Arnold House School
13 Loudoun Road, St John's Wood, London, NW8 0LH
Pupils
369
Ages
5 - 13
Gender
Boys
Type
Primary
Head Teacher
Mr Giles Tollit
Boarding / Day
Day
Fees
£7,024 to £7,804
ISC Associations
IAPS, AGBIS, ISBA
Religion
Church of England
Bursaries
Available
About Arnold House School
Arnold House School, located in the prestigious area of St John’s Wood, offers a well-rounded education for boys aged 5 to 13. The school is housed in a striking white stucco Regency villa, complete with a modern extension, and is situated among multimillion-pound homes. Its proximity to the American School in London allows for the use of larger facilities for events and concerts, including prize-giving ceremonies.
The main intake for Arnold House School is at 3+, with parents required to register their children before their second birthday. The school receives around 200 applications for just 40 places, making it highly competitive. Preference is given to siblings and offspring of former pupils, which further tightens the availability of spaces for newcomers. Prospective parents and their children are invited for an individual meeting with the head in the autumn term a year before entry. This meeting assesses the parents’ educational aspirations for their child to ensure they align with the school’s ethos. Boys are then assessed in small groups during an informal playdate session in the spring term.
The school has a strong academic reputation, with a significant number of boys moving on to prestigious day and boarding schools at 11 and 13. Recent destinations include City of London, Westminster, St Paul’s, Tonbridge, Radley, Wetherby, Merchant Taylors’, Winchester, Eton, Shrewsbury, Mill Hill, and Cranleigh. Parents, many of whom are professionals such as bankers and lawyers, have high expectations and feel the school helps their children achieve these goals, although they acknowledge there are no automatic guarantees for entry into top schools. In 2023, five scholarships were awarded.
Inside, the school seamlessly blends its historic architecture with modern facilities. Honour boards and portraits of former heads adorn the walls, alongside noticeboards for clubs, an ‘art wall of excellence,’ and a stairwell decorated with colourful ceramic leavers’ tiles. The school offers a wide range of subjects, including French from Year 1, Latin from Year 6, and Greek from Year 7. Religious Studies is introduced in Year 3, and from Year 4, boys are set in Maths and English. The school is known for its strong pastoral care, with the head emphasising the importance of supporting the boys.
The library is well-stocked and overseen by a long-serving, knowledgeable librarian. Boys are encouraged to read, with incentives such as pencils and rubbers, and the school’s dog, Arnold the goldendoodle, is available for boys to read to. Visiting authors, including Caroline Lawrence and Steve Cole, further enrich the boys’ literary experiences.
Arnold House School accommodates varied learning styles and mild neurodiversity. All boys are screened for dyslexia and dyscalculia in Year 2, with reports sent to parents. The school works closely with families to provide bespoke support plans where needed, including one-to-one sessions and visiting therapists and specialists.
Sport is a favourite among the boys, with a wide range of activities on offer, including football, rugby, cricket, hockey, tennis, cross country, and athletics. The school also offers early morning swim club, horse riding, polo, and golf. The highlight is Canons Park, the school’s off-site facility with over seven acres of outdoor space, multiple pitches, and classrooms. Boys are transported there for games afternoons and other activities.
The music department is bustling, with over 220 instrument lessons scheduled per week. The school is launching an initiative to enable every boy to play an instrument from Year 2. Drama is also a key part of the curriculum, with productions ranging from nativities to self-written plays by Year 6. The art department boasts a dedicated top-floor studio with an outdoor terrace for ‘plein air’ painting.
Popular clubs include chess, verse speaking, debating, kickboxing, Taekwondo, karaoke, sewing, knitting, and gastronomy. The school emphasises the importance of not existing in a bubble of privilege, with regular charitable activities such as donating to food banks and running book drives.
The new pre-prep on Marlborough Place, housed in the luxurious Huxley building, offers modern, high-ceilinged rooms with attentive and creative staff. The pre-prep boys enjoy a vast play area and regular trips to Canons Park for outdoor activities.
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ISI Review
Arnold House School, located in St John's Wood, London, is an independent boys' preparatory school founded in 1905. The school aims to provide a broad and excellent education in a supportive and stimulating environment, fostering the development of its pupils within a Christian ethos. The school serves children aged 5 to 13 and has a total enrollment of 272 pupils. The school is governed by a board of governors and operates as an educational charitable trust.
The recent inspection by the Independent Schools Inspectorate (ISI) took place from March 3 to March 6, 2015, and it was noted that the school has made significant progress since the previous inspection in February 2009. The ISI is responsible for ensuring compliance with the Education (Independent School Standards) Regulations 2014, and the inspection process included observing lessons, interviewing pupils, and reviewing documentation.
The quality of the pupils' academic achievements is deemed excellent, with the school successfully fulfilling its ambitious aims for each pupil to develop their talents and secure places at their chosen senior independent schools. By Year 8, pupils demonstrate attainment well above national age-related expectations, showcasing confidence in their abilities and a capacity for both cooperative and independent work. The curriculum is broad and balanced, effectively meeting the needs of the pupils, and the use of information and communication technology has increased since the last inspection. Pupils also engage in a wide range of extracurricular activities that enhance their educational experience.
The school excels in promoting the spiritual, moral, social, and cultural development of its pupils. The pastoral care system is robust, ensuring that all pupils are well cared for as individuals. The school fosters a strong sense of community and citizenship, encouraging pupils to develop tolerance and respect for one another. The pupils' moral development is evident in their understanding of right and wrong, and they actively participate in charitable initiatives, raising funds for various causes.
Governance at Arnold House School is of high quality, with governors demonstrating a secure understanding of the educational provision and fulfilling their legal duties, including safeguarding responsibilities. The leadership team provides clear educational direction, and the recently revised management structure has enhanced the oversight of the school's operations. The school has established effective links with parents, who express high levels of satisfaction with the education and support provided for their children.
The teaching quality is consistently excellent, with lessons effectively planned and delivered at a brisk pace. Teachers demonstrate strong subject knowledge and employ a variety of teaching strategies to engage pupils. The introduction of smaller class sizes for core subjects has allowed for more focused teaching, catering for the individual learning needs of pupils. The school has also made strides in improving the consistency of marking and assessment practices.
Pupils at Arnold House School exhibit excellent personal development, characterized by confidence, self-awareness, and strong communication skills. They are encouraged to take on leadership roles and responsibilities within the school community, demonstrating a keen understanding of their social environment. The school promotes healthy living through nutritious meals and regular exercise, and it has effective measures in place to ensure the welfare and safety of all pupils.
Overall, Arnold House School is committed to providing a high-quality education that nurtures the academic and personal growth of its pupils. The school's ethos, combined with its strong governance and leadership, creates an environment where pupils can thrive academically and socially. The inspection findings highlight the school's dedication to continuous improvement and its success in meeting the needs of its pupils.
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Last Updated: 8 October 2024