Nursery and Prep School for 2 - 11 years, nestled in the heart of Caterham.

At Essendene Lodge School, childhood is cherished, ambition is nurtured, and every child is truly known.

From the very first day, our pupils step into a school where they are seen not as a number in a classroom, but as individuals with their own talents, questions and limitless potential. Small class sizes and exceptional pastoral care mean no voice goes unheard and no spark goes unnoticed.

Here, academic excellence is not about pressure, it’s about possibility. Our engaging, forward-thinking curriculum challenges curious minds, builds resilience, and inspires confidence. Beyond the classroom, music, sport, the arts and leadership opportunities allow children to discover who they are and who they are becoming.

Rooted in strong values and a vibrant community spirit, Essendene is a place where children grow not only in knowledge, but in character, learning to lead with kindness, think with independence, and strive with determination.

Because choosing a school is about more than results. It’s about finding a place where your child will flourish, feel safe to be themselves, and build the foundations for a bright and exciting future.

We invite you to visit and experience the warmth, energy and ambition of Essendene Lodge School for yourself.

Ready to meet our team?

Join us at our next open day or book a tour and discover why so many families choose Essendene.

Visit Us

Interested in our Nursery? Read these fantastic reviews!

What sets us apart?

Working in Partnership

We cultivate a welcoming community where parents are encouraged to actively participate and share in their child's learning journey.

Igniting Inspiration

We believe in the power of inspirational teaching that ignites and nurtures a genuine passion for learning.

Promoting Success

We are dedicated to fostering a supportive environment that promotes academic excellence and cultivates the skills necessary for success.

Orchard Funding

Orchard Funding is available should you wish to pay school fees monthly.

Essendene Lodge Prep School is an Introducer Appointed Representative of Orchard Funding Ltd which is a lender authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority with number 725315. Company number 06656377 registered at 222 Armstrong Road Luton LU2 0FY. Instalment credit option subject to terms, conditions, and acceptance.

What's happening?

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🌟 Proud moments at Essendene Lodge School! Our incredible Year 6 students have secured an impressive array of scholarships to prestigious senior schools. From academic excellence to musical and sporting prowess, our students continue to shine bright, embodying our commitment to fostering well-rounded individuals. 🎓🎶🏅 For more details on our results and destinations, visit our website! Link in bio. #SuccessStories #EssendenePride #FutureLeaders #essendenelodgeschool #essendenelodge #essendeneisthebest #essendeneinspire #caterhamschools #surreyschools #ilgschools

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Interested in joining our ISI rated 'Excellent' school? Book a tour with us today! Visit our website to enquire, link in bio. #essendenelodgeschool #essendenelodge #essendeneisthebest #essendeneinspire #caterhamschools #surreyschools #ilgschools

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This week, Year 3 have been busy exploring the permeability of rocks in science! 🪨💧 With pipettes, water, and a range of fascinating rock samples, they’ve been investigating which rocks allow water to pass through and which ones don’t. 🔍 #caterhammums #caterhamlife #surreylife #surreymums #whatsoninsurrey #learningisfun #independentschools #ingnitinginspiration #lifelonglearners #passionforlearning

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🌳✨ The Kindness Tree is Blooming! ✨🌳 Year 3 have been spreading love and positivity by decorating our Kindness Tree with kind words and phrases. A reminder that kindness grows when we share it. 🌼 Check out the creative and caring contributions from our wonderful Year 3 students! 💖 #caterhammums #caterhamlife #surreylife #surreymums #whatsoninsurrey #learningisfun #independentschools #ingnitinginspiration #lifelonglearners #passionforlearning

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Join us for out Reception Taster day! Time: 9:00AM - 15:00PM Date: February 27th This event is open to any external pupils who may be interested in joining Essendene Lodge in reception. The children will have the opportunity to spend the day (complimentary lunch included) in our wonderful reception class where they will experience music, art and drama lessons, as well as phonics and maths lessons. Spaces are limited to head to our website now to book and avoid disappointment! #essendenelodgeschool #essendenelodge #essendeneisthebest #essendeneinspire #caterhamschools #surreyschools #ilgschools

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Year 4 have been working hard writing their own character profiles based on the African tale, ‘Mufaro’s Beautiful Daughters’.

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Year 6 at the early stages of Starry Night… #artatessendene

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Game on! 🎲 So much fun at board game club!😄 #GameTime #FunLearning #BoardGameClub #LearningThroughPlay #PrimarySchoolFun #PlayAndLearn

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Gymnastic Club showing off what we love to do #extracurricularclubs #surreymums #prepschoolsurrey #havingfun

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Our reception children loved exploring the Beebots and getting them under the chairs without crashing. Great teamwork moving the Bee-Bot to the right parking space #programming #learningisfun #surreyprepschool #surreymums #caterham @inspiredlearninggroup

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This week, STEM club have started to make robotic hands!

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An amazing start to the new term after the Christmas break! 🌟 Year 1 has had a fun-filled week exploring science by sorting objects into their correct materials, learning about toys from the past in history, and comparing them to their own toys. 📚✨ We also kicked off our new class book, The Magic Porridge Pot! 📖🔮 #NewTermVibes #Year1Adventures #LearningIsFun #BackToSchool #ILG