Ibstock Place School vs Bassett House

[jsb2000]

Hello! We are moving to London in the summer and have been offered spots at Ibstock Place and Bassett House for our 5-year-old son. (Also American School of London, but we’d prefer a more British education). Does anyone have any insight into these schools? We really like the idea of living in Richmond (so would choose Ibstock Place) but are really looking for a very nurturing, family-friendly environment and I’ve heard mixed reviews about Ibstock. Any experiences/opinions would be greatly appreciated!!

Ibstock has gotten a lot more hothousey and expect to be there on a lot of Saturdays.

Check Radnor and also the Kew prepa like Kew Green Prep, Broomfield House and kew College. Also Newland House

Jossina-thank you for your response! May I ask what you mean by hothousey? Also, are the Saturday activities sports-related? Thanks!

Shamelessly bumping! 🙏🏻

Ibstock - no question.

Shamelessly bumping! 🙏🏻

Not aware of Ibstock prep school having any Saturday requirements. They hit the ground running academically but it's a great school, very friendly and obviously a beautiful location.

There aren't any academic requirements on Saturdays at Ibstock, but lots of extra-curricular things like sports, clubs, the arts. Hothousey means that they're much more focused on test scores academics than they used to be. They used to be known for getting pretty good results but doing it in a more laid back way. That can be a good or bad thing depending on your child or your families' view of education. Though a lot of that starts in year 5.

Thank you all so much for your replies! Any particular family-friendly neighborhoods in Richmond that you can recommend?

Sheen is very family friendly - no tube stop but an overground station that goes into Waterloo, Richmond Park on your doorstep along with plenty of other playgrounds and all the usual brownies/sports clubs/dance classes etc. for the DC.

High Street with Waitrose and other useful shops - lots of coffee shops, library and doctor's surgery.

Lots of Ibstock families live there and walk through the park to school.

Barnes is also lovely as is Richmond itself. Putney and Richmond have the advantage of overground and underground stations.

Avebury, thank you for the recommendations-will definitely check them out! :)