doris
doris
Find Schools
Events
Saved schools
My account
Parent Guide Parent testimonials Community Transparency Charter About For Schools
Currency
O

Orchard House School

United Kingdom, London

Save school
Share
Navigate

· Reviewed by · Co-founder & CEO

Independently researched by doris.
Not yet claimed by the school
Claim your profile
The school at a glance
Instructs in English
Fees £12,369 - 31,110
Ages 3 - 11 years
Pupil numbers 398
Type Co-educational
Opened 1993
Bus Service No
Academic offering
Curriculum Bespoke Curriculum, EYFS (Early years foundation stage), Montessori Curriculum, British Curriculum
Taught languages French, Mandarin, Latin, Spanish
Strengths Performing Arts, STEM, Languages
Clubs Arts and Creative, Cultural and Language, Lifestyle and Wellbeing
Stages Early Years, Primary School
Introduction

Orchard House School is a co-educational preparatory for ages 3 to 11 in West London. It follows The Learning Orchard curriculum, a programme blending Powerful Knowledge, Holistic Learning, Leadership and World Readiness with EYFS, Montessori, and a British-style framework. From Year 1, specialist teaching supports Art, Computing, Dance, Design & Technology, Drama, French, Music, PE, PSHE and Science, with STEAM projects in the Innovation Hub. Reading Explorer and Reading Scholar place reading at the heart of progress, supported by termly English, Maths and Science assessments. The school maintains small classes and a high staff-to-pupil ratio to tailor learning. In Year 6, Senior Schools & 11+ programme guides entry to senior schools, with cohorts achieving 150 offers and over 40 scholarships across day and boarding schools, including priority entry to Dukes senior schools within network. Facilities include a purpose-built early years centre, specialist rooms, libraries, and wraparound care from 7:30am to 6pm.

Priory House, Priory Avenue, London, W4 1TX

The Essentials

Orchard House School has 398 pupils, instruction in English.

Location
Priory House, Priory Avenue, London W4 1TX. The school is in Chiswick, West London. It serves families across West London and beyond.

Stages
Ages 3 to 11; Nursery through Year 6.

Type
Co-educational prep school.

Pupil Nationality Mix
Pupils come from more than 21 countries, contributing to a diverse international community.

Additional learning support
Tailored English as an Additional Language (EAL) support from Reception upwards; 1-4 sessions per week; bespoke one-to-one or group EAL sessions.
Diving Deeper

Governance and Ownership
The school is part of the Dukes Education family.
Fees

Annual tuition at Orchard House School ranges from GBP 12,369 to GBP 31,110 for 2026/27.

Application & acceptance fees

- Registration fee: GBP 120 for general applications; GBP 100 for Nursery applications. This registration fee is non‑refundable.
- Acceptance deposit: GBP 3,000 payable when a place is accepted. The deposit is retained if a place is not taken up after acceptance. The deposit is returned when the pupil leaves the school provided all sums due (including any fees in lieu of notice where required) have been paid and the school's notice requirements have been met. When a place is accepted the deposit may be paid via a secure Stripe payment link or directly into the school's bank account.

Tuition fees (termly; three terms per academic year) — 2026/27 academic year

- Nursery (charged by session; minimum 5 sessions per week). Termly fees (from September 2026):
- 5 sessions per week: GBP 4,123 per term (annual equivalent: GBP 12,369).
- 6 sessions per week: GBP 4,940 per term (annual equivalent: GBP 14,820).
- 7 sessions per week: GBP 5,764 per term (annual equivalent: GBP 17,292).
- 8 sessions per week: GBP 6,587 per term (annual equivalent: GBP 19,761).
- 9 sessions per week: GBP 7,411 per term (annual equivalent: GBP 22,233).
- 10 sessions per week: GBP 8,234 per term (annual equivalent: GBP 24,702).
- One‑off additional Nursery session rate: GBP 82. Nursery fees are VAT‑exempt.

- Reception, Years 1 and 2: GBP 9,229 per term (annual equivalent: GBP 27,687). Fees for these year groups are quoted inclusive of VAT.

- Years 3, 4, 5 and 6: GBP 9,427 per term (annual equivalent: GBP 28,281). Fees for these year groups are quoted inclusive of VAT.

