Discover how our aim, mission, and values create the uniquely special environment that is Bassett House School.
Our aim:
Be the best that you can be
…from our founding motto, “Quisque pro sua parte” – For each the best.
Our mission:
Bassett House is a coeducational non-selective school for children ages 3-11. Bassett pupils are reminded daily to be the best that they can be. When founded in 1947 the motto was much the same, albeit in Latin: ‘Quisque pro sua parte’ For each the best. We focus on what children can do because we know that achievement comes in all forms. We proudly celebrate our most academically able pupils who go on to Year 7 at some of London’s most academically selective schools, and we also celebrate those for whom success is richly deserved in many and multiple other ways. We are an arts-rich school where we place huge importance on the learning of art, drama and music.
We teach Bassett pupils to be rounded and grounded: our pupils are balanced. They are taught to show humility, be tolerant and always thankful for what they have. We are a smaller school and so Bassett pupils create a palpable feeling of a school that is welcoming with a big heart; it is caring and full of charm. We are also true to our founding vision in remaining a house school: our home-from-home atmosphere is a particularly special quality that we cherish. And finally, our team of teachers are genuinely committed to working together to give the very best to Bassett pupils. For each the best.
Our values:
Commitment
Courage
Compassion
Creativity
Critical Thinking
Communication
What we do well:
- We focus on what children can do: achievement comes in all forms. All our pupils reach their individual potential (as was identified in our 2024 ISI Inspection Report). We send children to London’s most academically selective schools (St Paul’s Boys/City of London Girls/Latymer), and also less academically selective schools, but where children are happy and parents are delighted. We celebrate each child’s success but do not limit academic potential.
- We teach Bassett pupils to be rounded and grounded: our pupils are balanced. We are not interested in the snobbery or elitism that can sometimes sit alongside the independent school sector. Instead, we focus on the very best of what an independent education offers: outstanding adult to pupil ratios; a creative curriculum, full of music, drama and art; and a breadth of cocurricular clubs and activities to maximise the value of the school day.
- We are an arts-rich school: we place huge importance on the learning of art, drama and music. As children’s lives become ever-more dominated by tech, we believe that the precious prep years are ones in which children should learn skills that they will love later in life. At Bassett House the teaching of these three subjects by specialist teachers engages children with the arts from the very beginning of their learning.
- We are a smaller school and celebrate the fact that boys and girls are known by all our teachers. We are small enough to be bespoke and big enough to thrive. We celebrate our founding as a house school in 1947 with out first teacher and founder, Sylvia Rentoul, beginning a vision for a home-from-home atmosphere. We hold true to this today for our pupils in 2025. The feeling is palpable when you visit: it is welcoming with a big heart; it is caring and full of charm.
- We have a team of staff that work together with brilliant effect. As parents, you will know that working relationships with colleagues have a hugely positive impact on productivity, well-being and sense of purpose. We have an outstanding team of staff that are each united in giving the very best to Bassett pupils.
