follow the usual 13+ timetable.
A Group Prep school pupil that is unsuccessful at this stage but shows potential, will be invited onto the Year 7 pathway.

group schools only

Year 7 Pathway
By invitation after the Year 6 exam, with small-group teaching and an examination in November

group schools only

  • For pupils who showed potential in the Year 6 exam.
  • Small-group Maths & English tuition from St Paul's teachers, over the summer of Year 6 and into autumn of Year 7.
  • Examination in November, and interviews and offers in December
For unsuccessful at this stage, theYear 8 examination remains open to them.

All candidates

Year 8 Exam
Open to any prep school and the last assessment point, with an exam and interviews

All candidates

  • The last assessment point before entry.
  • Pupils who are unsuccessful in the Year 6 assessment, but showed potential OR pupils who are new-joiners to their Prep School and hence missed the Year 6 assessment OR Group Prep school pupils who were unsuccessful on the Year 7 Pathway but showedpotential
  • Exam and interviews at St Paul's.
For unsuccessful pupils at this stage, families are encouraged to opportunities at other senior schools.

all candidates

Entry
The point every route leads to, with the same offer and the same start whichever way he arrives
A group of teenage boys playing brass instruments, including trumpets and saxophone, in a music ensemble with sheet music stands in front of them.
stewarded pathway

The route to St Paul's

A supported route to St Paul's for boys within the Group, from early identification through to entry at 13+
Years 3–5

group schools only

  • Unconditional 13+ offers are made by the end of the Spring term.
  • Following discussion with individual families, Group Prep school Heads will offer parents the opportunity to registerin Years 3, 4 or 5.
  • Assessed in the pupil’s own classroom: CAT4, teacher observation of behavioursfor learning and Maths & English work
  • Interviews at St Paul’s: no formal exam.
Unsuccessful pupils can re-register the following year, or take the Year 6 exam instead.

group schools only

Early offer
Registration in Years 3, 4 or 5, then classroom assessment and interviews, with no formal exam
Year 6

All candidates

Year 6 Exam
The standard route into St Paul's, with a pre-test, a Mathematics and English exam and interviews

All candidates

  • The standard route into St Paul's at13+.
  • Pupils take the ISEB Pre-test, a Maths& English examination and haveinterviews at St Paul's.
  • Offers follow the usual 13+ timetable.
A Group Prep school pupil that is unsuccessful at this stage but shows potential, will be invited onto the Year 7 pathway.
Years 6–7

group schools only

Year 7 Pathway
By invitation after the Year 6 exam, with small-group teaching and an examination in November

group schools only

  • For pupils who showed potential in theYear 6 exam.
  • Small-group Maths & English tuition from St Paul's teachers, over the summer of Year 6 and into autumn ofYear 7.
  • Examination in November, andinterviews and offers in December
For unsuccessful at this stage, theYear 8 examination remains open to them.
Year 8

All candidates

Year 8 Exam
Open to any prep school and the last assessment point, with an exam and interviews

All candidates

  • The last assessment point before entry.
  • Pupils who are unsuccessful in the Year 6 assessment, but showed potential OR pupils who are new-joiners to theirPrep School and hence missed theYear 6 assessment OR Group Prepschool pupils who were unsuccessfulon the Year 7 Pathway but showedpotential
  • Exam and interviews at St Paul's.
For unsuccessful pupils at this stage, families are encouraged to opportunities at other senior schools.
Year 9

all candidates

Entry
The point every route leads to, with the same offer and the same start whichever way he arrives
A group of teenage boys playing brass instruments, including trumpets and saxophone, in a music ensemble with sheet music stands in front of them.
Two boys in shirts and ties examining something outdoors using red and yellow magnifying glasses.
Four smiling children in green school uniforms standing on a wooden playhouse balcony outdoors.
Group of rowers in shorts and t-shirts standing at a boathouse entrance with stacked rowing shells.
Children reading books in a library seated on orange chairs and colorful bean bags.
Our schools

Five schools across London

Each of our schools can be found within a short distance of one another

Barnes, london

St Paul's School

Lonsdale Road, London SW13 9JT

Ealing, London

Durston House School

12-14 Castlebar Rd, London W5 2DR

St John's wood, london

Arnold House Prep School

1 Loudoun Rd, London NW8 0LH

Wimbledon, London

The Rowans School

19 Drax Ave, London SW20 0EG

Surbiton, london

Shrewsbury House School

107 Ditton Rd, Surbiton KT6 6RL

FREquently asked

Your questions

All questions
Which schools are in the Group?+

Shrewsbury House, The Rowans, Durston House, and Arnold House, which joins in November 2026. Each school keeps its full identity as a separate school, with its own name, brand and leadership. Going forward, Group prep schools will be referred to as being part of the St Paul’s School Group.

Why was the Group formed?+

We formed the Group as part of a commitment both to improving the educational landscape through sharing expertise, best practice and to bringing together schools who share a philosophical approach.

St Paul’s is known internationally for its academic standards and excellence of extracurricular provision. The school has a proventrack record of effective strategic planning and budgeting alongside strong pastoral expertise. This is underpinned by a commitment to social mobility, equality, diversity and inclusion, as well as significant strengths and centres of innovation across the school. Since the school was founded in 1509, it has stood for educational strength, and today this is embedded in joyful scholarship with care for the individual child at the heart of the offer.

Recognising a change within the independent sector we wanted to protect choice for parents and safeguard the opportunities independent schools provide to wider society, by bringing together a strong group of like-minded not-for-profit schools. St Paul’s School has enjoyed longstanding relationships with Durston House, Shrewsbury House School Trust and Arnold House, from which several current and former pupils have come to the School over the years, and is delighted that they now members of the Group. Each school benefits from strong leadership and offers an outstanding education in their own right. Importantly, each school brings their own unique identity and it is from this shared position of strength that this coalition is born.

What does the St Paul’s School Group aim to do?+

The St Paul’s School Group aims to:

  • Offer thought leadership in best educational practices, serving as a resource for all educators
  • Secure a future in which parents may continue to access a truly independent and highly academic school education
  • Improve the educational offer through shared expertise and best practice
  • Develop strategic leadership and governance
  • Expand partnerships with educators from around the world, thereby broadening out the understanding of issues facing our pupils.
Are school traditions and culture preserved?+

Yes. Each of the schools maintains its own distinct identity, as they are centres of excellence in their own communities and the desire is for this to continue. Since the Group’s formation, there has been increased sharing of best practice across the schools, bringing value to all pupils, whatever their final secondary school destination. Each school will retain its own leadership, identity, name, ethos, culture and uniform.