To start your John Lyon educational journey, most families attend our Prep School Tours.
This offers prospective parents the opportunity to look around our specially designed Little Lyon’s building and experience the day-to-day activities in the classrooms.
Book a Prep School Tour
Registration marks the formal start of your Little Lyon’s journey. Please note: our registration fee is £180, inclusive of VAT, and is non-refundable.
As part of the registration, you will be asked for a copy of your child’s passport and their latest School report (if applicable).
If you are applying from overseas and will not be able to travel to the John Lyon School to sit the entrance examinations, please contact the Admissions office before registering your child.
| Deadline for applications | 31 October 2026 |
Following registration, families will be invited to attend our Nursery and Reception Assessment.
3+ Nursery Assessment
Our Nursery Assessment is 45 minutes and takes place in the January before your child is eligible to join.
During the assessment, Mrs Sheetal Shah, the Head of Little Lyons and our specialised Little Lyons teaching staff will observe how each child interacts in the environment, how they communicate and respond to questions, and how suitable we think John Lyon is for them.
Children can join the Little Lyon’s Nursery in the September after their 3rd birthday. Most children will join in September; however we can accept children at other times during the year providing there is a vacancy and they meet our criteria.
| 3+ Assessment Session | Friday 23 January 2026 |
| Our Prep School is an approved provider authorised to offer 15 hours of childcare funded by Harrow Council to 3 and 4 year old children. Families are eligible to claim the funding in the term after their child turns 3 years of age and up to and including the term they turn 5. |
4+ Reception Assessment
Our Reception Assessment is approximately 1 hour, and takes place in the November the year prior to entry.
During the assessment, your child will be amongst a small group of children to take part in a variety of activities. Mrs Sheetal Shah, the Head of Little Lyons and our specialised Little Lyons teaching staff will observe your child’s interaction with the rest of the group, as well as how they respond to questions, their listening skills, communication and language.
Children must be 4 years old by 1 September in the year they are due to start Little Lyon’s Reception. Most children will join in September; however we can accept children at other times during the year providing there is a vacancy and they meet our criteria.
| 4+ Assessment Session | Wednesday 14 January 2026 |
Successful applicants will receive an offer letter within a week of attending the assessment.
Your offer letter will contain a link to our Acceptance portal. You will be asked to read our Terms & Conditions, print, sign and return the Confirmation of Acceptance form and pay the Confirmation of Acceptance Fee.
Please note: the Confirmation of Acceptance fee is refundable when your child leaves the School.
Our Annual Update on Fees and Optional Extras are available here.
Admission fees
| Registration fee (inclusive of VAT were applicable) | £180 |
| Confirmation of Acceptance fee (inclusive of VAT were applicable) | £1,200 (UK Resident) £3,600 (Overseas resident) |
Does the Prep School have a swimming pool?
Yes, we have our very own swimming pool on our Prep campus. We also have access to a second swimming pool at our Senior School. Being part of a Senior School means we benefit from three fully-equipped campuses with outstanding facilities for sport, music, drama, art and more.
Do you have links to other schools?
Yes, we have a Senior School. Together, we are one co-ed 2-18 school. We are also part of the global Harrow Family of Schools, which features Harrow School itself as well as a number of other leading schools around the world.
Do you offer wrap-around care before and after school?
Yes, we provide breakfast club, after school care, after school club and holiday club. These provisions are designed to be valuable to both parents and their children’s wellbeing and time. Read more here.
Can I apply for scholarship/bursary?
There are no scholarship or bursaries available for the Prep School. When applying for our Senior School, you can apply for scholarships and bursaries at the time of registering your child when your child is in the Prep School.
When will 3+ (Nursery) and 4+ (Reception) assessments take place?
Key dates are available at the top of this webpage.
Is lunch included in the school fees?
Yes, unlike most other schools in the area, we do not charge extra for lunch.
Do you offer a coach service?
We offer a comprehensive coach service, which is heavily subsidised by the School and takes pressure off families at drop-off and pick-ups. The service is available from Year 3. We encourage use of our coaches for not only your convenience and ease, but also for our collective sustainability efforts. It is also a great way for children to socialise with one another. Click here for more information.
Is the transition from Prep School to the Senior School automatic?
We offer our children automatic transition between Prep and Senior School, thus enabling children and parents to not go through the lengthy and emotional 11+ journey. The only exception to this will be if a child is performing well below the expected level, and therefore would not be suited to the Senior School.
