Introducing our Family of Schools
We are very proud to share that Bancroft’s, St. Aubyn’s School and Woodford Green Preparatory School will join in September 2026 to form the Bancroft’s Family of Schools.
The three schools have long been part of the same close-knit community in Woodford Green, united by a shared commitment to educational excellence and a broad, holistic approach to learning.
The formation of the Bancroft’s Family of Schools comes from a position of collective strength, with all three being financially robust and educationally thriving, reflecting a proactive response to an evolving independent school landscape.
One of the UK’s leading co-educational independent schools, Bancroft’s educates pupils aged 7 to 18 and consistently achieves outstanding academic results alongside award-winning recognition for its first-class pastoral care and transformational impact. St. Aubyn’s and Woodford Green Prep are both highly successful prep schools, providing exceptional, innovative and values-led education to children aged 3 to 11.
The pathway from St. Aubyn’s and Woodford Green Prep to Bancroft’s has been a popular and successful choice for many pupils and parents for generations. This charitable merger formalises those bonds and secures the long-term future of that community.
Our schools will share expertise, resources and opportunities in ways that directly benefit pupils, staff and families, without compromising the independence and identity that define them.
Crucially, each school will retain its own leadership, staff, curriculum and distinct character.
This is a deeply considered partnership, one that preserves what makes each school unique while creating a stronger, more connected whole.
Alex Frazer, Head of Bancroft’s, said:
“I am tremendously excited to be building on the longstanding relationship with our friends and colleagues at St. Aubyn’s and Woodford Green Prep, welcoming them into the Bancroft’s Family of Schools.
United by our shared commitment to a broad and ambitious education, first-class pastoral care and a rich co-curricular life, this charitable merger secures a strong and collaborative future for our three time-honoured institutions, all rooted in the local community of Woodford Green.”
Jenny Maslen, Head of Woodford Green Preparatory School, commented:
“Our school motto, ‘Let Each Flame Burn Brighter’, sits at the very core of this decision. We have always believed that ability is not fixed, and that there should be no limits on what a child can achieve. In Bancroft’s, we have found a partner who shares our values of excellence and nurture.
Joining this Family of Schools allows us to protect the unique spirit of Woodford Green Prep while strengthening what we can offer.”
Louis Taylor, Head of St. Aubyn’s School, added:
“This partnership is a deliberate, forward-thinking move. By joining the Bancroft’s Family of Schools, we are ensuring that St. Aubyn’s remains at the very forefront of Prep education for generations to come.
Being part of a strong and sustainable Family of Schools brings clear advantages. It will open up opportunities for collaboration, shared expertise and professional development, all of which will directly benefit teaching and learning.”
