Thinking about going private? Find the right school for your child, says former Good Schools Guide writer Suzie Oweiss...
Lady Eleanor Holles School
Hampton, TW12 3HF | Telephone | Website
An independent day school for girls aged from 11 to 18.
Results for 2022:
- A levels: 88% A*-B, 95% A*/A
- GCSEs: 95% grades 9-7
LEH is a hub for strong girls who like a challenge and want to work hard and try new things. The website declares: “LEH is a remarkable school.”And it most certainly is: academic, sporty and strong in arts and drama and pastoral care. LEH strikes a healthy balance between high achievement and avoiding hothouse stress – although it is fair to say that it’s an environment for those who thrive on being stretched. It boasts all the attributes of an empowering all-girls education while enjoying a lot of interaction with its neighbouring school, Hampton.
Hampton School
Hampton School 2023
Hampton, TW12 3HD | Telephone | Website
An independent day school for boys aged from 11 to 19.
Results for 2022:
- A levels: 95% A*-B, 88% A*/A
- GCSEs: 95% grades 9-7
Highly selective, Hampton typically elicits three complimentary adjectives from parents: ‘excellent’, ‘fantastic’ and ‘incredible’. Adding value, rather than merely achieving results, is at the heart of the school’s mission. Sport is very strong – especially rugby, football, cricket and rowing – and students also shine in music, with over 20 choirs and ensembles. Indeed, the choice of extracurricular activities, including charity and community work, is huge for all age groups. There are strong ties with LEH, the neighbouring girls' school, with which Hampton shares school buses, drama productions, CCF and much more.
Kingston Grammar School
Kingston Grammar School
Kingston, KT2 6PY | Telephone | Website
An independent day school for boys and girls aged from 11 to 18.
Results for 2022:
- A levels: 92% A*-B, 75% A*/A
- GCSEs: 92% grades 9-7
A very well-located school in the heart of Kingston attracts families from across the wider area, even into Central London, Wandsworth and Clapham. Highly academic with entrance becoming more competitive. Amazing subject choices from Maths and science to up to 15 languages. Art and DT are huge here, and so is sport. Work Well and Be Happy is the school's motto, and rightly so. If you are looking for a country manor in leafy Surrey, this is not the school for you. However, if you’re looking for an urban setting with great transport and a sense of independence, then KGS it is.
Claremont Fan Court School
Esher, KT10 9LY | Telephone | Website
An independent day school for boys and girls aged from 2 to 18.
Results for 2022:
- A levels: 85% A*-B, 62% A*/A
- GCSEs: 83% grades 9-6
Set in idyllic grounds outside Esher, Claremont encourages its students to be “limitless in potential” and “confident in character” – a pretty good description of the school itself, given the strength of its pastoral care and SEN provision. Welcoming children of all abilities, Claremont is “gently selective” at the senior school level – the process is quite detailed and students are expected to meet certain requirements before they are offered a place. Great facilities include a much-loved science block, while art, photography and textile design are particularly celebrated.
St George’s College
Addlestone, KT15 2QS | Telephone | Website
An independent day school for boys and girls aged from 11 to 18.
Results for 2022:
- A levels: 89% A*-B, 61% A*/A
- GCSEs: 98% grades 9-6
Academically strong and ambitious, there is a sense of pride and belonging amongst St G students and staff. The only Catholic Josephite school in the UK, it strives to represent that tradition and ethos very well. As well as plenty of academic choices, sports, drama and arts are strong too. Incredible school grounds and an abundance of land facilitate top-level sport.
Halliford School
Shepperton, TW17 9HX | Telephone | Website
An independent day school for boys aged 11 to 18 and girls ages 16 to 18.
Results for 2022:
- A levels: 60% A*-B, 31% A*/A
- GCSEs: 34% grades 9-7 (97% 9-4)
Warm and encompassing – that’s how Halliford is often described. With around 60 places available in year 7, another five in year 9 and 50 or so for the sixth form, it’s one of the few schools to support pupils of all abilities. Class sizes are small, and the approach is tailored, with around 14% of pupils enjoying SEN support. Sport is high on the agenda – three Old Hallifordians competed in the Tokyo Olympics – while science, art and drama also boast impressive facilities.
