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Kensington Wade

United Kingdom, London

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The school at a glance
Instructs in English, Mandarin
Fees £29,531
Ages 3 - 11 years
Pupil numbers 128
Type Co-educational
Opened 2017
Bus Service No
Academic offering
Curriculum British Curriculum
Taught languages Mandarin, Spanish, English
Strengths Languages, STEM, Performing Arts
Clubs Arts and Creative, Cultural and Language, Leadership and Professional
Stages Early Years, Primary School
Introduction

Kensington Wade is an immersive bilingual nursery and prep school in west London delivering the British curriculum through a 50/50 English–Chinese model. From age 3 to 11, pupils study half the day in English and half in Chinese, with native-Chinese teachers and specialist teaching in music, sport and swimming. In Reception, the Early Years Foundation Framework guides development across seven areas, while Year 1 onwards offers core subjects in both languages and increasing subject specialist input in art, computing and science. Maths Mastery, inspired by the Shanghai approach, runs across the year groups, and 11+ preparation begins in Key Stage 2. The school provides a co-curricular programme including Forest School, music ensembles and a variety of clubs. The West Wing hosts a STEAM room, classrooms and a reading suite, complementing a nursery with outdoor space and two playgrounds. Kensington Wade also runs leadership roles and residential trips, visits to China.

Kensington Wade, Fulham Palace Road, London W6 9ER

The Essentials

Kensington Wade has 128 pupils, instruction in English, Mandarin.

Location
Fulham Palace Road, London W6 9ER

Stages
Nursery and Prep School

Type
immersive bilingual nursery and prep school

Country affiliation
United Kingdom

Bus service
A network of minibuses with routes covering the Kensington, Chelsea, Putney and Chiswick areas. Putney, Chiswick, Chelsea and Kensington routes service families across western and central London. A cost for minibus transport applies.
Diving Deeper

Uniform Requirement
Uniform required; students wear the correct school uniform.

Food Options
Lunch is included in the school fees.

Governance and Ownership
Owned by Anglo-Chinese School of London Ltd (ACSL). The Executive Board comprises Chairman Professor Hugo de Burgh, Head Huw May, Bursar Jacquie Whittingham and Senior Adviser Rodney Harris. An Advisory Board of Governors supports governance, including Chair Rodney Harris and members David Summerscale, Chris Skelton, Li Wei, Omar Bucchioni, Prema Pritchett, Haitao Man, Lucy Watts and Katie Lee.
Fees

Annual tuition at Kensington Wade ranges from GBP 29,531 for 2026/27.

Application / Assessment fees and registration
- Stay & Play (payable on registration to cover activities, snacks and assessment costs): GBP 100 (no VAT).
- Assessment fee for entry to Reception through to Year 6 (payable on registration): GBP 100 exclusive of VAT (GBP 120 inclusive where VAT applies).

Deposits
- Acceptance deposit (payable on acceptance of a place): GBP 2,000 (no VAT).
- Additional deposit (payable in addition to the Acceptance Deposit by parents whose normal residence is outside the UK): GBP 7,843.60 (no VAT).
- Information on how and when the Acceptance Deposit and any Additional Deposit may be refunded is set out in the school's Terms and Conditions.

Tuition fees by year group (per term and per year)
- Reception (for children of compulsory school age starting in January or April): GBP 8,203 per term (GBP 24,609 per year) exclusive of VAT; with VAT added the charge is GBP 9,843.60 per term (GBP 29,530.80 per year). VAT at 20% is applied to charges where required by law.
- Year 1 to Year 6: GBP 8,203 per term (GBP 24,609 per year) exclusive of VAT; GBP 9,843.60 per term (GBP 29,530.80 per year) inclusive of VAT. Fees include lunch, travel to regular sports or activities, books, stationery, workshops, day trips and educational materials. Fees exclude uniforms, bus services, additional tuition (including EAL), specialist clubs, individual music lessons, before/after school care, holiday camps, external assessment/examination fees and residential trips.

