WHAT? WHERE?

The words ‘Central London’ are often used to describe places that aren’t even edging Zone One, but Wetherby’s the real deal. Overlooking Bryanstone Square in the heart of Marylebone, it’s just a five-minute walk from Marble Arch in one direction and Baker Street in the other.

Behind the smart red front door (a signature shade of all the Wetherby schools, including Pre-Prep and Senior) lies a beautiful five-storey Georgian building which houses around 350 boys from 7-13 years. The school makes use of every inch, even expanding to the building next door around five years ago.

And if you recognise the school’s distinctive grey and red uniform it might be because Princes William and Harry sported them when they attended Wetherby Pre-Prep in Notting Hill in the late 80s, images of which were published around the world. Other celebrity alumni include Romeo Beckham and Hugh Grant, but don’t go thinking this is a finishing school for the rich and famous, it’s very much a down-to-earth Prep where learning’s key, whatever your title.

FACILITIES

Following a recent refurbishment, the school feels bright and modern despite its heritage. Soft grey carpet lines the corridors – there’s none of the stomping and clattering you’d expect at a boys’ Prep – and the subtle grey and white colour scheme suits the elegant, high-ceilinged rooms. Art adds an occasional splash of colour, including an eye-catching Lego creation featuring the Wetherby crest, gifted to the school by Year 8 leavers.

Pioneer Hall is the space that most impresses, what with its high ceilings, cornicing, wooden plaques with leavers’ names and floor-to-ceiling windows filling the space with light and views over the pretty square. Named after the first boys who attended the school, it’s a wonderful place for assemblies and events.

A grand central staircase winds five levels up, past the classrooms, large art studio, three swish science labs and ICT suite, all the way to the rafters, a space that’s been converted into a dreamy top floor library packed with books and Wetherby-red sofas and beanbags. It’s also used for author talks, most recently A.F. Steadman, author of the popular Skandar series, who came in to chat all things writing and story creation.

SPORTS

While Wetherby’s ringed by the streets of Marylebone rather than sports fields, this doesn’t hinder sporting achievement. The boys cheerfully head out daily to Wetherby Sports Ground twenty minutes away in Acton, where activities on the all-weather pitches depend on the time of year: football in winter, rugby in spring and cricket in summer. A-D teams allows everyone to represent the school, even if they’re not a sporting ace, and twice-yearly sports tours to exciting destinations such as Holland and South Africa, means the boys gain experience of competing at a global level.

Aside from the key sports, lots of other activities are available, from swimming at recently refurbed Porchester Pool to horse riding and fencing. With more than 60 clubs on offer (think everything from dodgeball and Krav Maga to chess), children are exposed to some really unusual and exciting sports and activities and are bound to find something to ignite a passion. It’s worth noting that pupils will also have the use of sports facilities at Wetherby Pembridge Senior School in Olympia when it opens in September.

THE ARTS

I got the impression art’s a big deal at Wetherby. While academics are important, the large, colourful art room struck me as a fun and vibrant place to hang out. Projects filled the walls, I saw Hockney-inspired pictures, paintings of Van Gogh’s Starry Night, Pop Art and 3D clay models fired in the school’s very own kiln. It’s clearly a hive of creativity.

Music’s the beating pulse of Wetherby, with nine specialist teachers and around 80 per cent of boys choosing to learn an instrument from a wide variety of options, such as trombone and electric guitar. There’s an active music scene both in-class (everything from ukuleles to Samba drumming) and extra curricular activities, with three choirs, jazz and rocks bands and a string group to join, plus musicals and even candle-lit suppers accompanied by music to get involved with.

In addition, confidence-boosting music and drama productions take place in prestigious Central London venues, including the award-winning Marylebone Theatre, where many an aspiring actor would like to perform. Lucky pupils.

ACADEMICS

Wetherby’s a stand out school, no doubt. Last year, pupils achieved 11 scholarships to senior schools, the highest in its history, which included six Academic Scholarships (Dulwich, St Pauls, Winchester), four Sports Scholarships (Harrow, Charterhuose and Ampleforth) and a Music Scholarship to Westminster.

In short, if you have your sights set on sending your child to the likes of Eton, Westminster, Wellington or Harrow, Wetherby’s got the capability, and connections, to deliver. Since Nina Kingsmill Moore joined as Head in September 2024, she’s worked very closely with the country’s top senior schools, ensuring excellent links, plus it helps her to advise parents on the right match for their child going forward.

