Blackheath Prep
Blackheath Prep is an independent co-educational prep school and nursery in South East London, serving 390 pupils aged 3-11. Founded in 1823 and part of the Eltham College Family of Schools, it offers specialist teaching, 70+ clubs, and wraparound care.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded1823
- HeadquartersCity Of London, United Kingdom
- Headcount—
- GTM typeB2C
- OfferingServices
What Blackheath Prep does
Blackheath Prep is an independent co-educational preparatory school and nursery located on a five-acre site in Blackheath, South East London, serving approximately 390 children aged 3 to 11. Originally founded as Christ's College in 1823 and celebrating its bicentenary in 2023, the school is part of the Eltham College Family of Schools, with all staff employed by Eltham College and ultimate governance resting with the Eltham College Board of Governors. The school operates across three interconnected programmes: Nursery (ages 3+), Pre-Prep (Reception to Year 2), and Prep (Years 3-6), with small class sizes of up to 16-26 pupils.
The school's core offering is a specialist-subject curriculum across 16 subject areas — English, Mathematics, Science, Art, Dance, DT, Drama, Forest School, Geography, History, Computing, MFL, Music, RE, and Sport — delivered through purpose-built facilities including a Science laboratory, IT suite, Library, Gym, Music Suite, Art Studio, three Forest School areas, and a 2.5-acre sports field. The school uses Microsoft Teams for remote learning delivery as needed. Co-curricular provision is extensive: over 70 weekly clubs, almost 80% of pupils learning an instrument, and wraparound care from 7:30am to 6:00pm. Catering is provided by Thomas Franks; the approved uniform supplier is Perry Uniform.
The school operates on a fee-based, termly subscription model with prices ranging from £5,864/term for Nursery (VAT exempt) to £7,367/term for Pre-Prep and £7,837/term for Prep (including VAT, books, and lunch). VAT was applied to fees from 1 January 2025. A non-refundable £180 registration fee and £1,500 acceptance deposit apply at intake. Distribution is direct-to-consumer via OpenApply online applications, Saturday Open Days (Autumn and Summer terms), monthly Wednesday morning tours, and a virtual tour on the website. Marketing relies on organic social media (Instagram, X, Facebook) and community events. Outcomes are strong: 87 scholarships awarded across disciplines in 2026, 122 senior school places offered, and over 70% of Year 6 leavers securing one or more scholarships, with Eltham College receiving 22 places in the 2026 cohort.
Blackheath Prep firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- Blackheath Prep
- Legal name
- Blackheath Prep
- Website
- https://blackheathprep.co.uk
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 1823
- Operating status
- Operating
- Short description
- Blackheath Prep is an independent co-educational prep school and nursery in South East London, serving 390 pupils aged 3-11. Founded in 1823 and part of the Eltham College Family of Schools, it offers specialist teaching, 70+ clubs, and wraparound care.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
Blackheath Prep industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Independent Primary Education
- NAICS
- Elementary and Secondary Schools (6111), Exam Preparation and Tutoring (611691)
- SIC
- Services-Child Day Care Services (8351)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Full-Day Nursery Programs (EDACACAD)
- akta.pro secondary industry
- Nursery School Readiness & Transition Programs (EDACACAL)
Keywords
Where Blackheath Prep is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- City Of London
- HQ country
- United Kingdom
- HQ region
- Europe
Offices1 record
Markets served
Blackheath Prep business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2C
- Offering type
- Services
- Cost components
- Personnel, Operations, Infrastructure, Technology or R&D, Marketing or Sales
Revenue model
- Tuition Fees: Termly tuition fees for Nursery, Pre-Preparatory (Reception-Year 2) and Preparatory (Years 3-6) pupils. Core fees plus VAT (except Nursery) plus additional charges for books, lunch, and extras.
- Wraparound Care: Breakfast club, after school clubs, and late stay provision generating additional revenue. Breakfast club runs 7.30am-8.30am, after school clubs 3.50pm-4.30pm, late stay until 6pm with optional evening meal.
- After School Clubs: Over 70 clubs offered weekly including art, chess, coding, dance, gardening, sport, and homework clubs. Charged at approximately £10.27 per club per session.