Nursery and Reception — invoicing and weekly breakdowns
- Nursery and Reception invoices are issued termly but are broken down and presented by cost per week to accommodate the Government Free Early Education Entitlement (FEEE) funding for eligible children. The school invoices show the total weekly cost for additional hours and services for the number of weeks in each term. The Autumn term is 12 weeks; Spring term is 11 weeks; Summer term is 11 weeks.
- Nursery (additional hours, services and educational provision costs per week):
- Additional hours (22.5 hours per week beyond the 15 funded hours): GBP 6.78 per hour (GBP 152.55 per week).
- Additional educational services beyond the required provision: GBP 380 per week.
- Lunch, snacks & consumables: GBP 69.56 per week.
- School trips / workshops / events (termly charges split weekly): GBP 19.98 per week.
- Nursery fees remain VAT exempt.
- Reception (children below compulsory school age) — weekly breakdowns for additional provision mirror Nursery rates (additional hours GBP 6.78 p/h; GBP 152.55 p/w; additional educational services GBP 380 p/w; lunch/snacks GBP 69.56 p/w; trips/workshops GBP 19.98 p/w). Note: Government policy requires VAT at 20% to be added to applicable charges in the Reception class.

Optional extras and other recurring charges
- Minibus service to and from school (eligible for sibling discount where applicable): GBP 966 (optional extra).
- Wraparound care (breakfast & after-school club) is available; pricing is set and invoiced directly by the partner provider (Melcombe Primary School).
- Holiday childcare camps: GBP 90 per day.
- Some lunchtime or after-school clubs and certain specialist activities are chargeable; individual music lessons, specialist clubs, English as a Foreign Language lessons and residential trips are excluded from standard fees and are billed separately.

Billing schedule and payment terms
- Fee invoices are issued at the beginning of the school holidays prior to each term. Payment is due by the first day of each term. Taxes and any additional charges not reflected in the published fee schedule will be reissued on invoices and are payable in full and subject to the school's late-payment provisions. Sibling discounts are available where applicable.

Refund information
- Details on how and when the Acceptance Deposit and any Additional Deposit may be refunded are set out in the school's Terms and Conditions. Taxes and extras, where applicable, are payable in full and refunds (if any) for deposits are governed by those Terms and Conditions.

Fee payment options
- The published fee schedule and fee document set out invoicing and due-dates; the specific accepted payment methods (for example, bank transfer, credit/debit card, international payment services) are not specified in the school's publicly published fees document. For accepted payment methods and the Bursar's guidance on making payments, inquire directly with the Bursar / School Office.
Academics

Kensington Wade teaches British Curriculum for students aged 3 to 11.

Curriculum
The school follows the British curriculum, with mathematics taught using the Shanghai Mastery approach in a fully immersive bilingual setting. In Reception the Early Years Foundation Framework shapes learning across seven areas of development; from Year 1 pupils study core subjects in both English and Chinese, with specialist teaching in music and sport and local swimming. In Year 2, Maths Mastery continues and bilingual English/Chinese lessons persist; from Year 3 subject specialists teach art, computing and science, and ESB speech and language exams are introduced, with a residential trip. Starting Key Stage 2, 11+ preparation begins; Year 4 maintains the bilingual balance with a Reading Challenge and a pen-licence system. Year 5 adds Spanish taught by a native-speaking teacher, plus an Isle of Wight residential trip; Year 6 focuses on completing 11+ preparation for senior schools, with leadership roles and an extended residential trip to mainland China.

Exam Results
Year 6 pupils take 11+ examinations for senior schools. In 2026 all 11+ pupils received offers from their first-choice schools, including Eton, London Park School, St Paul's Junior School and Latymer Upper, among others. In 2025 pupils received offers including academic, musical and artistic scholarships from London senior schools such as Notting Hill and Ealing High School, Francis Holland, Queen's College, Marymount International, Whitgift and Latymer. In 2024 pupils received offers from a range of London senior schools including Eaton Square Senior School, Francis Holland, Godolphin and Latymer, Kew House, and Notting Hill & Ealing High School, among others.
Wellbeing

Social and Emotional Learning (SEL)
The happiness and wellbeing of our children is a priority and Kensington Wade maintains an open, caring culture. We work closely with families to ensure that children feel safe and loved by every member of staff. Every pupil is known as an individual and has an individual learning plan updated weekly with the Headmaster. Pupils may represent the School Council and Eco Club, and the school provides opportunities for every child to succeed, celebrating their achievements. This personalised approach builds confidence, resilience and belonging, with wellbeing monitored through staff discussions and regular parent meetings; form teachers hold termly progress meetings with parents, and there is an open-door policy for families.

