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York House School is a medium-sized Prep school with around 370 pupils.
We are situated on 50 acres of land, and we have a Historic Listed building alongside modern, purpose-built school facilities.
Outdoors, we have 8 sports pitches, a Smallholding with rescue animals, and a 4 hole golf course and nets, a 25-metre swimming pool, an obstacle course and an outdoor classroom (the cabin), two fishing ponds, a mountain bike track and we also have an artificial-grass, multi-use sports pitch.
With funds raised by our York House Foundation, we are currently developing a new mindfulness garden for the pupils to enjoy.
Indoors, we have a Science Laboratory, Drama Studio, Art Studio, Library, IT room, Sports Hall, Music Room, Dining Hall and Dance Studio alongside our teaching classrooms.
We keep small class sizes to approximately 18 children to ensure that each child receives high-quality, individual care. For English and Maths lessons , our pupils in Y4 and above are taught in smaller groups.
Your child may start in our Nursery once they turn three years old. We offer taster sessions to ensure a smooth transition to school. Children that start aged three will enter Lower Nursery and, children that are in the academic year before Reception, will join the Upper Nursery.
While most children join us at the start of the academic year, we understand that life can bring unexpected changes such as moving to a new home or other circumstances that might delay your plans. Rest assured, children are welcome to join our school at any time during the year, subject to available spaces and a successful assessment.
For children entering Nursery, parents have the flexibility to decide the best time for their child to start, ensuring a smooth and comfortable transition.
Some of our families live close enough to walk to school, using the footpaths from areas such as Croxley Green and Chandlers Cross. However, the majority of our families drive from nearby towns and villages, including Rickmansworth, Hemel Hempstead, Watford, Sarratt, Chorleywood, Chalfont St Peter, Chalfont St Giles, Kings Langley, Abbots Langley, Chipperfield and, Northwood.
At present, we do not offer a coach service.
We offer wrap-around care from 0730 until 1800.
At York House, we offer Learning Support during lessons and on a one-to-one basis for a small number of children within our SEND department.
At York House, we offer an Exceptional Performance (EP) Programme designed for children identified as Exceptional Performers in specific areas such as Academics, Art, Computing, Music, Maths, Science, Sport, or Reading, as well as those excelling across multiple di sciplines. This programme provides opportunities for children to explore and develop their gifts and talents, helping them to fulfil their potential.
Yes. Children can have one-to-one music lessons from Year 2 upwards in a range of instruments. We also have many groups including an Orchestra, Ukulele, Strings and Brass Club where children can further hone their skills by playing as part of a group. We also have various choirs available for children and we offer individual Speech and Drama lessons as part of our Co-Curricular offering.
York House provides all meals and snacks for a full day at school. This starts with a morning snack, hot lunch and afternoon snacks. There is also the option of a hot tea (served around 4.30pm) if booked in advance. Special dietary needs are also catered for.
We use My School Portal to share information with families.
We also have a very active Instagram account which gives a great insight into life at York House. Our Instagram can be found on @YorkHouseSch and @TheYorkHouseWay
We have a termly newsletter, ‘The Yorkist’, to keep our families up-to-date with events and celebrations at school.
All of our children learn French as part of the curriculum from Reception and are taught by a specialist Modern Foreign Languages teacher. Children also study Classics from Y4 and then Latin from Y5.
No, as an Independent Preparatory School, we take pride in helping families navigate the transition to Senior Schools. We host information evenings, including a Senior Schools Roadshow and talks on senior school transfer, as well as offering tailored exam and interview preparation for all Independent Senior Schools.
Our curriculum also equips pupils for the 11+ process for local state and Grammar Schools, as well as entrance exams for Independent Senior Schools. Our most recent cohort, who left in July 2024, joined over 20 different Senior Schools.
We follow the Early Years Foundation Stage in Nursery and Reception and the National Curriculum from Year 1 upwards. As an Independent School, we have the flexibility to design an engaging curriculum that aligns with our ethos and meets our pupils’ needs.
Most pupils exceed age-related expectations, benefiting from expert teaching that fosters both outstanding progress and a love of learning. Our approach extends beyond the classroom, utilising our beautiful setting, Outdoor Learning facilities, and a range of educational visits and trips each year.
To educate the pupils to the highest academic standards and achieve Senior School results that compare favourably with competitors
To offer a quality experience in outdoor education, art, sport, music, drama and all other aspects of our co-curriculum
To develop positivity of outlook, leadership and self-reliance in all our pupils through successful and caring relationships and rewards.
The York House Way is the basis and foundation of our pastoral care and a positive source of self-belief, confidence and motivation in terms of pupils’ academic studies. It is all about focusing on the person and building positive, resilient, respectful, responsible, passionate and empathetic young women and men.
As we contemplate a future world for our children full of opportunities, but also plenty of challenges and uncertainties, it is these qualities, not just a robust set of exam results, that will give our pupils the best chance of success. Our pupil aims are:
These aims have been learned from an extraordinary man called John Ridgway who had time, as he rowed across the Atlantic in 1966, to refine his thoughts.
York House School was founded in September 1910 by Rev. Cambridge Victor Hawkins (known respectfully and affectionately as “the Owl” – because of his wisdom and not his appearance!) at 98 Broadhurst Gardens, Hampstead. Being from Wimbledon, it was his proximity to the Wimbledon Tennis Club that inspired the school colours.
We have a Matron who is a qualified nurse who works closely with staff, families and our catering partners to ensure we can accommodate long or short term medical requirements.
