Your Chelsea & Schools Guide Selected Local Schools

Christ Church Primary School (C of E) Wetherby Senior School A state school for 210 boys and girls aged from 5 to 11. An independent school for 275 boys aged from 11 to 18.

The Good Schools Guide says… The Good Schools Guide says… A village school in the heart of ” was how The head of philosophy is keen to throw everything at one parent described it… and the charm lingers on, them, from Plato and Aristotle to Kant and Hobbes. The with lollipop cherry trees and a butcher’s boy bike poised aim: to create independent learners who can think for to deliver lunches to a nearby nursery. However, step themselves – qualities top universities are crying out for. inside and you have a Narnia experience: the interior One mother remarked how pleased she was that her son has been redesigned to a spacious and functional plan, came home buzzing from a series of talks from the Good with chic grey walls, birch wood trimming and rows of Lad initiative. We witnessed the dress rehearsal for an navy pillars. A retired headmaster takes gardening as a edgy play set in a prison written by the head of drama. curriculum topic, directing the wheelbarrows, tending She fizzes with excitement as every head of drama should, the chickens and watering the kale bed. and the boys respond positively.

Head: Mrs Avis Hawkins Head: Mr Seth Bolderow Robinson Street, London, SW3 4AA Lane, London, W1U 2QU

Francis Holland School Hill House International School An independent school for 375 girls aged from 11 to 18 An independent school for 650 boys and girls aged with a linked junior school. from 4 to 13.

The Good Schools Guide says… The Good Schools Guide says… The new director of creative enterprise’s palpable enthusiasm “Almost too much sport,” said one parent, “except that it is infectious; pupils’ ideas for new businesses range from seems to embrace all pupils, and so the effect is every one dog pods (safe haven/spa while owner goes shopping – of them feels involved and wanted.” The school has a huge ideal for SW1, possibly limited appeal elsewhere) to ethical, local reputation – arguably one of the few fixed points in that plastic-free makeup range (creator impressively committed restless, rootless world of . It embraces the local to launch). They can also spark thinking that goes far, far, community in the fullest sense, inviting local societies and beyond Knightsbridge – the girls recently won international residents’ associations to concerts and plays and festivals. competition to design lunar settlement. The “phenomenal” There is more art, music and drama than one can imagine. music department “give up so much of their own time to do The head is a fine organist and, back in 1972, a fine two manual extra stuff,” said one parent. organ was especially commissioned for the school.

Head: Mrs Lucy Elphinstone Head: Mr Richard Townend Graham Terrace, London, SW1W 8JF , London, SW1X 0EP Education Overview

St Peter’s (C of E) Eaton House Belgravia Chelsea and house some of London’s The independent sector continues to boom. From the A state school for 300 boys and girls aged from 3 to 11. An independent school for 240 boys aged from 3 to 13. poorest as well as richest but in the areas of Belgravia, much-vaunted preparatory education offered at Hill House, Chelsea and , the latter predominate. Eaton House, Garden House and newer kids on the block The Good Schools Guide says… The Good Schools Guide says… More independents have sprung up recently to cope with and Knightsbridge School, to the all- Academically it’s up there with the front-runners, with well Some parents suggest that “this would not be the right the demand, as for instance Eaton House Senior School, through teaching of the Francis Holland group and onwards above national average results in Standard Assessment school for a slow developer, as the boys work at a fast which has just opened overlooking the lush landscape to Chelsea’s More House and Wetherby Senior School, Tests. Parents praised the maths teaching, which adopts pace and it becomes demanding in Year 2 with plenty of . the possibilities are endless. the Shanghai Approach learned from visiting Chinese of homework.” For those who need support they ‘bring in teachers. Literacy was also mentioned, “My son started off the cavalry’. Boys are bussed to Hyde or Park There are some excellent faith and church-associated Closer to the political hub are Westminster Cathedral uninterested in reading and is now one of the best in the every day to let off steam and play sports. The boys enjoy schools in the state sector not least Christ Church in Choir School (RC) – with its choral scholarships and class.” One mother lamented the lack of space for sports, their fixtures, stating, “If we lose against the Manor, Chelsea (C of E), St Peter’s Eaton Square and St Vincent academic excellence – and , “Shame there isn’t more space to run and get energy out who are bigger than we are, we beat them at chess. de Paul (RC) Primary School. At secondary level is Grey both which feed into itself (often of themselves.” Year 6 enjoys a residential at Sayers Croft, Head: Mr Huw May Coat Hospital – with an international outlook as well described as the ultimate independent secondary which introduces caving, pond dipping and orienteering. as sensational academic standards – and the Harris education for boys) as well as into the other famous Eaton Gate, London, SW1W 9BA Westminster Sixth Form – a genuine melting pot for names in the public-school world. This is an area Head: Mr Miles Ridley London-wide pupils and offering a half-way house synonymous with success, and its schools do nothing Lower Belgrave Street, London, SW1W 0NL between school and university. to discredit that association.

THE GOOD SCHOOLS GUIDE John D Wood & Co. would like to thank the Good Schools Guide who have shared their expertise. All views and opinions expressed are of the Good Schools Guide, to read these school reviews in full or to speak with an education consultant, visit www.goodschoolsguide.co.uk Housing, Schooling & Higher Education Educated Investment - Property performance close to independent schools

Living near schools and universities is a good enough a £75,000 difference. In London, the gap widens further reason to want to invest in a property if you or your with the average home in the capital reaching £475,500 children are studying. However, there are reasons to in Q1 2019, but located near an independent school the believe that homes close to independent schools tend to average home costs £883,000 - 86% more. In the South hold their value better and recover faster than average East, a home situated near an independent school costs in the UK. That’s not necessarily because of the school £502,500, while in the South West, it costs £325,600 but rather the fact that the schools and homes are in on average. In the last ten years, homes situated near desirable areas for other reasons. independent schools have outperformed the wider UK average. Across and Wales, house prices There is not necessarily a causal link between the have risen 19% since 2008, but house prices close to performance of independent schools and local property independent schools have risen to 34% and shown a markets. Unlike state schools, there are no catchment faster rate of recovery than average house prices. areas, often the critical factor impacting neighbouring house prices, plus children often have the opportunity The same is true in London. House prices in the capital to board at an independent school. However, there have increased 61% since 2008, but those homes situated is a strong correlation between the desirability of an near independent schools have seen a 76% rise. Prices area and the existence of good independent schools, near famous schools such as Westminster, St Pauls and and consequently is a major factor impacting the Harrow, have risen 113%, 63% and 43% respectively, over performance of property markets. the last ten years, but homes outside of London have seen slower price growth. Prices near , Across England and Wales, outside of the super prime Cheltenham Ladies College and Marlborough College, market, the average price of a home in Q1 2019 stood have risen 24%, 22% and 27% respectively. at £214,900, but where a property is close to an independent school, this increases to £289,900 – ANEISHA BEVERIDGE Head of Research

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