Independent Secondary School London | Liberty Woodland School

Learning to Lead

Liberty Woodland School is a progressive, independent secondary school in Morden, London, reimagining what we think a school should be. Students learn in open-plan and outdoor spaces designed around the needs of the modern learner and the IB learner profile.

We prepare each young person to become the best they can be against a global context. We nurture problem-solvers, critical thinkers, and deeply reflective young people who take ownership of their learning and have a strong sense of social responsibility.

Want to experience what makes our secondary school so unique? Sign up for an open day and visit us at Ivy Lodge.

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A Progressive Approach to Secondary Education

For our secondary school students, progressive education develops ownership over how they learn, not just what they learn. Liberty Woodland School is one of the few private secondary schools in London built around the International Baccalaureate (IB), asking students to make connections across subjects, question assumptions, and take genuine responsibility for their learning.

Giving our secondary students ownership of their learning doesn’t mean it is any less rigorous. Every student works towards the same demanding, internationally benchmarked curriculum. We chose the IB for our secondary school because it rewards depth of understanding over exam technique and trusts young people to direct real parts of their education.

Our Secondary Curriculum

Our secondary school curriculum follows the International Baccalaureate Middle Years Programme (MYP). We are proud to be an IB World School, meaning our programmes are delivered to the same standard as other IB Schools worldwide.

Learning is organised around eight subject groups and connected through interdisciplinary units, rather than taught in isolation:

Language and Literature
Language Acquisition (Spanish)
Individuals and Societies
Sciences
Mathematics
Arts
Physical and Health Education
Design

Explore Our Full Curriculum

Flipped Learning

We believe in the power of using young people's increasing independence and ability to self-direct their learning.

Every Friday, our secondary students do not come into school. Instead of the conventional 5-day school week, they use Fridays to pursue independent study. This approach provides them with a greater degree of autonomy over how and when they explore their learning.

This isn’t unstructured time off. Students are given clear direction for what to explore and how to demonstrate their learning, but they decide when and how to work through it. For a closer look at this approach, you can read more about how our 4-day school week works in practice and why we don’t set traditional homework.

Secondary School Evaluation and Assessment

For our Secondary School, students are assessed using the IB’s MYP 1 to 7 scale. This offers a broader, more descriptive measure of progress than a single exam grade. Our experienced Secondary School teaching team and school leaders meet regularly to constantly review outcomes and adjust support for individual students and groups, enabling every student to achieve their very best.

In addition to the core 8 subjects that they study, as well as an interdisciplinary unit and community service, students complete an independent personal project in their final year of the MYP. These projects are meaningful to the real world, giving every student direct experience of managing a substantial piece of work from question through to completion.

The International Baccalaureate (IB)

The International Baccalaureate develops inquiring, knowledgeable and caring young people who help to create a better and more peaceful world through intercultural understanding and respect.

Rather than teaching subjects as separate blocks, IB programmes emphasise ‘learning to learn’. Children develop skills through different approaches to learning, such as communication, collaboration, organisation, self-management, reflection, research, and creative and critical thinking.

IB students build a connected understanding across disciplines, which prepares them for further academic study in an increasingly interconnected world.

Wellbeing and Mental Health

We believe that when young people are mentally healthy, happy and engaged, their minds are free to achieve academic success.

At Liberty Woodland School, we dedicate a specific amount of time in every school day to pastoral care, supporting our young people with their mental health and emotional wellbeing.

All of our educators are trained to observe and support young people with their mental health and to nurture their passion for learning.

How we support student wellbeing

Our Secondary School timetable

Instead of 9am - 3pm, Monday to Friday, we operate longer days of Monday to Thursday of 8.30am until 4.40pm with independent flipped learning at home on Fridays.

Secondary Timetable

SEN

At Liberty Woodland School we believe that every child should be able to learn in a safe and supportive environment that allows them to reach their potential.

Find out more about SEN

Meet Our Teaching Team

Our dedicated team of secondary school teachers are subject specialists, trained to deliver the IB MYP with depth and rigour. Their teaching goes beyond the classroom, helping every student build the self-management skills that the IB curriculum requires.

EXPLORE OUR TEACHING TEAM >

Welcoming Families From Across London

Our secondary school is located in Morden, though we welcome students from across London:

Barnes
Cheam
Clapham
Dulwich
Fulham
Putney
Southfields
Streatham
Surbiton
Tooting
Wandsworth
Wimbledon

We offer an optional minibus service to and from Ivy Lodge for certain areas of London, such as Wimbledon, Wandsworth, and Southfields.

OUR MINIBUS SCHEDULE >

Explore Our Secondary School

If you are interested in finding out more about Liberty Woodland School and whether we are the right fit for your family, we encourage you to visit us at one of our open days. Our open days offer an amazing opportunity to learn more about what makes our school so special, explore our beautiful 4.5-acre campus, and speak to our friendly staff about the school community we have built.

Secondary School at Liberty Woodland School: FAQs

What is a progressive secondary school?

A progressive secondary school centres learning around the individual student, rather than trying to offer a one-size-fits-all curriculum. This means combining academic rigour with a strong focus on independence, wellbeing, and developing real-world skills.

At Liberty Woodland School, our progressive approach takes shape through the International Baccalaureate, flipped learning on Fridays, and daily pastoral care.

Does Liberty Woodland School’s secondary school have a uniform?

No, we do not require students to wear a set uniform. Students are allowed to wear their own clothes to school rather than a formal uniform, though clothing should be practical and comfortable for a full day of lessons.

What is the International Baccalaureate Middle Years Programme (MYP)?

The MYP is the IB’s framework for students aged 11 to 16. It combines core academic subjects with interdisciplinary projects and a final, independent personal project. It helps prepare students for further IB study or other post-16 routes.

From 2027, students will be able to continue their studies at our new Sixth Form, which will follow the International Baccalaureate Diploma Programme (IB DP).

How much does it cost to attend a private secondary school in London?

Fees for attending a private secondary school in London vary depending on the school and its location. Our termly fees for secondary school students start from £7,456.80 for Years 7 to 9, and £7,704 for Years 10 to 11. A seat on our optional minibus costs an additional £975 per term.

We also offer bursaries and scholarships for families who share our vision for education but require further financial support.

VIEW ALL INFORMATION ABOUT OUR FEES >

What is the admissions process for secondary school students?

Our secondary school admissions process starts with an initial enquiry and visit to the school, typically followed by a taster day. Our admissions team then review your application alongside feedback from the taster session before offering a place at the school.

Can students at a progressive secondary school still achieve strong academic results?

Yes, our progressive approach to education is built to deliver both academic success and personal development.

We track each student’s progress through the IB’s MYP assessment scale. This is reviewed regularly by our teaching team and school leaders, allowing us to get an ongoing picture of academic development, rather than relying solely on occasional testing.

We are proud to have achieved secondary outcomes higher than the national average for the 2025/2026 school year. 100% of our Year 10 students were working at or above curriculum expectations across all subjects.

EXPLORE OUR SCHOOL RESULTS >

What happens after Year 11 at Liberty Woodland School?

From September 2027, students will be able to continue their post-16 studies with us as part of our new sixth form, extending our provision from Year 7 through to Year 13.

Following the IB curriculum across secondary school and sixth form is designed to prepare our students for progression to leading universities, including the UK’s top 20.

An Independent Secondary School in London