13th December 2019 — It has become a tradition at Hornsby House to give the children and their families a Christmas surprise on the last day of term. The animals from Vauxhall City Farm, a snow machine and even three camels with “kings” on board have featured in recent years but no-one was expecting a polar bear to make an entrance as children, parents and staff were singing Christmas carols in the playground.

A life-size animatronic polar bear called Bjorn padded into the playground, much to the amazement and delight of the children. He was fluffy, playful and friendly, with the odd hint of ferocity, and moved around greeting his enthusiastic audience. Bjorn stayed at school long enough to have fun with Reception and Year 6. He was gentle and kind with the younger children and a little more excitable with the older ones but they were all equally fascinated by him.

Bjorn was the perfect Christmas visitor, as the children have been taking part in a school-wide project on endangered animals, with older pupils researching, writing and illustrating an essay on an animal of their choice from the World Wildlife Fund’s endangered list. Polar bears are currently a vulnerable species, with sea ice loss from climate change being the single biggest threat to their survival.

Headmaster Edward Rees said, “Bjorn the polar bear was a wonderful Christmas surprise and the children had such fun with him – it was a memorable end of term.”

Credit to shootbernard.com for the photo.

For more information about Hornsby House School or to arrange a visit, please contact:

Mrs Alex Salandin at Hornsby House School

Hearnville Road, SW12 8RS

020 8673 7573 or school@hornsbyhouse.org.uk

www.hornsbyhouse.org.uk

Notes for Editors:

• Hornsby House is a co-educational day school for 4-11 year olds in Wandsworth, southwest London. There are three classes in each year group and over 400 pupils in the school.

• Hornsby House is a charitable trust and is a member of IAPS (The Independent Association of Prep Schools).

• Selected extracts from the October 2016 inspection by the Independent Schools Inspectorate:

 Pupils are highly motivated as a result of the support they receive from knowledgeable and enthusiastic teachers.

 Pupils develop their potential, their imagination and their creativity to an excellent level, in response to a vibrant, exciting curriculum.

 Talented pupils in music, art and sport develop their skills well through the range of opportunities within and beyond the school that enables them to achieve well in advance of expected levels.

 Personal development underpins all aspects of school life enabling the school to fulfil its aims for pupils to have high levels of self-esteem, positive relationships, healthy lifestyles and social awareness whereby they understand their culture and that of others and make a positive contribution to the world.

 Pupils are confident, articulate and able to express their views and feelings. They are attentive listeners, able to reflect and to respond thoughtfully to one another and to adults.

12th November 2018 — Each pupil made their own poppy and attached it to the wall, making an eye-catching display which evoked the scale of loss of life in the war.

The event formed part of an extended Remembrance week to commemorate the centenary, which included an external drama company delivering workshops that brought war poems to life. Year 6 pupils have been selling poppies to the school community at morning drop-off and afternoon pick-up times to raise money for the Royal British Legion. The whole school congregated in the playground for a special centenary edition of the annual Remembrance service, led by Headmaster Ed Rees.

The poignant service included readings by Year 6 pupils and the brass ensemble played The Last Post. Headmaster Ed Rees said, “It has been a very thought-provoking week. The wall of poppies was a wonderful way to involve all the children and help them understand the meaning of the poppy for remembrance. It is so important that we continue to teach the next generation about the sacrifices made by servicemen and women, as well as their families.”

Each year Hornsby House take their Year 5 pupils to Ypres in Belgium, on a 4 day trip visiting the battlefields and war graves in the area. Deputy Head Mark Peters said, “We believe it is vital for our pupils to understand the history of World War I, and each year we are amazed at how they respond to the trip with maturity and reflection.”

Parents and pupils were encouraged to research their family history in relation to the war over half term and have been sharing their discoveries in class this week. Eliza, 10, said, “I had no idea about my great, great grandfather’s efforts in the war. It has been really interesting finding out about what he did.”

