The commuter-friendly belt of towns and neighbourhoods that surround west London are regarded amongst the finest areas in the whole country to raise a family. It offers everything required for refined modern living in less than an hour’s journey from the heart of the capital. Over the last two centuries, it is fair to say that these locations have all cultivated their own unique identities and personalities that each deliver on different benefits, advantages and styles.
Ascot in the Royal Borough of Windsor and Maidenhead began its own evolution as the result of Queen Anne identifying the open heathland as the perfect grounds for horse racing. This created the British institution of Royal Ascot that has run for over 300 years and will forever be synonymous with the town that hosts the most famous equestrian event in the whole world. However, Ascot has so much more to be appreciated and understood. Its grand villas and long private drives in leafy enclaves with strong and stylish communities have made it an alluring option for a long time. And with a collection of some of the finest private schooling in proximity to west London, it is expected that generations of residents would choose to educate their children in Ascot and its surrounding area.
Here is a guide to the very best options for private schools in Ascot.
LVS Ascot
LVS Ascot is a wonderful example of a co-educational independent school that houses a mix of boarders and day pupils from the ages of 4 to 18. Its name opens up a fascinating history that began in 1803 when the Licensed Victuallers Society created a school in London to take care of the children of innkeepers and publicans. After moving out of central London, LVS eventually found its home on this 25-acre site in Ascot in 1989, maintaining its compassionate and dedicated outlook for education through its entire evolution. As their motto suggests, Fidelis ad finem, faithful to the end.
The facilities here are more than impressive with an indoor swimming pool, 300-seat theatre, rock climbing wall and recording studio. One of the greatest advantages of LVS is in the pastoral emphasis for children from early years to adulthood, with consistent nurturing and academic support of the highest quality. This does mean that competition for places can be fierce, particularly when considering boarding options that may suit an international business travel lifestyle for the family. In 2025, almost 93% of pupils here achieved GCSE results in at least five subjects at grades 4 to 9. LVS is the frontrunner for Ascot schools without a doubt.
Heathfield School
Heathfield School is a private independent girls’ school that offers a combination of day, weekly boarding and full boarding options for pupils at secondary and further level education from ages 11 to 18. One of the key benefits at Heathfield is the deliberately small number of students that are taught here, with a maximum current enrolment of around 200 across the entire school. This means that school year groups are exceptionally lower than the national average, promoting much more nuanced and engaging relationships with the teachers throughout their academic journey.
The 2025 results here were very strong, with 47% of all GCSE entries awarded the top two grades possible of 8 and 9. And importantly, 100% of girls achieved at least five GCSE passes of grades 4-9. Although education remains a results-based business, parents of children at Heathfield can take great satisfaction from the emphasis on grit, resilience, adaptability and self-confidence that also runs through the school. A dedicated STEM building was created recently here and amongst the 36-acre campus, there is a wealth of both sports and creative facilities to offer a well-rounded development experience for young minds. Entry at Heathfield is extremely selective, so it always helps to make enquiries well before your child’s entrance year.
Eton College Windsor
A short drive of around 6 miles from Ascot will bring you to perhaps the most well-recognised school in all of the UK. Eton College has had heritage, history and the ultimate prestige status evident since it was first created by King Henry VI in 1440. There are not many educational facilities that can count royalty, Nobel Laureates, world leaders and an astonishing 20 British Prime Ministers amongst their alumni. This is quite simply a powerhouse of a school that blends ambition and tradition with a broad range of academic study for boys aged 13-18. The campus is a 400-acre masterpiece set beside the River Thames that holds magnificent architecture such as the 15th-century College Chapel in its grounds. College Library here is so much more than a learning resource, with original Tudor manuscripts and documents that make it more akin to a living museum.
Although there is a definite formality to Eton with black tailcoats and starched collars worn for every lesson, there is a warmth to the level of care here also. This is where a large majority of the young men that go on to read at Oxbridge and Ivy League universities begin their academic journeys in earnest. In its simplest terms, as the current monarch can personally attest to, Eton is fit for a king.
St George’s School
St George’s School is an independent day and boarding school for girls aged 11-18 with a total pupil population of around 250. Although it was originally created as a prep school for boys, it made the switch to becoming a Finishing School for girls over a century ago and has garnered a superb reputation ever since. Over that time, the facilities on this immaculate countryside estate of 30 acres have grown to accommodate everything required for a modern school of the utmost quality and achievement.
St George’s has an enviable arts programme of theatre, dance, drama and music with an on-site theatre that stages regular productions throughout the year. Although the tradition here is celebrated and respected, there is a clear sense of looking to the future with a caring and cohesive level of education that seeks to prepare pupils for the challenges of 21st-century living too. Over 70 co-curricular clubs are active and use academic issues, creative endeavours and sports as their foundation to encourage micro communities amongst shared interests and peer groups. Recent exam performance shows 62% of pupils reaching grades 7 to 9 at GCSE level and 100% of A Level students achieving a pass rate. St George’s is a place for young women to flourish and find their own passions in confidence.
It can often appear like a crowded field for private schools in Ascot and the surrounding areas. Although competition is high for places, understanding the right environment that your child needs to thrive is a must. If possible, getting their input and compiling a blueprint of things that they want to experience and achieve is a good way to start. From there, visiting the open days with an open mind is always the best way to get a feel for the place and ultimately the best results all around.
