Radlett Preparatory School A GSG School

Sports

Fencing

What The Good Schools Guide says

Principal

Since April 2023, Laura Flynn, previously head of junior school at Haberdashers’ Girls’ School. She has a degree in psychology from Southampton University, followed by over 17 years' experience across state and independent sectors in both single sex and co-ed schools.

Entrance

Approximately 40 into reception. Assessment in autumn before entry, with second opportunity in February for anyone who’s fallen short. Lots of playing but also academic activities eg completing patterns, name-writing, number recognition, discussing a story.

Exit

Strong leavers’ destinations attract ambitious parents. Predominantly single sex and day. Lots of boys to Haberdashers’, Merchant Taylors’, St Albans. A smattering further afield: Westminster, City of London, St Paul’s all deemed worth the commute. Girls to Haberdashers’, North London Collegiate, St Margaret’s, St Helen’s, Royal Masonic. Aldenham and Belmont popular for co-ed. A handful to grammar school: Queen Elizabeth Boys’, Dame Alice Owen, Henrietta Barnett. Jewish faith schools, particularly Immanuel College and Jewish Free School, draw steady numbers. Sometimes over 20 scholarships – a decent haul, if not the top score in the locale.

Our view

Founded in the 1930s in the village of Radlett itself, then in 1980 moved a few minutes down the road to Kendall Hall, a grade II listed 18th century brick house with pretty sash windows, lots of characterful cornicing and big fireplaces. Extensions over the years progressively less attractive but more practical (a bit leisure centre). Inside, classrooms vary – some sit in the lavish rooms of the old house, others in purpose built additions.

Radlett’s modern history starts in 1994, when Mr and Mrs Warren took it on as directors and proprietors. Nobody could tell us anything of what happened before this watershed moment: no legendary foundation story at Radlett, whose pupils, parents and staff are happy without dusty relics or Latin songs. Mr Warren was principal until he retired in 2013; Mrs Warren is still vice. Known universally as ‘Mr’ and ‘Mrs’ (parents ‘wouldn’t dream of first names’). Although we didn’t meet Mrs Warren, we heard that she is a fantastic pastoral leader, taking interest in every family and providing meaningful support. Private ownership gives a distinctive feel – ‘it’s the Radlett Prep family,' says school, ‘that’s what we all want’. Values are ‘well engrained’ – ‘the children know what we want for them’.

New dining room serves nutritional meals. Usually the heart of a school, this is where critical life skills are learned – table manners, conversation-making and an appreciation for ‘fish ‘n’ chip Fridays’. Children can also bring a packed lunch if preferred.

Extensive teaching facilities. Reception make daily use of well-stocked outdoor space complete with bug hotel, and there's a handy covered area for when it’s raining. Music lessons from reception in fabulous rococo-style ‘blue room’. French from year 1; annual French Café set up in the hall, complete with red checked tablecloths – ‘we learnt how to order our snack and drink in French, saying s’il vous plait and merci’. Computing taught in IT suite. LAMDA lessons compliment timetabled drama.

Teaching is good, with academic results the school’s raison d’etre. ‘One of the main reasons I decided on Radlett is because they prep the children really well for 11+’,' said one parent; ‘we are very very keen on Habs,' said another with a son still in reception. High praise for the teachers who’ll get them there – ‘amazing at what they do’ and ‘by far the best I have come across,' we heard, with one mum telling us, ‘I always send my child’s teacher emails about how brilliant she is’. Passionate about their subjects and warm with the children. Teachers all responsible for identifying potential SEN. No setting, though small groups can be taken out for extra support or stretching. Plenty of staff to facilitate this. Investment in staff development has created opportunities for internal promotion, with very little turnover.

Curriculum managed closely. Every lesson broken down into required knowledge and skills so that children’s learning is consistent regardless of teacher. Push to modernise – ‘We’re looking at the curriculum and enriching what we do. Rather than just drawing Anglo-Saxon shields, why not get a 3D printer and print it?’ says school.