Pricing tiers
| Model | Billing | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Subscription | Termly | Nursery (3+) - Per Term |
| Subscription | Termly | Pre-Preparatory (Reception to Year 2) - Per Term |
| Subscription | Termly | Preparatory (Years 3 to 6) - Per Term |
| Unit Pricing | Termly | Breakfast Club |
| Unit Pricing | Termly | After School Clubs |
| Unit Pricing | Termly | Late Stay - Sessions 1 & 2 |
| Unit Pricing | Termly | Late Stay - Session 3 (5.15pm-6pm) |
| One time/ perpetual license | Pay-as-you-go | Registration Fee |
| One time/ perpetual license | Pay-as-you-go | Acceptance Deposit |
Go-to-market motion1 record
Distribution channels4 records
Marketing channels8 records
Blackheath Prep product offering
Product offeringCore offering
Blackheath Prep is an independent co-educational preparatory school and nursery providing day education for approximately 390 children aged 3 to 11 across Nursery, Pre-Prep (Reception–Year 2), and Prep (Years 3–6) stages. The school delivers a broad academic curriculum with specialist teaching, preparation for 11+ examinations and senior school entry, plus wraparound care, 70+ co-curricular clubs, and Forest School outdoor learning. It operates from a five-acre site in Blackheath, South East London, as part of the Eltham College Family of Schools.
Product overview
Blackheath Prep is an independent prep school and nursery offering a unified educational programme for children aged 3-11. The school provides three interconnected programmes: Nursery (ages 3+), Pre-Prep (Reception to Year 2), and Prep (Years 3-6). The curriculum is delivered through specialist subject teaching supported by enrichment services including Wraparound Care, over 70 Co-Curricular clubs, and Forest School sessions. The school occupies a five-acre site with facilities including a Science laboratory, IT suite, Library, Gym, Music Suite, Art Studio, and 2.5 acre sports field, with three Forest School areas. The institution is part of the Eltham College Family of Schools.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Products and services
- Nursery Programme Early years education for children aged 3+, offering play-based curriculum with structured learning in French, Music, PE, and Forest School. Features extensively refurbished classrooms and outdoor spaces, with small class sizes of up to 16-26 pupils, and two entry points (January and September).
- Pre-Prep Programme Education for Reception to Year 2 pupils focusing on foundational literacy through Systematic Synthetic Phonics, early mathematics, and creative subjects, preparing pupils for the Prep school stage.
- Prep Programme Years 3-6 curriculum offering broad, balanced academic education with specialist teaching, preparation for 11+ examinations, and pathways to leading independent and grammar schools, including a priority application process for Eltham College.
- Wraparound Care Extended day care including breakfast club (7:30am-8:30am), after school clubs, and late stay provision until 6pm with light evening meals provided by Thomas Franks catering partner.
- Co-Curricular Programme Over 70 weekly clubs including art, coding, dance, woodwork, gardening, sport, and homework clubs, plus residential outdoor adventure trips for Years 4-6 (including UKSA Sailing partnership for Year 6).
- Forest School Outdoor learning sessions run by qualified Forest School Leaders, featuring den building, tree climbing, pond dipping, and exploration of natural woodland within three Forest School areas on school grounds.
Quantifiable outcome
- 87 scholarships awarded across a wide range of disciplines; over 70% of Year 6 secured one or more scholarships
- +5 more outcomes
Companies that use Blackheath Prep
Customer profileNamed customers6 records
Segments3 records
Ideal customer profiles1 record
Blackheath Prep technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed No
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Feature1 record
Blackheath Prep partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
Five partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.
- Eltham CollegecoreBlackheath Prep is part of the Eltham College Family of Schools. All staff are employed by Eltham College. The school is governed by the Eltham College Board of Governors. Blackheath Prep pupils benefit from a priority application process for Eltham College as their senior school of choice, enabling them to sit the entrance exam in September of Year 6 ahead of external candidates.
- Thomas FranksminorAward-winning catering partner providing imaginative weekly changing menu using locally sourced fresh ingredients. In-house Nutrition team led by award-winning nutritionist Christine Bailey offers evidence-based nutrition support and educational sessions. Serves school lunches and evening meals for late stay provision.
- Perry UniformminorApproved uniform supplier offering online measuring service, labelling service, and free delivery and returns on all orders.
- UKSA SailingminorPartnership for Year 6 residential trip providing sailing and water sports activities on the Isle of Wight including kayaks, windsurfers and tightrope activities.
- Eltham College Junior SchoolminorCollaborative Reader's Cup competition as part of Year of Reading celebrations, with pupils testing their knowledge about books they read with fellow Blackheath Prep and Eltham College Junior School pupils.
