The Lyceum School is an award-winning private school in the heart of East London, combining educational excellence with a warm, family-focused community. We are a co-educational independent prep school for children aged 4 to 11, based at 65 Worship Street on the edge of the City of London and Shoreditch.
Choosing the best prep school London can offer your child is a big decision, and parents rightly look for evidence. In 2025 – 2026, 93% of our Year 6 pupils received offers from their first-choice senior schools, and we’ve earned industry awards and official accreditations that reflect The Lyceum School’s quality.
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Why Families Choose The Lyceum School
Parents comparing the best prep schools London has to offer are usually looking for two things: high academic standards and a school where their child is genuinely known. With one class in each year group, our teachers know every pupil by name, strengths, and personality.
| Key Features | Details |
| Academic Standards | High expectations, with English and Maths taught every morning and 93% first-choice senior school offers in 2025 – 2026 |
| Teaching | Specialist teachers for Music, Spanish, Art, PE, STEAM, Latin and Drama |
| Class Sizes | Small and personalised, with one class per year group |
| Pastoral Care | Child-centred support built on our four pillars: Kindness, Confidence, Creativity and Community |
| Curriculum | Broad and balanced, topic-based and integrated with the National Curriculum |
| Progression | Excellent senior school preparation, with offers from City of London School, Highgate, UCS and more |
| Location | Central London, a short walk from Liverpool Street, Moorgate, Old Street and Shoreditch High Street |
| Wrap-Around Care | Breakfast Club and after-school clubs from 8 am to 5.45 pm every day |
As an independent school in central London, we are easy to reach for working families across the City, Islington, Hackney and Camden.
Our Awards and Achievements
Whether you are comparing the best East London prep schools or the best independent schools in the City of London, awards and independent reviews give you an outside view of a school. We are proud of the recognition The Lyceum School has received.
 Shortlisted Small Independent School of the YearAfter being recognised last year, we are very proud to be recognised once again for being an excellent small independent school. |
 Shortlisted Small Independent School of the YearThis award celebrates and recognises our extraordinary achievements and position as a small, independent school. |
 Accreditation Green Flag Award with DistinctionWe’ve been commended on our action plan, curriculum, passion and how we’ve embedded sustainability within the school’s culture, thanks to our Eco-Council and Miss Graden. |
 Finalist Education Choices Awards: Supporting SustainabilityThis award recognised how we weave eco-conscious issues into a varied and dynamic curriculum that teaches our pupils about the Amazon rainforest, polar ice caps and climate change. |
 Shortlisted Independent School of the Year for Student WellbeingThis award celebrates our commitment to pupil wellbeing throughout The Lyceum School and the life-affirming, future-enhancing experience our pupils receive. |
 Shortlisted Independent School of the Year for Community OutreachAt The Lyceum School, being a valuable part of our community is hard-baked into our ethos. That’s why we’re so grateful to be recognised for this award. |
 Finalist School Trip Champion AwardThis award was given to our very own Mrs Taggart, whose efforts in organising enriching school trips didn’t go unnoticed! |
 Shortlisted Independent School of the Year for Student WellbeingWe are honoured to have been shortlisted thanks to our commitment to student wellbeing at The Lyceum School. |
Independent inspection & reviews
Our most recent inspection by the Independent Schools Inspectorate (ISI) in December 2025 confirmed that the school met all standards.
In verbal feedback, the Reporting Inspector noted that “teachers understand their pupils very well and there are strong, respectful relationships across the school” and that “the school culture directly and positively impacts the pupils’ development.”
As well as the ISI, the Lyceum School has also been positively reviewed by professional publications, such as the The Good Schools Guide, which highlighted our “exceptional provision for STEAM“.
Muddy Stilettos, a leading expert in private and prep school education, described us as “a vibrant, family focused modern Prep where STEAM, sustainability and wellbeing are a priority. It’s a bit of a gem.”
Senior school success
In 2025 – 2026, our 16 Year 6 leavers received 47 offers from 24 schools, including 13 scholarships for academic, music and sporting excellence. Offers include:
- City of London School for Boys (2)
- City of London School for Girls (3)
- Highgate (4)
- Forest School (6)
- Francis Holland Regent’s Park (6)
- Queen’s College (6)
- UCS (2)
- North London Collegiate School (1)
Academic Excellence at The Lyceum School
The best private primary schools in the UK build strong foundations in English and Maths while giving children a curriculum broad enough to discover what they love. That balance is at the heart of learning at The Lyceum School.