Radnor House School
Radnor House School 2023
Twickenham, TW1 4QG | Telephone | Website
An independent day school for boys and girls aged from 11 to 18.
Results for 2022:
- A levels: 77% A*-B, 48% A*/A
- GCSEs: 62% grades 9-7
Increasingly popular, Radnor House used to be a less academic option, but that is changing fast. Not stressfully so, however. Beautifully set beside the river and with good pastoral care and SEN support, Radnor takes a properly paced approach to school life. Entry may be more selective, but not to the point of excess. Strong teaching produces great results, but sport is also up, with rowing a firm favourite. Everyone is involved at some level in drama, sport or art. “Friendly and effective” is how the website describes the school – a perfect summary.
Hampton Court House School
image of hampton court house
Hampton, KT8 9BS | Telephone | Website
An independent day school for boys and girls aged from 2 to 18.
Results for 2022:
- A levels: 89% A*-B, 70% A*/A
- GCSEs: 73% grades 9-7
Set in a beautiful house overlooking Bushy Park, a stone’s throw from Hampton Court Palace, HCH is a school for individuals. “Achievement with heart – a lifelong love for learning” is its manifesto, and the children are encouraged to have opinions and question themselves and others. The school delivers a bilingual curriculum up to year 4, and that flavour continues into year 9 when students take French GCSE. Entry is more about pupil fit than academic rigour, but there is an entrance test and interview. Although class sizes restrict full-on team representation, sport is on the up, while art and drama are getting there too. A new management and head are pushing things forward. So, for a school that doesn’t fit the classic mould but delivers curious and happy individuals, HCH is a natural choice.
The Harrodian School
Barnes, SW13 9QN | Telephone | Website
An independent day school for boys and girls aged 4 to 18.
Results for 2022:
- A levels: 94% A*-B, 78% A*/A
- GCSEs: 77% grades 9-7
Harrodian is a highly sought-after school set on a 25-acre riverside estate in Barnes. The entry process is rigorous, but the reward is strong academic delivery, an outstanding music department and some incredible art, sport and drama. Most senior school pupils (currently 261) arrive from the prep school (only 15 places last year from outside). There is no uniform policy, but there are guidelines on acceptable wear. Sound SEN provision. Well worth a visit.
Ibstock Place School
Roehampton, SW15 5PY | Telephone | Website
An independent day school for boys and girls aged 4 to 18.
Results for 2022:
- A levels: 62% A*-B, 34% A*/A
- GCSEs: 88% grades 9-7
Perched on the edge of Richmond Park, Ibstock Place has recently come on leaps and bounds, becoming many local parents’ first choice. Its impressively personalised approach gets the best out of pupils, with music, art and drama all very popular. Sport is on the up too, with more and more options available. A warm environment with wonderful facilities and an inspiring vision makes Ibstock hard to beat.
About the author
Suzie Oweiss – Senior Education Consultant, PS Education Suzie has been in education for over 20 years, with 12 years of BBC experience as a writer, broadcaster and producer. She began as a reviewer for the Good Schools Guide, for which she visited, reviewed, and critically analysed many independent, grammar and state schools. She has recently helped pioneer a new student assessment system widely used by international students seeking places at UK schools and universities. For advice, see pseducation.co.uk or email info@psed.co.uk.
Choosing the right school - advice from the expert
As an education consultant, I find myself running into parents who think I have all the answers and can somehow draw up a list of definitely ‘good’ and ‘bad’ schools. Yet nothing could be further from the truth. Schools are homes from home for our children for at least 12 years, precisely how they need to regard them. I always try to tell parents there is no such thing as a good school – only one that is right for their child. When considering a school, look at its strengths and what really makes it stand out.
Consider what your child enjoys, his or her ability and preferred learning style. Look at your family situation and what works for you geographically. And how about the choice between co-ed and single-sex? Or between day and boarding school? It’s also vital to look beyond waiting lists and the entrance exam.
Cramming to pass an exam is all very well, but steady preparation for a place at the most suitable school – where your child can thrive, enjoy life and nurture an appetite for learning – is a different matter entirely. I have visited schools and advised families for over 15 years, and the rule remains the same: match a unique offering to the characteristics and strengths of your child. If the match is right, everyone wins.
