020 8742 8544

Headmistress's Welcome

Welcome to Orchard House

To help a child achieve their personal best, we must engage their attention and stimulate their imagination. The combination of highly motivated teachers, small classes and our exciting and diverse curriculum nurtures each child’s individual academic and creative talents with a sense of fun and purpose.

Sport encourages a respectful, competitive attitude, teaching children the value of camaraderie. Similarly, music and drama can create increased levels of confidence and self-esteem.

We foster a sense of adventure and all activities take place within an atmosphere of warmth and openness, encouraging pupils in independent thought. Our Pupil Pastoral Plan monitors the well-being of each child and was recently shortlisted for a national award.

The Independent Schools Inspectorate awarded Orchard House the highest accolades of ‘excellent’ in all areas and ‘exceptional’ in achievements and learning. These are mirrored in our first-class academic results. We warmly invite you to visit us at Orchard House School. 

To obtain a prospectus, have a chat or arrange a visit, please do telephone the school office on 020 8742 8544 or contact the school by email at info@orchardhs.org.uk.

Mrs Maria Edwards

Read our ISI report

 

Tatler 2019

Tatler Schools Guide 2019

Orchard House features in Tatler magazine’s Schools Guide to the top prep and public schools in the UK.

‘Getting my kids into Orchard House has been an absolute dream,’ says a mother. Each morning, the streets of Chiswick turn into a sea of blue jumpers, scooters and dogs; there’s a real villagey, local vibe here. To be in for a chance, it’s names down at birth (or even before), and last year’s leavers won more than 15 scholarships – to the likes of Downe House, St Paul’s and Latymer Upper. Maths is impressive and technology is embraced, with compulsory iPads from Year 5. Head Maria Edwards is a keen sportswoman and last year the Year 4 football team enjoyed an unbeaten season. Pupils are bright and enthusiastic; there’s enough whooping and cheering in Friday ‘recognition’ assemblies to bring the house down. ‘The children are incredibly happy, and the rest follows,’ says a parent. (Tatler 2019)

READ What Tatler saID about US in 2017 
READ WHAT TATLER SAYS ABOUT us in 2018

Our Ethos

Every child can learn to fly

Our outstanding results repeatedly show that all children can learn to fly, regardless of early learning ability.

Great minds think for themselves; nurturing individuality is at the heart of our teaching. We believe tailor-made teaching opens up young minds to endless possibilities, encouraging them to think creatively and form their own ideas.

Our pupils mostly call it having fun.
We call it being the best they can be.

A full statement of the school’s ethos and aims is available here.

 

Ethos in Action

Close relationships nurture individuality

 

Orchard House School was formerly a family home and retains a happy, welcoming atmosphere, starting at the front door where the headmistress or a senior staff member greets each child by name every morning.

Currently we have approximately 300 pupils and 47 teaching staff, allowing each child a great deal of individual attention. It is very rare there are more than 20 pupils in any class, and in the early years there are three teaching adults in attendance. Small group and 1:1 sessions are commonplace.

Teachers take lunch with the children and our extensive extra-curricular activities allow teachers and pupils to interact in a more informal atmosphere.

Our school is a place where every child feels valued and gains the confidence to fly.

School Philosophy

Cultivating academic tenacity

‘Do what you love, and don’t stop until you get what you love. Work as hard as you can, imagine immensities…’ Debbie Millman

A ‘can do’ attitude and academic tenacity are in our DNA. They are embedded in every aspect of school life from our curriculum, classroom, staffroom and sports fields to the playground and outside school activities.

If you were to say ‘I can’t do that’ to one of our pupils they would inevitably bellow back ‘I can’t do that YET.’  This mantra is often repeated at assemblies and has become a shorthand for understanding that resilience and perseverance pay off, which in turn feeds a passion for learning rather than a hunger for approval. 

Nurturing individuality

Every Orchard House child is an individual. Our role is to identify and develop each child's talents.

Pastoral care comes first

Only happy children learn. We ensure that each Orchard House child feels cared for and knows that their feelings matter.

Learning to learn

A great teacher doesn’t just teach the subject but teaches each child how to learn, a skill that stays with them for life.

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