​IAPS – the Independent Association of Prep Schools

IAPS (Independent Association of Prep Schools) is a membership association representing leading heads in prep schools in the UK and overseas

With more than 660 members, IAPS schools educate almost 200,000 pupils worldwide with more than 162,000 attending schools in the UK. As the voice of independent prep school education, IAPS actively supports and promotes the interests of its members. 

IAPS schools must reach a very high standard to be eligible for membership, with strict criteria on teaching a broad curriculum, maintaining excellent standards of pastoral care and keeping staff members’ professional development training up-to-date. The head must be suitably qualified and schools must be accredited through a satisfactory inspection. IAPS offers its members and their staff a comprehensive and up-to-date programme of professional development courses to ensure that these high professional standards are maintained.

Member schools offer an all-round, values-led broad education which produces confident, adaptable, motivated children with a passion for learning. The targets of the National Curriculum are regarded as a basic foundation which is greatly extended by the wider programmes of study offered. Specialist teaching begins at an early age and pupils are offered a range of cultural and sporting opportunities. 

IAPS organises a successful sports programme where member schools compete against each other in a variety of sports. In 2022-23, over 22,000 competitors took part in 168 events across 22 sports. Schools offer pupils the

Schools offer pupils the choice of day, boarding, weekly and flexible boarding, in both singe sex and coeducational schools. Most schools are charitable trusts, some are limited companies and a few are proprietary. There are also junior schools attached to senior schools, choir schools, those with a particular religious affiliation and those that offer specialist provision, as well as some with an age range extending to age 16 or above. 

Although each member school is independent and has its own ethos, they are all committed to delivering an excellent, well-rounded education to the pupils in their care, preparing them for their future.

Contact details:

Bishop's House
Artemis Drive
Tachbrook Park
Warwick
CV34 6UD

Tel: 01926 887833
Email: iaps@iaps.uk 
Website: iaps.uk

You can search for prep schools on this dedicated www.schoolsearch.co.uk page.