Special Educational Needs (SEN)
The school has a SEND Policy and a named SENDCO (Emma McPhie). The policy aligns with the Children and Families Act 2015, the Equality Act 2010 and related regulations, and defines Special Educational Needs as differences requiring additional provision. Learning needs fall into broad areas including communication and interaction, cognition and learning, social, emotional and mental health difficulties, and sensory/physical needs. Pupils may have SEN or ALN (additional learning needs) and the school adapts teaching with differentiation, coordinating with external professionals when needed. The SENDCO oversees identification, assessment and provision for pupils with SEND or ALN and works with staff, parents and external agencies to support progress.

English as an Additional Language (EAL)
All subjects are taught in both English and Chinese to master vocabulary in both languages. The curriculum is delivered through full bilingual immersion with the same content taught in either English or Mandarin, and half the school day is delivered in each language. Specialist subjects across languages are provided, including music, computing, science, art, and more, with language and maths approaches supporting bilingual fluency.

Mental Wellbeing
Wellbeing and pastoral care are central to school life. The school emphasizes happiness and a caring culture, with close partnership with families to ensure pupils feel safe and supported. Each pupil is treated as an individual and has an learning plan, supporting confidence and resilience and a sense of belonging. Wellbeing is monitored through staff meetings focused on pastoral care and regular discussions about pupils' wellbeing and progress, with termly progress meetings between form teachers and parents and an open-door policy for families.

Safeguarding
The Kensington Wade Safeguarding Policy applies to the whole school, including the EYFS, and designates safeguarding leadership to the Deputy Head as the designated safeguarding lead (DSL); DSL contact details appear on the Key Contacts page. Staff are trained to report safeguarding and child protection concerns promptly to local authority social care and to the DSL, with written recording of concerns. The policy is reviewed annually, with independent external scrutiny and termly safeguarding audits reported to governors and the executive board. The policy includes appendices on signs and types of abuse, and covers procedures for dealing with child-on-child abuse, staff allegations, and low-level concerns, ensuring safeguarding practice aligns with external guidance (KCSIE 2025) and current legislation.
Parent Experience

History
Kensington Wade is owned by Anglo-Chinese School of London Ltd (ACSL), the operating company behind the school. The Executive Board is chaired by Professor Hugo de Burgh and includes Head Huw May, Bursar Jacquie Whittingham, and Senior Adviser Rodney Harris, with an advisory board of governors supporting leadership. Founders Adrian Richardson, Dr Zeng Rong, and Professor Hugo de Burgh planned to establish the Anglo-Chinese School of London. They spent two years visiting potential sites around London and secured a lease on a new school building in 2016, with initial capital provided by Chinese backers and the founders; Kensington Wade opened in 2017, after Richardson's illness, with his wife Rachel Richardson later joining the board. Kensington Wade describes itself as Europe's first bilingual English-Chinese prep school, delivering 50% of the curriculum in Chinese and half the day in a Chinese environment while following a British curriculum.

Community
Kensington Wade has a parent community called Friends of Kensington Wade. Every parent automatically joins on entry, and the core is made up of Chairs and Class Representatives who volunteer to serve the school community. The Friends act as a link between parents and the school for ideas and feedback and they actively organise cultural, educational, social and fundraising events. They are committed to supporting the learning and development of the children.

Parent Teacher Association (PTA)
Friends of Kensington Wade serves as the school's parent association. The group comprises the Chairs and Class Representatives who run as a volunteer body and coordinate with school leadership. They organize cultural, educational, social and fundraising events and provide feedback to the school. Parents' involvement is automatic on entry, and the Friends work to foster a welcoming and inclusive community while supporting the learning and development of pupils.
Facilities

Facilities Overview
Located on Fulham Palace Road in west London, Kensington Wade's main entrance is on Colwith Road. The school has a spacious nursery building with its own outdoor space, a music room, a large hall and two outdoor playgrounds for breaks and sports. The school is opposite the Charing Cross Sports Club and swimming pool, which provides weekly swimming lessons. Reception children visit a Forest School each week. In September 2023 the West Wing opened, housing a well-equipped STEAM room, two new classrooms and a reading and specialist classroom, expanding indoor facilities to over 12,000 square feet.

