Twickenham Preparatory School

Word From The Head

Mr Oliver Barrett

'Education is the foundation on which we build our future', maintained Christine Gregoire, the well-known American politician and lawyer, a statement with which I'm sure we would unanimously agree.

Choosing a school for our children is one of a parent's most significant decisions; the environment in which they are educated and the values espoused will influence them for the rest of their lives. The firm foundation derived from an outstanding education is increasingly important in these challenging times, when society needs its future leaders to be adaptable, creative and resilient, whilst also demonstrating empathy and kindness for others and care towards the environment.

Twickenham Prep School (TPS) creates such a foundation for life both for today and for the future, in a wonderful, co-educational setting. We aim to inspire a love of independent learning, underpinned by Christian values, seeking to ensure our pupils learn to be 'Calm, Courageous, Courteous and Considerate'. The staff appreciate each pupil's contribution to our community, where we provide an atmosphere of warmth, trust and care, in which all can truly flourish.

As a prep school, we are keenly attuned to ensuring that our children are readied for the next chapter. Within 11 and 13 entry, TPS pupils achieve great success, whether academic, sporting or extra-curricular, moving on to excellent independent secondary schools, including Hampton, Kingston Grammar, Lady Eleanor Holles, Sir William Perkins, Surbiton High School and St George’s College with regular academic, sporting, art and all-rounder scholarships. We are committed to working in partnership with our parents so that our pupils leave TPS as happy, confident, responsible and well-rounded individuals.

The past year has seen the substantial renovation of our new premises, ‘The Hub’, located at 51 High Street in Hampton. This fantastic new facility opened in early November and has transformed our Art and Design facilities and provided additional bright and modern classrooms for our Senior boys. The new Art and DT department has a spacious teaching area and specialist DT equipment, used weekly by children from Year 3 upwards. The Hub@51 is a statement of our aims to provide outstanding modern provision for the children and features a digital media suite, including broadcast cameras and an editing station. Further plans include opportunities for children to record and broadcast podcasts and short films, whilst the longer-term aspiration is to launch our very own radio station!
We are passionate about our Senior Prep pupils and, in particular, the opportunity we can provide for our boys to develop their personal organisation, study skills and sense of responsibility at the top of the school with all of the benefits of being that ‘big fish in a small pond’. Whilst the Hub@51 gives our Senior Prep boys a dedicated space, all our pupils have benefitted from the creation of new space on our current site which features a new teaching room as an area for drama and music groups, year group talks and workshops.
The main entry point at TPS is Reception, with places available in other year groups subject to availability and an assessment. Conscious of the needs of modern family life, we have wraparound care facilities operating from 7.30am-6.30pm and we offer morning minibus services throughout the surrounding areas.
I hope this has provided a flavour of what makes us so special. Please come and visit us, to see for yourselves how much TPS has to offer each and every child.