London


<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-what-where">WHAT? WHERE? </h2>



<p>Just off Ladbroke Grove, in the heart of Notting Hill, Chepstow House School is discreetly tucked away behind a row of townhouses &#8211; you’d never know it was there aside from the excitable sounds occasionally emanating from the playgrounds. </p>



<p>A cute book swap hut is the first thing that greets you as you pass through the electronic gates and enter this selective, co-ed Prep which houses around 450 pupils. Things open out into a bright, spacious reception which sets the tone for the entire school &#8211; a long, light-filled, one-storey building spanning all the way to Portobello Road, a footprint large enough to make a property developer swoon. </p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-facilities-nbsp">FACILITIES&nbsp;</h2>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1024" height="683" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/london/wp-content/uploads/sites/24/2025/04/42313_Chepstow-House-pupils-interior-Nov-2022-2L2A9721-1024x683.jpg" alt="Chepstow House School " class="wp-image-10184" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/london/wp-content/uploads/sites/24/2025/04/42313_Chepstow-House-pupils-interior-Nov-2022-2L2A9721-1024x683.jpg 1024w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/london/wp-content/uploads/sites/24/2025/04/42313_Chepstow-House-pupils-interior-Nov-2022-2L2A9721-300x200.jpg 300w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/london/wp-content/uploads/sites/24/2025/04/42313_Chepstow-House-pupils-interior-Nov-2022-2L2A9721-768x512.jpg 768w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/london/wp-content/uploads/sites/24/2025/04/42313_Chepstow-House-pupils-interior-Nov-2022-2L2A9721.jpg 1500w" sizes="(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px" /></figure>



<p>An extensive refurbishment in Summer 2024 has created a calming, Scandi vibe throughout the school which is very pleasant to spend time in. It’s hard not to fall for the aesthetics (huge circular lights and sound softeners hang from ceilings) or the architecture, a clever blend of old and new. The original school building dates back to 1906, but the more streamline, modern extension was built in the adjacent space left after a bomb hit in World War II.&nbsp;</p>



<p>Huge windows and soaring ceilings create a sense of space that most schools would be extremely envious of. Light wood floors and cabinets are a nice touch as are the ergonomic curved desks that slot together to make new configurations in KS1 classrooms.&nbsp;</p>



<p>Pupils start their ‘journey’ at Chepstow at one end of the school, and by the time they reach KS2, far down the long corridor, the decor and facilities have subtly changed, such as lockers and square desks &#8211; it’s visibly more mature and neatly prepares them for Senior School.&nbsp;</p>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1024" height="791" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/london/wp-content/uploads/sites/24/2025/04/63910_Chepstow-House-School-233-1024x791.jpg" alt="Chepstow House School " class="wp-image-10188" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/london/wp-content/uploads/sites/24/2025/04/63910_Chepstow-House-School-233-1024x791.jpg 1024w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/london/wp-content/uploads/sites/24/2025/04/63910_Chepstow-House-School-233-300x232.jpg 300w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/london/wp-content/uploads/sites/24/2025/04/63910_Chepstow-House-School-233-768x593.jpg 768w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/london/wp-content/uploads/sites/24/2025/04/63910_Chepstow-House-School-233.jpg 1500w" sizes="(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px" /></figure>



<p>There’s a natty science lab, music room, art studio and gorgeous hall, strung with bunting and with a mezzanine above, where the head and deputy head have offices side-by-side. Perhaps most surprising is the amount of outside space Chepstow has. For an inner city school to have the use of two hard court soccer and multi sports pitches, various playgrounds, a wild garden (more of which later) and even a roof terrace for Year 6, feels pretty special.&nbsp;</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-sports-nbsp">SPORTS&nbsp;</h2>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1024" height="681" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/london/wp-content/uploads/sites/24/2025/04/proxy-image-1-1024x681.jpeg" alt="Chepstow House School " class="wp-image-10192" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/london/wp-content/uploads/sites/24/2025/04/proxy-image-1-1024x681.jpeg 1024w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/london/wp-content/uploads/sites/24/2025/04/proxy-image-1-300x199.jpeg 300w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/london/wp-content/uploads/sites/24/2025/04/proxy-image-1-768x510.jpeg 768w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/london/wp-content/uploads/sites/24/2025/04/proxy-image-1.jpeg 1500w" sizes="(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px" /></figure>



