Connaught House School A GSG School

What The Good Schools Guide says

Principal

Since 2017, Victoria Hampton. Early years foundation degree and Montessori diploma before starting her own nursery aged 24. Married into the Connaught House family and joined the family firm, first as head of early years, then as assistant principal, and took over the reins on her mother-in-law’s retirement. Now the third generation of her family leading the school.

As principal, owner and mother (she has three sons, one of whom is still at the school), Mrs Hampton has a personal interest in the school’s success. She lives and breathes it, listens, and looks for practical ways to help busy mothers like herself: ‘We keep changes of clothes to a minimum, but we do ask for a spare set, in case the children get too muddy,’ she says. Music to the ears of one parent who loves the fact that her son’s trainers are caked in mud at the end of term: ‘A sure sign of good, wholesome fun,’ she says. Ever perceptive on the school gate, Mrs Hampton ‘picks up on things’. One mother told us how she sensed her son was feeling out of sorts and instinctively led him off by the hand to water the plants.

As a former British ice skating champion, Mrs Hampton spins on a sixpence, reacting to children’s and parents’ needs. She wants to be the first to know about niggles and also wants everyone to feel part of this special community. Exudes confidence in a modest, understated way, believing in the product and wanting the best for every one of her charges. ‘I have only ever seen her as a beacon of calm,’ says one parent. ‘No problem is too big or too small.’

Entrance

A tiny school (fewer than 80 pupils) which fills up quickly, not least with siblings and second, even third, generation families. ‘Priority pathway’ from a few local nurseries (Great Beginnings Montessori, Paint Pots Montessori, LJS Nursery) to encourage a neighbourhood feel. Informal assessment at the nursery itself to make sure child will fit in and, most importantly, manage the stairs. Eight to 12 places at 4+ every year. Siblings welcomed with 10 per cent discounted fees if children are in years 1 to 6 concurrently; early registration still recommended.

Exit

Realistic discussions with Mrs Hampton in year 5. A focused ‘what I would really recommend’ approach rather than spreading the 11+ net wide. Good relationship with heads and ‘keeping her finger on the pulse’ leads to healthy range of schools, including acceptance of places in 2024 at St Paul’s Girls’, Godolphin and Latymer, Queen’s Gate, Francis Holland North, Putney High GDST and St Marylebone for girls; UCS and Wetherby Senior for boys; Latymer Upper and Harrodian for co-ed. Some boys leave at 8+ but increasingly they stay on for the full Connaught House experience. Parents who have experience of other schools say pupils are ‘less stressed’ and ‘better prepared’ for 11-plus than counterparts. Abundance of performance opportunities and mock interviews with previous head boost confidence.

Our view

Established by Mrs Hampton’s grandmother-in-law in 1953, this family-run school sits on its original site on the Hyde Park Estate, housed in a fine Georgian building owned by the Church Commissioners. Old-fashioned values of good behaviour, courtesy and consideration towards others established at the outset still hold true; add to these, as a UNICEF ‘rights respecting school’, the teaching around the rights of the child – wellbeing, global justice, sustainability, equality and dignity – and the underlying ethos of the school becomes apparent. We noticed how children are spoken to in a kindly way and, in turn, they talk to each other, and to everyone else in the school community, in similar vein. Kindness and inclusivity are baked in: messages on heart-shaped wooden discs say ‘our voices are heard’, ‘kindness is smiling’.

Traditional teaching – exercise books and fountain pens – much in evidence, with an emphasis on useful marking, including helpful next steps and ‘even better ifs’. Not at the expense, however, of technology, which includes individual Chromebooks from year 3, class sets of iPads, programmable robots and digital cameras all integrated into the curriculum. We watched a fun maths lesson where the six-times table was reinforced through a song and dance routine, the more reluctant mathematicians on their feet in a flash. Cross-curricular teaching happens almost without thinking, with experienced teachers ‘who know their craft’ drawing on all subjects to enhance learning; writing a letter of advice in an English lesson, for example, draws on the character’s feelings and emotions as discussed in a previous PSHE lesson. ‘Subjects come together in a celebration of holistic learning,’ we are told.