For more information about Hornsby House School or to arrange a visit, please contact: Mrs Alex Salandin at Hornsby House School Hearnville Road, SW12 8RS 020 8673 7573 or school@hornsbyhouse.org.uk www.hornsbyhouse.org.uk

Notes for Editors: • Hornsby House is a charitable trust and is a member of IAPS (The Independent Association of Prep Schools). • Selected extracts from the October 2016 inspection by the Independent Schools Inspectorate:  Pupils are highly motivated as a result of the support they receive from knowledgeable and enthusiastic teachers.  Pupils develop their potential, their imagination and their creativity to an excellent level, in response to a vibrant, exciting curriculum.  Talented pupils in music, art and sport develop their skills well through the range of opportunities within and beyond the school that enables them to achieve well in advance of expected levels.  Personal development underpins all aspects of school life enabling the school to fulfil its aims for pupils to have high levels of self-esteem, positive relationships, healthy lifestyles and social awareness whereby they understand their culture and that of others and make a positive contribution to the world.  Pupils are confident, articulate and able to express their views and feelings. They are attentive listeners, able to reflect and to respond thoughtfully to one another and to adults.

21st March 2018 — Year 6 at Hornsby House School have achieved another outstanding set of results in their secondary school entrance exams.  A record 44% of the children in the year group were offered a total of 49 awards, including 34 academic scholarships, two art awards, three for drama and ten for sport.

 

Numbers of offers from the most competitive schools were impressive, with 17 from Alleyn’s, 20 from Whitgift, 9 from James Allen’s Girls’ School (JAGS) and 7 from Dulwich College, while acceptances were spread over a wider range.  Alleyn’s, Whitgift and Streatham & Clapham High School are the top three destinations and account for half the year group.  Four children are going to each of JAGS, Trinity, Wimbledon High School and Woldingham.  A variety of destinations make up the remainder, including Dulwich College, Emanuel and King’s College School Wimbledon, as well as boarding schools, such as Dunhurst and Ardingly.

 

In their most recent inspection in October 2016, the Independent Schools Inspectorate judged Hornsby House as excellent, both in the quality of pupils’ academic and other achievements and in the quality of pupils’ personal development.  The report also noted that, “the school works closely with parents to prepare pupils for senior school entrance examinations and the demands of secondary education”.  This is reflected in 50% of the year group accepting places at secondary schools which feature in the Times top 50 independent schools 2018.

 

Edward Rees, Headmaster, said, “11+ entry to London day schools is very competitive and I am delighted with the outstanding results achieved by our current Year 6.  The children have worked very hard and had excellent guidance from their teachers.” 

 

Full details of the 2018 secondary school entrance results are available on our website:

http://www.hornsbyhouse.org.uk/Destination-Schools

 

For more information or to arrange a visit, please contact:

Mrs Alex Salandin at Hornsby House School

Hearnville Road, SW12 8RS

020 8673 7573 or school@hornsbyhouse.org.uk  

 www.hornsbyhouse.org.uk

 

Notes for Editors:

 

Hornsby House is a co-educational day school for 4-11 year olds in Wandsworth, southwest London.  There are three classes in each year group and over 400 pupils in the school.
 

Hornsby House is a charitable trust and is a member of IAPS (The Independent Association of Prep Schools).
 

Selected extracts from the October 2016 inspection by the Independent Schools Inspectorate:
 

Pupils are highly motivated as a result of the support they receive from knowledgeable and enthusiastic teachers.

 
Pupils develop their potential, their imagination and their creativity to an excellent level, in response to a vibrant, exciting curriculum.

 
Talented pupils in music, art and sport develop their skills well through the range of opportunities within and beyond the school that enables them to achieve well in advance of expected levels.
 

Personal development underpins all aspects of school life enabling the school to fulfil its aims for pupils to have high levels of self-esteem, positive relationships, healthy lifestyles and social awareness whereby they understand their culture and that of others and make a positive contribution to the world.
 

Pupils are confident, articulate and able to express their views and feelings.  They are attentive listeners, able to reflect and to respond thoughtfully to one another and to adults.
 

