Who Owns Wetherby School?

Wetherby School was founded in 1975 in Notting Hill, London, as an independent boys' preparatory school. The school was established to provide boys with an exceptional preparatory school education that would prepare them for admission to the most selective senior independent schools in London and beyond, including Eton College, Harrow School, Westminster School, and other leading boys' schools.

The preparatory school sector in the United Kingdom serves students aged 4-13 (or sometimes 2-13 for pre-preparatory schools), preparing them for the Common Entrance examination and for admission to senior independent schools. London's boys' preparatory school market is one of the most competitive in the world, with numerous highly regarded schools competing for students from the city's affluent professional and international families.

Wetherby School's location in Notting Hill, one of London's most desirable and affluent neighborhoods, positioned it to serve the families of the area's professional residents. The school's Notting Hill location also provides students with access to London's extraordinary cultural resources, including the nearby Kensington museums, Hyde Park, and other cultural and recreational amenities.

Over nearly 50 years of operation since its founding in 1975, Wetherby School built a distinguished reputation as one of London's most prestigious boys' preparatory schools. The school developed a distinctive educational approach that combines rigorous academic preparation with a nurturing environment designed to build boys' confidence, character, and leadership skills. Wetherby School's alumni have gone on to attend leading senior independent schools and universities, and the school has maintained a strong reputation for academic outcomes and holistic development.

Wetherby School became particularly well known for its association with notable alumni, including members of prominent British families who attended the school in the 1980s and 1990s. This association enhanced the school's reputation and profile within London's premium independent school market.

Alpha Plus Group was a UK independent school group that operated a portfolio of premium independent schools in London and other locations. In June 2023, Inspired Education Group signed an agreement to acquire 17 premium UK schools from Alpha Plus Group, including Wetherby School and its sister school Pembridge Hall. This acquisition represented a significant expansion of Inspired's presence in the UK premium education market.

Following the acquisition, Inspired created Wetherby Pembridge, a new senior school combining the traditions of Wetherby School and Pembridge Hall, which opened in 2024 as London's newest independent senior school. Wetherby School continues to operate as a preparatory school, feeding into Wetherby Pembridge and other leading senior independent schools.

Under Inspired's ownership, Wetherby School benefits from access to Inspired's global educational resources, curriculum development expertise, teacher professional development programs, and best practices from Inspired's network of more than 125 schools across more than 30 countries.