The Harrodian School Review 2026: 30 Years of Riverside Achievement

The site has an intriguing history. Before Sir Alford and Lady Houstoun-Boswall founded this school in 1993, the 25-acre estate served as the Harrods Sports Club, a palatial complex built a century earlier for employees of the famous department store. Today, that riverside location on the Thames' south bank in Barnes remains a defining asset. The school now educates approximately 1,000 pupils aged 4 to 18 across Pre-Prep, Prep, and Senior/Sixth Form sections in a single, cohesive community. Academic results place Harrodian in the top 3% of schools at GCSE level (FindMySchool ranking: 151st in England), and the sixth form delivers Outstanding provision according to May 2025 Ofsted inspection. The blend of strong academics, genuine pastoral warmth, and a commitment to individual achievement without excessive pressure has made this independent school increasingly sought after in southwest London.

The Harrodian School in Barnes, London has a clear sense of identity shaped by its setting and community. The grounds feature expansive playing fields, and the Victorian and modern buildings sit comfortably alongside the river. The sense of space is tangible. Sixth formers study in their own dedicated area, reflecting the school's commitment to age-appropriate learning environments. Parents consistently mention pastoral care as a defining strength; staff are described as genuinely knowing each pupil well. This caring approach extends throughout the school. Form tutors are accessible; each year group has a Head of Year. On-site counselling is available, and trained Mindfulness practitioners run courses for all ages.

The school's recent Ofsted inspection found behaviour outstanding and personal development outstanding. Pupils convey genuine confidence and maturity. They describe school as a place where differences between people are celebrated and where older students actively mentor younger ones through the formal buddy scheme. International diversity is highlighted: a recent survey reported roots in around 38 countries, and over half of pupils had a parent who was born outside the UK. This creates a naturally inclusive atmosphere. The inspection noted that pupils feel safe and that bullying is rare and dealt with swiftly.

James Hooke has led the school as Headmaster since 1999. Under his leadership, the school achieved its current Good rating from Ofsted (May 2025), with Outstanding outcomes in Behaviour and Attitudes, Personal Development, and Sixth Form Provision. The proprietor is Sir Alford Houstoun-Boswall, the school's founder. The governance structure reflects a family-led enterprise that has maintained consistent quality.

GCSE Performance

In 2024, 75% of GCSE grades were at 9-7 (A*-A), significantly above the England average of 54%. At the higher grades, 50% of entries achieved 9-8. These figures place Harrodian 151st for GCSE results (FindMySchool ranking), positioning the school in the top 3% in England and 5th within Richmond upon Thames. The consistent strength across a broad curriculum reflects deliberate academic ambition combined with genuine support for individual learners. Students access 29 A-level subjects, alongside an extensive GCSE curriculum that includes language options (French, Spanish, Italian, Latin) from lower years, creating genuine depth in humanities and languages.

A-Level Performance

Sixth form results are equally strong. In 2024, 86% of A-level grades were A*-B, with 22% at A*. The school ranks 156th in England for A-level outcomes (FindMySchool ranking), placing it in the top 6%. The Ofsted inspection specifically praised sixth form provision as Outstanding, noting that students develop into successful, mature learners who achieve exceptionally well. Mathematics is the most popular A-level choice, reflecting both student interest and strong departmental expertise. Tony Lee, Head of Mathematics for 20 years, led the department to the top spot in The Sunday Times' recent ranking of UK schools best at maths.

University Destinations

In 2024, 68% of leavers progressed to university, with a significant number securing places at prestigious institutions. One student gained entry to Cambridge. Beyond Oxbridge, pupils regularly secure places at Russell Group universities, with recent destinations including Durham, Edinburgh, Bristol, and others. The school's careers programme is highly effective, with students meeting employers, apprenticeship providers, university representatives, and participating in work experience placements to ensure informed choices about next steps.

Teaching is characterised by specialist subject expertise and careful attention to individual progress. The school's curriculum is broad and ambitious, with early reading placed at the centre from Reception onwards. The phonics scheme is revised and evidence-based. Teachers make effective checks on learning and identify misconceptions swiftly, responding with targeted support. In the sixth form particularly, teachers ensure students deepen their knowledge impressively.

The curriculum design reflects considered choices about sequencing knowledge across year groups. Pre-Prep pupils study French from Reception. Key Stage 2 includes Latin and Drama alongside core subjects. From Year 7, pupils can select subjects including art, music, drama, and computing, creating genuine breadth whilst allowing specialisation. The school recognises that choice means some pupils do not continue with every discipline but counters this through extensive co-curricular clubs and experiences in dropped subjects, encouraging re-engagement.

