Tailor-made education – Hornsby House

From getting muddy in Reception Forest School to surviving in the great outdoors of the Highlands, children are provided with a floor but no ceiling. They are encouraged to give everything a go across the broad and balanced curriculum, where learning is to be embraced not feared. In a continuously changing world, the agility and creativity of our teaching staff ensures that the children hone the skills that they will need at their senior schools and beyond.

At Hornsby, every child will act in major productions, sing in a choir, have their artwork displayed and play in sports fixtures. Collaborating, empathising, developing resilience, thinking critically and innovating are essential skills, and pupils are nurtured through this myriad of opportunity.

Children learn best when they’re safe and feel valued, so kindness is a central pillar of the school’s core values – Head Heart Spirit – which encourage children and adults to show empathy and humility towards one another. Wellbeing clubs, eight specialist Learning Development teachers, a school counsellor and school dog all play their part in supporting pupils’ happiness.

The children have a voice, whether representing their class on the School Council or suggesting changes. They were a key catalyst for the upcoming modernisation of the House system, which will involve the evolution of Houses named after pioneering men and women into a new group of names and emblems to offer wider inspiration and connection.

Always investing in education, this summer the school embarked on an ambitious project to double the capacity of the Main Hall and to refurbish existing classrooms and build six new ones on the first floor to create distinct spaces for science, modern foreign languages and the performing arts.

As a proudly inclusive school every boy and girl must feel they can be themselves and thrive, so they are ready to move on to their new schools with confidence and humility. Important too, is that the school’s spirit has an effect and is felt in the local community. An ambitious diversity and inclusion programme runs alongside outreach initiatives, which support local primary schools in Lambeth and Wandsworth. Partnerships with Spencer Hockey Club, AFC Wimbledon and Herne Hill Velodrome bring hockey, girls’ football and track cycling to the children. Gardening Club tends to the Urban Triangle Garden on Chestnut Grove, guided by the social enterprise, Beautify Balham. The children understand what it means to live in this vibrant city and all the opportunities that go with it.

Our Year 6 cohorts continue to step up to the challenge of the 11+ process, achieving a balance of work, rest and play as they secure their places for Year 7 at some of London’s top independent schools. It is the culmination of seven years of nurture and excellent schooling in which the children are encouraged to take risks, try new ways of overcoming challenges, and learn how to educate themselves.