Reading encouraged from the off. Phonics taught daily from reception, streamed into five smaller groups. Weekly visits for all to the welcoming, well-stocked library, neatly organised for children to find books at the right level for them. New reading huts in the playground (a school council request) give further spaces to curl up with a book.

Small classes in lower years, currently up to 15; numbers grow from year 3. Significant gender imbalance, with girls making up a fifth of reception places when we visited. Why? ‘Historically we’ve been seen as more of a boys’ school’. The abundance of local girls’ options can’t help, but definitely a sense that the school could do more. This is being addressed – netball courts are now floodlit and girls’ football for year 2 up. ‘Girls’ champion’ appointed to highlight how well girls do, and school tells us that incoming cohort is balanced.

Plenty of extracurriculars for those that want them. Every pupil has a term each of keyboard, violin and recorder to expose them to different opportunities; one-third then take private lessons. Assemblies promote world music – ‘piece of the week’ invites students to engage with something new, from Zulu songs to classic sitar. Choirs, jazz band, rock bands, violin and recorder clubs; school orchestra recently established.

Sport big. Cricket and football are particular strengths, with weekly training sessions open to all. School emphasises that sport is inclusive – boys play netball, girls play football. Fencing, multi-skills, cross country all available. We observed a pacey year 6 judo session, children enjoying the silliness of throwing each other around. Everybody goes outside after lunch, even if just to play on the adventure playground.

Music runs before school and sport afterwards, ‘so that pupils can be high achieving in both’. We felt that some parents see extra-curricular as a means to counterbalance the workload and build a profile for 11+ interviews, rather than as an end in itself.

Lots of weekly clubs, most for a small fee. Plenty are creative (sewing, street dance, musical theatre); some more cerebral (debating, Mandarin, chess). Drama well-loved, with colourful photos of previous productions lining the corridors – a couple of students are currently on stage in the west end. Journalism club produces the charming Radlett Press, which recently celebrated its 50th edition – latest issue included an interview with rapper and English teacher MC Grammar and a review of Comic Relief.

Radlett pupils are active citizens, with school council a big part of Radlett life. House system prominent – Britons, Greeks, Romans, Persians – with plenty of captain and vice captain roles shared out between eager year 6s.

Discipline is tight. One parent was relieved that the school ‘can tame mischievous little boys’. House points awarded for effort and performance; can be deducted if need be. ‘Discipline is instilled from a young age,' parents told us. As a result, children’s manners are immaculate, even a tad quaint. ‘The school teaches etiquette,' says one parent, ‘and now my children open doors for adults’. ‘My little one started asking me if he was allowed to go to the toilet at home,' laughs another.

Certificates handed out in assembly for excellent effort in everything from charity to story writing. Lucky winners have break time tea with senior leadership team on a Monday. Termly awards too, on fancy embossed paper.

This is an affluent spot where North London meets Hertfordshire – there are some serious gated houses around and a healthy sprinkling of shiny white 4x4s in the car park at pickup. Radlett’s fees are lower than its neighbours’, though, and it’s more socially diverse than other preps nearby. Variety of ethnic backgrounds, reflecting the area: lots of south Asian and Jewish families. Not a posh or intimidating school, with hard-working parents making sacrifices elsewhere to give their offspring a great start. Busy PTA organises fish and chips night, quiz, family fun day and fairs.

‘A lot more mummies than nannies at the school gate’, one told us, reckoning that about half of mothers work; 'you see a lot of dads too’. Around a quarter of pupils attended over lockdown – ‘a big mix of jobs that parents do – teachers, nurses, doctors, dentists, transport operators,' says school. All are ambitious and aspirational, many are new to independent education. Top secondary schools open doors, reckon these parents, who want to give their children opportunities that they didn’t necessarily have for themselves.

Money matters

No bursaries available for new joiners.

The last word

A school of contrasts. A family feel, yet there’s nothing cosy in the approach to academics; a ‘small school’ ethos, yet over 300 pupils. A no-frills, modern uniform that wouldn’t look out of place in a big city comprehensive, yet an old-fashioned formality in the interactions between pupils, parents and staff. It all makes for a quirky and very loving place, and most importantly it works.

Special Education Needs