- Fees for sponsored (child student visa) pupils (2026/27, payable per term): Reception/Years 1 & 2 GBP 10,152; Years 3–6 GBP 10,370 (annual equivalents: GBP 30,456 and GBP 31,110 respectively). These sponsored‑student fees are charged per term and are VAT‑inclusive.

What the fees include / VAT

- Reception through to Year 6 fees include a hot cooked lunch and most daytime excursions (residential trips are excluded). Nursery lunchtime inclusion depends on the pattern of attendance. Reception–Year 6 fees are VAT‑inclusive; Nursery fees are VAT‑exempt under early years rules.

Wraparound care, clubs and optional charges

- Wraparound care (sessional charges, 2026 session information): Morning session (7:30–8:30) GBP 10 per session; Afternoon session (3:30–6:00) GBP 19 per session; afternoon sessions booked half‑termly in advance GBP 16 per session. (Wraparound session prices published with reference to 2025 rates and 2026 fees noted as TBC where listed; the school publishes the current sessions and booking options).
- Clubs and pre/post‑school activity charges from GBP 150 per activity (per the 2026/27 fees summary). Individual peripatetic music lessons (ten lessons of 30 minutes) start from GBP 320. Charges for clubs and music lessons are additional to tuition and are billed separately.

Billing schedule and payment terms

- Fees are charged termly with three terms in each academic year (Autumn/September, Spring/January and Summer/April). Parents receive termly invoices.
- One term's fees (at the new academic year rate) are payable in advance on or before 1 March in the year of entry for a September start. Parents who accept an offer after 1 March prior to commencement, or who join mid‑year, are required to pay the first term's fees at acceptance alongside the deposit. A full term's notice in writing is required to withdraw a pupil; in the absence of such notice fees in lieu of notice are payable. For sponsored pupils, the first term's fees are payable on acceptance and subsequent termly fees must be paid before the first day of each term.
- The school increases fees at the start of each academic year; new rates are communicated to parents in advance of their coming into effect.

Boarding fees

- Boarding is not applicable. Orchard House operates as a day Nursery and Prep school for children aged 3–11. No boarding fees apply.

Other costs to budget for

- School uniform: a full uniform is required and official items are obtainable from the appointed supplier (School Blazer or named suppliers listed on the uniform pages). Uniform costs are separate and charged by the supplier. Second‑hand uniform sales are organised by the parent community at intervals.
- Residential trips, external outings requiring fees, specialist peripatetic lessons beyond the school's basic provision, some clubs and some equipment or examination costs are charged in addition to tuition. Music lessons and clubs are charged separately as noted above.

Refunds and deposit handling

- The registration fee is non‑refundable. The GBP 3,000 acceptance deposit is retained if the accepted place is not taken up. The acceptance deposit is refundable when the pupil leaves the school provided the parent has given the required written notice, all outstanding sums have been paid and any fees in lieu of notice have been settled; the deposit will be returned following the pupil's final term (the school's terms provide for the deposit to be returned no later than two weeks after the end of the child's last term, subject to the stated conditions).

Fee payment options

- Deposit payments may be made via a secure Stripe payment link or by direct bank transfer to the school account. The school accepts most companies' childcare voucher schemes and also accepts payments under the government tax‑free childcare scheme. A monthly payment scheme is available for spreading payments; details are arranged with the Finance Team. These payment routes allow card payments where processed via Stripe and standard bank transfers where paid into the school account.

Sibling discounts and bursaries

- Sibling discount: 10% discount on the tuition fees of the younger child when two children from the same family are enrolled. For three or more children, a 5% discount applies to the third child and to subsequent children; discounts are deducted automatically from the termly invoice.
- Means‑tested bursaries are available from the Orchard House School Educational Trust (OHSET); bursaries may cover up to 100% of fees and may also assist with uniform, trips and other essentials. Application timelines and eligibility guidance are published by the school and OHSET.

If you need a plain listing of the exact per‑term and annual figures above (for database entry), use the termly amounts listed and calculate the annual equivalents by multiplying each termly figure by three. The figures above reflect the school's published 2026/27 fee schedule and associated terms and conditions.
Academics

Orchard House School teaches Bespoke Curriculum, EYFS (Early years foundation stage), Montessori Curriculum, British Curriculum for students aged 3 to 11.

