WHAT? WHERE?

Newland House is a large, co-ed day Prep, set in five acres and within throwing distance of rugby’s hallowed ground, Twickenham Stadium. Pupil numbers are good, with around 420 in total 140 in Pre-Prep and 270 in Prep (of whom 30 are in Senior Prep).

Founded in 1897, Newland House School can be found within the smart residential streets of Twickenham. Located at the current site since the 1930s, the school welcomes children from age 3 with girls leaving after Y6 and boys able to stay on until the end of Y8 (more on that later!). It’s one of the largest and oldest Prep schools in the local area.

FACILITIES

Newland House is something of a Tardis and a school of two halves. A contemporary building, built in 2017, houses Nursery and Pre-Prep. The Prep school is on the same site in an older style building, most of which has had a recent refresh with one area to go.

The contemporary part of the school for Nursery to Y2 is charming with a touch of ski chalet about it – bright white walls, large windows with ceilings (and some walls) clad in pine. It’s a welcoming space and all the classrooms I see are lovely – light and spacious. The outdoor play space is filled with small children having a blast, particularly the ones zooming around on balance bikes wearing safety helmets.

The Prep-aged children are housed in an older building on the same site, which is equally inviting. There are also two science labs, an impressive DT workshop, an art studio with kiln, computing suite and a lovely spacious library, which children access regularly including during breaks if they prefer quiet time. There’s also a purpose-built music block, a particular strength at Newland House, and two large multi-functional halls. One features retractable seating and a professional lighting and sound system, a recent investment, which means the hall can play host to indoor PE or a school production.

SPORT

The strong sport offering feels inclusive with getting involved equally as important as performance. All the usual suspects are on offer including football, netball, rugby, rounders, hockey, cricket, athletics and swimming. There are lots of teams and opportunities to represent the school – it’s not just about the A team at Newland House, but a healthy sense of competitive spirit is encouraged and there are some very strong teams. Sports scholarships at 11+ and 13+ last year were awarded at Hampton, Reed’s, Kingston Grammar School, Epsom, Halliford and King Edwards, Witley.

There’s a good amount of outside space considering the residential location. Onsite, there’s two artificial grass pitches, a hard court and cricket nets. The school also makes use of the facilities at nearby Bushy Park Sports Club (1.5 miles away).

Matches take place during the week and on Saturday mornings, handy for working parents. There were an impressive 111 fixtures in the first half of the autumn term alone (not including tournaments). There’s no swimming pool onsite but the school minibuses ferry kids to nearby Teddington swimming pool for regular lessons, which is less than a mile away.

Children can also try dance and gymnastics and more unusual options such as golf. There’s cross-country too with the opportunity to enter IAPs competitions. Annual international sports tours are unsurprisingly popular: the year 8 boy who joins my tour of the school tells me he’s looking forward to a cricket tour to Barbados (who wouldn’t!) but before that there’s a ski trip to enjoy.

Children in Nursery and Pre-Prep also benefit from specialist PE lessons each week which help them master key skills in coordination, balance, reactions, and timing.

CREATIVE ARTS

The intention across creative arts (and indeed the wider school) is to get all pupils involved, regardless of levels of experience or expertise, which is a laudable aim and one that will resonate with parents.

Art feels vibrant and creative. We sat in on a Y5 lesson led by a dynamic teacher who encourages the children to share their work with the unexpected classroom visitors, which they do without missing a beat.

Similarly, the music department is clearly flourishing and a celebrated strength of Newland House. There are two specialist music teachers plus more than 20 visiting teachers. All the children enjoy music lessons as part of the curriculum, as you’d expect, but what’s striking is that some 70% of children also take advantage of peripatetic lessons. This adds up to more than 200 individual weekly lessons on a rotating timetable, with kids learning violin, double bass, saxophone, the trumpet, flute and drums (good luck to those parents!) Singing is popular too.

There are dedicated spaces for lessons plus a generous music room for larger groups in a purpose-built block. When I visit Y6 are embracing singing practice with their teacher accompanying on the piano. To help each child find their passion for music, year three try taster lessons on different instruments. Graded exams are available for older year groups.

There are five school choirs, plus an orchestra and jazz band with auditions for the latter two (and some of the choirs but not all). Other ensembles include guitar, pop-rock, African drums, plus songwriting and theory groups. There are lots of opportunities to perform in front of peers and parents.

Drama is fizzing with energy too: each year group, including Nursery, gets involved in a series of productions. Most recently, Y6 staged Joseph and the Amazing Technicolour Dreamcoat, and more than 100 children study LAMDA.

EXTRA CURRICULAR

There’s a broad extracurricular programme with more than 70 clubs run by teaching staff (no charge) and local professionals (an additional cost) – surely something to pique the interest of every child. Available before school, at lunchtime and after school, basketball, ballet and chess are currently on offer. Or for something a bit different, how about trying Entrepreneur club or coding?

ADMISSIONS

Newland House is non-selective into Nursery or Reception, so there’s no stressful test to sit and the admissions process is gentle. Potential in-year joiners to Pre-Prep are invited to spend either a morning or afternoon at school for an informal assessment. It’s slightly more formal from Y3 with prospective pupils spending a day trying out the school, including lessons and socialising with other children, plus an online assessment focusing on Maths and English. From Y4 upwards, there may be a chat with the headteacher too.

ACADEMICS

Newland House offers a broad curriculum with lots of opportunities to try new subjects. From Pre-Prep, the class teacher plays a major role plus there are specialist lessons in Music, PE and French. From Y3 and Y4, more specialist teachers are involved including Art, Drama and Design and Technology. Maths is set from Y3 and English from Y5 when the 11+ prep ramps up. Reasoning and Latin join the list in Y6 and finally Spanish in Y7.

