Durston House School
School summary
Founded in 1886 and now educating around 369 pupils in Ealing, Durston House is a small independent school spanning the prep years from age four to thirteen. Its size lends a close, familiar feel, and the Independent Schools Inspectorate rated it excellent for the quality of pupils' achievements. Inspectors judged personal development to be good, though it is worth noting that the school did not meet ISI compliance requirements at its most recent inspection - a point parents may wish to discuss directly. Under Headmaster Giles Entwisle, the school caters for a mixed intake and supports a meaningful proportion of pupils with additional needs.
Where every mark matters.
Places are limited and demand is high, so exam performance is what sets candidates apart. Passmate turns the months ahead into ten focused minutes a day on the exact topics this school tests.
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Inspection reports
- ISI rating
- excellent
- ISI personal development
- good
- Last inspected
- 7 October 2025
Teaching & academics
With an ISI rating of excellent for achievement, Durston House sets a high academic bar across its 4-13 age range, preparing pupils for senior school entry at the end of the prep phase. Academic scholarships recognise able pupils, and just under one in ten children receive SEN support, suggesting the school is used to adapting to a range of learning profiles.
Headmaster · Giles Entwisle
Beyond the classroom
Sport sits prominently in school life, with sports scholarships available alongside the academic awards. This gives talented young athletes a clear route to recognition as they move through the school.
School life & ethos
- Founded
- 1886
- Boarding
- No
- SEN support
- 9.49%
- EHC plans
- 0%
Fees & bursaries
- Day fees (per year)
- £18,825 - £22,965
- Bursaries up to
- 100% of fees
One or two 100 per cent bursaries per year to bright pupils from year 3 upwards
Schools nearby
St Benedict's School
Greater London
La Chouette School
Ealing, Greater London
Notting Hill & Ealing High School GDST
Greater London
Avenue House School
London, Greater London
St Augustine's Priory
London, Greater London
New Level Academy
London, Greater London
Watch Passmate decide how to teach.
Answer as a child would. Left: what they see. Right: what it learns about them.
A long-established, small Ealing prep with excellent academic results and recognised strengths in sport; the unmet compliance finding is worth a frank conversation before applying.
That’s where Passmate comes in. Tutoring is the most effective thing in a child’s preparation - a well-tutored child can outperform the vast majority of their peers. Passmate works alongside your tutor, not instead of them: it learns how your child thinks, finds the gaps, and shows the tutor exactly where to spend each session - so the limited time you have lands on what actually decides a place.
Works alongside your child’s tutor - not instead of them.
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Durston House School 11+: frequently asked questions
Compiled from public data. Last checked 5 June 2026.