Private School North London
Vita et Pax — Independent Education Since 1936
Looking for the right independent school in North London? Vita et Pax Preparatory School in Southgate has provided private education for children aged 2–11 for nearly 90 years. Small classes, specialist teaching, and a strong record of 11+ success to London's top grammar and independent secondary schools.
Fees and getting here
- Fees per term
- £5,485.20 Reception – Year 2 Tuition £4,927.20 inc. 20% VAT + meals & materials £558
- £5,691.80 Year 3 – Year 6 Tuition £5,086.80 inc. 20% VAT + meals & materials £605
- One-off enrolment fee on accepting a place: £288 inc. VAT.
- Nursery (ages 2–4)
- Fees depend on days attended. Government-funded 15 and 30 hours accepted. VAT exempt.
- Getting here
- Southgate N14, near Southgate Underground (Piccadilly line).
- By car: Cockfosters 5 min · Winchmore Hill 10 min · Palmers Green 10 min · Enfield Town 15 min.
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A Private School Rooted in North London
Vita et Pax Preparatory School has educated children in North London since 1936. Situated on a quiet close in Southgate N14, within the London Borough of Enfield, the school draws pupils from across the surrounding boroughs: Enfield, Barnet, and Haringey, with families travelling from Cockfosters, Oakwood, Winchmore Hill, Palmers Green, and as far as Muswell Hill and Finchley.
As a non-selective independent prep school, Vita et Pax admits children on the basis of a school visit and interview — not competitive academic entry. The school then works hard to bring every child to their full potential, from Nursery through to Year 6 and beyond.
The result is a school where children are known, challenged, and supported — and where the 11+ is a well-prepared milestone, not a sudden sprint.
About the SchoolAt a Glance
- Type Independent Preparatory School
- Ages 2–11 (Nursery through Year 6)
- Location Southgate, N14 4AT
- Borough London Borough of Enfield
- Transport Southgate Underground (Piccadilly Line)
- Founded 1936
- Hours 7:30am – 6:00pm (with wrap-around)
- Funded nursery 15 & 30 free hours accepted
What Private Prep Offers vs. State Primary
Is private prep worth it? It depends on your child and what your family values most. Many state primaries serve children very well; what an independent prep such as Vita et Pax adds is classes of around 15–20, specialist teachers for French, Music, PE and Computing, structured 11+ preparation from Year 3, and wrap-around care from 7:30am to 6:00pm. Fees are a significant commitment, so we suggest visiting both kinds of school before you decide.
Choosing between independent and state education is one of the most important decisions a family makes. Here is how Vita et Pax compares across the factors parents ask about most.
Class Sizes
Smaller classes mean more teacher contact time, faster identification of gaps, and a calmer learning environment.
Specialist Teaching
At Vita et Pax, children are taught French, Music, PE, and Computing by subject specialists from an early age.
11+ Preparation
Grammar school and selective independent school preparation begins early, building verbal reasoning, non-verbal reasoning, and exam technique progressively.
Wrap-around Care
Breakfast Club from 7:30am and After-School Care until 6:00pm, staffed by familiar school staff.
Languages
Early language exposure builds accent, confidence, and cognitive flexibility.
Enrichment
A broad enrichment programme ensures children discover and develop talent beyond core academics.
Where Our Families Come From
Vita et Pax is in Southgate N14, accessible by Piccadilly Line (Southgate and Oakwood stations) and by car from across North London. Families travel to us from the areas below.
