Welcome to Cumnor House
At Cumnor House, we are a family of schools – a girls’ school, a boys’ school and a nursery – where children are inspired to aim high, excel in what they love and grow into the leaders of tomorrow.
From their very first steps in nursery to their final days with us, every pupil is encouraged, challenged and supported to achieve their full potential, both in and beyond the classroom.
Our schools
Being free to be themselves, our pupils are empowered and enlightened. They are able to grow as individuals, develop strong relationships, and embrace everything we have to offer at Cumnor House.
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Located on Pampisford Road, overlooking 10 acres of Cumnor Sports Ground – a quiet gem in a busy city.
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Open 51 weeks of the year, from 7:30am-6:00pm, our South Croydon site provides children aged 2-4 years with consistent care in a home-from-home environment.
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Located on Woodcote Lane, Webb Estate, a conservation site in Purley that has been a tranquil space for over 100 years.
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Open during term time to fit in with school hours, Purley provides a safe space for children aged 2-4 years to learn about themselves and the world around them.
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Highly regarded preparatory school from Reception to Year 8.
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A close-knit community focused on values of Endeavour, Compassion, Courage, Self Belief and Integrity - also known as The Cumnor Way.
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Exceptional success in Sports, Music and Academics.
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Outstanding preparatory school from Reception to Year 6.
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A close-knit community that ensures every child feels valued, respected, safe and supported to be the best they can be.
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Exceptional results in 11+ schools.
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The benefits of single-sex education.
As children progress through their education, we know that being in a single-sex environment brings both academic and social benefits. In both the Girls’ and the Boys’ Schools we work hard to ensure that the pressure of gender roles does not exist, and encourage pupils to pursue anything that interests them, regardless of societal pressures. We have a strong culture of high academic achievement and our pupils' confidence levels are high.
We find that both girls and boys can be true to themselves, and are more willing to take risks, fail and then try again. Our classrooms are dynamic, unfettered by gender stereotypes and free from the anxieties that can become apparent. Pupils are less easily distracted, and able to concentrate and pursue their academic and social interests with enthusiasm.
Destination Schools
Preparing students for their next steps.
Cumnor House is reputable amongst many Grammar and senior schools, with many of our students receiving offers from the most selective and prestigious schools nationwide. With our expertise, we help students prepare for the Common Entrance Exam and support them with their scholarship applications.
We help students find the right school for them by allowing them to identify and develop their talents and interests. It is important that we equip students with the necessary skills and qualities, empowering them to feel confident about their future options.
FACILITIES & LOCATION
Excellent learning locations.
All of our school sites provide unique schooling experiences. Cumnor Girls and CHS Nursery Purley are situated in the idyllic Woodcote Lane, providing a calm and tranquil setting for our pupils. Cumnor Boys is a short distance away, in a compact city campus boasting a 10-acre playing field. CHS Nursery South Croydon’s campus overlooks the spacious sports fields of the Boys’ school.
Our students value the home from home environment in which they are encouraged to develop and learn. There is an on-going investment programme to maintain and improve the fabric and flow of our school facilities.
SAFEGUARDING
Safeguarding Policy & Croydon Local Authority.
Cumnor House School adheres to the guidance set out in the Safeguarding policy which is underpinned by KCSIE (Keeping Children Safe in Education), whilst also working alongside the procedures of Croydon local authority, including their local criteria for action and protocol for assessments.
All of our policies, including safeguarding, can be found in the footer.
NEXT STEPS
Learn more. Download our prospectus.
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CHAMPIONS! 🏃♀️🥇
What an unforgettable day at the ISA National Athletics Finals in Birmingham for Evie, Posy, Arielle and Anaya, who proudly represented London South on the national stage.
Anaya delivered a fantastic performance in the U9 60m final, narrowly missing out on a medal to finish an impressive 4th place by just 0.01 seconds. As one of the youngest competitors in the age group, she has every reason to be proud and plenty to look forward to next year.
The highlight of the day came in the U9 4x100m relay, where Evie, Arielle, Posy and Anaya combined for a sensational team performance. After four outstanding legs and seamless baton changes, Anaya powered down the home straight to cross the line first, securing Gold for London South and Cumnor House with a commanding victory.
A remarkable achievement and a day filled with determination, teamwork and unforgettable memories. Congratulations to all four girls!
#ISAAthletics #NationalFinals #Teamwork #GoldMedal #Athletics
Year 3 is a big step. Make it the right one. 🌟
As children move into Year 3, they`re ready for greater independence, new challenges and exciting opportunities to discover what they`re capable of.
At Cumnor House, we believe this important transition should do more than build knowledge - it should build character.
Our unique approach combines the confidence and focus of single-sex classes with the social benefits of co-educational opportunities, creating an environment where every child is encouraged to thrive, develop resilience and grow in self-belief.
Alongside exceptional teaching, we nurture curiosity, ambition and a love of learning, helping every child unleash their academic potential while developing the character and values that will stay with them for life.
Limited Year 3 places are available for September 2026. Book a private tour and discover why Cumnor House could be the perfect next step for your child.
#CumnorHouse #Year3 #IndependentSchool #SchoolAdmissions #BuildingCharacter #AcademicExcellence #PrepSchool #September2026 #BeYourBestSelf
Limited places remain for September 2026!
Why choose Cumnor House?
Because the early years are about so much more than learning to read and write. They`re about building confidence, curiosity and character that lasts a lifetime.
At Cumnor, every child is known, valued and encouraged to flourish. Our unique approach combines the focus and confidence-building benefits of single-sex classes with the social development and collaboration that come from co-educational opportunities, giving children the very best of both worlds.
Alongside exceptional teaching and outstanding pastoral care, we help children develop resilience, kindness and independence, while nurturing a love of learning that unleashes their academic potential.
It`s an education designed not just to prepare children for school, but for life.
📍Limited Reception places for September 2026 are now available. Book a private tour and discover why so many families choose Cumnor House.
#CumnorHouse #Reception2026 #EarlyYears #IndependentSchool #BuildingCharacter #AcademicExcellence #SchoolAdmissions #BeYourBestSelf
🏊 National IAPS Finals Success! 🏊
Earlier this month our Cumnor Boys` swimmers competed at the National IAPS Finals at the London Aquatic Centre, having qualified among the top 20 swimmers nationally from over 4,000 competitors.
A huge congratulations to all our boys, who delivered outstanding performances and achieved personal bests in almost every race. Special mention goes to Sebastian (Year 7), who claimed silver in the Backstroke for the third consecutive year!
Our Year 5 relay team - Dhruv, Ali, Teddy and Alex - earned bronze in the Freestyle Relay and finished 4th in the Medley Relay. Combined with strong individual performances, this secured an impressive 3rd place overall in the Year 5 Top School Trophy, continuing an incredible record of success at national level.
Well done also to Henry (Year 6), who finished 5th in Backstroke, and Gabriel (Year 7), who placed 12th, both with excellent personal best swims.
An outstanding day of swimming and a testament to the hard work, dedication and team spirit of all involved. 👏🏅
#CumnorHouse #IAPS #SwimmingSuccess #NationalFinals #TeamSpirit #ProudSchoolMoment
