Enriching education beyond the timetable – White House

The White House is a unique school which continues to win the hearts of its close parent community by delivering an exceptional experience. Children of all ages shine in an environment that is always keen to celebrate each other’s successes, whether in class or in the multitude of extra-curricular opportunities and events on offer.

Alongside a forward-looking curriculum is an extensive programme of enrichment. Deeply embedded within the curriculum is ‘Choice’, a dedicated weekly afternoon in the timetable when pupils are given the chance to choose from STEAM, performing arts or sports, giving children the space to develop their interests and learn to collaborate. Further up the school, Enterprise gives children the chance to create, manage and budget their own businesses. For Year 6, once the 11+ has been completed in January, the cohort has five weeks off timetable for skills-based learning. This year, in Life Skills week they learnt how to cook a two-course meal (including menu planning, budgeting and shopping) and how to get around central London (under the watchful eye of a teacher). In Science Skills week, a top-London surgeon led the children in a heart dissection!

Alongside a forward-looking curriculum is an extensive programme of enrichment

The journey ends in Year 6, when pupils leave to go to top London day schools and some boarding schools with over half achieving scholarships. The two-form school now houses 230 pupils overall, with class sizes of no more than 18, delivering a highly personalised learning environment. The school’s multi-million-pound investment in facilities over the last couple of years, including their RIBA 2024 shortlisted new lower school building, has made this educational experience even better, with a new immersive, innovative STEAM classroom and a gymnastics facility. The coming year will see their nurseries – Woodentops Nurseries – expand with a new opening in Clapham Old Town joining their current locations in SW4 and SW12.

As the last purely family-owned and run school left in Nappy Valley, staff retention is high so as pupils develop, long-standing teachers can spot their interests and talents and help advise parents in how to nurture these skills, and the sense of community among parents is strong. It’s through both the school’s family ethos and the families that make up the school that The White House remains a unique institution offering an unrivalled experience