Potter Street Hill, Northwood, Hertfordshire HA5 3ZF
10 reasons to choose St John's School, Northwood
Top line
St John’s School, Northwood has a Schoolsmith Score® of 85. It is one of the best independent prep schools in and around Northwood and one of the 4 best primary schools for 2 miles.
School fundamentals
St John’s School, Northwood is an independent prep day school for boys between the ages of 3 and 13 years. The school has an academically selective admissions policy. It is a standalone prep school and is a member of the Merchant Taylors’ Educational Trust. St John’s School, Northwood fees range from £6,475 (Rec) to £7,031 per term (2025/26). Fees include VAT but exclude lunches.
Average class size
St John’s School, Northwood has two classes per year, sometimes three in Years 6 to 8, and an average class size of 17 pupils.
Leavers' destinations
20%-25% of pupils leave after Year 6 to local grammar and independent day schools. Of the majority who stay to Year 8, 50%-60% of pupils go on to Merchant Taylors School, most of those with an offer made at the end of Year 6. Others go on to one of 10 independents with Haberdasher Aske’s and Berkhamsted School taking 10%-15% each. Between 25% and 50% win scholarships and awards. ISI Inspectors consider the academic achievement of pupils to be ‘Exceptional’.
The St John's School, Northwood curriculum
School curriculum is based on the National Curriculum and also includes PSHCEE, French, Latin. The school offers each pupil between 5 and 10 different extra-curricular academic activities or hobby clubs.
More on the curriculum
There are regular educational trips for all year groups, visiting speakers, Forest School in pre-prep and residential trips from Year 6.
Specialist teaching
Specialist teachers for sport and music throughout, DT, art, RE, computing and languages from Year 3, and for all subjects from Year 5.
Sport at St John's School, Northwood
School offers between 10 and 15 different sports over the course of the year. Competitive teams in major sports from Year 3. In recent years the school has enjoyed national success in rugby 7s.
The Arts at St John's School, Northwood
Art and music are taught as discrete curricular subjects to all pupils. Drama is part of the co-curriculum. All pupils learn an instrument in class and about one third take extra-curricular instrument lessons from Year 3. Three choirs, orchestra and several instrument ensembles. The school offers each pupil over 5 different extra-curricular creative and performing arts clubs.
Wraparound care
Wraparound care from 7.30am to 6.00pm.
Find another school near St John's School, Northwood
St Helen’s School, Preparatory School (1.6 miles); St Martin’s School, Northwood (2 miles); Northwood College for Girls Junior School (2.4 miles).
West Lodge Primary School (1.8 miles); Grimsdyke School (2.1 miles); Greenfields Primary School (2.5 miles).
St Helen’s School (1.6 miles); Northwood College (2.4 miles); Merchant Taylors’ School, Northwood (2.9 miles).
Haydon School (1.5 miles); Nower Hill High School (2.7 miles); Bishop Ramsey Church of England School (2.8 miles).