WHAT? WHERE?

London schools may lack sweeping drives and acres of playing fields, but the Old Vicarage School in Richmond is a Grade II-listed castle, with some later additions and countryside and river on the doorstep. It’s not Windsor Castle big, but it’s still a castle which is pretty cool. 

This small, academically non-selective, girls’ Prep and Pre-Prep (ages 3-11), has traditional values and a forward-thinking academic vision. Perhaps it’s the size, but OVS has a homely feel, with a strong sense of community and family. There’s also an empowering ‘will do’ ethos. 

There are currently around 220 pupils in Prep and Pre-School (Little Vic), with classes of up to 15 girls, from Reception up to Y6. Most students are local, within walking or scooting distance, but all parents are less than an hour from the school. The period features are beautiful and the pupils academic progress and wellbeing are given equal weight. Refreshingly, it’s all about balance. 

Girls join Little Vic in the September after their third birthday or Reception after their fourth birthday. There are occasional places for older girls to join further up the school. Most girls remain until the age of 11 when they are prepared for 11+ entry into the top London day schools and boarding schools. 

FACILITIES

The usual array of science rooms, ICT suite, music rooms and a lovely big library can be found. There’s also an indoor sports and drama hall, which is wonderfully light and airy. Being Grade II listed has its challenges, particularly in the dining room (steep steps and low ceilings), but that’s the trade off for the charm of period buildings.

SPORT

Small but mighty! Sport is important at OVS and they punch well above their weight. Richmond Borough swimming and netball champions, IAPS finalists in swimming and cricket. Netball, hockey, cricket, swimming and athletics are the main sports played. While the on-site facilities are limited to a school gym and good-sized playground, the girls hop on the minibus to the new sports grounds at King George’s Playing Fields in Ham, the excellent facilities at Pools on the Park for swimming and Barnes Hockey Club. Although the emphasis is on joining in, there’s no shortage of competitive spirit in inter house comps, against rival schools and in tournaments.

But there are more opportunities to try something less mainstream through the extra-curricular programme, like fencing, yoga, music technology, film making, cross country, and more. 

CREATIVE ARTS

There’s always time to shine and all girls participate in at least one production a year – and they’re the highlights of the social calendar. Mary Poppins certainly received rave reviews. There’s also the opportunity to study for LAMDA exams. 

Singing and music are at the heart of all prep schools, and OVS is no different. It’s a bold move but, all Y3 girls learn violin in a group. Individual tuition is also provided in a wide range of instruments and there are numerous choirs to belt out a tune. The new head has had a bit of a reorganisation of the classrooms to give the talented and enthusiastic music department a bigger space for the girls to let rip. 

The large art and design room is a hive of creativity, using both tech (computers and not one but three 3D printers) and traditional resources to produce artwork. Having the UK’s best museums and galleries on the doorstep, is the inspirational icing on the cake, with classes often heading off to the British Museum, Science Museum, Young V&A, Hindu Temple, Hampton Court Palace, the Wallace Collection and many more.

LITTLIES 

The first port of call for many OVS girls, Little Vic pre-school is located a short walk down the hill in a modernised old church. It’s a fabulous open space, light airy and head Clare Strickland pops down each week to read the youngest recruits a story. Despite its urban location, the littlies, dressed in their cute red gingham smocks, are able to head outdoors every day (weather dependent) in a lovely, contained garden and in the summer term they run Forest School.

Although in separate buildings, the children are very much part of the whole school community with PE and library lessons taking place weekly at the Prep. The curriculum is designed to cover the basics in readiness for their move into Reception, covering phonics, reading and geometry, as well as specialist lessons in PE, music and French. 

Parents have the option of five mornings, five mornings and three afternoons (afternoons fixed to Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday) or five full days for the first two terms and full time by the third term. 

ACADEMICS 

For a proudly non-selective school, the high academic standards are a feather in the cap. Small class sizes, lots of attention, quality teaching and high expectations – there’s no doubting your child will get the attention she needs.

The results are excellent with the majority of the girls going to their first choice senior school. OVS focuses on fit. Some go onto top London day schools, local selective Grammar Schools as well as well-known boarding schools like St George’s Ascot and St Mary’s Ascot. A lot of work goes into the process which starts in Y4 and the head supports both the parents and girls throughout. 

Girls are challenged in class, encouraging confidence and resilience. The girls are keen to show you what they are working on and enthusiastically do more at home… for fun. Don’t be fooled by the traditional look of the school, its educational approach is progressive using tech and traditional resources. OVS has started rolling out Maths No Problem (similar to Singapore Maths) which allows kids to develop an understanding of a number as a unit and learn mathematics through solving problems. Coding, Python and robotics are popular, and a review of modern languages has seen Mandarin dropped (parents are clicking their heels) to focus on French and Spanish. 

It’s also worth mentioning that there is no charge for learning support. A rare yet attractive policy in independent schools.