‘With many eyes and ears on the children, issues tend to be picked up early,’ says an appreciative parent. Those pupils who could be left behind are ‘scooped up and supported’ in so far as possible by individualised teaching in the classroom. Specialist SENCo team, alongside speech and occupational therapists, ‘are very good at holding hands with parents’. Two-thirds of children speak a language other than English at home and extra English language support is available for those who need it. Plenty of enrichment activities too, inside and outside the classroom, to challenge those who like to be stretched. We watched as pupils lapped up Latin and Shakespeare, and we liked the explanation (from a future politician, maybe?) of a wall display, where key members of parliament from all parties were pictured with current portfolio or, in some cases, an honest question mark after a cabinet reshuffle. Debating is popular. At the recent inter-school Cicero Cup, year 6 pupils flexed their analytical muscles debating whether footballers are paid too much and if we should welcome humanoid robots into our homes. General knowledge enthusiasts glowed with pride at achieving second place, against fierce north London competition, in the Quiz Club championships.

The arts are firmly rooted in the school, thanks partly to the legacy of Mrs Hampton’s artist father-in-law. Art is now taught by a specialist in textile design. Sketchbooks are beautifully presented, and award-winning artwork, from Klee-inspired felt collage to a self-portrait in the style of Klimt, tastefully framed and hung up and down the staircase. ‘Artwork of the week’ also on display. Music curriculum includes music theory as well as recorder and glockenspiel classes and every pupil sings in a school choir. Professional musician mother told us how impressed she is with the many performance opportunities. All departments collaborate in the annual whole-school play (including the head who choreographs a dance routine): ‘Homespun, very creative and spot on,’ says a parent. The youngest children are taken to Sylvia Young theatre school and ‘excellent’ drama teacher offers four clubs a week and prepares pupils for LAMDA exams. Eponymous Deborah Jayne from the School of Dance is on the visiting staff; ‘not tutus and tiaras,’ says head, as we watched a group of robust boys and girls in tracksuits joyfully moving to the beat. Heads from ‘destination’ schools are strategically invited to judge competitions, including the ‘beautiful’ poetry recital, when even the youngest children recite a poem they have written. A wider and more imaginative choice of after-school clubs (the head listened) now includes chess from a visiting International Grandmaster, inventors’ club and, most recently, at the request of a small boy who writes his own comic books, comic club.

‘Fresh air and outdoor play is so important,’ says head, agreeing that Hyde Park, just a few minutes’ walk away, is effectively the school playground. Outdoor play, which may mean kicking leaves or sitting on a log, is timetabled daily. In a valiant effort to make the most of every available inch of outdoor space, a tiny play area has been created in the outside well of the building. One parent remarked that limited outdoor space could be an issue for a very physical child, but another parent of a ‘football-crazy’ boy said serious sports training happens outside school anyway. A water-based bonus is swimming at Kensington Leisure Centre from year 2 up, including life-saving skills for the older children. Rock climbing at Seymour Leisure Centre is the latest offering in a request for more physical activity. As if she needed to prove her commitment on a Friday afternoon, Mrs Hampton walks the children there and stays with them while they scale dizzy heights outside the classroom.

The dining room, though compact, is a valuable space, reinventing itself daily as art room, drama studio, French room and music workshop. We found it to be a cheery place at lunchtime. Much-loved Italian chef, who provides delicious lunches from scratch, has appreciation heaped on her with the same gusto that she grates cheese on spaghetti bolognese. Weekly assemblies (the dining room reinvents itself yet again) may address mental health issues, praise good work or celebrate a rather special musical talent; a young violinist played to an appreciative audience before performing in the finals of the Independent Schools Young Musician competition. Children’s rights are always to the fore: non-discrimination on Martin Luther King day, for example, or a global concern. Visiting author James Sellick’s There’s a Rang-Tan in My Bedroom brought the truth about palm oil to the attention of these young eco-warriors.

Parents are ‘very grounded’, ‘absolutely not bling-y’, ‘involved and engaged’. An international bunch, with 14 languages spoken at home, they appreciate the old-fashioned values of a small community school and also the ‘excellent communication’ between school and parents – virtual coffee mornings, online parent training and the opportunity for in-person and online parent/teacher chats. Parent committee, set up on the back of a successful celebration of the school’s 70th birthday in Connaught Square, manages nearly-new uniform sales, characteristically with an honesty box.

Money matters

Scholarships and bursaries are available to talented pupils from 7+, and to existing pupils whose parents find themselves in need of financial assistance.

The last word

‘A hidden gem of a school’, ‘the best thing about London’, ‘a culture of its own’: parents love the calm, creative, unpressured atmosphere. Teachers ‘care from the bottom of their heart’, nurturing, steering and working together to create a unique experience in central London.

Special Education Needs

Good for mild specific learning difficulties and those who require a nurturing environment but who will benefit from all the school offers.

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