Prince George prepares to start at ‘busy, slightly chaotic’ school
PRINCE GEORGE’S new school has been described as “busy” and “slightly chaotic” in a review by The Good Schools Guide.
The four-year-old begins full-time education next month when he joins one of three reception classes at private day school Thomas’s Battersea.
The school, where fees cost from £17,604 a year, was described in its review as: “A big, busy, slightly chaotic school for cosmopolitan parents who want their children to have the best English education money can buy. That is what they want and, to a large degree, that is what they get”.
The assessment added: “Plenty of opportunities for pupils to excel, but withdrawn types might find it all somewhat overwhelming.”
Simon O’malley, the new headmaster, will also have his first day at the school in September.
An Aberdeen University graduate, he has taught in Kenya and was previously headmaster of Wellesley House School in Kent, a post he held for 11 years. The Good Schools Guide, which describes itself as offering “unbiased and candid school reviews” on its website, praised Mr O’malley, describing him as “ambitious and enthusiastic; generated an energy and buzz about his previous school. Much-liked and
‘Plenty of opportunities for pupils to excel, but withdrawn types might find it somewhat overwhelming’
respected by parents”.
Thomas’s Battersea has 560 boys and girls aged from four to 13, with around 20 in each class. It is described in the guide as having great facilities from its science labs to a gym.
The guide, which said 19 languages are spoken in the homes of pupils, added: “School celebrates and appears to make the most of this range of different cultures.” It also said: “Academically, teaching deemed pretty good, though lots of coaching still occurring in the last years. ‘Just as insurance,’ say the parents.
“We did feel that this was definitely more about anxious and ambitious parents than inadequately taught children.”
The Duchess of Cambridge has already said she is not sure George “has any idea what’s going to hit him”. He will be young for his year, having only turned four in the summer.
Art, ballet, drama, ICT, French, music and physical education are all taught by specialist teachers from a child’s first day at the Lower School.
On that first day, George will meet his form teacher, Helen Derbyshire, head of the lower school.
His smart new uniform – which must be bought from John Lewis – includes a £25 navy V-neck pullover, matching Bermuda-style school shorts, long red socks and black shoes.