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Eaton Square Upper School is a new co-ed day school breathing fresh air into the secondary school market, helping to take the lid off the pressure pot through a balanced admissions process
It’s an exciting time for secondary education in central London as Eaton Square Upper School opens this month (September), filling in the gaping hole in the capital’s options for 11-18 year olds. Based right in the heart of London at 106 Piccadilly, Eaton Square Upper School, Mayfair, is located in a stunning building directly opposite Green Park. The building’s rich history, iconic design and central location make it the perfect base for many families with children across central London.
At the helm is headmaster Phillip Williams, former senior deputy head at Francis Holland and an advocate for a rigorous and exciting curriculum. “We need to prepare students for a new and fast-changing world,” Phillip explains. “But I also believe that many of the things that have been important educationally over the last thousand years will continue to be important for many years to come.” The flexibility and adaptability that come with opening a new school are elements in which Phillip is particularly interested. “Children will come from a variety of cultures and backgrounds, and they will be working with people from many different cultures in the future; I want our curriculum to reflect that so our students are prepared for their adult lives.”
Many London-based families who don’t want boarding are challenged to find a co-educational day school which offers a well-rounded, hands-on education. Eaton Square Upper School is a breath of fresh air for these parents. Many pupils have signed up from the Eaton Square group’s prep schools, including The Lyceum and Hyde Park, with interest growing across the city. Initially the school will start with Years 7, 8, and 9, and then grow as these years progress. With nurseries included in the Eaton Square group, children could start at two years old and stay in the family of schools until 18, a very attractive proposition.
“Our family-centric ethos is something we have always prided ourselves on, and will absolutely continue at the Upper School,” adds Phillip. “The school will be a place that encourages, inspires and drives a passion for learning across all areas, and we will work closely with all of our students to help them achieve their goals.”
“WE NEED TO PREPARE STUDENTS FOR A NEW AND FAST-CHANGING WORLD”
The school occupies a Grade I-listed building steeped in rich history, features of which can be seen in every room – from beautiful ceiling murals to a grand stone staircase and state rooms lined in silk wallpaper; even the art room is domed. But stuck in the past it is not as the state-of- the-art DT room and cutting-edge-designed canteen demonstrate. There’s no outdoor space but with Green Park just across the road, the children will have access to acres of recreational expanse, as well as the city beyond. Whether it’s rowing on the Thames, afternoons at a specialised sports facility in Acton, drama workshops in local theatres or art sessions at world-renowned galleries, the school intends to enjoy the wealth of resources on its doorstep. “I hope that within five years, Eaton Square Upper School, Mayfair will be firmly established as a school in Zone 1 which is exceeding the needs of London families,” concludes Phillip.
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