PASTORAL CARE

All schools claim to know and nurture the individual child, but for a small, close-knit school like OVS, it’s a more realistic claim. I’d describe it as warm and nurturing, but wellbeing feels like a priority here with a dedicated Mental Health Lead and all teachers and staff keep an eye on the girls to spot if someone’s having a bad day. There’s also a dedicated wellbeing hub located in the library for pupils to drop in, if they need some support.

Pastoral care is woven into the fabric of the school which means everyone looks out for the girls. There’s also a buddy system in place so pupils always have someone they can lean on. Firefly – an online communication system – is used to keep parents in the loop and we LOVE the sound of the online Wellbeing Hub which is designed to give parents advice in the ever-changing landscape of raising kids.

THE HEAD

Clare Strickland has only recently taken up her post at the Old Vicarage School, arriving in April 2023 from the prestigious Dragon School in Oxford where she was Deputy Head.

A passionate educator, she’s been in teaching/senior leadership roles in a career spanning 30 years. It’s Strickland’s first headship, but she has a wealth of experience in her locker. She believes in a holistic education, high academic standards and growth mindset, developing the character of each girl, building confidence and resilience as well as softer skills like communication, self-reflection and creativity. OVS is not sharp elbowed or a ‘hot house school’, but there are high expectations, and the girls actively want to do well.

She’s a big believer in single-sex education saying it creates an environment where there’s no gender bias, girls are free to take risks and do not fear failure. Strickland is warm, friendly and approachable, she maintains an open-door policy, so the pupils and their parents can be in constant communication. Not afraid to make changes, in her first term she has been busy planning a drama and music provision makeover and looking to see how and where she can make OVS better. Her energy and ambition are infectious.

QUIRKS

Quirks that are in fact lovely traditions. The Uniform Parade is a highlight for the Y6 leavers – a fashion show of their new senior school uniforms. They get to strut their stuff and proudly show off their destination togs.

The leavers’ play is also a special moment. Each girl receives a single white rose at the end of the performance. Lovely touches that will stay with the girls longer than the leavers’ hoodie.

If you climb the stairs of the school, you’ll spot the gong. It was used to mark the end of a lesson. In recent years they’ve used a bell, but there’s a whisper the gong may be making a comeback. 

You’ll also meet border collie Merlin – the school wellbeing dog. It’s Head Clare Strickland’s beloved pooch. Sadly, not allowed in her London pad, so the real border collie stays at her Oxford home but a life size toy collie sits in her office and the girls love and stroke it as if he was real. Bonkers but brilliant.

OVS has a close collaboration with Tower House School in East Sheen which enables girls to work and socialise with boys as they grow up, leading to a healthy understanding of how positive and happy relationships are formed, whilst also ensuring that the girls are challenged with different perspectives and views of the world. Every term there are multiple opportunities for each year group across Old Vicarage and Tower House to come together for academic workshops, social events and extra-curricular activities. For parents with children at both schools, OVS also works hard to ensure that all term dates and key events are organised in parallel to support their families. 

WRAP AROUND CARE

After School Clubs/Care run from 3.15pm until 6pm – which is certainly helpful for parents with children at both schools. There’s a wide range of clubs on offer including sport, music, drama, dance, coding, robotics, eco warrior club, the list is long and varied.

MOBILE PHONE POLICY

Mobile phones are not allowed in school. Any child who does bring a phone in must hand it into the office at the start of the day and collect it at home time.

ISI REPORT

The most recent ISI inspection was in June 2019 – you can read the report here.

TRANSPORT

Local kids walk or scoot to school and there’s a scooter park to safely put their hot wheels during school hours. OVS offers two bus routes to and from Barnes and Sheen. For girls living a little further afield, the bus stop is a five-minute walk, Richmond Station (tube and overground trains) is a 12-minute walk and for those brave enough to run the school run gauntlet by car, parents tend to car pool.

FEES

Blissfully straightforward and good value for a London prep. Reception-Y6: £5,900. Full time nursery (5 days): £4,930. Five mornings + three afternoons: £4,290. Five mornings: £2,940.

WORD ON THE GROUND

The parents I quizzed love the infectious enthusiasm of the girls who LOVE their hands-on learning so much, they bring more home. Academics and activities receive high praise as are the diligence and manners of the girls. London schools often struggle for outdoor space, but OVS has a large playground/court, student garden and bug hotel. They love the cute uniforms. Not a deal breaker, obviously, but the blazer-boater combo is hard to resist.

THE MUDDY VERDICT

Good for: Well-rounded kids. The vibe is fun and friendly, but academically strong – not an easy mix to pull off. If you’re big on manners and values, you’ll love it here.

Not for: An all girls’ environment of just 220 might feel too small for big personalities.

See for yourself: The next Open Morning is Fri 7 March 2025, from 9am.

The Old Vicarage School, 48 Richmond Hill, Richmond Upon Thames, London TW10 6QX. Tel 020 8940 0922.