Harvington Prep School and Nursery is an independent preparatory school in Ealing, west London. It has a thriving co-educational Nursery that embeds and fosters learning, preparing children for the main school. Boys continue up to the age of 7 and then take the 7+ tests for entry into boys’ schools or co-educational schools of their choice. Girls continue to Year 6 where they sit the 11+ tests for the top London Independent Schools or Grammar Schools. Harvington Prep School and Nursery is a leading West London prep school and is a noted feeder school of the best London schools including St Paul's Girls School, City of London School for Girls, Latymer, Notting Hill & Ealing High School. The Independent Schools Inspectorate reports that the school secures high levels of academic achievement and excellent personal development for the pupils, within the context of a close-knit, multi-cultural environment. They go on to state that standards are high and progress is rapid in relation to pupils of a similar ability. Full Day fees are £3,995 for Nursery, £4,400 for Transition and £4,700 for years 1 - 6. Scholarships and bursaries are available.
History
Harvington School opened in 1890 as Heidelberg College, a kindergarten school run by two sisters, Misses Watson. The school was named after the birthplace of Miss Chrystabel Watson’s mentor, and remained Heidelberg College until the First World War when in 1915 the staff and parents took the decision to rename the school, and Harvington was born. In 1892 a third Watson sister, Miss Florence, had taken over Heidelberg College, making Miss Chrystabel her deputy and moving the school to Castlebar Road, occupying two houses. Miss Flo, as she was known by the girls, was headmistress for an outstanding forty-eight years and was replaced by joint Headmistresses, Miss Emerton and Mrs Turner in 1940. In 1956 after sixteen years, the two Heads retired and in their place Miss Frances Smith took over the school. She remained Head for fourteen years until Miss Joan Nicholson, who had been with Harvington since 1952, became Headmistress in 1970, until 1988. Mrs Anita Fookes became Deputy Head in 1986 and in 1988 made the transition to Headmistress. Mrs Fookes joined the staff in 1979 as a part-time teacher in Speech training and managed to juggle both her job and position as Mayor in 1980. After Mrs Fookes came Dr Faye Meek in 1998 who was Headmistress until 2006 when Mrs Anna Evans took the position to the present day. Mrs Evans began her career as a secondary school English teacher in the state sector where she taught for 12 years. She made the transition to the independent sector and soon rose to senior management within the prep school world. She has taught in three different prep schools in London. Mrs Evans directed and led the development of Harvington School to Harvington Prep School as a result of the local demand for a traditional prep school with high standards, gaining entry for girls to the most prestigious senior schools in London. The School’s award system has historical connections and currently runs throughout the four houses: Gordon, after Gordon Road where Heidelberg College Kindergarten School was first opened. Duncan, in memory of Nellie Duncan, a pupil who died from typhoid not long after she left school to join her father in Iquique. An English scholarship was started for girls in her name but lapsed during Word War Two. Kennedy, in memory of Marjorie Kennedy, a Head Girl at Harvington who achieved her Cambridge Higher Local Certificate in 1911. Finally, Norris named after Phyllis Norris, a pupil at the school who died aged sixteen of tuberculosis in 1912. Her parents donated a scholarship for girls with excellent all-round capabilities.
Facilities
The school has a wide range of extra-curricular activities and utilises the best in modern technology to enrich the curriculum. Resources include a science laboratory, an impressive art studio, a music room, a drama room, a gymnasium, an ICT suite, a French classroom and two well stocked libraries that are the hub of the school. The school also offers school lunches in a spacious dining room, prepared on site by their chef.
Chairman of the school governors
has been a Governor for twenty years and Chairman for thirteen. He was a pupil in the Nursery from 1935 – 1937.
