London


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



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1000" height="667" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/london/wp-content/uploads/sites/24/2025/09/Wetherby-Notting-Hill-132.jpg" alt="wetherby school notting hill" class="wp-image-14797" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/london/wp-content/uploads/sites/24/2025/09/Wetherby-Notting-Hill-132.jpg 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/london/wp-content/uploads/sites/24/2025/09/Wetherby-Notting-Hill-132-300x200.jpg 300w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/london/wp-content/uploads/sites/24/2025/09/Wetherby-Notting-Hill-132-768x512.jpg 768w" sizes="(max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px" /></figure>



<p>Wetherby School Notting Hill sits around the corner from Notting Hill tube station in tranquil Pembridge Square. The sound of children playing in the square&#8217;s idyllic private garden was the first indication I had that there was a school nestled amongst the beautiful stucco-fronted townhouses. </p>



<p>It&#8217;s easy to spot thanks to it bright red front door, recognisable the world over due to its most famous alumni, Princes Harry and William, posing before it with their mother in the 90s. Around a five-minute walk away lies Reception, which has its own dedicated building at 19 Pembridge Villas. The catchment net is cast wide, but the majority of pupils live in the surrounding area, and it’s very much a multi-cultural school.&nbsp;</p>



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



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1000" height="667" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/london/wp-content/uploads/sites/24/2025/09/Wetherby-Notting-Hill-38.jpg" alt="wetherby school notting hill boys" class="wp-image-14793" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/london/wp-content/uploads/sites/24/2025/09/Wetherby-Notting-Hill-38.jpg 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/london/wp-content/uploads/sites/24/2025/09/Wetherby-Notting-Hill-38-300x200.jpg 300w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/london/wp-content/uploads/sites/24/2025/09/Wetherby-Notting-Hill-38-768x512.jpg 768w" sizes="(max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px" /></figure>



<p>Set in two handsome five-storey buildings, there&#8217;s ample space for the school&#8217;s 320+ pupils aged four to eight. Classrooms boast high ceilings and noticeably large windows, which make each room feel light and bright &#8211; views from the upper floors overlooking the square’s tree tops give it less of an urban vibe than you&#8217;d expect from a Central London school. </p>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1000" height="667" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/london/wp-content/uploads/sites/24/2025/09/Wetherby-Notting-Hill-98.jpg" alt="wetherby school notting hill library" class="wp-image-14811" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/london/wp-content/uploads/sites/24/2025/09/Wetherby-Notting-Hill-98.jpg 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/london/wp-content/uploads/sites/24/2025/09/Wetherby-Notting-Hill-98-300x200.jpg 300w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/london/wp-content/uploads/sites/24/2025/09/Wetherby-Notting-Hill-98-768x512.jpg 768w" sizes="(max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px" /></figure>



<p>Wetherby School Notting Hill has been creative with the space it does have. A large room is neatly divided between music and library, with books lining walls one side, a piano the other. A darling Learning Development Room is a haven of tranquility, with a sash window overlooking the leafy square, boxes of Lego, colouring pens and even wipe clean tables you can draw on.&nbsp;The ground floor hall’s constantly in use for assemblies, dining, events and other fun activities, and the Art Studio is a colourful place to create. </p>



<p>Decor-wise, soft grey carpets line the stairs, keeping noise muted, and pictures of current pupils in action hang from the walls, a nice touch which gives it a real sense of community. The overall effect is calm, welcoming and more homely than expected. </p>



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



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1000" height="667" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/london/wp-content/uploads/sites/24/2025/09/Wetherby-Notting-Hill-237.jpg" alt="wetherby school notting hill cricket" class="wp-image-14806" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/london/wp-content/uploads/sites/24/2025/09/Wetherby-Notting-Hill-237.jpg 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/london/wp-content/uploads/sites/24/2025/09/Wetherby-Notting-Hill-237-300x200.jpg 300w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/london/wp-content/uploads/sites/24/2025/09/Wetherby-Notting-Hill-237-768x512.jpg 768w" sizes="(max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px" /></figure>



<p>Pupils have use of the glorious little private park opposite, but formal sports (football in winter, tag rugby in spring and cricket in summer) take place in the nearby Kensington Gardens. Prince William’s fond memories of Wetherby have kept the bond between school and Royal family strong and lucky pupils get to walk there for games.  Swimming lessons take place at Porchester Centre and Kensington Leisure Centre. </p>