 

15th February 2018 — Pankhurst and Nightingale have been added to the existing four school Houses, all named after explorers: Armstrong, Scott, Hillary and Cousteau.

Hornsby families were asked to vote on a short list of female candidates for the new House icons, and Pankhurst and Nightingale were the clear winners.  Now that there are around 420 children in the school, the new Houses allow a manageable number of children in each House and also include two inspirational women in the mix.

Children can earn House points for achievement and effort in all aspects of school life, as well as through inter-house competitions.  Each Friday, the points are totted up and the House with the highest weekly total fly their flag above the playground for the coming week.

The Friday before each half term is a ‘House Day’ when children take part in a variety of activities in their House groups, with older children helping the younger ones to enjoy the day.

One of the activities in the October House Day was for children to design new flags for their Houses.  There were many fabulous designs and the winning ones have now been made into flags.

The February House Day took place on the first day of the Winter Olympics, so that was chosen as the theme for the day.  Children enjoyed learning an "Opening Ceremony" dance for their House, as well as taking part in a fun quiz and a winter sports art activity.

Headmaster Edward Rees said, "The House system is such a positive aspect of life at Hornsby House.  The children are extremely loyal to their House and strive to earn points for good work, effort and behaviour.  Pankhurst and Nightingale are very welcome additions and we are delighted with the children's new flag designs for all six Houses."

 

For more information about Hornsby House School or to arrange a visit, please contact:

Mrs Alex Salandin at Hornsby House School, Hearnville Road, SW12 8RS

020 8673 7573 or school@hornsbyhouse.org.uk  

www.hornsbyhouse.org.uk

 

Notes for Editors:

Hornsby House is a co-educational day school for 4-11 year olds in Wandsworth, southwest London.  There are three classes in each year group and over 400 pupils in the school.

Hornsby House is a charitable trust and is a member of IAPS (The Independent Association of Prep Schools).

Selected extracts from the October 2016 inspection by the Independent Schools Inspectorate:

Pupils are highly motivated as a result of the support they receive from knowledgeable and enthusiastic teachers.

Pupils develop their potential, their imagination and their creativity to an excellent level, in response to a vibrant, exciting curriculum.

 
Talented pupils in music, art and sport develop their skills well through the range of opportunities within and beyond the school that enables them to achieve well in advance of expected levels.
 

Personal development underpins all aspects of school life enabling the school to fulfil its aims for pupils to have high levels of self-esteem, positive relationships, healthy lifestyles and social awareness whereby they understand their culture and that of others and make a positive contribution to the world.
 

Pupils are confident, articulate and able to express their views and feelings.  They are attentive listeners, able to reflect and to respond thoughtfully to one another and to adults.

15th December 2017 — It was all about the nativity at Hornsby House School this year.  We were treated to three different but equally wonderful nativity plays by Reception, Year 1 and Year 2.  This was followed a few days later by a surprise version of the Year 2 nativity staged by the teachers on Christmas Party Day, much to the amusement of all.  The children enjoyed a delicious Christmas lunch of turkey and the trimmings, followed by a thoroughly hammed-up nativity performance by the staff, in which Headmaster Mr Rees played God, Reception teacher Mr Long played the angel Gabriel and Miss Blunt, a much-loved Year 4 teacher who is moving out to Norfolk after 18 years at the school, played Mary. 

 

It has become a tradition at Hornsby House to give the children and their families a Christmas surprise on the last day of term.  Father Christmas in his sleigh and a snow machine have featured in recent years but no-one was expecting to be greeted by three camels in the playground.  Baxter, Blizzard (named because he was born in one) and Kazak wore decorative harnesses and were ridden by the three “kings”.  Hornsby House children, families and staff sang carols while admiring the camels and the accompanying nativity scene that was put on by the gap students and PE staff.  Each year group then had the chance to have a closer look at the camels and ask questions. 

 

Headmaster Edward Rees said, “The end of the Christmas term is always a special time at Hornsby House but this year was truly unforgettable.”

