Bassett House School is an independent co-educational preparatory school for children aged 3 to 11, nestled in North Kensington's leafy Bassett Road. Founded in 1947 by Sylvia Rentoul as a school for just six pupils, it has grown into a thriving community of around 200 children, while retaining the intimate, nurturing atmosphere for which it was originally known. In its most recent 2024 ISI inspection, the school was awarded the prestigious "Significant Strength" rating, with inspectors highlighting its stimulating environment and innovative leadership. With fees of approximately £8,896 to £9,179 per term (2025-26), Bassett House delivers strong academic outcomes alongside a warm, inclusive ethos that emphasises kindness and genuine relationships. The school sends leavers to some of London's most selective senior schools, including Godolphin & Latymer, St Paul's, Francis Holland Schools, and the new Maida Vale School.
Bassett House describes itself as "a school with a big heart," and this phrase captures much of what distinguishes it from its West London peers. The school was founded in 1947 and has maintained its commitment to combining academic rigour with warmth and compassion across nearly eight decades. Under the leadership of Mr Christopher Woodward, who joined as Head in September 2024, the school continues to prioritise relationships, kindness, and a palpable sense of community.
Parents and staff alike speak of the school's welcoming, caring atmosphere, and the 2024 ISI inspection confirmed that the school fosters a genuine love for learning. One of the standout strengths highlighted by inspectors was the school's stimulating environment, which enables pupils to thrive academically and socially. The school's innovative approach to decision-making, with leaders consistently acting in the best interests of every child, has been praised as a hallmark of its ethos.
Bassett House operates across three sites in North Kensington, comprising a Nursery School for children aged 2 to 5 and a Prep School for those aged 6 to 11. The school benefits from membership in the Dukes Education group, allowing it to share best practices with sister schools and offer families potential all-through schooling options, including priority entry to Hampton Court House School, Kneller Hall School, and London Park School, Mayfair.
Bassett House School is non-selective at entry, yet it achieves impressive outcomes at 11+, with leavers securing places at highly competitive London senior schools. In the 2024-25 admissions cycle, every Year 6 pupil received at least one senior school offer, with several children achieving multiple offers and scholarships. The most popular destinations included Belmont School (six offers, including one scholarship), Maida Vale School (five offers), Wetherby Pembridge, Queen's College, Emanuel, and Harrodian. Recent leavers have also won scholarships to Latymer Upper and City of London School for Girls.
Across the year groups, the Francis Holland Schools and Ibstock Place School together account for approximately 25 per cent of leavers. The school's destination list extends to other prestigious institutions such as Godolphin & Latymer, St Paul's, and Queen's College. Of the 16 Year 6 pupils inspected in the 2024 cycle, two-thirds were awarded scholarships, and the cohort collectively received over 70 offers from some of London's most sought-after senior schools.
The school's academic programme is complemented by the "Bassett Baccalaureate," a curriculum enrichment initiative that includes equestrian studies, performing and creative arts, and a wide range of trips and clubs. Class sizes average 19 pupils, allowing for close attention and personalised learning. The school's approach has been judged "excellent in all areas" in previous ISI inspections, with children making excellent progress as they move through the school.
Bassett House occupies a charming setting on Bassett Road in North Kensington, with facilities that support both its academic and extracurricular programmes. The school offers a broad range of activities, including PE and games, performing and creative arts, and equestrian studies, which was recently added to the curriculum. Multiple clubs and school trips enrich student life, and the school's ethos of kindness and community is reinforced through its pastoral care and opportunities for leadership.
The school's setting in Notting Hill provides access to the cultural and recreational advantages of West London, while the intimate scale of the school ensures that every child is known and supported. The 2024 ISI report highlighted the school's stimulating environment as a key strength, noting that pupils thrive both academically and personally.