Curriculum
The Learning Orchard curriculum blends Powerful Knowledge, Holistic Learning, Leadership and World Readiness to build curious, adaptable learners who are prepared for senior school and beyond. It offers specialist teaching from Year 1 across Art, Computing, Dance, Design & Technology, Drama, French, Music, PE, PSHE and Science, with STEAM projects and coding introduced in the Innovation Hub. Reading Explorer (KS1) and Reading Scholar (KS2) place reading at the centre of progress, developing vocabulary, reading fluency and comprehension. Termly assessments in English, Maths, Science and Reasoning from Year 1 feed into individual targets and allow staff to tailor the curriculum to each pupil, with results shared with parents. In Year 6, the Senior Schools & 11+ programme prepares pupils for senior school entry, and the most recent cohort achieved 150 offers and 42 scholarships across 27 leading day and boarding schools, with priority entry to Dukes senior schools as part of the Dukes Education family. A high staff-to-pupil ratio and small classes support personalised attention.

Student Teacher Ratio
Small classes and a high staff-to-pupil ratio support personalised attention.

Exam Results
Senior Schools & 11+ programme equips pupils for senior school entry. The most recent Year 6 cohort received 150 offers and 42 scholarships across 27 leading day and boarding schools, with priority entry to Dukes Education senior schools.

Higher Education Progression
Pupils progress to senior schools through the Senior Schools & 11+ programme, with strong 11+ outcomes and priority entry to Dukes Education senior schools.
Wellbeing

Social and Emotional Learning (SEL)
The school prioritizes happiness, support, and inspiration to help each child achieve their best. The ethos puts children at the centre, values each child as an individual, and promotes respect, courtesy, kindness and belonging. The approach focuses on building resilience and perseverance to prepare pupils for life's challenges. The school's values and environment support social and emotional development across learning, play and relationships.

Special Educational Needs (SEN)
Three expert SENCO teachers provide assessment and organise learning support across the school. When needed, support may be delivered in groups or 1:1, with an individual learning plan developed and regularly reviewed. There is an additional charge for any individual tuition.

English as an Additional Language (EAL)
EAL pupils are supported by a diverse staff and strategies to enable access to the curriculum. Teaching methods include carefully planned seating, key words translated in lessons, and strong visual aids, with curriculum adaptations to promote inclusivity. The environment is welcoming and language development is integrated with social and academic learning.

Mental Wellbeing
Pastoral Care aims to support emotional, moral and social development and to create a safe, purposeful, and happy atmosphere. It seeks to identify and meet diverse needs, develop emotional development and self-esteem, and foster resilience. Staff are responsible for recognising individual needs and fostering positive relationships, and wellbeing is monitored using CPOMS.

Safeguarding
Safeguarding and child protection underpin all relevant policies and practice. The school coordinates safeguarding with the designated safeguarding lead and deputies and follows Keeping Children Safe in Education guidance. The policy covers safer recruitment, emergency contacts, and training; the policy is published publicly on the school's website. The Board of Governors ensures at least two emergency contact numbers per child and ongoing safeguarding oversight, including online safety.
Parent Experience

History
The history of Orchard House School begins with its sister Bassett House School in North Kensington, founded in 1947 by Sylvia Rentoul. Orchard House School itself was founded in 1993 on its Newton Grove site, and the Early Years building was added in 2010 on Rupert Road. In February 2020, Orchard House, Bassett House and Prospect House joined Dukes Education. In 2021 Dukes Education acquired Chiswick & Bedford Park Preparatory School (CBPPS), and Orchard House and CBPPS worked closely under joint leadership before fully merging under the Orchard House name by September 2024, with refurbished sites for Early Years, Key Stage 1 and Key Stage 2 and an expanded curriculum. Today the school is a three-form entry led by Head Henrietta Adams, and the most recent Year 6 cohort received 150 senior school offers and over 40 scholarships across music, art, drama, sport, chess and academics.

Community
Orchard House is an inclusive, ambitious, joyful community in Chiswick, with a diverse, international pupil body and a headteacher who is a visible, accessible presence in school life. The school culture features music, drama, lunchtime debates in philosophy club, and performances such as Year 1 soloists at assemblies, plus Orchard's Got Talent that involve the whole school. Pastoral care is personal and proactive, with wellbeing questionnaires and individual pastoral plans, and mental health support for pupils and staff. Parents are welcomed to regular events such as parents' evenings, open mornings, sports days, concerts, class assemblies, theatrical productions, and Family and Friends afternoons, strengthening the home–school partnership and community involvement.