 

For more information about Hornsby House School or to arrange a visit, please contact:

Mrs Alex Salandin at Hornsby House School

Hearnville Road, SW12 8RS

020 8673 7573 or school@hornsbyhouse.org.uk  

 www.hornsbyhouse.org.uk

Notes for Editors:

 

Hornsby House is a co-educational day school for 4-11 year olds in Wandsworth, southwest London.  There are three classes in each year group and over 400 pupils in the school.
 

Hornsby House is a charitable trust and is a member of IAPS (The Independent Association of Prep Schools).
 

Selected extracts from the October 2016 inspection by the Independent Schools Inspectorate:
 

Pupils are highly motivated as a result of the support they receive from knowledgeable and enthusiastic teachers.

 
Pupils develop their potential, their imagination and their creativity to an excellent level, in response to a vibrant, exciting curriculum.

 
Talented pupils in music, art and sport develop their skills well through the range of opportunities within and beyond the school that enables them to achieve well in advance of expected levels.
 

Personal development underpins all aspects of school life enabling the school to fulfil its aims for pupils to have high levels of self-esteem, positive relationships, healthy lifestyles and social awareness whereby they understand their culture and that of others and make a positive contribution to the world.
 

Pupils are confident, articulate and able to express their views and feelings.  They are attentive listeners, able to reflect and to respond thoughtfully to one another and to adults.

 

20th October 2017 —  

The theme of the Bigger Picture was “A journey from Balham to Stockwell”, reflecting the route along the Northern Line from one school to the other.  Six large panels of outstanding artwork were created and these will now be shared between the two schools to display and celebrate the ongoing partnership.

 

Hornsby House is an independent school for 4-11 year olds in Balham, while Lark Hall is a state primary school in Stockwell.  This was the first project in a partnership between the two schools that is planned to be ongoing.  It was hosted by social enterprise company Progress London, who are specialists in art and horticulture community ventures.  The creative process was led by a group of local professional artists, including Vesna Parchet, Joe Fur, Krom Bagelsky and Barry Reigate.

 

The launch event took place at The Workshop, a community and events workspace in the heart of Lambeth.  It was attended by children who took part, as well as their families, teachers, governors of their schools, representatives of Progress London and the artists who led the project.

 

Mark Peters, Deputy Head of Hornsby House, said, “Some exceptional artwork was produced in the Bigger Picture project.  More importantly though, it brought our schools closer together, giving the children the chance to meet each other and work collaboratively.”

 

Gary Nichol, Head Teacher of Lark Hall, said, “The Bigger Picture project was such a positive experience for both our school and Hornsby House.  It shows the benefits for all concerned of independent and state schools working together.”

  

  For more information about Hornsby House School or to arrange a visit, please contact:

Mrs Alex Salandin at Hornsby House School

Hearnville Road, SW12 8RS

020 8673 7573 or school@hornsbyhouse.org.uk  

 www.hornsbyhouse.org.uk

 

For more information about Lark Hall, please contact:

 

Gary Nichol at head@larkhall.lambeth.sch.uk

www.larkhall.lambeth.sch.uk

 

For more information about Progress London, please contact:

 

Simon Ghartey at progress.g@gmail.com

www.thisisprogress.org.uk

 

Notes for Editors:

 

Hornsby House is a charitable trust and is a member of IAPS (The Independent Association of Prep Schools).
 

Selected extracts from the October 2016 inspection by the Independent Schools Inspectorate:
 

Pupils are highly motivated as a result of the support they receive from knowledgeable and enthusiastic teachers.

 
Pupils develop their potential, their imagination and their creativity to an excellent level, in response to a vibrant, exciting curriculum.

 
Talented pupils in music, art and sport develop their skills well through the range of opportunities within and beyond the school that enables them to achieve well in advance of expected levels.
 

Personal development underpins all aspects of school life enabling the school to fulfil its aims for pupils to have high levels of self-esteem, positive relationships, healthy lifestyles and social awareness whereby they understand their culture and that of others and make a positive contribution to the world.
 

Pupils are confident, articulate and able to express their views and feelings.  They are attentive listeners, able to reflect and to respond thoughtfully to one another and to adults.