Shrewsbury House is an independent day Preparatory School for boys aged 7 to 13. It was founded in 1865. It has been an educational trust since 1979. It is administered by a Board of Governors. All of the Governors, except two of the educationalists and the medical expert, are former parents.
Situated in attractive 6-acre grounds, the school is fortunate in having its own on-site playing fields. The main building, which is Victorian, has been adapted and furnished for modern educational requirements. Facilities are extensive and include a covered heated swimming pool, a magnificent Sports Hall, a large well stocked library and reading room, modern purpose-built classrooms, and specialist facilities for each of Music, Drama, Art and Craft, and IT.
The School aims to provide both an academic and broad education; to give a comprehensive preparation for the various examinations required by independent Senior Schools; to develop sound work attitudes and habits; to promote spiritual, moral, social and cultural development and to advance individual development, including instilling self-esteem, confidence and wholeheartedness.
We are committed to offering every boy a truly broad education. Regardless of his ability - not only on the academic side but also on the non-academic - a boy is taught/coached by someone with expertise. The aims are to foster and discover talents, to aid boys to fulfil them, and - for those not so talented in a pursuit - to give them, nevertheless, a chance to develop an interest in and/or enjoyment of it. To this end, for instance: every boy is in a team with its own coach; every boy who wishes to be individually tutored in Music may be (currently over 75% learn at least one musical instrument); every boy who wishes to be is in a Musical group (there are currently 26 musical groups); every boy may be in at least one concert each year and every boy is in a play every year (there are 6 plays a year).
Mark Ross became Headmaster of Shrewsbury House in January 1988. His two previous Headships were at Clayesmore Preparatory School (January 1983 to December 1987) and Brook House School, near Dublin (February 1977 to December 1982). He gained both his degree in English, History and Philosophy and his Higher Diploma in Education at Trinity College, Dublin. He met his wife, Anthea, an Oxford girl, at Trinity, where she gained a BA in Modern Languages. She teaches the youngest age group at the school. They have two children, Damian and Susie.
There are approximately 290 boys at the School. The numbers will not increase. Shrewsbury House is a good size. It is large enough to be competitive with the biggest schools but is small enough for the Head to know every boy.
A pie chart produced by the Mathematics Department (January, 2008) gives an idea of the distance boys live from the School:
Many boys have previously attended a Pre-Preparatory School. These include Weston Green (in Thames Ditton); Wimbledon Common Prep and The Rowans (both in Wimbledon); Park Hill (in Kingston); Linley House (in Surbiton); Milbourne Lodge Junior (in Esher); Lion House School (in Putney); and Athelstan House (in Hampton). In the region of 25% previously attended a state school.
The academic curriculum is based on the Common Entrance curriculum, the basis of all examinations required by Independent Senior Schools with entry at 13+. All of these examinations are demanding for a 13 year old. They last from two to a little over three days depending on the particular examination. Papers are taken in English, Mathematics, Science, French, History, Geography, RE and Latin.
The non-academic curriculum includes Music, Sport, PE, Swimming, Art, Pottery, Information Technology (Computing) and Technology for every boy. To augment the curriculum, there is an extensive post 4 p.m. programme which offers a wide range of activities including sporting, cultural and practical activities.
Average size: around 15
There are thirty three full-time teachers.
The academic teaching staff are specialists whose role is extended beyond the classroom to full pastoral involvement and the running and organisation of activities. Modern techniques and teaching aids are used in conjunction with the more conventional, proven methods. All non-academic teaching staff are also specialists in what they coach or teach.
Each boy has his own Tutor. Tutors have a special brief to keep an eye on their charges and they have important pastoral and organisational roles to perform.
The school organises a number of valuable and enjoyable outings during the term, including visits to local museums, historical sites, art galleries, theatres and field trips. Outdoor pursuits holidays are offered, as are ski trips and visits to foreign countries. In his career at Shrewsbury House every boy is invited on at least one major overseas sports tour, regardless of his sporting ability.
Boys are prepared for all Independent Secondary Schools. There is no particular “tie” with any one school. However, within travelling distance for most boys are a number of excellent schools, including King’s College School (Wimbledon), Hampton School, Kingston Grammar, St Paul’s, St John’s, Epsom College, and The Royal Grammar School (Guildford). The choice of good boarding schools is limitless. The Headmaster will be pleased to advise parents of schools which would suit their son.
Boys who come to Shrewsbury House are expected to stay until they have completed the Common Entrance examination at 13+.
55 awards to Senior Schools through Scholarships have been gained (from 140 leavers) to schools including King’s Wimbledon, St Paul’s, Hampton, Kingston Grammar, Winchester, Eton, Wellington, Cranleigh, Charterhouse, Epsom and St John’s.
Over 1600 matches have been played in the major sports of Rugby, Football and Cricket. Numerous sports competitions have been won both nationally and locally. These include both Regionals and Nationals Rugby championships and Surrey Cups in both Cricket and Football. The school has also competed successfully abroad.
There have been 27 concerts and 18 plays.