Parent Teacher Association (PTA)
The Orchard House Parents' Association (OHSPA) is a community body that helps bring parents and pupils together for social and school life. All parents are automatically members. The Association aims to act as a social forum for the parents and pupils and to organise social events for parents and pupils. It is overseen by a committee with a chairman, vice chairman, treasurer, charities' coordinator and form representatives, meeting twice per term. The OHSPA may appoint sub-committees for special purposes such as the autumn social, quiz night and summer fair, and it raises funds to support the school and local charity. Funds are allocated as follows: 37.5% to the school's chosen charity for the year, 37.5% to the Orchard House School Educational Trust, 25% retained by the Association to fund social events and small purchases, and 100% of funds from Harvest Festival and class fundraisers are donated to the school's chosen charity for that year.
Facilities

Facilities Overview
Orchard House School operates across Priory Avenue and Rupert Road in West London, with a purpose-built centre for the early years on Rupert Road. The school provides specialist teaching facilities for Science & Computing, Art, Design Technology and Music, plus dedicated multi-purpose halls and rooms for assemblies, drama and performance. STEAM learning is integrated through projects linking Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts and Maths, with coding introduced from Year 1 in the Innovation Hub. English, Maths and Science are supported by termly assessments and target setting, and weekly library lessons support reading and research in well-stocked libraries. The school offers wraparound care from 7:30am to 6pm and enrichment and off-site learning activities such as farm visits, woodland experiences and local walks.

Sports Facilities
Pupils take part in a broad sports programme across PE lessons, Games and clubs, including football, netball, rugby, hockey, cricket, swimming, athletics, gymnastics, tennis, padel tennis, cross-country and Year 6 rowing. Sports facilities are anchored by local venues within a five-minute walk of the school: Rocks Lane (football, rugby, hockey, netball and padel tennis), Chiswick House Grounds (summer cricket), Chiswick Back Common and The Green for cross-country and PE, Acton Leisure Centre and Janet Adegoke Swimming Pool for swimming, Team Keane for Year 6 rowing, and King's House Sports Ground for Sports Day. There are before-school training sessions and after-school clubs, with squad/representative opportunities available as pupils progress.

Academic Facilities
The school has specialist teaching facilities for Science & Computing, Art, Design Technology and Music, with dedicated multi-purpose halls and rooms used for assemblies, drama and performance. STEAM learning is delivered through projects linking Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts and Maths, with coding introduced from Year 1 in the Innovation Hub and termly assessments in English, Maths and Science to tailor targets. The Performing Arts program uses specialist facilities and includes music lessons and groups such as Orchestra, String Group and School Choir, with instruments including flute, trombone, cello, oboe, electric guitar and steel pans. Weekly library lessons support reading and research across extensively stocked libraries.

Extra Curricular Facilities
Performing Arts are a core part of life at Orchard House, with pupils taking part in drama and musical productions, clubs, concerts and assemblies. Musical groups include Orchestra, String Group and School Choir, and lessons cover instruments such as flute, trombone, cello, oboe, electric guitar and steel pans. After-school sports clubs run termly as part of our Wraparound & Clubs programme, and enrichment and off-site learning activities include farm visits, woodland experiences and local walks.
Extra-Curricular Activities

Academic & Intellectual
The Learning Orchard Curriculum guides four guiding principles: Holistic Learning, Leadership, Powerful Knowledge, and World Readiness to prepare pupils for life beyond exams. Reading Explorer (KS1) and Reading Scholar (KS2) place reading at the heart of progress, with book choices, reading tasks and badges that recognise achievement; Reading Scholar has expanded to include Reading Critic, Ambassador and Laureate awards. The school runs 41 clubs across academics, sports and the arts, and pupils can engage in inter-school opportunities within the Dukes Education family, including Dukes Debating, Poetry Together and the Dukes Young Leaders Award.

Arts & Creative
Music and Drama are central to Orchard House. Pupils receive weekly instrumental lessons across piano, violin, guitar, drums and voice, with more than 12 ensembles and five choirs and in-house ABRSM exam sessions. The musical program culminates in regular performances, including concerts, the Petter Cup and the Year 6 Summer Production at the POSK Theatre; drama is taught from Early Years with devised theatre and backstage roles, leading to annual productions.

