London


<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/24/2024/10/Orchard-House-October_048-1-1024x683.jpg" alt="Orchard House prep school Chiswick" class="wp-image-5425" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/london/wp-content/uploads/sites/24/2024/10/Orchard-House-October_048-1-1024x683.jpg 1024w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/london/wp-content/uploads/sites/24/2024/10/Orchard-House-October_048-1-300x200.jpg 300w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/london/wp-content/uploads/sites/24/2024/10/Orchard-House-October_048-1-768x513.jpg 768w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/london/wp-content/uploads/sites/24/2024/10/Orchard-House-October_048-1.jpg 1500w" sizes="(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px" /></figure>



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



<p>Change is in the air at <a href="https://www.orchardhs.org.uk/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Orchard House School</a>. As of September 2024, this well-established and much-loved non-selective prep for ages 3-11 in leafy Chiswick blended with the cohort of fellow Dukes Education school and close neighbour, Chiswick and Bedford Park Preparatory School (CBPPS). Head of the latter, Henrietta Adams, is overseeing the change, and has taken up post as overall head of the newly merged school. Pupil numbers for the 24/25 academic year are at 418 and average class size sits at 20, although the lower years benefit from a teacher pupil ratio of 1 to 6.&nbsp;</p>



<p>The two schools fit exceptionally well together, both offering a nurturing, village environment alongside strong and highly focused teaching. This combination makes for friendly, well-adjusted children who thrive in both their schoolwork and extracurricular pursuits.&nbsp;</p>



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



<h3 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-general-school-nbsp">GENERAL SCHOOL&nbsp;</h3>



<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/24/2024/10/Orchard-House-October_425-1-1024x683.jpg" alt="Orchard House prep school Chiswick London outside space" class="wp-image-5427" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/london/wp-content/uploads/sites/24/2024/10/Orchard-House-October_425-1-1024x683.jpg 1024w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/london/wp-content/uploads/sites/24/2024/10/Orchard-House-October_425-1-300x200.jpg 300w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/london/wp-content/uploads/sites/24/2024/10/Orchard-House-October_425-1-768x513.jpg 768w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/london/wp-content/uploads/sites/24/2024/10/Orchard-House-October_425-1.jpg 1500w" sizes="(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px" /></figure>



<p>The three main sites are set within large former residential homes, all of which have undergone considerable refurbishment prior to the start of the 24/25 academic year. Years 1 and 2 occupy Priory House (formerly the setting for Chiswick and Bedford Park), which also hosts the admin space and a new library. The Newton Grove site is used by Years 3 to 6, and Nursery and Reception classes are housed in the completely revamped building at Rupert Road, with an indoor climbing frame and generous outdoor space. It makes total sense to use the buildings in this more cohesive way, allowing the pupils a smooth progression upwards through the school.&nbsp;</p>



<p>The process of blending the two cohorts has taken place quite gradually over recent months, so the children have had time and opportunity to get to know each other and get to grips with the imminent changes and, so far so good, it looks to be moving forwards smoothly and happily. On blending the two schools together, the uniform has been given a glow-up too, with a very smart navy and red design that reflects the identities of both cohorts.&nbsp;</p>



<p>One new development particularly worth noting is that of the former Nursery building. It has been transformed into a brand-new STEAM and Art and Design centre, so stay tuned for the big reveal.&nbsp;</p>



<p>Orchard House School sits firmly within the local community in such a way that it doesn&#8217;t feel fortress-like, and the children are an intrinsic part of this little pocket of London. In terms of general facilities, the school is small but perfectly formed and makes brilliant use of the local community offering to accommodate things like whole school assemblies (The London Buddhist Vihara), concerts (St. Alban’s Church), group music lessons and art lessons (St. Michael and All Angels Church), and games lessons (Rocks Lane &#8211; see below). Where previously, all food was cooked on site at Orchard House and the children ate lunch in their classrooms, the whole school now uses the church hall at St Michael and All Angels Church for lunches. </p>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1000" height="763" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/london/wp-content/uploads/sites/24/2024/10/Orchard-House-Community.jpg" alt="Orchard House community Chiswick" class="wp-image-5435" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/london/wp-content/uploads/sites/24/2024/10/Orchard-House-Community.jpg 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/london/wp-content/uploads/sites/24/2024/10/Orchard-House-Community-300x229.jpg 300w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/london/wp-content/uploads/sites/24/2024/10/Orchard-House-Community-768x586.jpg 768w" sizes="(max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px" /></figure>



<p>All three buildings are former residential properties, located in a well-heeled, leafy part of town, so it’s no surprise that the classrooms benefit from high ceilings and big windows, giving a light and airy spaciousness that works well in a school context.&nbsp;</p>



