KENSINGTON The Borough of Kensington is renowned for elite schools and long-serving Kindergartens. From Wetherby to Iverna Gardens... Here’s our parents’ choice of the crème de la crème…
Kensington Kindergarten kensingtonkindergarten.co.uk 23 Addison Road, W14 8LH Located close to Holland Park, Kensington Kindergarten is the ideal location for families living Kensington to Brook Green. The spacious classrooms provide the children with ample room for play and their garden is where they hold weekly Forest School class.
“Beautiful, spacious nursery with incredibly loving staff, we chose Kensington Kindy due to it being recommended by friends”. Wetherby wetherbyschool.co.uk 19 Pembridge Villas, W11 3EP Behind the Red Door, Wetherby is raising tomorrows men with impeccable manners and a hardworking attitude. Every boy is encouraged to be the best that he can be and the staff are committed to enabling each to fulfil his potential and achieve their goals. The school is a happy and vibrant one whilst retaining the best of educational traditions.
“We love the Headmasters no-nonsense approach. He always puts the boys, and their welfare and happiness, first without exception. The excellent one on one teaching means that every boy is on his own personal journey”.
Thomas’s Kensington thomas-s.co.uk 39 -41 Victoria Rd, W8 5RJ 17-19 Cottesmore Gardens, W8 5PR Established over 40 years ago this family run school offers small class sizes and a full range of academic, creative and sporting opportunities for the children. The teaching is inspiring and imaginative and enables pupils to achieve excellent academic results – the ideal prep for moving on to linked secondary schools.
“We love Thomas’s for its outstanding curriculum for our children and the extra-curricular activities available are second to none”. Iverna Gardens
iverna.com Armenian Church Hall Iverna Gardens, W8 6TP The Team at Iverna Gardens embed curiosity, determination and a love of learning in their children. They have been in the heart of Kensington for 25 years and the staff pride themselves on working very closely with the children and their families to get the most out of each individual.
“Iverna Gardens is very close to our home and indeed quite a lot of the children there are very local too - which is great for our child’s social interaction outside of Kindy hours!”
CHISWICK Chiswick and its surroundings is certainly making its mark in the education world. Big name Prep’s and newby free schools are popping up everywhere. We’ve got the inside scoop from parents on the top choices for you.
Belmont Primary School belmontprimaryschool.org.uk Belmont Road, W4 5UL Just a stone’s throw from our Chiswick Nursery, Belmont has long been a family favourite for our Nursery parents and members. The school praises itself on raising confident, eager students.
“Wonderful community, great location and we love the curriculum on offer”. Orchard House orchardhs.org.uk 16 Newton Grove, W4 1LB Academic success is a clear priority at this school, yet a very homely feel does emanate from within the walls. Cosy surroundings with a wide range of activities available to the children both off and on site.
“The teachers are dedicated to their pupils who also consider individual strengths and nurture them. Also I love seeing the children go to school with such an enjoyment. A happy community that nurtures the love of lifetime learning”. “Great fun, focuses on learning and building key life skills in a nurturing and down to earth manner that gets great results. Equal emphasis on all subjects our boys have flourished”.
Chiswick & Bedford Park Preparatory School cbppschool.co.uk Priory House, Priory Avenue, W4 1TX Well known for its creative flair, the School has imaginative drama, art and music departments, and likes to give challenging opportunities to encourage those independent thinkers.
“Small, friendly, good pastoral care and excellent teaching. Amazing teachers and a real sense of community”. The Falcons School for Boys falconsboys.co.uk Pre-Prep - 2 Burnaby Gardens, W4 3DT Prep - 41 Kew Foot Road, TW9 2SS Based in Chiswick and Richmond this Boys School aims to find the individual talents amongst all pupils, and to provide a rich tapestry of relationships, activities and teaching.
“Great fun, focuses on learning and building key life skills in a nurturing, fun and down to earth manner that gets great results. Equal emphasis on all subjects - our boys have flourished”. Ark Priory Primary Academy Arkpriory.org Acton Lane, W3 8NR A fairly recent addition to the local offerings, Ark Priory’s mission statement is ‘To begin the journey to provide every pupil with the opportunity to go on to university or pursue the career of their choice’.
Setting off on the right foot For proud parents, the earliest stage of a child’s education is more than just building blocks, finger painting and picture books; it’s an incredibly exciting time, full of thrilling developments and gigantic leaps forward. While a lot of important early education happens at home, a child’s transition to nursery or school will open many new avenues, both socially and academically. In a city like London, there are never going to be any shortage of places vying for parents’ favour, so how do families go about making their final decision? Ivy Education - who provide expert tutors, learning assessors and consultants to families in and around London - give us their pointers on how to battle the minefield that is selecting an education provider for your precious little ones.
Ask Yourself…
What kind of school/nursery should I choose?
What’s the best location? Choosing a place that is a comfortable distance from your home is a good idea. Making friends is a vital formative experience for children, and so you will want to consider whether your child will be able to easily attend social events such as birthday parties, as well as whether it is a realistic location to reach 5 days a week.
Some children are outdoorsy and active, while others will sit happily for hours listening to stories on the carpet in those first years - different children flourish in different environments. Before registering, research the curriculum, activities and facilities provided, and the style of teaching employed. Much like a game of chess, navigating the education system requires parents to think a few moves ahead. Nurseries often feed into particular pre-preps, and preps into secondary, so be aware of which schools these are and think strategically about the future.
Am I too late to register? Deadlines for registration vary; the best advice is to get on the wait list early. Know the application processes for your target places, and familiarise yourself with their entry requirements. Is there an assessment? When is the deadline for registration? Do they operate on a first-come-first-served basis?
IvyEducation.co.uk