Scale indicators11 records
Recent moves6 records
Expansion highlights5 records
Blackheath Prep competitors and assessment
Company assessmentDirect peers
- Wetherby Prep School: Wetherby Prep is a long-established London independent prep school for boys aged 7-13, with a strong scholarship and senior school placement record. It competes with Blackheath Prep for affluent London families targeting leading senior schools.
- Newton Prep: Newton Prep is a co-educational independent prep school in Battersea covering nursery through pre-prep. It directly competes for the same affluent London professional families and offers a similar broad curriculum with strong co-curricular emphasis.
- Westminster Under School: Westminster Under is a prestigious Westminster-based boys' prep (ages 7-13) with exceptional senior school placement outcomes. Comparable to Blackheath Prep in academic reputation and 11+ preparation focus, though single-sex rather than co-ed.
- Hill House International Junior School: Hill House International Junior School is a co-educational London prep (ages 4-13) with a strong international family focus. It competes with Blackheath Prep for premium London families and offers a similar broad curriculum with strong co-curricular provision.
- Bute House Prep: Bute House is a co-educational prep school in Chelsea for ages 4-11 with a strong academic reputation and ISI-recognised outcomes. It is directly comparable to Blackheath Prep in scale, age range and premium central/inner London positioning.
- Dulwich Prep London: Dulwich Prep London is a co-educational independent prep school in South London serving similar nursery-through-prep age bands. It is one of the closest direct competitors to Blackheath Prep, with overlapping catchment and a comparable premium London positioning.
- Garden House School: Garden House School is a co-educational independent prep in Chelsea covering ages 3-11 with a strong academic and creative reputation. It is directly comparable to Blackheath Prep in age range, premium London positioning and nursery-through-prep offering.
- Eaton House Schools: Eaton House operates a group of London independent prep schools across multiple sites, including co-educational nurseries and pre-preps. It is comparable via overlapping age range and premium positioning, with the advantage of multi-site scale that Blackheath Prep lacks.
- Colet Court (St Paul's Juniors): Colet Court is the junior school of St Paul's, preparing boys aged 7-13 for the senior school. It is directly comparable to Blackheath Prep in 11+ preparation focus and scholarship outcomes, and was referenced in the Blackheath Prep management team's background.
Broad incumbents
- Eltham College: Eltham College is the parent organisation in the Eltham College Family of Schools and operates as Blackheath Prep's senior school partner. While a broader incumbent (7-18 senior school) rather than a peer, the strategic alignment and shared governance make it highly material to Blackheath Prep's value proposition.
Market position
Strengths5 records
Weaknesses5 records
Competitive moat5 records
Key risks6 records
Key highlights7 records
Customer concentration
Blackheath Prep social profiles
Digital presenceBlackheath Prep financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
Blackheath Prep leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles8 records
Blackheath Prep funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds
Investors
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Blackheath Prep M&A and investment
M&A and investmentM&A
Investments
M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Frequently asked questions about Blackheath Prep
What does Blackheath Prep do?
Blackheath Prep is an independent co-educational preparatory school and nursery providing day education for approximately 390 children aged 3 to 11 across Nursery, Pre-Prep (Reception–Year 2), and Prep (Years 3–6) stages. The school delivers a broad academic curriculum with specialist teaching, preparation for 11+ examinations and senior school entry, plus wraparound care, 70+ co-curricular clubs, and Forest School outdoor learning. It operates from a five-acre site in Blackheath, South East London, as part of the Eltham College Family of Schools.
Is Blackheath Prep a public or private company?
Blackheath Prep is a private company. It is classified as corporate owned and is currently operating.
When was Blackheath Prep founded?
Blackheath Prep was founded in 1823.
Where is Blackheath Prep based?
Blackheath Prep is headquartered in City Of London, United Kingdom, in the Europe region.
How does Blackheath Prep make money?
Three revenue lines are on record. Tuition Fees are the primary driver. The others are wraparound Care and after School Clubs.
Who are Blackheath Prep's main competitors?
Direct peers on record are Wetherby Prep School, Newton Prep, Westminster Under School, Hill House International Junior School, Bute House Prep, Dulwich Prep London, Garden House School, Eaton House Schools and Colet Court (St Paul's Juniors). Eltham College is listed as a broad incumbent.
Does Blackheath Prep have an API?
No public API is recorded for Blackheath Prep.
What industry is Blackheath Prep in?
Blackheath Prep's product category is Independent Primary Education. Its primary akta.pro industry code is EDACACAD, Full-Day Nursery Programs, with a secondary code of EDACACAL, Nursery School Readiness & Transition Programs. Its NAICS code is 6111 and its SIC code is 8351.