<p>The on-site facilities are a real bonus, as it means no buses to catch or roads to cross for children up to Year 2, who have three sports lessons a week. There’s an interesting mix each term – think dance, football and netball in the Autumn term, hockey, rugby and gymnastics in Spring and tennis, cricket and athletics in Summer, plus the chance to try something completely new, such as fencing, at one of the many extracurricular clubs.</p>



<p>From Years 3 to 6, children have PE lessons at Chepstow House and they also go off-site to their dedicated sports ground regularly to further hone their skills in football, hockey, netball, rugby, athletics and cricket. Swimming lessons take place at nearby Kensington Leisure Centre, so there&#8217;s no chance of your child leaving without being able swim. </p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-the-arts-nbsp">THE ARTS&nbsp;</h2>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1024" height="683" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/london/wp-content/uploads/sites/24/2025/04/42317_Chepstow-House-pupils-interior-Nov-2022-2L2A9811-1024x683.jpg" alt="Chepstow House School " class="wp-image-10191" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/london/wp-content/uploads/sites/24/2025/04/42317_Chepstow-House-pupils-interior-Nov-2022-2L2A9811-1024x683.jpg 1024w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/london/wp-content/uploads/sites/24/2025/04/42317_Chepstow-House-pupils-interior-Nov-2022-2L2A9811-300x200.jpg 300w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/london/wp-content/uploads/sites/24/2025/04/42317_Chepstow-House-pupils-interior-Nov-2022-2L2A9811-768x512.jpg 768w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/london/wp-content/uploads/sites/24/2025/04/42317_Chepstow-House-pupils-interior-Nov-2022-2L2A9811.jpg 1500w" sizes="(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px" /></figure>



<p>I got the sense this is a highly creative school. All children from Reception upwards have art lessons in the dedicated studio, a beautiful room with brightly coloured stools, walls lined with children’s work and inspiration all around &#8211; I spotted Picasso-inspired paintings, clay models, flowers growing in a shoe, a giant dragon head puppet and the Mona Lisa on an easel. During a brief chat with art teacher Miss Luke during my tour, it was clear she&#8217;s very passionate about the subject and keen to ignite that passion in pupils through initiatives like inviting artists in for workshops and welcoming children into the art room whenever creativity strikes as well as for their designated art lesson.&nbsp;</p>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1024" height="683" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/london/wp-content/uploads/sites/24/2025/04/63856_Chepstow-House-School-124-1024x683.jpg" alt="Chepstow House " class="wp-image-10186" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/london/wp-content/uploads/sites/24/2025/04/63856_Chepstow-House-School-124-1024x683.jpg 1024w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/london/wp-content/uploads/sites/24/2025/04/63856_Chepstow-House-School-124-300x200.jpg 300w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/london/wp-content/uploads/sites/24/2025/04/63856_Chepstow-House-School-124-768x513.jpg 768w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/london/wp-content/uploads/sites/24/2025/04/63856_Chepstow-House-School-124.jpg 1500w" sizes="(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px" /></figure>



<p>Every child from reception to Year 6 learns music, which takes place in a cool room where instruments are laid out and ready to play, including keyboards and drum kits. There are neat drawers full of recorders, a collection of djembe drums and dozens of ukulele’s hanging on the wall (the list goes on). It all feels accessible, inviting and rather exciting and there&#8217;s a chance for children to show off their new found musical skills at assemblies, concerts, end-of-term productions and class performances.</p>



<p>Drama’s far from an after thought. From the stage in the Reception playground to the hall where plays take place, pupils regularly get the chance to tread the boards.&nbsp;Every year group takes part in a school performance (recent productions have included <em>The Nativity, The Future-Proof Zoo Oliver! </em>and<em> The Lion King</em>), and there are extracurricular clubs to further develop their skills, including after-school drama lessons and tuition from the London Academy of Music and Dramatic Art (LAMDA). </p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-academics-nbsp">ACADEMICS&nbsp;</h2>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1024" height="683" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/london/wp-content/uploads/sites/24/2025/04/63830_Chepstow-House-School-151-1024x683.jpg" alt="Chepstow House School " class="wp-image-10190" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/london/wp-content/uploads/sites/24/2025/04/63830_Chepstow-House-School-151-1024x683.jpg 1024w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/london/wp-content/uploads/sites/24/2025/04/63830_Chepstow-House-School-151-300x200.jpg 300w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/london/wp-content/uploads/sites/24/2025/04/63830_Chepstow-House-School-151-768x513.jpg 768w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/london/wp-content/uploads/sites/24/2025/04/63830_Chepstow-House-School-151.jpg 1500w" sizes="(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px" /></figure>