<p>There&#8217;s plenty for competitive types to get involved in, with sports&#8217; teams regularly entering Inspired Schools&#8217; competitions as well as matches against independents such as St Paul’s and Westminster. Yet it&#8217;s inclusive, with all boys in Years 2 and 3 getting to represent the school in at least one fixture per term. </p>



<p>Sporting inspiration&#8217;s all around at Wetherby School Notting Hill, from the framed outfit of Olympic rower and four-time Boat Race winner Constantine Louloudis MBE which graces the stairwell walls, to the fact that world-famous footballer David Beckham chose to send his sons Romeo and Cruz to the Pre-Prep. </p>



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



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1000" height="667" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/london/wp-content/uploads/sites/24/2025/09/Wetherby-Notting-Hill-21.jpg" alt="wetherby school notting hill piano" class="wp-image-14795" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/london/wp-content/uploads/sites/24/2025/09/Wetherby-Notting-Hill-21.jpg 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/london/wp-content/uploads/sites/24/2025/09/Wetherby-Notting-Hill-21-300x200.jpg 300w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/london/wp-content/uploads/sites/24/2025/09/Wetherby-Notting-Hill-21-768x512.jpg 768w" sizes="(max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px" /></figure>



<p>Music is a real passion of head Paul David and he has given much more focus to music since he joined. The Director of Music, Richard Elliott, has been getting great results by introducing Senior School methods to Prep school children, and I was impressed to see boys not only reading music, but also creating their own music from as early as Year 1. Nor is it all focused on classical &#8211; the &#8216;composer of the week&#8217; on the music room wall when I visited was none other than Noel Gallagher from rock band <em>Oasis</em>, and the kids are encouraged to use GarageBand. With two choirs, a large orchestra, music lessons throughout the week and events across the year, it’s clear music isn’t merely an add-on, it’s at the beating heart of Wetherby School Notting Hill.&nbsp;</p>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1000" height="667" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/london/wp-content/uploads/sites/24/2025/09/Wetherby-Notting-Hill-285.jpg" alt="wetherby school notting hill drums" class="wp-image-14807" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/london/wp-content/uploads/sites/24/2025/09/Wetherby-Notting-Hill-285.jpg 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/london/wp-content/uploads/sites/24/2025/09/Wetherby-Notting-Hill-285-300x200.jpg 300w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/london/wp-content/uploads/sites/24/2025/09/Wetherby-Notting-Hill-285-768x512.jpg 768w" sizes="(max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px" /></figure>



<p>Drama&#8217;s another creative outlet where pupils thrive and build confidence. Lessons officially begin in Year 2, however the fun really starts way back in Reception when boys put on a nativity play, in addition every class hosts an assembly for the rest of the school and their parents, plus Year 3 put on a production at the Tabernacle Theatre, where they&#8217;re involved in all parts of the process, including lighting, production and costumes as well as on stage, and get guidance from professional actors. </p>



<p>Art encompasses <em>way </em>more than simply drawing and painting, think studying the lives of creative masters throughout history, entering work in competitions like <em>Artist of the Week </em>and <em>Picture of the Month </em>and displaying work in public exhibitions. Creative children are going to have plenty of chances to shine. </p>



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



<p>If you want to give your child the very best opportunities when it comes to preparing for the next stage in their education, Wetherby School Notting Hill is a sure thing. Currently experiencing the best two years in its history in terms of 7+ and 8+ exam results, pupils are consistently awarded places to the very highest calibre of schools including Wetherby Prep, St Paul’s and Westminster. </p>



<p>How are staff achieving this? It’s a two fold process, firstly the school has its own  curriculum which has been honed over many years and the results are nothing short of spectacular. Written work displayed on the walls of the Year 1 Classrooms was so advanced in terms of subject matter (alliteration and similes) and handwriting, I had to keep reminding myself that the pupils were four and five years old. The same was true of some enthusiastic Year 3 pupils who talked me through Greek architecture, aged 8.&nbsp;</p>



<p>The second route to success is the Learning Development Support overseen by Christine Evans, a friendly member of staff who explained that from the off-set pupils are monitored and, if any problems are spotted, there’s an immediate intervention, plan of action drawn up and set in process to get them up to speed over the course of six months. It’s a nurturing environment, and the results are impressive, with every child in the last academic year reaching the national average or way above. It’s a bespoke education that ensures nobody gets left behind or falls through the gaps.&nbsp;</p>