Staff are trained to support pupils with SEND accurately and comprehensively, enabling students with additional needs to access the same ambitious subject curriculums as peers. Learning Support is available throughout the school through both small-group and one-to-one teaching arrangements. The combination of high expectations and genuine support creates an environment where academic challenge is balanced with genuine care.

The school's extracurricular provision is genuinely impressive, spanning arts, sport, STEM, and service. This section represents the most distinctive and extensive element of school life.

STEM and Innovation

STEM has established itself as a defining feature. Head of Design and STEM Coordinator Jake Murray has spearheaded a programme that engages pupils from age 8 through to sixth form. The Research and Development Group, now split into CANSAT and HAB (High-Altitude Balloons), leads the charge. Since 2017, student teams have successfully built and launched high-altitude balloons and custom-made mini-satellites. In 2019, Harrodian's satellite earned a runner-up prize in the European Space Agency's prestigious CANSAT competition. The latest balloon flight ascended to 36,000 metres before descending by parachute to a Lincolnshire field. Sixth formers have produced EPQ projects including a radio-controlled solar-powered car and a street-legal electric bike, demonstrating cutting-edge prototyping skills.

Younger pupils access STEM through structured clubs. The Rocket Club teaches space science and model rocketry. Lego Mindstorm introduces coding and engineering. Bit:Bot Racing focuses on coding and robotics. F1 in Schools challenges pupils in physics, aerodynamics, design, and manufacture. Science Club, Biospheres Building, and rotating STEM clubs at Junior (Years 4-6), Upper Prep (Years 7-8), and Senior (Years 9-10) levels ensure entry points for all abilities. This breadth means pupils from age 8 onwards have weekly access to practical technical projects, ensuring they arrive in sixth form equipped with electronics, engineering, and coding skills.

Drama and Performance

Drama thrives across three dedicated spaces. The school's commitment runs deep. Regular productions showcase student talent. The recent carol concert at St Paul's Hammersmith featured eight Harrodian choirs raising funds for local charities. Productions are ambitious; past shows have visited the Edinburgh Festival. Drama as an A-level and GCSE option attracts strong numbers, reflecting teacher expertise and opportunity.

Music: A Defining Strength

Music is central to school life. The school embraces an inclusive philosophy: everyone, pupils and staff, should have the opportunity to participate and enjoy music. It is not elitist; it is for all. Twenty-five visiting instrumental teachers work alongside in-house staff, creating unparalleled access to tuition. The Chapel Choir tours internationally (Prague has hosted recent tours). There is an orchestra, smaller ensembles, and numerous performing opportunities throughout the year. A dedicated music department building, opened in the early 2000s, provides state-of-the-art facilities. A-level music is well-subscribed. The cultural richness is palpable.

Sport: Accessible and Competitive

Across football, rugby, cricket, netball, hockey, swimming, tennis, and athletics, the school offers teams at multiple levels. The emphasis is not overly competitive; participation for all is encouraged. However, at regional and national level, Harrodian athletes increasingly make their mark. Sixth formers compete for school teams with genuine pride. Specialist PE teachers deliver rigorous instruction. The extensive grounds support multiple simultaneous fixtures. Tours to South Africa (cricket and netball) and other destinations create memorable experiences.

Arts, Societies, and Clubs

The Ofsted report specifically noted clubs including crochet, sports, Lego, dance, and drama. Beyond these, the school offers specialised activities: knitting, sewing, poetry, triathlon training, philosophy, creative writing, karate, gardening (the school allotment), Lego building, fossil and mineral examination, debating, fencing, chess, improvisation, stop-motion animation, coding, and mosaic-making. The range reflects genuine pupil voice in shaping offerings. These clubs are led predominantly by in-house staff, creating coherent thread between classroom learning and enrichment.

Duke of Edinburgh's Award runs through the school, with pupils completing expeditions and developing resilience. Art exhibitions showcase pupil work. Sixth formers organise charity initiatives; in 2022, the annual sixth form dinner raised over £22,000 for selected charities including Teach2Teach International and Ovarian Cancer Action. Younger pupils support charities like the Princess Alice Hospice. The culture of service is embedded.

Trips feature prominently. The 11s visit Italy annually. The school organises journeys to Japan, The Hague, New York, and other destinations, with 17 future trips in planning stages. These experiences are designed to broaden cultural understanding and enrich learning.

Day fees for 2025-26 (excluding 20% VAT) are £6,695 per term for Pre-Prep, £7,684 for Prep, £8,884 for Seniors, and £10,290 for Sixth Form. Termly fees translate to approximately £20,085 to £30,870 annually including VAT. This places fees in the middle tier of independent schools.