Bassett House School operates its own admissions process, typical of independent preparatory schools. The school offers "Stay & Play" sessions for prospective nursery families, allowing parents and children to experience the school's atmosphere before applying. Admissions are managed directly by the school, and families interested in a place are encouraged to contact the school at admissions@bassetths.org.uk or 020 8969 0313.
Fees for the 2025-26 academic year range from £8,896 per term for Reception to £9,179 per term for older pupils. These fees include VAT and lunches. A 5 per cent sibling discount applies to the tuition fees of the third child and subsequent children in families with two or more children attending the school. The school also offers scholarships to support progression to senior schools, and some families may be eligible for bursaries.
As a non-selective school in one of London's most competitive preparatory school markets, Bassett House faces strong demand. Parents seeking entry should apply early, particularly for the more popular year groups. The school's strong reputation for warmth, academic outcomes, and senior school placements makes it a popular choice for families in Notting Hill, Kensington, and surrounding areas.
Bassett House School offers an attractive proposition for families seeking a nurturing, academically strong independent preparatory school in West London. Its "school with a big heart" ethos is more than rhetoric; the 2024 ISI inspection confirmed that the school delivers a stimulating, caring environment in which children genuinely thrive. The school's track record at 11+ is impressive for a non-selective intake, with leavers securing places and scholarships at some of London's most competitive senior schools.
The school's small size (around 200 pupils across all year groups) and average class size of 19 ensure that children receive individual attention and form strong relationships with staff and peers. The addition of the Bassett Baccalaureate, including equestrian studies, demonstrates the school's commitment to curriculum innovation, while its membership in the Dukes Education group provides valuable continuity for families considering all-through options.
For families prioritising warmth, kindness, and strong academic outcomes in a small-school setting, Bassett House School merits serious consideration. The recent change in leadership under Mr Christopher Woodward and the school's outstanding 2024 inspection results suggest that it is well-positioned to continue its tradition of excellence. Prospective parents should visit the school to experience its distinctive atmosphere and assess whether it aligns with their child's needs and aspirations.
Yes, Bassett House School is a strong independent preparatory school. In its most recent 2024 ISI inspection, it was awarded "Significant Strength" status, with inspectors highlighting its stimulating environment and innovative leadership. The school has a track record of excellent academic outcomes at 11+, with leavers securing places and scholarships at prestigious London senior schools including Godolphin & Latymer, St Paul's, Francis Holland Schools, and City of London School for Girls. Its warm, inclusive ethos and small class sizes (averaging 19 pupils) contribute to its reputation as "a school with a big heart."
Bassett House School manages its own admissions process. Prospective families are encouraged to contact the school directly at admissions@bassetths.org.uk or by phone at 020 8969 0313. The school offers "Stay & Play" sessions for prospective nursery families, allowing parents and children to experience the school's atmosphere. Applications should be submitted early, particularly for popular year groups, as the school is non-selective but faces strong demand in the competitive West London market.
For the 2025-26 academic year, fees at Bassett House School range from £8,896 per term for Reception to £9,179 per term for older pupils. These fees include VAT and lunches. A 5 per cent sibling discount applies to the tuition fees of the third child and subsequent children in families with two or more children attending the school. The school also offers scholarships to support progression to senior schools. Note that school fees are subject to VAT from January 2025.
Bassett House School sends leavers to a wide range of selective London senior schools. In the 2024-25 admissions cycle, every Year 6 pupil received at least one offer, with two-thirds awarded scholarships. Popular destinations include Belmont School, Maida Vale School, Wetherby Pembridge, Queen's College, Emanuel, Harrodian, Francis Holland Schools, and Ibstock Place School. Recent leavers have also secured places at Godolphin & Latymer, St Paul's, Latymer Upper, and City of London School for Girls. As part of the Dukes Education group, pupils also benefit from priority entry to Hampton Court House School, Kneller Hall School, and London Park School, Mayfair.
No, Bassett House School does not have a sixth form. It is a preparatory school for children aged 3 to 11, with pupils typically leaving at the end of Year 6 to attend senior schools at age 11+.
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