Prep

Bassett House Prep School 

Bassett House Prep School is home to boys and girls aged 4 to 11, in the heart of Notting Hill, West London. From Reception through to Year 6, our pupils build on the confident, curious start they made in our Early Years, growing into resilient, well-rounded learners ready for the move to senior school at 11+ – all within the same warm, close-knit school with the big heart that Bassett House has had since 1947.  Children can start in nursery and transition through, so it really starts at 2.  

Life at our Prep School 

What sets Bassett House apart isn’t a single big idea – it’s the accumulation of small ones. We’re a genuinely small school, which means every child is known individually, by name and by nature, not just by year group. Children move from Early Years into Prep as part of one continuous journey, not a fresh start, so the transition into Year 2 feels familiar rather than daunting. 

As part of the wider Dukes Education family, we’re also able to draw on shared best practice, training and resources from across a network of like-minded schools – without ever losing the small-school feel that makes Bassett House what it is. Academic excellence and kindness are not mutually exclusive here; we hold both at once, every day. 

Curriculum at a glance 

Our maths teaching follows a mastery model – prioritising real depth of understanding over racing through content, using concrete resources and visual aids so every child genuinely embeds each concept. Science is taught hands-on wherever possible, through practical, memorable experiments, and English is built around developing imagination and vocabulary through a genuinely wide range of texts and authors. 

Pastoral care and wellbeing 

We believe children develop well when they feel secure, happy and valued – and that shapes everything from our house system, which brings pupils together in mixed teams to build teamwork and belonging, to our buddy system, which pairs older children with younger ones during moments of transition. Every child also has their own way of raising a concern, however big or small, whenever they need to. Read more on our Pastoral Care page. 

Academic success and destination schools 

Our Prep pupils consistently go on to leading senior schools at 11+ – a moment we celebrate as a school every year, most recently in Celebrating Our Year 6 Success at 11+.  Read more about our approach to academic achievement on our Academic Success page, and see where recent leavers have gone on to our 11+ & Destination Schools page. 

Enrichment beyond the classroom 

Life at Bassett House extends well beyond the timetable. Our enrichment programme spans performing and creative arts, PE and sport, a wide range of after-school clubs, and trips that bring learning to life outside the classroom – building confidence, teamwork and genuine enthusiasm alongside academic progress. Explore Performing & Creative Arts, PE & Sport, Clubs and Trips.