<p>Apple Macs, Chromebooks and iPads are provided for the pupils to use as required, and each site has its own dedicated outside space with age-appropriate equipment available for outside play.&nbsp;</p>



<h3 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-sport-nbsp">SPORT&nbsp;</h3>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1000" height="1000" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/london/wp-content/uploads/sites/24/2024/10/tennis-orchard-house-school-chiswick.jpg" alt="Tennis coaching at orchard house school chiswick" class="wp-image-5439" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/london/wp-content/uploads/sites/24/2024/10/tennis-orchard-house-school-chiswick.jpg 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/london/wp-content/uploads/sites/24/2024/10/tennis-orchard-house-school-chiswick-300x300.jpg 300w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/london/wp-content/uploads/sites/24/2024/10/tennis-orchard-house-school-chiswick-150x150.jpg 150w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/london/wp-content/uploads/sites/24/2024/10/tennis-orchard-house-school-chiswick-768x768.jpg 768w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/london/wp-content/uploads/sites/24/2024/10/tennis-orchard-house-school-chiswick-500x500.jpg 500w" sizes="(max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px" /></figure>



<p>Games lessons are at Rocks Lane Multi Sports Centre, which is only a couple of minutes’ walk from both Priory House and Newton Grove. Boasting seven 3G multi use floodlit courts and pitches, six outdoor and four covered padel courts, it allows for five-a-side football, netball, hockey, tennis and padel to be played all year round. Children also play cricket at Chiswick House in the summer term and indoor PE lessons take place at St Alban’s, just a short walk away, so it’s all within very easy reach of the classroom. It’s clearly paying off &#8211; the U11 girls netball team rank second in the country amongst IAPS schools, which includes some very big hitters in terms of sports facilities. Impressive. </p>



<h3 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-creative-arts-nbsp">CREATIVE ARTS&nbsp;</h3>



<p>Drama, music and art is a big focus here (see above for the new art and design facilities). Year 6 put on a school production each academic year, with recent performances including <em>Oliver</em> and <em>Matilda</em>. These are performed at the POSK Theatre at the Polish Centre in Hammersmith, with an audience capacity of up to 300. Being able to use this theatre space is a huge bonus for the children, giving them a real insight into the way larger-scale productions work, and certainly demonstrates that, what this small school may lack in terms of pure bricks and mortar scale, is more than made up for by the rich cultural offerings that surround it.&nbsp;</p>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1000" height="972" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/london/wp-content/uploads/sites/24/2024/10/Orchard-House-School-Production.jpg" alt="orchard House School Production" class="wp-image-5433" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/london/wp-content/uploads/sites/24/2024/10/Orchard-House-School-Production.jpg 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/london/wp-content/uploads/sites/24/2024/10/Orchard-House-School-Production-300x292.jpg 300w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/london/wp-content/uploads/sites/24/2024/10/Orchard-House-School-Production-768x746.jpg 768w" sizes="(max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px" /></figure>



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



<p>Although it’s never the sole consideration for any parent, this is an academic school, and parents certainly choose to send their children here partly on that basis, in order to give them the solid academic grounding they will need for passing the 11+ and moving onwards with their school careers.&nbsp;</p>



<p>Orchard House doesn’t act as a feeder for any specific onward senior schools and, moving forwards, pupils progress on to a diverse range of schools. Many families are keen to pursue Consortium Schools such as Godolphin and Latymer, Francis Holland and Notting Hill, as well as St. Paul’s and Latymer Upper School.&nbsp;</p>



<p>From Year 3 upwards, the children are streamed for maths and English to help prepare them for the 11+ and given relevant guidance for onward schooling. French is one of the main languages taught at Orchard House School; I listened in on a Year 2 French lesson during my visit, which was almost entirely conducted in French, with the children fully engaged and able to comprehend some quite complex phrases. It’s refreshing to see a small-ish prep taking modern languages <em>this</em> seriously. Residential trips include Outward Bound in Wales for Form 6, Form 5 are going to PGL on the Isle of Wight, Form 4 are going to do Bushcraft in Gloucestershire and Form 3 are going to Flatford Mill in Suffolk.</p>



<p>The curriculum has changed somewhat, with the launch of the new school set-up including a greater emphasis on project-based skills, philosophy and oracy, with a view to building skills to support the children in their future pursuits, whilst still keeping a keen eye on the 11+.&nbsp;</p>



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



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1000" height="575" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/london/wp-content/uploads/sites/24/2024/10/orchard-house-walking-children.jpg" alt="Orchard house prep school chiswick london" class="wp-image-5443" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/london/wp-content/uploads/sites/24/2024/10/orchard-house-walking-children.jpg 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/london/wp-content/uploads/sites/24/2024/10/orchard-house-walking-children-300x173.jpg 300w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/london/wp-content/uploads/sites/24/2024/10/orchard-house-walking-children-768x442.jpg 768w" sizes="(max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px" /></figure>