In Pre-Prep, STEAM afternoons (aka science, technology, engineering, art and maths), take place regularly, giving the children real-life problems and the challenges to solve it. The inclusion of Art is notable here and the desire to encourage children’s personal development through projects such as this.

With girls leaving at the end of Y6 – the local senior schools for girls favour the 11+, whereas for boys the 11+ and 13+ are options – The school has introduced a Personal Development Programme, which empowers the boys in Y7 and Y8 to learn real world skills.

As a group, the boys chose different projects that they are responsible for from concept to delivery. A recent example of this is a talent show, which meant setting up auditions, marketing the performance, and logistics such as seating. It’s the journey that matters here rather than the guaranteed success of the enterprise. Bringing learning to life is the aim and it’s a great way to develop a range of skills and, perhaps more importantly, confidence, before the boys head off to their senior schools from Y9.

LEAVERS

As for where pupils go next… Y6 girls and Y8 boys mostly join local day schools and the list of destinations is a long one including Epsom College, Halliford, Hampton, King’s College School, Kingston Grammar School, Lady Eleanor Holles, Radnor, Reed’s, Sir William Perkins’s, St Catherine’s, St George’s Weybridge, St Paul’s School and Surbiton High School. It’s varied, which underlines that it’s about finding the right school for each child rather than aligning with one destination establishment.

In 2024, there were 8 academic scholarships, 8 sport, 1 for music, 4 for art, 2 drama and 1 stem, which is impressive given the school’s non-selective stance.

PASTORAL & SEN

Pastoral care and pupil wellbeing is prioritised. Form teachers are the first port of call for any pastoral issues, and there is a supportive network of staff such as Heads of Year and school leaders. Teachers can refer children in need of support to the school’s Well-Being Co-ordinator, Chloe, who creates individual programmes with parents in the loop. Pupils can drop in on Chloe, who is based in a welcoming room with sofa to snuggle on, if they want some space, to chat, or to visit Tilly the dog.

For children with additional educational needs, there’s a full-time Head of Learning Enrichment and a Pre-Prep Learning Enrichment Coordinator providing support. There are several adults in the department who are not attached to a particular class but instead work with small groups. They might help with phonics, practising fine motor control or helping with friendships for example. Learning support specialists can also be called upon if one-to-one support is needed for any children.

THE HEAD

Chris Skelton, previously Academic Deputy Head at Newton Prep and the Pastoral Deputy Head at Dulwich College Junior School, took up the headship at Newland House in September 2019 when the school needed new direction. Along with Sophia Excell, Deputy Head (Pre-Prep), and John Maguire, Deputy Head (Prep), they’re a tight and committed team.

Mr Skelton’s first focus when he joined was the core academic offering. He’s successfully introduced Inspire, the Singaporean system for teaching maths, and has strengthened English too. A new initiative is the introduction of Epraise, a digital platform to track house points, so kids are clear about how they are rewarded, and parents get a real sense of the everyday school experience.

The past few years has seen investment in theatre-style seating, lighting and sound facilities plus a purpose-built music block. The next area of focus is the outdoor area of the Prep school so watch this space for more on this.

Mr Skelton exudes an air of calm and, as we move around the school, the children can’t wait to show him their work or tell him about their day. He knows every name and has created a positive and encouraging school environment supported by his team. Focusing on each child’s individual journey is the Newland House way, which is why breath of curriculum is so important.

ISI REPORT

The last ISI report in 2022 found the school to be excellent in every area with a focus on the academic progress pupils make and their personal development. Read it here.

WORD ON THE GROUND

Nurturing, happy and supportive are all words I hear from Newland House parents.

QUIRKS

The lunchtime Swiftie Club – currently full (as you’d expect surely!) and founded by pupils. We’re loving the admiration of a strong female role model and no doubt the kids are defining their own eras.

Not as much of a quirk these days but there’s also a school dog, Tilly, who spends the school day with welfare officer Chloe and a regular stream of small, devoted visitors.

TRANSPORT

Most families live close to the school, but there are three daily bus services run by the school using their vehicles and drivers. Parents are asked to prebook and commit to set days for a cost of £5 per journey (with a reduction for siblings and breakfast at a reduced rate of £2 per day).

WRAP AROUND CARE

Children can be dropped from 7.30am with hot breakfast available every day. After school children can stay until 6pm, the offering is activity-led with lots of stations to engage the children and Prep children have space and support to complete homework. There’s a holiday club too, which covers five weeks across the year, including an invaluable two during the summer holidays. For nursery age children, there’s a free Sibling Club, which hangs onto them from 3.20pm until 3.45pm to co-ordinate with the Prep school finish time of 3.50pm.

MOBILE PHONE POLICY

Mobile phones are not allowed in school. From Y6, mobile phones can be handed into reception in the morning and collected at the end of the school day.

FEES

Fees from Spring term 2025 will include VAT. Reception – Y2, £5,815 per term; Y3-Y8, £6,488. Full time Nursery, £5,306; five mornings , £2,851. Mornings plus two, three of four afternoon sessions also available at a cost of £3,982, £4,548 or £5,116 respectively.

It’s worth noting Nursery and Reception pupils (up to and including the term in which they turn 5) are eligible to receive the 15hr Early Education Grant, which reduces termly fee by approximately £1,048 per term (2024/25).

THE MUDDY VERDICT

Good for: Those seeking a friendly and nurturing school with a focus on children’s confidence and personal development alongside academics.

Not for: There’s no boarding option so you’ll need to be local and there’s no preparation for 7+. It’s not a through school so no automatic transfer to senior.

Dare to disagree? Be my guest, details of the next Open Mornings can be found here.

Newland House School, Waldegrave Park, Twickenham, Middlesex, TW1 4TQ

Newland House School, Twickenham

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