Cultural & Language
French is taught by specialist teachers across the school, including in Early Years and Prep. The school features specialist teaching in French as part of its Learning Orchard curriculum, and French for Native Speakers is offered as a club. Pupils also benefit from cultural experiences such as annual residential trips to Suffolk, York, the Isle of Wight and France (Year 6).

Social & Hobbies
Before- and after-school clubs total 41 and span sports, arts and academics. Clubs include Chess, Board Games, Cooking, Music ensembles (Woodwind Ensemble, Pippin Choir, Chamber Choir, Senior Choir, Guitar Ensemble, Orchestra, Little Voice LAMDA Club), Drama, Dance, Art, Film Making, Cross-stitch and Embroidery, Debating, Science, Computing & Coding, French for Native Speakers, and a School Magazine.

Community & Service
Pastoral care is central, with each child having a Pupil Pastoral Plan and regular opportunities to participate in charitable events for the local community. The School Council and Eco-School Committee involve pupils in leadership and environmental activities, reinforcing community engagement and responsibility.

Leadership & Professional
Pupils can take part in inter-school leadership opportunities through the Dukes Education network, including Dukes Debating, Poetry Together and the Dukes Young Leaders Award. The Orchard House Challenge (Years 4–6) offers an enriched programme covering outdoor adventure, financial education, community service, the arts and personal development.

Lifestyle & Wellbeing
Sport and wellbeing are a core focus, with a broad programme that includes football, netball, rugby, hockey, cricket, swimming, athletics, gymnastics, tennis, padel, cross-country and Year 6 rowing. Many activities run as after-school clubs and fixtures against other schools, with access to local venues and dedicated coaching aimed at enjoyment, teamwork and sport for all.
Languages

Language Provision
French is taught as a subject. In Forms 4–6, some lessons include Classical Civilisation, Latin and Mandarin. English is the language of instruction, with English as an Additional Language (EAL) support available for pupils who need it, including assessment and staged support.

Bilingual Teaching
No formal bilingual education is offered. English is the language of instruction; bilingual support is provided where possible, including bilingual vocabulary support in the EYFS.
Admissions

Admissions
1. Registration and waiting list. The school acknowledges receipt of the registration and the child's name is placed on the waiting list for the preferred year. Offers are made in Nursery in batches starting in early spring, with priority entry given to applicants connected to Orchard House or Dukes Education. After these batches, remaining places are offered in order of registration at the Head's discretion. If no places are available, registrants remain on the waiting list for future vacancies. 2. Nursery entry, deferrals, and occasional places. Nursery entry offers begin about 18 months before start and are issued in batches, with priority entry given to applicants connected to the school or Dukes Education. Deferrals to Reception are possible; deferral requests must be in writing and places are allocated on a deferral order. Occasional places in other year groups are dealt with on an individual basis and subject to assessment, including requests for latest school reports and may include an entrance assessment. 3. Priority entry and siblings. Priority entry is given to applicants with a connection to Orchard House, Chiswick & Bedford Park Prep School, or Dukes Education. Sibling priority exists: the younger child may be prioritized if registered at the same time as the older or within 3 months of birth. Where an older child has left the school, siblings yet to join will no longer enjoy priority status. 4. Accepting a place, deposits, and conditions. To accept an offer, parents complete the acceptance form and pay a £3,000 deposit; acceptance becomes confirmed when both are received. The deposit is non-refundable if the pupil does not join, and it is refundable within two weeks after the end of the last term if departure was notified and all fees have been paid. One term's fees are payable in advance for the upcoming academic year, by March 1st; if acceptance occurs after March 1st, first term's fees are due with the deposit. When finalising the offer, the school may request reports or references and will consider any special educational needs, EAL requirements, and the child's right to reside in the UK.

Scholarships
Bursaries are awarded and funded by Orchard House School Educational Trust (OHSET), a registered charity which works closely with, but independently of Orchard House School. Orchard House School does not offer scholarships based on academic, musical or sporting achievement.

Waitlist
Registration is acknowledged and the child's name is placed on the waiting list for the preferred year. When a place becomes available, offers are made in order of registration, with priority given to applicants with a school connection in Nursery. If no places are available, the child remains on the waiting list for future vacancies.
School Events
The school has not added events
Compare Orchard House School with
vs Bassett House School
Search for more schools
Search schools in United Kingdom View all schools in London View all schools in United kingdom British curriculum schools in United Kingdom Open days & tours in London What is the British curriculum? View all schools Search all schools