<p>Pupils from Chepstow House inevitably move on to some of London’s top Senior schools, including City Boys &amp; Girls, Latymer, UCS, Francis Holland Schools, Godolphin &amp; Latymer, Brighton College 13+, Wellington, Charterhouse and Harrow.</p>



<p>Head Angela Barr spends time with pupils and their parents to advise and help organise the best match for that specific child &#8211; there’s certainly no cookie cutter approach here. Eleven-plus is of course on the radar and pupils are given as much coaching as needed.&nbsp;</p>



<p>The boost children receive from specialist teachers in areas such as languages (all pupils have French lessons once a week from Reception to Year 6), science and music, clearly has an impact, as does a wider approach to subjects. For example KS2 English is about way more than literacy, daily reading, handwriting and grammar, with pupils also working on their communication skills through lively debates, assemblies and attending spelling competitions. </p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-littlies">LITTLIES </h2>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1024" height="851" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/london/wp-content/uploads/sites/24/2025/04/63913_Chepstow-House-School-350-1024x851.jpg" alt="Chepstow House Nursery " class="wp-image-10185" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/london/wp-content/uploads/sites/24/2025/04/63913_Chepstow-House-School-350-1024x851.jpg 1024w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/london/wp-content/uploads/sites/24/2025/04/63913_Chepstow-House-School-350-300x249.jpg 300w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/london/wp-content/uploads/sites/24/2025/04/63913_Chepstow-House-School-350-768x638.jpg 768w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/london/wp-content/uploads/sites/24/2025/04/63913_Chepstow-House-School-350.jpg 1500w" sizes="(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px" /></figure>



<p>Little Chepstow Nursery, in the school grounds, is a charming gateway to the Prep experience for children aged 2-4 years. Parents have the option of putting tots in for a half-day before building up to full days when they are ready. I found bright, airy classrooms and a 360˚ approach to development, from academics (think phonics, maths-related activities, pre-writing mark making, literacy development) through to things like physical activity, using language to solve problems, art, drama, role play and dance. As with the rest of the school, there&#8217;s a surprisingly spacious outside playground complete with a mud kitchen. </p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-sendco-nbsp-pastoral">SENDCO&nbsp;/ PASTORAL </h2>



<p>Chepstow&#8217;s ploughing its own furrow when it comes to assisting pupils with special educational needs. There’s no ‘SEN’ room or hub here, but rather an integrated approach, with the school identifying which children need help and assisting them from the get-go. Pupils with SEN are bolstered throughout their time at the school, from counselling to extra help in the classroom. It’s refreshing and an interesting approach that seems inclusive &#8211; staff are encouraged to work together to ensure children’s needs are met throughout their school journey.&nbsp;</p>



<p>Chepstow&#8217;s also part of&nbsp;Empathy Lab, a charitable enterprise that cultivates empathy in children through learning activities (think empathetic books, art, chats, messages). There&#8217;s also a pupil Buddy System, which is at the centre of school life and aims to develop interpersonal skills while enriching, enhancing and reinforcing learning across all age groups. </p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-quirks-nbsp">QUIRKS&nbsp;</h2>



<p>The whole school feels quite quirky, in a good way. The Year 6 roof terrace is a sun trap with a ping-pong table and rattan seats for chilling. The large Wild Garden is a brilliant initiative &#8211; all pupils are encouraged to use it and get muddy, swing from the trees, roll around, dig for worms and generally have some independent, non-guided fun. Something that I imagine feels pretty unique in the heart of Notting Hill.&nbsp;</p>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1024" height="683" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/london/wp-content/uploads/sites/24/2025/04/63929_Chepstow-House-School-246-1024x683.jpg" alt="Chepstow House School " class="wp-image-10189" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/london/wp-content/uploads/sites/24/2025/04/63929_Chepstow-House-School-246-1024x683.jpg 1024w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/london/wp-content/uploads/sites/24/2025/04/63929_Chepstow-House-School-246-300x200.jpg 300w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/london/wp-content/uploads/sites/24/2025/04/63929_Chepstow-House-School-246-768x513.jpg 768w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/london/wp-content/uploads/sites/24/2025/04/63929_Chepstow-House-School-246.jpg 1500w" sizes="(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px" /></figure>



