Garden House

[Geeeee]

We have an offer from Garden House School and would love to hear from anyone who has little ones there (specifically the boys school although anything is welcome).

I should add that I mean Garden House School in Sloane Square

DS at GHS, schooling excellent, parents very down to earth, great school environment

It's a perfectly good school, but I've never been able to see what it offers to justify it being about £1k a term more than other nearby preps.

It is a very 'polished' school. Its building feels like a hotel in ways and the uniform and image is all very twee. I think it does really let kids be kids and is less pressured than other schools. I agree, unsure what justifies the fees - why not ask them? I know that they mainly employ girls who have just finished uni as Teaching Assistants and they usually just stay a year or two then go onto teacher training. So the cost there is very low as they aren't experienced staff. Their teaching staff are no more or less experienced than other preps. The fees may be to do with the ownership of the school, it isn't a company or group of schools like many other London preps.
I question the statement above abut down to earth parents. I think obviously everyone has different ideas of what down to earth is but as far as I know GHS parents tend to be incredibly wealthy, often quite international and it is a very glitzy school. Parents there perhaps are less pushy than some of the other schools, maybe just because of the ethos there. But by no means less demanding - especially when paying all that money!

"...I question the statement above abut down to earth parents..."

Sorry to counter but I think putting this comment out in the public would helpful as we were told the same socially and have friends weighing options based on the same belief.

Compared to nurseries (including the one we attended) and schools that peers attend in the area, there are markedly fewer nannies. I actually can't think of any child in any of the 3 classes (or neighbouring years) who isn't dropped off by a working parent with strong domestic ties.

There was a WhatsApp group for our year established close to half a year before starting at the school and it continues to be very active (about approaches to schooling, play dates etc.).

I can't really say what is behind the 5% premium (I suspect it's a legacy of the building and sharing of the local venues -- Royal Hospital, Burton Court etc.) but there aren't nearly as many "hidden costs" when compared with other schools (which I'm quite sure quickly eats into this). Not official extras but the scope/expectation of charity, gifts, events etc.

Plenty of preps in that area have no 'hidden costs' (it's really not the London norm, schools were switching away from that model en masses about 8-10 years ago) and are not hot houses. Some have considerably larger premises, better outdoor space and more facilities, with fees to support all that; but which are a small pointed out typically c£1k per term less.

It's not unique in that part of London for being individually owned either, and as there would be no essential difference between that and being incorporated, it's very much most (round there they are businesses, with separate a separate charity for bursary pot only). So that really can't be the reason for the difference.

The leavers destinations look typical

I personally never understood why GHS fees can be justified at £7,600 per term! Higher than even several public senior schools in the vicinity eg Francis Holland, Putney High, Queen’s Gate.
Down to earth is not a term I would use to describe this school either. Of course there are some working parents there but majority are very wealthy international jet set types. 10+ years ago was favoured by English families, old money, but now you are more likely to find an international community.

Hi Geee - did you end up accepting the offer? We are going to garden house boys as well for reception 2019 and would love to meet others! The school is fantastic, everyone we know with kids there absolutely loves it. Every school in london has some posh/flash to it, but not all parents are like this and it is a very nurturing school, academic as well, and they emphasize kindness and good values. We are very excited