The school has won the national Townsend Warner History Competition twice.
35 boys have won Gold in the National Mathematics Challenge.
Most Notable Developments in Recent Years
The completion of a programme placing computer style equipment in every desk in the school by Summer 2008
The Governors recognise that independent school fees are now at levels that, despite the best endeavours of their parents, exclude many boys from Shrewsbury House. For this reason a sum is set aside each year to provide bursaries for boys whose parents could not otherwise afford to send them to the School. The School welcomes applicants from diverse religious, ethnic and financial backgrounds.
Bursaries are awarded to boys entering the school in Forms 6 (i.e. aged 7) or, exceptionally, at other ages depending on vacancies occurring within the school.
Means testing is used to determine whether a bursary is to be awarded and to what value. Parents applying for bursaries will be asked to complete a means test form. All information will be treated as confidential. Successful applicants will also be required to furnish information annually regarding their current financial circumstances, so that the level of award can be reviewed and adjusted where necessary.
Shrewsbury House offers a wide and challenging scope of opportunities to its pupils. Accordingly the Governors are concerned that bursaries should be awarded to boys who, with their parents, can cope with and exploit the opportunities offered to the full. Candidates and their parents are therefore invited to visit the School, tour the facilities and undergo interview and assessment.
Good Schools Guide
Popular, high achieving school…
Teachers have the expertise and knowledge of the pupils to provide a challenge for the most able boys while ensuring that the weaker boys are given the support they need
Staff pupil ratio is 1:9 and staff are friendly and accessible.
Some parents have expressed concern over the intensive internal exam timetable - up to three exams are sat in one day - but others say that, as a result, their sons are now not in the least bit fazed by exams.
School very sporty, on which head places great emphasis: Non-academic pursuits are very important, and many parents say that the sporting prowess played a large part in their choice of the school. Successful in numerous sporting tournaments both locally and nationally.
Parents and boys alike will be pleased to learn that every boy can be in a school football team if he wishes (unlike many other preps)
"Even if a boy is not sporty, the school does its best to find him a niche in which he can shine," says one mother.
Music is a strength - over 70 per cent of pupils learn a musical instrument, some with really impressive grades (grade 7) for this age group…. A musical dinner is held every year for the Heads of other local schools - a black tie occasion, with the guests being entertained by the numerous musical groups in the school. One Head of Music at a senior school described it as 'at least as good as, and probably better than, schools who specialise in music.' Regular concerts for parents, which one described as 'truly inspiring'
All in all, a traditional all-round school not one for wild anarchists - those kicking against the system would not go down well here. A strong emphasis on sport - 'the boys all play to win,' says one parent, but music and academia are equally important.'
We were delighted and proud that the inspectors who visited the school in May 2006 gave the school what has been described as an outstanding report. There is much in the report, but below is some of the praise by which we were particularly encouraged:
They are articulate, but listen carefully; they debate issues with confidence, but also with sensitivity; they argue cogently, and frequently show they can think for themselves; they read intelligently and can write fluently. They are culturally well developed. They are clearly the products of a well balanced education.
Boys usually join the school in the September after their seventh birthday. Occasionally places can be offered to boys of other ages.
If you would like your son to be considered for a place, you should complete and return the Registration Form, together with a non-refundable registration fee of £100. To gain a definite place, he will have to do well enough in one of our two entry tests. These are held in the autumn of the year preceding a boy’s anticipated starting date. Prior to a boy taking either of these, his parents will have to pay a deposit of half of one term’s fees. The deposit is designed to encourage only parents who would like Shrewsbury House as their first choice school to sit their sons for either test.
The Guaranteed Places Test is not competitive – there is a conditional place in the school for every boy who sits it. Provided that he demonstrates in the Test that he will be able to cope at Shrewsbury House, he will be offered a definite place. Parents should denote in the appropriate place on the Registration Form if they would like their son to be considered for a Guaranteed Place. The deposit will be requested in the late Spring/early Summer of the year in which the boy would be due to take the test. This will be returned on request, less any outstanding expenses, at the end of the Summer Term after a boy’s thirteenth birthday, or at the end of the term after he has passed into his senior school, whichever is the later. It will, of course, be refunded if a place is not offered. Guaranteed Places are only offered to boys who will be seven years of age on starting at Shrewsbury House.
The other Entry Test is competitive. It is held within a fortnight of the Guaranteed Places testing being completed. A definite place is offered if a boy finishes high enough in the test. For a boy to sit the test, a deposit of one half of one term’s fees is required no later than a week before the test. Deposits for unsuccessful candidates will be returned within a week of the test. Deposits for successful candidates who take up the place, will be returned on request, less any outstanding expenses, at the end of the Summer Term after a boy’s thirteenth birthday, or at the end of the term after he has passed into his senior school, whichever is the later.
Before applying for a place for their son, parents should be fully aware that it is the school’s policy to prepare boys who are aiming at entry to their Senior School in the academic year following their thirteenth birthday. Boys aimed at schools with an earlier starting age will not benefit from Shrewsbury House and should not, therefore, be entered for the school.