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



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1000" height="667" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/london/wp-content/uploads/sites/24/2025/09/Wetherby-Notting-Hill-202.jpg" alt="wetherby school notting hill learning" class="wp-image-14809" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/london/wp-content/uploads/sites/24/2025/09/Wetherby-Notting-Hill-202.jpg 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/london/wp-content/uploads/sites/24/2025/09/Wetherby-Notting-Hill-202-300x200.jpg 300w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/london/wp-content/uploads/sites/24/2025/09/Wetherby-Notting-Hill-202-768x512.jpg 768w" sizes="(max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px" /></figure>



<p>Pupils are so given such a holistic, personalised education, it would be pretty much impossible for any issues that arise not to be spotted and solutions found. Through the excellent Learning for Life curriculum, which covers health and wellbeing, relationships, digital safety and living in the wider world from Reception to Year 3, anti-bullying and mental health are part of the school&#8217;s ethos. </p>



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



<p>There&#8217;s animal magic at the top of the first flight of stairs, where a large aquarium is popular (and calming) for pupils.&nbsp;Wetherby Warriors is a great initiative where pupils are given a famous person (Michelle Obama when I visited) to research on a weekly basis and, if they give an interesting fact about the celebrity when they arrive at school, they gain a house point. </p>



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



<p>Ross Montague will join as Headmaster from Autumn 2026. Ross joins from Eaton House Belgravia, bringing a strong reputation for academic rigour, energy and a deep understanding of how to inspire young learners. To ensure a smooth transition, Mark Snell is serving as interim Headmaster from January 2026. </p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-wraparound-care">WRAPAROUND CARE</h2>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1000" height="667" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/london/wp-content/uploads/sites/24/2025/09/Wetherby-Notting-Hill-310.jpg" alt="wetherby school notting hill judo" class="wp-image-14810" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/london/wp-content/uploads/sites/24/2025/09/Wetherby-Notting-Hill-310.jpg 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/london/wp-content/uploads/sites/24/2025/09/Wetherby-Notting-Hill-310-300x200.jpg 300w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/london/wp-content/uploads/sites/24/2025/09/Wetherby-Notting-Hill-310-768x512.jpg 768w" sizes="(max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px" /></figure>



<p>There’s no formal wraparound care, however with lots of fun after school clubs on offer, it’s unlikely children will be rushing home.&nbsp;</p>



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



<p>Mobile phones can’t be used on school premises. </p>



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



<p>If you want your child to attend Wetherby School Notting Hill, you need to register them ASAP (we’re talking straight after birth early), as places are highly in demand. Consequently, those parents who are in the fold tend to feel very much part of a community, which is strong despite the fact it doesn’t have a parent teacher association. Overall it operates fairly below-radar (it&#8217;s only just joined Instagram this summer, for example), which is bound to appeal to parents who want to keep things lowkey. </p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-isi-report">ISI REPORT </h2>



<p>The last inspection was in 2024 and the school was hitting all requirements, read more <a href="https://www.isi.net/institutions/school/wetherby-school-7577" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">here</a>. </p>



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



<p>As you’d expect for a Central London school they’re steep, yet competitive; £10,990 per term. </p>



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



<p>Far more warm, friendly and fun than you’d expect for such a high-achieving, exclusive school. Boys are clearly having a blast and the atmosphere is vibrant, pupils appear engaged and enjoying their school experience. I asked a classroom of Year 3s what they liked most about Wetherby and the answers ranged from ‘my friends&#8217; and &#8216;kind teachers’ to ‘learning’ and ‘the food’. &nbsp;</p>



<p><strong>Good for:</strong>&nbsp;If you&#8217;re looking for a school with a Royal seal of approval (and we don&#8217;t just mean the Beckhams), which helps youngsters of various abilities to achieve their goals and create opportunities in life that many school&#8217;s can only dream of (playing sports in the grounds of the Royal Household is not your everyday school experience), then Wetherby School Notting Hill delivers in droves. </p>



<p><strong>Not fo</strong>r: This is a city boys&#8217; school, so countryside-loving co-ed obsessives need not apply. </p>



<p><strong>DARE TO DISAGREE? </strong>Be my guest and check it out for yourself! Please register <a href="https://www.wetherbyschool.co.uk/enquire-now" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener"><em>here</em></a> for a personalised tour.</p>



<p><em>To contact the school about admission requirements, waiting lists and school tours, click <a href="https://www.wetherbyschool.co.uk/enquire-now-notting-hill" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">here</a>. </em></p>


Wetherby School Notting Hill, London

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