Our topic-based curriculum is integrated with the National Curriculum, so subjects such as History, Geography, Science and Art connect through a shared theme. Pupils make links between ideas, and London becomes an extension of the classroom. Where a subject does not fit the topic, it is taught on its own.
Every morning begins with English and Maths, with a strong emphasis on handwriting, spelling and times tables. Specialist teachers lead Music and Spanish from Reception, Latin from Year 6, and STEAM in The Owlery, our purpose-built STEAM Studio led by Paul Clifford, formerly of the British Museum and the V&A.
Assessment is ongoing and supported by AI-based tracking tools that highlight each child’s strengths. As pupils move through the Prep School, we prepare them carefully for the 11+ without losing sight of creativity and curiosity. Learning begins in Reception, where children follow the Early Years Foundation Stage and regularly go beyond its requirements.
For families comparing the best independent prep schools in London and the best private primary schools in East London, this blend of ambition and breadth is what sets The Lyceum School apart.
Beyond the Classroom
A well-rounded education happens on stage, on the sports field and out in the city as well as at the desk. School life at The Lyceum School includes:
- Music: 13 visiting music teachers, choirs whose singers have won awards at local festivals, a Big Band and an Orchestra.
- Drama: An annual summer musical and LAMDA lessons, in which pupils do exceptionally well.
- Sport: Games at Mile End Stadium, Shoreditch Power League and York Hall, from rugby and netball to swimming and judo.
- Educational visits: Residential trips from Year 3, from Edinburgh to Ypres, and a Year 6 visit to Spain.
- Clubs: Chess, fencing, coding, cooking, ballet and more, attended by most pupils.
- Leadership: Eco-Champions, a house system and Year 6 responsibilities.
- Community: Collections for Hackney Food Bank and performances for local care homes.
Discover The Lyceum School
The best way to understand what makes The Lyceum School special is to see it for yourself. At our Open Mornings you will hear from our Headmaster, Mike Stanley, meet our teachers, tour The Owlery and our classrooms, and talk to current pupils about their day.
Upcoming Open Mornings take place on Wednesday 30 September 2026, Wednesday 25 November 2026 and Wednesday 27 January 2027, with further dates through to June 2027. If none of these suit, our Head of Admissions and Marketing, Megan Jenkinson, will be happy to arrange a private visit.
Frequently Asked Questions About Our Award-Winning Prep School
What makes The Lyceum School an award-winning prep school?
The Lyceum School holds the Eco-Schools Green Flag with Distinction (2024), and was shortlisted for Small Independent School of the Year and met all standards in its December 2025 ISI inspection.
Behind that recognition is a clear philosophy: high academic standards, specialist teaching and a school small enough for every child to be known. In 2025 – 2026, 93% of pupils received offers from their first-choice senior schools.
What should I look for when choosing the best prep school in East London?
Whether you are looking at the top prep schools in the City of London or across the capital, look at senior school outcomes and how a school achieves them. Ask about class sizes, the quality of teaching, pastoral care and how children are supported through the 11+. A broad curriculum and a happy atmosphere matter just as much. Visiting and speaking with teachers and pupils is the best way to find the right fit.
How does The Lyceum School prepare children for senior school?
We combine strong teaching in English and Maths with a broad, topic-based curriculum and careful 11+ preparation. Small classes mean teachers can target support where each child needs it. Our PSHE and mindfulness programme builds resilience, while residential trips develop independence.
What makes The Lyceum School different from other independent prep schools in London?
The Lyceum School is a small, co-educational London private school where every child is known. Our topic-based curriculum uses London as a classroom, our STEAM Studio is praised by The Good Schools Guide, and sustainability and wellbeing are part of everyday life. With wrap-around care from 8 am to 5.45 pm, we also make life easier for busy working families.
Where do Lyceum pupils go on to senior school?
Our leavers move on to a wide range of leading London day schools. Recent offers include City of London School for Boys and for Girls, Highgate, UCS, Forest School, Francis Holland Regent’s Park, Queen’s College and North London Collegiate School. In 2025 – 2026, 16 pupils received 47 offers from 24 schools, including 13 scholarships.
Is entry to The Lyceum School selective?
Entry to Reception is non-selective and based on an informal observation to make sure The Lyceum School is the right setting for your child. For Years 2 to 6, children sit a short Maths and English assessment so we can check they will be able to access the curriculum at the right level.
Visit Us
If you are exploring independent primary schools in London, we would love to welcome you to The Lyceum School. Book an Open Morning, arrange a private tour or contact our Admissions team.
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The Lyceum School, 65 Worship Street, London EC2A 2DU
Telephone: 020 7247 1588 | Email: registrar@lyceumschool.co.uk