<p>There is a significant emphasis on creating a nurturing and familial environment for the children. Whilst the different year groups will be split over the two main sites, there are plenty of opportunities for pupils to mix and interact outside of their classes. Lunch times, for example, are staggered but opposite ends of the school go in together. Friday assemblies are for the whole school, and the older children are given the opportunity to read with the younger ones &#8211; all things that contribute to the overall wellbeing and sense of cohesion for the pupils. Whilst academic achievement is important here, it doesn’t supersede kindness and mindfulness, which are woven into every element of school life. One example of this is the wellbeing boards in classrooms, which allow the children to identify how they’re feeling throughout the day by putting a red, yellow, or green marker next to a picture of themselves. It’s a way of opening up a dialogue between the children and staff that takes the pressure off the pupil: staff can see when a pupil is struggling and respond with sensitivity.&nbsp;</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="787" height="1024" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/london/wp-content/uploads/sites/24/2024/10/henrietta-Adams-787x1024.jpg" alt="Henrietta Adams head Orchard House Prep School" class="wp-image-5445" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/london/wp-content/uploads/sites/24/2024/10/henrietta-Adams-787x1024.jpg 787w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/london/wp-content/uploads/sites/24/2024/10/henrietta-Adams-231x300.jpg 231w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/london/wp-content/uploads/sites/24/2024/10/henrietta-Adams-768x999.jpg 768w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/london/wp-content/uploads/sites/24/2024/10/henrietta-Adams.jpg 1000w" sizes="(max-width: 787px) 100vw, 787px" /></figure>



<p>Henrietta Adams, former head of CBPPS and now overall head of Orchard House School, is efficient, focused, and very clued up. She’s had a varied career, having previously worked as a solicitor in private practice before realising her passion for teaching. Henrietta has been at CBPPS since 2011, starting as a class teacher, then Director of Studies and Assistant Head before being appointed Head of CBPPS and now overall Head of Orchard House School. She is certainly a significant stabiliser for the school at this time of change. Henrietta’s passion for languages, music and the arts is a huge benefit to the school and its pupils and, as she grew up locally, she’s also a significant and valued member of the Chiswick community.&nbsp;</p>



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



<p>Not a quirk necessarily, but there is a distinct sense of fun at Orchard House. Children work hard but they are really encouraged to enjoy themselves in creative ways too, from Crazy Hair Day to Orchard’s Got Talent &#8211; school life here is far from old skool.&nbsp;</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-wrap-around-care-nbsp">WRAP AROUND CARE&nbsp;</h2>



<p>There are 35 extra-curricular clubs for the children to enjoy and over 220 individual music lessons take place each week as well as LAMDA, with concerts and performances taking place every half term to showcase the students’ talent and hard work. There are also 4 choirs; Junior, Senior, Chamber and Parent/Teacher Choir &#8211; that’s probably a first for me, bonus points for involving parents in the school community. There is plenty of opportunity for children to learn outside the curriculum should they wish to. Wraparound care is from 7.30am-6pm, making it fairly reasonable to fit within the working day for most which, for many parents, is a make-or-break factor in choosing a school. </p>



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



<p>There are Learning Lodges in the garden at Orchard House, which are designed to be engaging spaces for children with SEND, and the school accommodates and supports any child who they believe will thrive here.&nbsp;</p>



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



<p>No mobile phones in school, though Year 6 pupils who walk into school may bring their mobile phone and leave it in the office during the day.&nbsp;</p>



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



<p>From £3,777-£7,554 per term for a Nursery place (depending on the number of sessions required per week) to £7,867 per term for years 3-6.&nbsp;</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-word-on-the-ground-nbsp">WORD ON THE GROUND&nbsp;</h2>



<p>There’s a general sense amongst both parents and staff that becoming part of Duke’s Education group in 2020 has been positive for the school, prompting the school merger and a seven-figure investment. Expectations are certainly high but, overall, very positive vibes.&nbsp;</p>



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



<p><strong>Good for:</strong> Bright kids who are academic and likely to pursue music and sports alongside their schoolwork. Working parents who need decent wraparound hours would benefit in terms of the extra-curricular clubs on offer.&nbsp;</p>



<p><strong>Not for:</strong> Children who need a lot of space to run around and let off steam. Whilst the outside space here is certainly charming, it is limited.&nbsp;</p>



<p>Want to know more? Be my guest! Arrange a private visit <a href="https://www.orchardhs.org.uk/visit-us/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">here</a> and see for yourself.&nbsp;</p>



<p><em><a href="https://www.orchardhs.org.uk/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Orchard House School</a>, 16 Newton Grove Chiswick London W4 1LB</em></p>


Orchard House School, Chiswick

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