A small school with a big heart, we have called this cosy corner of West London home since 1947.
Tucked among quiet residential streets between Kensington Memorial Park and Ladbroke Grove, Bassett House School is a co-educational independent prep school in North Kensington and the Notting Hill area, welcoming children aged 2 to 11. Our motto ‘For each the best’ (Latin: Quisque pro sua parte) perfectly encapsulates our dedication to creating an academically rich, yet welcoming, space for our pupils – a home away from home where they can achieve their full individual potential.
Where We Are Located
Bassett House is split between two facilities:
- The original Victorian schoolhouse for Years 1 to 6, based at 60 Bassett Road, London W10 6JP
- Basset House School Nursery, our newly renovated, state-of-the-art Early Years facility at 73 St Helens Gardens, London W10 6LL
In addition to these two sites, we have access to St Helen’s Church, just around the corner, whose hall and grounds we use for assembly, PE, and outdoor space. Our pupils are also within walking distance of the Westway Sports Centre for sports and extra-curricular activities, and they use the fantastic outdoor play area at Kensington Memorial Park at break and lunchtime.
Virtual Tour
Navigate around the school by using the tool on the menu bar at the bottom right of the tour. You can also use the arrows on the same bar to scroll through the scenes.
Key
Main building
Formerly a large family residence, the school’s main building was built in the late 19th century in the leafy streets of North Kensington. 60 Bassett Road was purpose re-built in 2001, whilst holding true to the Victorian architectural principles of large, bright and airy rooms. It now houses 10 classrooms and an outside play area. Our pupils in the Upper Prep years are based here.
St Helen’s Church
The school’s premises also include the large hall at St Helen’s Church just round the corner, providing a professional stage and assembly hall/gymnasium, three classrooms, a custom-built kitchen and a garden play area.
Bassett Bear House
Bassett Bear House is our newly renovated state-of-the-art home for Early Years. It houses our Nursery School (aged 3+) and Reception (aged 4+) in three light and spacious classrooms and provides a large interactive learning zone. We have a basement music/drama studio for the use of the whole school, together with smaller group tutorial spaces.
Kensington Memorial Park
Kensington Memorial Park is a short 5 minute walk from the school building. Children visit the park multiple times per week, at both break and lunch time.
Westway Sports Centre
There are state of the art facilities at the Westway Sports Centre, including the largest climbing wall in London, an LTA Accredited tennis performance centre, eight outdoor floodlit 3G football pitches and floodlit cricket lanes.
Areas We Serve
Most families who come through our admissions portal live within walking, cycling, or scooting distance, across North Kensington, Notting Hill, and Kensal Rise. Many more travel in from Kensal Green, Queen’s Park, Maida Vale and West Kilburn, using the bus routes and Underground stations on our doorstep.
Wherever you are moving from, our position just off Ladbroke Grove puts us within easy reach of most of West London’s family neighbourhoods, without the premium of a Notting Hill Gate or Holland Park postcode.
Getting to Bassett House
Bassett Road is well connected by Underground, Overground and bus, with several options within a short walk:
| Mode of Travel | Nearest Options | Distance |
| Underground | Latimer Road (Circle, Hammersmith & City)
Ladbroke Grove (Circle, Hammersmith & City) |
7-minute walk
9-minute walk |
| Bus (Upper school) | Route 7 and 316 at St Charles Square
Route 295 at Cambridge Gardens
Routes 23, 52, 70, 228 at Ladbroke Grove Station |
3-minute walk
4-minute walk
8-minute walk |
| Bus (Nursery and Reception) | Route 7 and 316 at St Charles Square
Route 295 at Cambridge Gardens
Routes 23, 52, 70, 228 at Ladbroke Grove Station |
3-minute walk
5-minute walk
10-minute walk
|
Given the walk from the nearest stations, many families choose to cycle, scoot or take the bus. Bassett Road sits within a controlled parking zone, so on-street parking is limited; please be considerate of our neighbours if you do need to drive.
Local Area and Community
Bassett House sits close to the northern reach of Portobello Road, with its market stalls and independent shops, and a short walk from the colourful shopfronts of Golborne Road. Green space is close by too: our pupils walk to Kensington Memorial Park for regular recreation, and games lessons take place at the nearby Westway Sports Centre.
