From Start to Finish – The White House

Loved locally for its reputation as a family-run school, where every child is known and valued, The White House continues to create opportunities for their children to excel throughout their time at school and beyond the 11+.

This unique school has won the hearts of its close parent community by delivering an exceptional experience, where children of all ages can shine in an environment that is always keen to celebrate having a go, whether in class or in the multitude of extra-curricular and events the school offers.

To create a culture like this, opportunities for children at every age and in all areas of the curriculum are key. A recent Inter-House Music competition opened with a Reception child’s fantastic performance of a Billy Elliot song which saw the whole school on their feet in rapturous applause. The school is renowned for ensuring every pupil displays their public speaking skills in a performance or assembly. It is this dedication to building every child’s confidence that creates such remarkable children, delighted to share in each other’s success.

The school prides itself on their year groups mixing, often with dedicated Prefects to manage this. In Year 6, the House Captains are key together with the Year Group captains who support their allocated classes and help with reading and offer peer pastoral support. The sense of responsibility the older children feel for the younger is something they are incredibly proud of. The younger children benefit hugely from this interaction, looking up to and emulating their role
models, creating a culture of positive behaviour which encapsulates the family spirit throughout the school.

The journey ends in Year 6, when pupils leave to go to top London day schools and some boarding schools. Recently, the school has grown from one to two forms per year, and in the coming academic year the first two-form entry will graduate with a full quota of leadership experience, extra-curricular activities, sporting opportunities, performances, charity days and enterprise initiatives under their belts. The school’s multi-million-pound investment in facilities over the last couple of years has made this educational experience even better, with an immersive, innovative STEAM classroom built over the summer. Next year their nurseries, Woodentops Nurseries, will see a new opening to join 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. Parents are reassured and happy in the knowledge that their child is truly seen by the staff, 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.