Keble Preparatory School
Wades Hill, Winchmore Hill, London, N21 1BG
Pupils
131
Ages
4 - 13
Gender
Boys
Type
Primary
Head Teacher
Mr Perran Gill
Boarding / Day
Day
Fees
£4,590 to £5,795
ISC Associations
IAPS, AGBIS, ISBA
Religion
All Faiths
Bursaries
Available
About Keble Preparatory School
Keble Preparatory School, located in a handsome Edwardian villa with stunning city views, is set to become co-educational from September 2023. This change marks a significant evolution for the school, which will now welcome girls into its reception class and other years where space permits. The main intake remains non-selective, following a tour and family meeting, with girls able to join other years via a taster session. Additionally, a nursery will open from September 2023, catering for children from age three during term time and normal school hours.
The school has a somewhat old-fashioned charm but is far from being stuck in the past. The site is expansive, featuring a recently resurfaced playground with multi-games markings, ping pong tables, a jungle gym, basketball hoops, and a mini climbing wall. The reception and nursery classrooms are bright, high-ceilinged spaces filled with colourful displays, evoking fond nostalgia among current pupils. Modern teaching blocks for older years are well-kept, with cosy library corners for years 1-4, creating a pleasant learning environment. Some empty classrooms have been repurposed as guided reading spaces, costume stores, and staff prep rooms. The gym, though slightly tired, offers a versatile space for PE and shows, while the dining hall doubles as a venue for assemblies and after-school clubs.
The 2022 merger with the Mill Hill Foundation has been transformative for the school, providing financial stability and new opportunities. Despite some initial parental concerns about potential interference, the family feel of the school remains intact. The head and staff are committed to maintaining and strengthening this ethos. The merger has enabled increased use of tracking data to support destination choices, fantastic CPD opportunities, and more chances for pupil competition and collaboration, including forest school activities at Grimsdell for years 1 and 2. The appointment of an experienced deputy head from Belmont has further enhanced the school’s leadership.
Academically, the school is solid, with teachers adept at gauging the right academic approach for each child. They stretch the most able and support all pupils to think laterally, providing numerous opportunities for creativity. Teaching is inventive and interdisciplinary, stimulating plenty of reflection by the pupils about their learning. For instance, a geography class discussion about the life of a raindrop and a year 5 project creating a menu for Ted Hughes’s Iron Man as part of an environmental project were particularly intriguing. Science and arts are both highly praised by parents, with the science lab adorned with inspiring quotes from famous scientists and pupils thoroughly engaged. Art is also of a high standard, with impressive works such as charcoal chiaroscuro and Yayoi Kusama-inspired pumpkins on display. ICT is popular, with exciting combinations of SAM Labs and 3D printers used to build miniature cars and create a smartboard game. Classrooms are well-stocked with books and fascinating displays, such as Mayan pyramids.
The transition from reception to year 1 is well-handled, with homework supporting strong progress in numeracy and literacy. Sets are introduced in years 5 and 6, but there is no sense of unfavourable comparisons among pupils. The school’s ethos focuses on a rounded education rather than hothousing for exams, and results indicate this strategy is effective. The emphasis is on pace, not ability.
The sports faculty is praised by parents of both sporty and unsporty children. There are plenty of fun options, including dodgeball and gymnastics, alongside considerable success in mainstream competitive games, particularly rugby. The gym and playground are supplemented by swimming at a local leisure centre and other games at Winchmore Hill cricket ground. Hockey and netball have been introduced ahead of the change to co-educational, with boys and girls participating in all sports, some mixed and some single-sex.
Music is also strong, with plenty of encouragement to take up instruments. A recent production of Joseph was a phenomenal success, and the chamber choir’s rendition of the Coventry Carol was impressive.
Parents praise the teachers for their motivation and proactive approach to flagging any behavioural or developmental issues. The Head of Learning Support is highly regarded, with regular contact and swift strategies to support struggling pupils. Around a fifth of pupils have some identified SEN, and the school liaises closely with external specialists to ensure recommendations are incorporated into lessons.
Pastorally, the school is extremely strong, with staff who really know the children. PSHE focuses on helping pupils open up, and the wellbeing room is a welcoming space for pupils to drop in and chat. Pupils form strong friendships and are proud of each other’s achievements, with no concerns about bullying. The active student council effectively advocates for change, and there are plenty of clubs and trips on offer.