Further north, Kensal Green Cemetery and the canal towpath at Little Venice give older pupils a taste of a quieter, leafier side of the city, while the murals and community gardens around Meanwhile Gardens reflect the creative, close-knit character of the neighbourhood Bassett House has called home for more than 75 years.
A Shared History: Sylvia Rentoul and the Wider Dukes Family
Sylvia Rentoul founded Bassett House in 1947, opening the school with just six pupils at a time, when children were still widely expected to be seen and not heard. Sylvia’s approach was different: she believed children should be encouraged to express themselves, that learning should be both supportive and genuinely challenging, and that teaching should always respond to the individual needs of the child in front of you – ideas that were ahead of their time in 1947 and still shape how we teach today.
That same philosophy travelled with the family. In 1993, inspired by their mother’s vision, Sylvia’s sons founded Orchard House School in Chiswick, and the two schools have shared a close bond ever since, alongside Prospect House School in Putney. In February 2020, all three schools joined the wider Dukes Education family, opening up new opportunities for collaboration while each kept its own distinct, close-knit community. Bassett House is proud to be where that story began.
Nursery and Prep in North Kensington
Bassett House Nursery welcomes children from age 2 into a warm, Montessori-informed start to school life. Families searching for a nursery in North Kensington or Notting Hill can book a visit and see it for themselves.
Prep school begins in Reception (age 4), another natural entry point, and children move through Bassett House and stay with us through Year 6 (age 11). After Bassett House, our pupils go on to the best senior schools in the country. We may be a small school, but our results speak for themselves. Some of the schools our pupils have been accepted to, both with and without scholarships, include:
- St Paul’s Girls
- Magdalen College School, Oxford
- St James Girls
- Latymer Upper
- Godolphin and Latymer
- Emanuel
- The Harrodian
- Ibstock Place
- Francis Holland
- Knightsbridge School
- Sherborne Girls
- Notting Hill and Ealing
- Wetherby
Hear From Other Parents
Frequently Asked Questions
Where is Bassett House School located?
Bassett House School is at 60 Bassett Road, London W10 6JP, in North Kensington, close to Ladbroke Grove and a short walk from St Helen’s Church, whose hall we use for assembly and PE.
Which areas does Bassett House serve?
Families join us from across North Kensington, Notting Hill, Kensal Rise, Kensal Green, Queen’s Park, Maida Vale and West Kilburn, along with some families travelling in from further across West London.
Is Bassett House close to Portobello Road?
Yes. The school sits close to the northern end of Portobello Road and is a short walk from Golborne Road, both well known for their markets and independent shops.
How do I get to Bassett House by public transport?
The nearest Underground stations are Ladbroke Grove and Latimer Road, both on the Circle and Hammersmith & City lines and around a 10-minute walk away. Kensal Green, on the Bakerloo line and London Overground, is a similar distance in the other direction. Buses 7, 23, 52, 70, 295 and 316 all stop close to the school.
Is there parking at Bassett House?
On-street parking near Bassett Road is limited because of the local controlled parking zone, so we encourage families to walk, cycle, or take the bus where possible. Please be considerate of our neighbours if you do need to drive.
Is Bassett House School the same as Notting Hill Prep?
No. Notting Hill Prep is a separate independent prep school on Lancaster Road, also in Notting Hill, and the two schools are not owned by the same group. Bassett House is based on Bassett Road in North Kensington and has been an independent school since 1947.
What is Bassett House's connection to Orchard House and Prospect House?
Bassett House is the founding school of a small family of schools. Our founder’s sons went on to establish Orchard House School in Chiswick in 1993, and we later joined Prospect House School in Putney and the wider Dukes Education family in 2020, though each school keeps its own distinct community and site.
What age range does Bassett House accept?
Bassett House welcomes children from age 2 in our Nursery through Year 6 (age 11), all on our single site on Bassett Road.
Is Bassett House suitable for families relocating to North Kensington or Notting Hill?
Yes. Our position just off Ladbroke Grove, close to good transport links, makes Bassett House a natural choice for families relocating to West London, and our Admissions team is happy to help with timing and overseas applications.
Visit Us
Come and see Bassett Road for yourself. Book a place on a tour, or contact our Admissions team to arrange a visit.
Bassett House School
60 Bassett Road,
London W10 6JP
Bassett House Nursery
73 St Helens Gardens,
London W10 6LL
Telephone: 020 8969 0313
Email: info@bassetths.org.uk
