Kew House School
About this Organisation
Kew House School is a co-educational independent senior school for students aged 11–18 years in West London, near to Kew and Chiswick. The school opened its doors for the first time in September 2013 with 63 students and now has over 550 on roll. It is the sister school to Maida Vale School, Ravenscourt Park and Kew Green Preparatory Schools and is owned by The Gardener Schools Group Ltd, a family company founded by Maria and Edward Gardener.
Kew House School takes a modern and pioneering approach to every aspect of school life. The key characteristics upon which the school was founded are:
Ethos and aims
Individualised attention both pastorally and educationally for all students. KHS benefits from having a smaller student roll than many independent senior schools and provides the flexibility needed to enable students to fulfil their potential.
Selection criteria
We seek inquisitive, intelligent students displaying a recognisable talent. Although we use entrance testing, greater emphasis is placed on interview, and feeder school reports. We select each year group as a whole cohort seeking a balanced mix of aptitudes and personal attributes.
Ethos
We recognise and enhance the individual abilities of each child, welcome students with varying academic profiles and place emphasis on confidence, self-esteem and creativity. We believe this approach will produce excellent academic results. We operate a true “open door” policy welcoming parents and members of the wider community. The school has developed the feeling of a family and social hub giving emotional support and security to all students and employees, achievable due to its size.
The curriculum
We pursue excellence in all areas whether examinable or not. Our aim is to provide a rich and broad education to all students whatever their specialism. While we aim to achieve the highest academic results for each pupil we do not serve as an examination “factory”. Our “Individuals in Society” (IS) course focuses on personal development, emotionally, practically, and intellectually, throughout each student’s life at the school via regular, time-tabled sessions and extensions of the school day.
Community involvement
The school is outward looking taking full advantage of the wide variety of cultural, scientific and business organisations in London as a resource for academic and non-academic learning as well as fostering opportunities for service to the local community. Visitors regularly hold seminars and workshops at the school.
Modern and Pioneering Approach
The school takes a fresh approach to all areas of school life and will not be bound by current conventions and practice. Whilst retaining the core traditional values in place at our preparatory schools, we have made bold decisions about curriculum, timetabling, the length and shape of the school day and term, aligning the school with the lives of students and parents. The school operates as an educational and social centre for students in the evenings, at weekends and during school holidays when core, extension or one-off learning courses will operate and social events take place.
Creativity and excellence
The school exists to foster individual and group creativity in all areas and to allow talent to bloom. We encourage individuality of thought and self-motivation in all areas of study and exploration.