By bus and Tube
Typical journeys from the centre of each area for a weekday arrival by 8:15am, from TfL Journey Planner. Times vary with traffic and timetables, so please check TfL before you travel.
| From | Journey time | How |
|---|---|---|
| Cockfosters EN4 | about 10–15 minutes by bus | Bus 299 or 298 from Cockfosters station, or one stop on the Piccadilly line to Oakwood and a 14-minute walk (about 17 minutes in all) |
| Winchmore Hill N21 | about 30 minutes | Bus 699 to Green Road, then a 10-minute walk |
| Palmers Green N13 | about 30–35 minutes | Bus W6 or 121 to Southgate station, then bus 299 or 699 |
| Barnet EN5 | about 35 minutes | Bus 307 from High Barnet station, then a 10-minute walk |
| Muswell Hill N10 | about 35 minutes | Bus 299 direct to Green Road, then a 6-minute walk |
| Enfield EN1–EN2 | about 35–40 minutes | Bus 307 or 121 to Oakwood station, then an 11-minute walk |
Bus routes numbered in the 600s may run on school days only.
Not on the list? Enquire anyway — we welcome families from across North London and our admissions team will help you work out whether the journey is right for you.
Private School North London — FAQ
What is the best private school in North London for ages 2–11?
Vita et Pax Preparatory School in Southgate N14 is an independent preparatory school for children aged 2–11. Founded in 1936, the school combines small class sizes, a broad specialist curriculum, and strong 11+ outcomes to selective grammar and independent secondary schools.
Which areas of North London does Vita et Pax serve?
Vita et Pax is located in Southgate N14 and draws families from across North London including Cockfosters, Oakwood, Winchmore Hill, Palmers Green, Enfield, East Barnet, Whetstone, Muswell Hill, Finchley, Arnos Grove, and Bounds Green. The school is accessible from Southgate Underground station (Piccadilly Line) and has on-site parking.
Is Vita et Pax an independent school or a state school?
Vita et Pax is an independent preparatory school — fee-paying, non-selective at entry, and not maintained by the state. It has operated independently since its founding in 1936. The school accepts government funding for eligible 2, 3, and 4-year-olds in the Nursery.
Is Vita et Pax co-educational, and is entry selective?
Vita et Pax is an independent, co-educational day school for boys and girls aged 2–11. Entry is non-selective: rather than competitive academic entry, prospective pupils visit and attend a taster session so the school can observe them in a classroom and assess developmental readiness, and parents meet the Headteacher or a representative of the Governing Body before a place is offered.
What 11+ results does Vita et Pax achieve?
Vita et Pax pupils consistently gain places at selective state grammars and leading independent secondary schools across North London and beyond, including Latymer School, Dame Alice Owen's, Queen Elizabeth's Boys, Henrietta Barnett School, St Michael's Catholic Grammar, North London Collegiate School, Highgate School, and others. The school offers structured 11+ preparation from Year 3.
How does a private prep school differ from a state primary in North London?
Independent prep schools like Vita et Pax offer smaller class sizes (typically 15–20 pupils versus 28–32 in state primaries), specialist subject teaching from an earlier age, structured 11+ preparation, extended wrap-around care, and a broader enrichment programme including languages, music, sport, and the arts. Parents also benefit from closer staff contact and a consistent family ethos.
Can my child join Vita et Pax mid-year or in Year 3, 4, or 5?
Yes. Vita et Pax welcomes mid-year and mid-primary admissions where places are available. Many families move their children from state primaries in Years 3, 4, or 5 to accelerate 11+ preparation. Our admissions team will guide you through the process, arrange a taster day, and advise on how quickly children typically settle.
Does Vita et Pax offer a nursery as well as prep school?
Yes. Vita et Pax offers a private nursery from age 2, with a continuous pathway through Reception, Pre-Prep, and Prep to Year 6. Children who join in Nursery benefit from a seamless, familiar environment all the way to 11+. Government-funded 15 and 30-hour nursery places are available for eligible families.
Take a Closer Look
This page compares your options across North London. To get to know the school itself, visit our main school home page, explore the Prep school and private Nursery, or view current school fees and how to apply for a place.
Ready to Find Out More?
Come and see Vita et Pax for yourselfBook a tour of our Southgate school and see why North London families choose us for private education from age 2 to 11.