The parent community is very welcoming, with an active PTA organising numerous events. Families tend to be local, and parents appreciate the school’s open-door, welcoming approach. Evening talks and events for parents are popular, and prizegiving is a special occasion celebrating pupils’ achievements.
The school motto, Puritas, Veritas et Probitas, meaning consideration for others, keeping promises, and working hard, is prominently displayed and sums up the school’s ethos well.
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ISI Review
Keble Preparatory School, founded in 1929, is an independent day school located in Winchmore Hill, London, catering for male pupils aged 4 to 13. The school operates as a registered charity governed by a board of governors and comprises three sections: pre-prep for Reception to Year 2, junior school for Years 3 and 4, and senior school for Years 5 to 8. Recent developments include new facilities such as a music block, a multi-use games area, and an outdoor area for the Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS). The school remained open only for vulnerable children and the children of key workers during the COVID-19 pandemic, providing remote learning materials during the closure period. The current headmaster, Mr. Perran Gill, was appointed in July 2021.
The school aims to uphold values of purity, truth, and honesty while fostering personal attitudes and self-belief in pupils to prepare them for future challenges. It celebrates diversity and promotes equality, recognizing each pupil as an individual. Nationally standardized test data indicates that pupils enter the school with above-average ability. The school supports 25 pupils with special educational needs and/or disabilities (SEND) and 18 pupils for whom English is an additional language (EAL), providing tailored support to meet their needs.
The Independent Schools Inspectorate (ISI) conducted a focused compliance inspection combined with an educational quality inspection. The school met all standards set by the Education (Independent School Standards) Regulations 2014, including those related to safeguarding, health and safety, and the suitability of staff. The inspection confirmed that the school promotes good behavior, prevents bullying, and maintains a strategic approach to risk assessment. The school has a disability access plan in place and effectively manages complaints through a structured process.
The quality of education provided is good, with a documented curriculum that covers the required breadth of material. Teaching enables pupils to make good progress, supported by effective behavior management and suitable resources. The school provides relationships education in the junior school and relationships and sex education in the senior school, with parental consultation and published policies in place. The assessment framework confirms that pupils make good progress, and the school has a suitable framework for assessing performance.
The spiritual, moral, social, and cultural development of pupils is actively promoted, facilitating their growth as responsible citizens. The school meets standards related to this development, ensuring that pupils understand the importance of tolerance and respect for others. Arrangements for safeguarding and promoting the welfare of pupils are robust, with health and safety requirements met, including fire safety and first aid provisions.
The school ensures the suitability of staff through appropriate checks and maintains a register as required. The premises are well-maintained, providing suitable facilities for pupils' medical and therapy needs, and outdoor spaces for physical education and play. A range of information is published and made available to parents, including details about the school's ethos, curriculum, and arrangements for admission and behavior.
The handling of parental complaints is effective, with a clear three-stage process in place. The leadership and management of the school demonstrate good skills and knowledge, fulfilling their responsibilities effectively and promoting the well-being of pupils. The quality of leadership is consistent with the standards set.
The educational quality inspection highlighted that the quality of pupils' academic achievements is good. Pupils, including those with SEND and EAL, attain above the national average in English and mathematics, with most making expected progress in line with their abilities. Pupils exhibit strong speaking and listening skills, engaging respectfully with adults and peers. They demonstrate good progress in mathematics, with older pupils confidently applying their knowledge to problem-solving.
Pupils also display excellent information and communication technology (ICT) skills, including coding and robotics. However, there is room for improvement in applying research skills across all subjects, and EYFS children's learning is not always extended effectively during child-initiated play. The school is advised to strengthen learning opportunities in these areas.
The personal development of pupils is also rated as good. Most pupils demonstrate self-understanding and self-reflection appropriate for their age, making good choices and exhibiting an understanding of right and wrong. The school fosters good social awareness, with pupils developing leadership skills through various roles and responsibilities. They engage in charitable activities and demonstrate respect for each other's differences, although a small minority of older pupils occasionally use inappropriate language.
Pupils understand the importance of making good choices and are involved in decision-making processes that impact the school community. They exhibit a good understanding of spirituality and the non-material aspects of life, reflecting on personal values and ethics. The school promotes a culture of safety, with pupils aware of how to keep themselves safe, including online. The well-being room and mental health support contribute positively to pupils' sense of security.
Overall, Keble Preparatory School provides a supportive and enriching environment for its pupils, fostering academic achievement and personal development while meeting regulatory compliance standards. The school is committed to continuous improvement and addressing areas for development to enhance the educational experience for all its pupils.
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Last Updated: 8 October 2024