020 8969 0313
Bassett House - Mrs Cawthorne reading with pupils

Headmistress's Welcome

Welcome to Bassett House

Welcome to Bassett House School, we are a leading co-ed prep school for boys and girls aged 3-11 in Notting Hill, West London, known for its nurturing and inclusive ethos. I hope this website gives a flavour of what our school is all about.

I’ve yet to meet a child who isn’t naturally curious. Sometimes this instinct lies dormant, but it’s always there. Our job is to develop this curiosity so it becomes a lifelong love of learning. We achieve this through a regime of creativity, encouragement and reward; but firstly we need to make sure every child feels safe, secure and welcome. I would say Bassett House School’s outstanding characteristic is its warm and nurturing atmosphere.

I believe a teacher’s enthusiasm is infectious, and can safely say we’re not lacking in that department at Bassett. Through an enticing mix of lessons and activities we inspire all our pupils to be inquisitive about the world and to recognise its endless possibilities.

I would like to invite you to visit Bassett House, where you can meet me and some of the teachers but, most importantly, see the children in action: their confidence and enthusiasm is something you need to experience for yourself.

To obtain a prospectus, have a chat or arrange a visit, please do telephone the school office 020 8969 0313 or contact the school by email at info@bassetths.org.uk.

Philippa Cawthorne

ISI Inspection report 2019
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Our Ethos

Every child can learn to fly

 
Bassett House happy girl

Our outstanding results repeatedly show that all children can learn to fly, regardless of early learning ability.

Great minds think for themselves; nurturing individuality is at the heart of our teaching. We believe tailor-made teaching opens up young minds to endless possibilities, and that a growth mindset approach encourages children to think creatively and form their own ideas.

Our pupils mostly call it having fun.
We call it being the best they can be.

A full statement of the school’s ethos and aims is available here.

OUR EDUCATIONAL PHILOSOPHY
Bassett House teacher and pupils art lesson

The school day

A day in the life at Bassett House

Some children arrive at 7.45am for before-school wraparound care, where they have breakfast, and play games and read, supervised by a teacher.

School proper begins at 8.30am, when we take the register and usually have assembly, where we learn and sing together as a school, and reward achievement.

In the mornings we tend to do the core subjects of English and maths, alongside others such as music, PE, science, computing and French.

We have a break time around 11am, which varies depending on age, and lunch at 12.30 or 1.30pm.

The afternoons generally have a lighter feel, with art and reading to the fore.

The school day ends at 3.30 or 4.05pm (dependent on age – and nursery children may build up to this slowly). After-school clubs run Monday to Thursday for children in Reception to Year 6 which extends the day for children attending those clubs to 5pm, and wraparound care continues every afternoon to 5.45pm.

Bassett House School two children with ipads

“And every day, everywhere, our children spread their dreams beneath our feet. And we should tread softly”

Sir Ken Robinson

Reviews

What they say about our school

 

Tatler 2020 (article)
“This non-selective favourite nes­tled in Ladbroke Grove has just unveiled a new 3,500 sq ft build­ing and outdoor area without increasing pupil numbers – quite something for a central London school. Deputy Head David Wingfield (who apparently made a fabulous dame in the staff panto­mime) recently introduced the Singapore maths method to the school, and one impressed re­searcher described him as ‘one of the most assiduous and motivated teachers’ she had ever met. The pastoral care is excellent too – there are off-timetable enrichment sessions, an in-house life coach and peace lilies ( which, according to NASA, purify the air) placed in every classroom. Recent leavers have won scholarships to Latymer Upper and City of London School for Girls, and, reportedly, the only complaint pupils have is that the school day ends too early”.

ISI (read full report)
Pupils of all abilities, including children in the EYFS, show excellent achievement overall. The quality of pupils’ personal development is outstanding. It is strongly supported by the school’s excellent pastoral care. The governors, management and leadership are outstanding, ensuring that the school is highly successful in achieving its aims.

School publications
We publish a yearly Review, packed with news about everything going on at Bassett House. You could also sample the latest school news on our Parents page. Or watch our Video.

The most important voices, the children

“Bassett House’s teachers are wonderful because they give everybody a chance to shine.”

“There are wonderful opportunities for all pupils and there are fantastic trips.”

“At Bassett House, no matter what you are good at, the teachers will support you throughout your time here”

“I love the school because there are always exciting challenges in all areas of the curriculum.”

“I love Bassett House because we have the opportunity to be creative in every subject.”

Latest News

This week at Bassett House School

This is an extract from our latest online newsletter which you can read here.

We also publish on social media. See the footer of this website for links.

 

A selection of photographs - and a message from Mrs Cawthorne

 

 

What an extraordinary half term it has been! We may not have had our normal timetable and exciting extra curricular activities but the children have excelled themselves in different ways and in particular, by adapting, so brilliantly, to the challenges of distance learning. I think they have learnt a lot, not just about the subjects they have studied but also about themselves and how best to approach their learning. I always say to the children that they are ultimately responsible for their own learning and they have certainly demonstrated that they have a true love of learning and an ability to work diligently in recent weeks. I am proud of the progress the children have made this half term and their enduring positivity despite living life in lockdown.The children are a credit to themselves and their families. Well done, everybody! 

 

Bassett House School - IAPS Excellence in EducationICT Mark

Covid-19 (Coronavirus) update

We are delighted that the school has now reopened to the children in the Den, Lower 1, Form 1 and Form 6. However, as a school community, we must all help to limit any further spread of the novel coronavirus (COVID-19) and following government advice, our pupils in Forms 2, 3, 4 and 5 are continuing with their education via a distance learning platform.

 

For parents of prospective pupils, who would like to visit Bassett House, we are not yet able to invite you to visit the school in person. You may, however, contact Thalia Demetriades, the school registrar, who will be pleased to arrange an online meeting for you with our head, Mrs Cawthorne: you will be able to see a presentation about the school and she will be able to answer any questions you may have. If you have any further queries, please email: registrar@bassetths.org.uk or info@bassetths.org.uk

 

We hope that all in our community keep safe and well and thank you for your understanding during this time.