Headmistress’s Welcome

Welcome from Mrs Adams

I feel very privileged to be the Headmistress of this wonderful school. Orchard House is one of west London’s leading prep schools with an excellent reputation, not just for outstanding academic results, but for nurturing the individual talents of each and every child.

Every parent wants to be sure their child is safe and happy at school. At Orchard House, we have small classes, dedicated teachers and an award-winning approach to pastoral care that means your child really does come first, always.

We are committed to co-education at Orchard House. Children learn together from the age of 3 to 11. Our excellent academic results see pupils heading to leading senior schools, both in London and beyond, and every year we achieve numerous awards in sport, music, art and drama, plus academic scholarships. It is a given that our pupils will move on to some of the best schools in the country but what matters to us is that they go to the right school for them. Children learn best when they are happy, we commit not only to putting all our energy into providing a happy, safe environment for your children to learn in, but we also ensure our pupils are prepared for the next stage, for the school where they will go on and flourish. We are preparing our children for an unknown future and so, alongside the excellence of the teaching and learning, we are committed to inculcating in the children the values of kindness, honesty, tolerance, and respect. To learn to work not just for themselves but for other people. We instil in our pupils a love of learning where they appreciate the benefits of hard work, and we want to keep broadening our enrichment programme so that every child gets the opportunity to learn the skills to thrive in the future.

Above all, Orchard House is a community; a caring collective where pupils, parents and staff join together to provide the very best prep school experience, and where there’s lots of fun and laughter alongside the hard work. If we have learnt one thing in recent years, it is the value of community spirit; of working and playing together, supporting each other, looking out for our neighbour as well as ourselves.

We are at an exciting stage in Orchard House’s story so do come and visit us. I look forward to welcoming you to this very special school.

Mrs Henrietta Adams

Headmistress

Introducing our Headmistress Mrs Henrietta Adams

Henrietta grew up in Bedford Park, Chiswick, and has lived in West London most of her life. She studied French & Music at the University of London before qualifying as a solicitor and working in private practice. However, a passion for education lead her to retrain and she attended the Institute of Education for her PGCE with French specialism. Henrietta joined CBPPS as a class teacher in 2011 and was subsequently appointed to Director of Studies and Assistant Head before becoming Headmistress of Chiswick & Bedford Park Preparatory School in September 2020. She became Headmistress of Orchard House School when the school merged with Chiswick & Bedford Park School in 2024.

Henrietta is fluent in French and has spent several years living and working in France. She is also a gifted musician and plays the flute and piano. She is also a keen skier and sailor, passions she shares with her family.

Above all, Orchard House is a community; a caring collective where pupils, parents and staff join together to provide the very best prep school experience, and where there’s lots of fun and laughter alongside the hard work.

Henrietta Adams Headmistress