Prep schools in Kensington/Chelsea & Notting Hill?

[Wander333]

Hello fellow mums,

We’re looking at a few schools for our daughters. We’re looking for a good balance with the arts, academics and pastoral care. I’ll list them below. Anything good or bad about these? New news? How are the areas where the schools are located? Friendly parents and children?

Glendower Prep
Possible Falkner House
Thomas’s Kensington
Notting Hill Prep
Norland Place

Thank you very much :)

Is there anything new about these schools? I know they've been mentioned a lot. Many thanks.

These schools are very different from each other. Tough to compare them. I guess the only thing they have in common is that they are in RBKC, which is indeed a nice place to live, with nice (but on average, competitive) families although Notting Hill / Holland Park can have a different feel compared to South Kensington (splitting hairs though). Have you visited the schools and are there any front runners? I personally know (as in, I have considered) Falkner House, Glendower and Norland Place from your list but I am biased because my daughters go to one of these schools.

All good schools in their overlapping niches.
You are unlikely to get places in all at the same time, so pointless to write essays about them all.
If your Dds are ‘academic’ at an early age - first two on the list are the best place for them. Will ensure they are appropriately challenged and prepared for next school - which is the point of prep schools.

If your kids are less early-precocious-types then the others on the list will be better for them to mature at their own pace.

All schools will have lots of art, music and drama as these are young kids.

Good luck

Thank you RasberryCake! What is the difference between Notting Hill and South Kensington/Chelsea? They are both expensive areas. I’m thinking Notting Hill has a little more “edge” to it.

How is Norland Place these days? Seems like not much changes there which is good, I guess.

I read on here that Glendower is “princessy”? The headmistress is leaving and going to Notting Hill Prep. Wondering why that is? I don’t think anyone knows yet who the head will be at Glendower.

My husband is leaning more toward NHP. He likes the fact that it does go to age 13 just incase. Good music department. Sports. Plus we’ve heard good things about the current headmistress at Glendower who is now going to NHP. He’s not sure if he wants to live in South Ken and I’m not sure either.

Thanks Josuk. We’re looking for a good balance. Not super strict, but firm and nurturing. We’re hoping our daughters can be themselves while being encouraged, pushed a bit.

I would look at Faulkner, they just got half of their class into St. Paul's Girls. They are clearly doing an outstanding job with their students. I heard Bute really had a poor showing this year in terms of getting kids into top academic schools like St. Paul's. Good luck.

Falkner House is an exceptional school (biased, I am a parent there) but it has a small intake and it is quite structured and very academic (but extremely nurturing too). Have you visited all of these schools? That is the best starting point.

please forgive my poor spelling, clearly I need to go back to school :-)

"I’m thinking Notting Hill has a little more “edge” to it. "

Possibly 30 years ago but both areas are now super-rich ghettos. Edgier areas surrounding NH. It just depends which area you prefer the vibe of

There's no edge in NH, it's all rich people, which is fine. Just depends on the individual student. If the student is very academic and wants to go to the most academic schools later, then you gotta focus on top Falkner and Glendower, clearly the two best academic schools. After those two schools, there's a gap to the others.

@Wander333

All of these schools are british private schools - so compared to some - say American schools - will be in a way stricter. Uniform, ‘manners’ and behaviours will be part of it. For eg, teachers are called by last names, hands raised, etc.
But they aren’t that strict really...
And all schools will tell you that they’ll encourage your daughters and let them be themselves....

Main thing is - if your kid is academic and ready and eager to learn - it’s best for them to be at a place where other kids are of matching levels. So that they all are challenged and learn.

No school can have a fully individualised teaching for every kid. So - choosing a school that best matches your child’s ability is a way to ensure one gets as close to it as possible.

Thank you again. :)

What are people's view on Notting Hill Prep? Is it less academic than Falkner and Glendower but still well regarded? We might be leaning more toward this route...

All I know is that Falkner House is where Harper Beckham goes. That there is a great science and drama scene at pembridge hall. Thomas' kensington the first school rule is to be kind and they do art and ballet.

As a Falkner House parent, I can say with certainty that Harper Beckham doesn't go there. And anyway, it doesn't matter. Yes, FH and Glendower are viewed as more academic than NHP. People often look at exit results to decide "how academic a school is." 11 of the 22 girls from FH this year are going to St Paul's. That's an indicator but not a scientifically precise measure. Best is to visit the schools and ask questions.

i think Harper Beckham is at Glendower at the moment?

I visisted Notting Hill Prep about many years ago when DS was still a baby. absolutely loved the school, as the pupils showed us around were brilliant, confident, articulate, and well-mannered. we observed a class discussion briefly, and i was very impressed by the matruity of the children at that age. But unfortunately, we didn't get an offer as we registered rather late.

What sort of child is your daughter?
My elder was a quiet, near summer, quite shy, but focused and ‘academic’....
So for her - a mixed ability, and mixed gender school would have meant that no one would have paid much attention to her in R, and possibly later either....
I find that given that kids start school very, very young here - a roomfull of 4yos is a busy and a loud place - and a lot of teachers time is taken by little boys who (on average) aren’t ready to sit for long and learn...
So - for her - being in a quieter girls-only school really allowed her to slowly mature and get out of her shell.
NHP would not have been a great place for her.

You don’t need to make any decisions until early next year. And your Dd will change between now and the next year when she’ll be sitting for assessments.
In your place - i’d Just wait and see what offers she gets.

Thanks again, MMmomDD.

@MMmomDD: Just following up on this thread and wanted to check if you dont can i ask which school you sent your DD too.We are looking at NHP but girls school in the area is our preference.