The school offers meaningful financial support. Bursaries are available on a means-tested basis, covering up to 100% of fees for families entering at 11+ and 13+. Scholarships reward achievement in academic, music, sport, and art disciplines, typically offering 10-25% fee reduction. Sibling discounts apply; families with three or more children receive 10% reduction for the third child. A registration fee of £200 applies, with a refundable deposit of £2,000 upon acceptance of a place.

Additional costs include lunch (charged separately), books, workshops, some trips, and materials for specific courses. Private music lessons are arranged directly between parents and visiting teachers at negotiated rates. The school's fees package is transparent and in line with comparable independent schools in southwest London.

The school is non-selective at Pre-Prep entry, accepting boys and girls of average to high academic ability. From Year 1 onwards, admissions become academically selective. Entry points are Reception (age 4+), Year 4 (8+), Year 7 (11+), Year 9 (13+), and Lower Sixth (16+). Early registration is encouraged, ideally from birth for younger entry points. The school offers small group tours throughout the term for prospective families.

For Pre-Prep Reception entry (4+), assessment is informal and play-based, evaluating developmental fit and social skills. Occasional entry to Years 1-3 (ages 5-7) requires classroom-based assessments in academic aptitude, social skills, and personality. Year 7 entry follows Common Entrance or the school's own examinations plus interview. Sixth form entry requires minimum Grade 6 in six GCSE subjects and Grade 5 in both English and Mathematics.

The school admits approximately 1,000 pupils and has sustained consistent capacity over its 32 years of operation. Applications are processed through the online Open Apply portal. The admissions process is straightforward but genuinely competitive; families should register early and prepare children thoroughly for entrance assessments.

Each class has a dedicated teaching assistant working alongside the class teacher, ensuring adults know pupils well. Form Tutors maintain close pastoral oversight. Heads of Year and Pastoral Leads in each section are accessible and responsive. An on-site nurse manages health and medical needs. A counsellor visits regularly for pupils requiring additional emotional support. A team of trained Mindfulness practitioners deliver courses available to all pupils.

The school has high, uncompromising expectations for behaviour. Behaviour management systems are transparent and perceived as fair by pupils. Attendance rates are high and improving. The inspection found social times calm and orderly, with pupils conversing maturely. Pupils report feeling safe and knowing there is always an adult to turn to if concerns arise. The school's values include compassion and independence; staff actively promote resilience and curiosity.

School day hours are 8:50am to 3:20pm for most pupils. Before-school care is not published on the website; families should contact the school directly. After-school clubs operate until 6pm for younger pupils, providing wraparound care. Holiday clubs run during main school breaks. The school is situated on the riverside in Barnes, between Hammersmith Bridge and Barnes Bridge, with excellent access to transport. The nearest tube stations are Stamford Brook (District Line, approximately 0.5 miles) and Chiswick Park (District Line, approximately 1 mile). Local bus routes serve the area. Some families walk or cycle. Parking on-site is limited; many parents use local street parking or public transport.

Academic selectivity increases from Year 1. Admission becomes genuinely competitive from Year 1 onwards. Families should understand that entrance assessment is rigorous and not all applicants are accepted. The school seeks pupils of genuine academic potential and commitment to learning.

Fees are substantial. At approximately £20,000-£31,000 annually, fees represent significant family investment. While the school offers bursaries and scholarships, these are competitive. Families should assess affordability honestly. The school's transparency about additional costs is appreciated, but total investment should be considered carefully.

Urban location has trade-offs. The riverside setting and proximity to London's cultural attractions is genuinely wonderful. However, it is not a country school; the playground space, whilst generous for London, is finite. Parking can be challenging during peak times. The location works brilliantly for families within reach of central London; it is less convenient for those further afield.

All-through structure means multiple transitions. Pupils transition from Pre-Prep to Prep, Prep to Senior, and Senior to Sixth Form. The inspection noted the school's commitment to internal progression, but families should understand that it is not unconditional. Entry to Sixth Form requires specific GCSE grades. Parents considering the school long-term should have realistic conversations about progression timelines.

The Harrodian School represents accomplished independent education delivered without excessive pressure or pretence. Thirty-two years after opening, it has matured into an institution of genuine strength. Results are excellent. The sixth form delivers Outstanding provision. Pastoral care is consistently praised by parents. The breadth of opportunity beyond academics, STEM innovation, music, drama, sport, service, creates genuinely well-rounded education. The riverside campus and inclusive community foster a tangible sense of belonging.

This school suits families seeking excellent academics combined with genuine warmth, breadth beyond the curriculum, and a location that leverages London's cultural richness. It works particularly well for families in southwest London or with reasonable access to the area. The fees are substantial but justified by quality. The application process is competitive from Year 1 onwards; early registration and honest assessment of a child's academic profile are essential.

For families within reach prepared to invest in independent education, Harrodian merits serious consideration.