86/87 Queen’s Gate, London SW7 5JX
Profile: Located in the heart of South Kensington, Glendower Prep School used to have a reputation of an academic hothouse, although things changes when Sarah Knollys took over on a mission to improve pastoral care and extracurricular opportunities at the school. Head Mrs Nina Kingsmill Moore who has been at the school since September 2019, recently announced that she will move on to “another leading prep school” at the end of 2024, we will update this page with further news when the new leadership is confirmed.
Unlike other academic girls’ preps like Kensington Prep and Falkner House, Glendower Prep does have a sibling policy, which is a great relief for those with younger siblings who can be certain they will gain a place at the school (there was talk of changing this in recent years, however). As a result, the school is more inclusive and friendly than its reputation from the past may suggest. One Reception parent told me: “I don’t know what they give them there but she just can’t wait to go into school each morning!”, which is great feedback! In fact, it is likely that the school will open a nursery class in the future, having acquired a neighbouring building, although we are awaiting an official announcement on this.
Most girls attending Glendower live locally and walk to school, although a small number may come in from Kensington or Fulham. In recent years, it has a attracted a few celebrity children who moved over from Pembridge Hall School. Apart from that, most parents are professionals though, think lawyers and bankers rather than pop stars and footballers (with a few notable exceptions!).
Space is rather limited (albeit not unusual for schools in this postcode), but the girls are sparky, sporty and confident, so you will find loyal fans as well as those who would rather send their child to a school with more spacious facilities. Parents are overwhelmingly positive and proud to send their daughters to this school, even if many hire additional tutors in higher years to ensure 11+ success, just to make sure (because they can).
Despite the lack of space onsite, the school is serious about sports, particular swimming, where girls routinely win medals and trophies in national competitions.
Admissions: Glendower accepts 36 girls into their Reception class. When I went for the school visit with my 4 month old daughter, all the other mums present at the visit hadn’t even delivered yet and were making arrangements before their daughters were born, which gives you an idea of the school’s popularity. That said, Falkner House nearby is equally popular, so it is worth trying your luck. The school opened a nursery class in 2023 but even those attending Little Glendower Nursery still have to undergo 4+ assessments. There is no automatic guarantee of a place for those children attending Little Glendower Nursery, although most girls do move up to the Reception class.
11+ Results: “Glendower girls” are successful in gaining admission to the top London Senior schools, with a high number going to the highly academic boarding schools Wycombe Abbey and Sevenoaks, and traditionally many girls placed at London day schools such as Godolphin and Latymer, City of London School and St Paul’s. Latymer Upper has also become a very popular destination. Of the 35 11+ leavers in 2023, 7 moved on to St Paul’s Girls’ School, 4 to G&L, 3 to Latymer Upper, 6 to Wycombe Abbey, 3 to Francis Holland SW1, 2 each to Putney High and JAGS, plus a few each to a variety of other schools in London and overseas.
Similar schools:
Further resources:
- My Glendower Prep School visit
- Glendower prep school website www.glendowerprep.org
Glendower no longer offer a sibling policy and it has been confirmed the new head is from Wimbledon high.