Age range. 4–13 Co-educational.
Number of pupils. 500 Day pupils, including 180 in Pre-Prep (ages 4 to 7).
Fees per term (2024-2025). Pre-Prep: £5,851; Years 3–4: £6,222; Years 5–8: £6,750 (inclusive of lunch).
At Orley Farm School we are in the fortunate position of being a London day school blessed with boarding school acreage and facilities. Founded in 1850, the school has grown and developed to become one of the leading and largest co-educational prep schools in Greater London. Entry is by assessment at 4+ and when occasional places appear in the rest of the school. The academic journey of the children begins in Reception and ends when pupils transfer successfully to their senior schools – at the end of Year 6 for our girls and at the end of Year 8 for our boys attending more traditional senior schools. Pupils enter a range of very impressive senior schools, including Aldenham, Haberdashers’ Aske’s Boys and Girls, Haileybury, Harrow, John Lyon, Merchant Taylors’, Mill Hill, Northwood College, North London Collegiate, Royal Masonic, Rugby, St Helen’s, St Paul’s and Westminster, to name but a few. However, most impressively, Orley Farm has served over 61 senior schools over the past 7 years. We pride ourselves in finding the right future step for every child. Scholarships are regularly awarded to our senior pupils – 37 awards were offered in 2021–2022 including a Queen's Scholar for Westminster.
Success, happiness and future fulfilment start with a deep love of learning. So firmly do we believe in this philosophy, that we have invested £9 million in our facilities (a Music and Drama School, three state-of-the-art Science Laboratories, a new Humanities department, a new Dining Hall and at the very heart, a cutting-edge Library).
‘Breadth, Balance & Excellence … The Orley Farm Way!’
Alongside academic excellence, we pride ourselves on giving pupils experiences and opportunities that foster a lifetime and love of learning. All pupils are expected to contribute to the broader curriculum and a packed programme of Drama, Art and Music and Design & Technology. Over 200 individual music lessons take place each week and are supported by many musical groups and choirs. Productions, concerts and competitions offer all pupils the chance to showcase their talents and dedication in a variety of different settings.
Sport plays a very large part in our school life. We have over 36 acres of land and full use is made of this in providing a venue for training and matches. Pupils will compete internally and externally in athletics, cricket, football, hockey, netball and rugby. In addition, basketball, cross-country, fencing, fives, gymnastics and tennis also thrive through activities, clubs and matches. A Gym, Sports Hall and full-sized AstroTurf pitch enable our strong PE and Games Department to help our pupils develop their sporting talents.
This rich blend of curricular and co-curricular education is exemplified by our Expeditions Week. All pupils and staff from Year 4 and above travel to a variety of venues to spend a week extending their curriculum in a host of new challenges and adventures.
We are privileged to be working with young learners at a point where we can ‘hardwire’ key traits and values that we believe are essential to happiness and success in an ever-changing world. Our 10 Thinking Skills are the bedrock of ‘The Orley Farm Way’ and we have no doubt that we are giving voice to the ambitious, the creative, the curious, the focused, the resilient and the risk-takers as they’ll possess empathy, flexibility of mind, initiative and good judgement in all that they do!
We pride ourselves on preparing our young learners for life and, therefore, we go well beyond assessment preparation and this is reflected in an Alumni who know the power and value of an outstanding start in life but, more importantly, how to find fulfilment, purpose, joy and wonder in making a difference to others. We are blessed and privileged to work with pupils, colleagues and parents who know the power of these years and who recognise this wonderful African proverb:
‘It takes a village to bring up a child.’
The Orley Farm Family is a special place and we would encourage anyone and everyone who might be searching for something a little more than the superficial to come and visit but be warned: there’s no room for passengers; we are all committed to doing something with this privileged start…!
Orley Farm School is located in North West London close to Harrow on the Hill and is only 20 minutes on the Metropolitan Line from Baker Street Station.
Entry to this exciting place of learning is by assessment. For further details contact the Registrar, Mrs Anita Patel, on 0208 869 7634.
Charitable status. Orley Farm School is a Registered Charity, number 312637.