There are one-on-one meetings with all parents and pupils in their latter years at the school, ensuring nobody slips through the net, and consequently the school’s record as a feeder for some of the country’s highest rated independent schools is exemplary.

PASTORAL

A recently introduced Wellbeing Hub is a welcoming space at the top of the school, where beanbags, sofas, books and toys have been installed to make children feel instantly relaxed. It’s run by Natasha Gourlay, who’s using the STEER system to safeguard and track the mental health of all students.

She works closely with teachers, as well as pupils, to look at wellbeing alongside learning and behavioural issues, believing that studying these things in conjunction, rather than in isolation, is ultimately the best way to help pupils achieve to the best of their ability.

We chatted about the importance of wellbeing to learning and, whether a child at Wetherby is stressed about exams or grief-stricken over divorce, it’s clear they are going to be excellently cared for. Pastoral’s also bolstered by a councillor and play therapist who visit once a week, a mentor programme connecting older and younger pupils and there’s also a school dog, Nancy, who comes in around three times a week, much to the pupils’ delight.

QUIRKS

Hyde Park’s practically on the school’s doorstep (it’s a seven minute stroll away), and Wetherby pupils get to spend time there on Friday for activities such as horse riding or Wetherby Outdoors Club (affectionately known as Stick Club) which involves all the good things in life when you’re Prep school age, such as den-building, climbing trees and muddy knees. Also, forget boring cups and medals, the winning house team at Wetherby goes to Margate for a day at the seaside at the end of the academic year!

THE HEAD

Nina Kingsmill Moore joined the school in September 2024 from Glendower Prep School, where she was head for five years. We chatted in her airy ground-floor study, an elegant space that suits her immaculate vibe. Intelligent and energetic, I got the impression she’s a force to be reckoned with and, although taking up the helm of a leading boys’ independent school isn’t for the faint-hearted, she was all smiles and enthusiasm.

Since her arrival she’s taken a deep dive into the school’s academics and is concentrating on bringing all areas up to her high standards, as well as pushing the school forward (we’re talking VR headsets and metaverse tech). Best of all is the fact that she clearly champions boys. In fact she’s so passionate about ensuring boys aren’t vilified in a modern world, she’s recently joined forces with White Ribbon Charity (the UK’s leading charity engaging men and boys to end violence against women and girls), which will be trialing their curriculum in the school shortly. If you’re looking for a head who manages to balance tradition with a fresh, modern outlook, Kingsmill Moore is your woman.

WRAPAROUND CARE

There’s no formal wraparound care, however with 60 fun clubs on offer, it’s unlikely any children are going to be rushing home at 4pm.

MOBILE PHONE POLICY

Mobile phones can’t be used on school premises, however they can be brought to school and stored in lockers at the front desk until home time.

WORD OF MOUTH

Wetherby isn’t just a school, it’s a badge of honour. Parents are involved, but not to the extent that they’re always hanging around reception, with most socialising taking place through PTA events, such as a forthcoming Come Dine With Me charity fundraiser, with food prepared by teachers and musical interludes from pupils. There’s also a summer fete, quiz night, mums’ night out, dads’ night out and a biennial summer ball, and when I visited parents and children had just put on a Teacher Appreciation Day, decorating the staff room and bringing in baked goodies.

THE FEES

As you’d expect for a Central London school they’re steep, yet competitive. Autumn term, £9,505; spring and summer terms, £10,313 inclusive of tuition, lunches, textbooks, most day trips and Common Entrance exam fees.

VERDICT

I bumped into the school’s Head Boy during my tour and we had a quick chat. I asked him where he was hoping to go to next and he told me, with a grin, he has set his sights on Eton or City (City being his preferred choice) and that his favourite subjects are maths and latin. I think that tells you all you need to know about the calibre of pupils at Wetherby. However, it really isn’t only about the academics – throughout my tour doors were held open for me by pupils, who were consistently chatty and friendly. I left with the impression that students are polite and caring, which is what most parents want for their kids above all.

Good for: It’s academic enough for the pushiest of parents but the style of teaching and huge amount of extra-curricular activities means the kids have a ball too. The fact it’s part of Inspired Schools, with the potential to take part in global exchange programmes (there’s a school in the Bahamas, just saying), is also a major bonus.

Not for: If your idea of the perfect Prep is a country manor surrounded by acres of glorious countryside, this slick urban offering isn’t going to hit the mark.

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Wetherby Preparatory School, Bryanston Square, London, W1H 2EA

Wetherby Prep School, Marylebone

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