<p>And the school&#8217;s eco-committee is far from token, they’re working hard to make an impact through various initiatives including writing to the Prime Minster recently about deforestation concerns &#8211; his reply is proudly displayed in the central corridor. </p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-the-head-nbsp">THE HEAD&nbsp;</h2>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1024" height="1024" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/london/wp-content/uploads/sites/24/2025/04/proxy-image-1024x1024.jpeg" alt="Angela Barr Chepstow House School " class="wp-image-10193" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/london/wp-content/uploads/sites/24/2025/04/proxy-image-1024x1024.jpeg 1024w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/london/wp-content/uploads/sites/24/2025/04/proxy-image-300x300.jpeg 300w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/london/wp-content/uploads/sites/24/2025/04/proxy-image-150x150.jpeg 150w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/london/wp-content/uploads/sites/24/2025/04/proxy-image-768x768.jpeg 768w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/london/wp-content/uploads/sites/24/2025/04/proxy-image-500x500.jpeg 500w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/london/wp-content/uploads/sites/24/2025/04/proxy-image-1100x1100.jpeg 1100w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/london/wp-content/uploads/sites/24/2025/04/proxy-image.jpeg 1500w" sizes="(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px" /></figure>



<p>Angela Barr opened the school fifteen years ago and it’s clearly way more than a 9-5 job. I found her warm and authoritative, and her heart and soul has gone into creating a Prep that’s friendly and caring with a great atmosphere. Rather than focusing on big, individual projects, she explained she’s constantly working on, and looking at new ways to improve, the school and maintain its already high standards.&nbsp;Formerly at Pembridge Prep, I got the impression her move into co-ed education was a great fit. </p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-mobile-phone-policy">MOBILE PHONE POLICY</h2>



<p>There’s no chance your child’s going to be taking sneaky pictures on SnapChat here, as children do not have access to mobile phones.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-word-of-mouth-nbsp">WORD OF MOUTH&nbsp;</h2>



<p>It&#8217;s a popular, local school. While children do come from all corners of London, many are in the surrounding area and consequently it&#8217;s a valued part of Notting Hill. Parents tend to be active &#8211; there&#8217;s Friends of Chepstow House, with class reps acting as a link between teachers and parents as well as hosting regular social events, such as coffee mornings and cocktail evenings. </p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-fees">FEES </h2>



<p>It’s a flat £9,490 per term from Reception to Year 6. Little Chepstow Nursery offers five half-day sessions (morning) from £4,184 per term, eight sessions from £6,675, nine sessions from £7,481 and 10 sessions (five full days) from £8,313.&nbsp;</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-verdict-nbsp">VERDICT&nbsp;</h2>



<p>A community school with a great vibe. It was World Book Day when I visited and, while it was great to see all the pupils dressed up (Harry Potter, fairies, princesses and Cruella De Vil were all representing), it was also heart-warming to see so many members of staff taking part too &#8211; I met everyone from Pippy Longstocking to Alice in Wonderland and Wednesday Adams on my tour and the camaraderie was clear to see.&nbsp;</p>



<p><strong>Good for</strong>: If you&#8217;re looking for a happy, creative school that your child will look forward to attending, Chepstow&#8217;s a no-brainer. </p>



<p><strong>Not for:</strong> If you&#8217;re looking for a formal, single sex establishment that&#8217;s been running for centuries, this isn&#8217;t going to hit the mark. </p>



<p>Dare to disagree? Go see for yourself by booking a school tour, email <a href="mailto:admissions@chepstowhouseschool.co.uk">admissions@chepstowhouseschool.co.uk</a>.</p>



<p><em><strong><a href="https://www.chepstowhouseschool.co.uk">Chepstow House School</a></strong></em>,<em> 108a Lancaster Road, Notting Hill, London, W11 1QS</em>. </p>


Chepstow House School, Notting Hill

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