History

The history of Bassett House School

Bassett House School was founded in 1947 by Sylvia Rentoul, with just 6 pupils.

In those days there was a more regimented approach to education and the prevailing belief that ‘children should be seen but not heard’.

Conversely, Sylvia Rentoul passionately believed children should be encouraged to express themselves, and teaching should be both supportive and challenging, but, above all, must take into account the individual needs of each child.

One of Sylvia’s grandchildren is currently a school governor, and Sylvia’s visionary philosophy not only endures but flourishes at Bassett House School to this day.

Ours is an intimate and happy school and has approximately 200 children across eight year groups. It has two sister schools: Orchard House School in Chiswick and Prospect House School in Putney.

Collectively we form the House Schools Group, each school sharing a common ethos but retaining its own unique personality.

Premises

Our school premises

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 substantially purpose re-built in 2001, whilst holding true to the Victorian architectural principles of large, bright and airy rooms (though heated, lit and ventilated to 21st century standards). It now houses some ten classrooms and various play areas, including an outside play area.

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.

The school has recently opened an additional building in St Helen’s Gardens: The Dairy (as it used to be a dairy). It houses our Early Years pupils (the Den and Lower 1) in three light and spacious classrooms and provides a large interactive learning zone. In addition we have a basement music/drama studio for the use of the whole school, together with smaller group tutorial spaces. There is also scooter and bike storage.

Our location allows us to walk to excellent nearby facilities including the Westway Sports Centre, Kensington Memorial Park and Kindred Studios (art studios used by professional artists).

Within easy reach of Ladbroke Grove and Latimer Road underground (Circle or Hammersmith and City lines)
Nearby bus routes: 7, 23, 52, 70, 295, 316 and 452
Car sharing for pupils is encouraged via assistance from our parents’ association
We participate in an award scheme for scooting and walking to school

Breakdown of Classes

Our year group structure

LOWER SCHOOL

Den (nursery): age 3 to 4
Lower 1 (reception): age 4 to 5
Form 1: age 5 to 6
Form 2: age 6 to 7

Transfer to the Upper School is automatic.

UPPER SCHOOL

Form 3: age 7 to 8
Form 4: age 8 to 9
Form 5: age 9 to 10
Form 6: age 10 to 11

Parents are offered in-depth information and advice in choosing a subsequent school that will best suit their individual child.

About House Schools Group

Why three schools can be better than one

Bassett House School, Prospect House School and Orchard House School form a family of schools called House Schools Group (HSG).

Drawing on our extensive experience (Bassett House School was founded in 1947) all three schools collaborate closely, sparking off new ideas to promote ever more successful teaching practices.

Collaboration is particularly strong in computing where our IT director works closely across the group developing the use of iPads, using creative and management apps.

HSG’s experienced board of governors undertake many administrative tasks, freeing all the heads and teachers to spend more time doing what they do best: teaching children to fly.

Whilst sharing a common ethos, each school retains its own unique character, largely created by the head and the teaching team. We invite you to come and get to know Bassett House School better, and experience its ethos in action.

House Schools TrusT BURSARIES

Member of IAPS

Bassett House School is a member of the Independent Association of Prep Schools (IAPS) which is a constituent body of the Independent Schools Council (ISC). The school is rigorously inspected by the Independent Schools Inspectorate (ISI).