Sports Facilities
The facilities include a large hall and two outdoor playgrounds used for breaks and sports. Swimming is taught weekly at the nearby Charing Cross Sports Club and swimming pool.

Academic Facilities
The West Wing houses a well-equipped STEAM room, two new classrooms and a reading and specialist classroom. The nursery has a spacious building with a music room, and the indoor facilities total over 12,000 square feet.

Extra Curricular Facilities
Forest School visits occur weekly for Reception. Swimming lessons are held weekly at the nearby pool. There is a dedicated music room to support music-related activities.
Extra-Curricular Activities

Academic & Intellectual
British curriculum is followed, with mathematics taught using the Shanghai Mastery approach. The curriculum is delivered in a fully immersive bilingual setting through a 50/50 English-Chinese model, with half the day in English and half in Chinese. Chinese teachers are native speakers, and lessons are delivered in each language as the medium of instruction. Pupils develop high proficiency in both languages and achieve the same or higher academic performance as peers.

Arts & Creative
Music is an important part of life at Kensington Wade. All year groups have at least two music lessons per week with a specialist teacher, exposing pupils to singing, listening, composing and performing. Chinese music is integrated into learning, including Hulusi, recorder, Chinese percussion, Peking Opera skills and Jianpu notation. In-school instrumental lessons and a wide range of music extensions are offered, including choirs and orchestra, Chinese music club, musical theatre and composition and music technology clubs, with regular performances throughout the year.

Cultural & Language
Kensington Wade uses a 50/50 immersive English-Chinese model; half the day is spent in English and half in Chinese. Chinese teachers are native speakers, and English and Chinese are used for curriculum content and instruction. Pupils leave fully able to speak, understand, read and write Chinese. The program develops high bilingual proficiency and bicultural understanding, fostering empathy toward different cultures.

Social & Hobbies
The co-curricular programme offers clubs such as ballet, board games, chess, Chinese art, Chinese calligraphy, Chinese dance, Chinese music, choral groups, coding, debating, drama, football, gardening, karate, tennis and more. This breadth helps pupils explore interests and develop confidence beyond the classroom. Pupils also take part in local and national competitions in English, art, Chinese language, mathematics, sport, STEM and music. In Year 6, pupils take on leadership roles as House and Subject Leaders.

Community & Service
Every pupil is known as an individual and has opportunities to participate in School Council and Eco Club. The school maintains an open-door policy and works in partnership with families to support every child's learning. Pupils have an individual learning plan updated weekly and wellbeing and progress are monitored through regular staff meetings and termly progress discussions with parents.

Leadership & Professional
Pupils have opportunities to demonstrate leadership through School Council participation and through leadership roles such as House and Subject Leaders. These leadership opportunities begin in later years and are supported by the school's pastoral and academic structures.

Lifestyle & Wellbeing
Wellbeing and pastoral care are a priority, with an open, caring culture where every pupil is genuinely known as an individual. Each pupil has an individual learning plan updated weekly and there is regular communication with families. The school offers specialist sport lessons and swimming, and the co-curricular programme includes physical activities such as tennis and yoga, alongside other wellness and creative choices.
Languages

Language Provision
Languages taught are English and Chinese. It operates as a nursery and prep school. The 50/50 English-Chinese immersion model uses separate language classrooms and medium of instruction for each language, with teachers using one language or the other in class. The school provides support for families where Chinese is not spoken at home.

Bilingual Teaching
Kensington Wade offers an immersive bilingual education in English and Chinese. The program uses a 50/50 model with half the day taught in English and the other half in Chinese. English and Chinese are used as the mediums of instruction for the curriculum, creating true immersion rather than separate language lessons. Native Chinese teachers support language development within a bilingual environment.

Immersion Programs
Immersion is central to Kensington Wade's approach. Pupils spend half the day in English and half in Chinese, with lessons delivered in English classrooms and in Chinese classrooms. This is true immersion, not merely language-focused lessons. Native-speaking Chinese teachers support the program.
Admissions

Admissions
1. Register Your Interest. Parents request an application form from the Head of Admissions and complete it to formally register for a place. The completed form is submitted with a £100 registration fee, which is non-refundable regardless of whether a place is offered. Registration does not constitute an offer or a guarantee of a place.

2. Submit Your Application. The completed form is returned to formally register for assessment, accompanying the £100 registration fee. The submission confirms that the family wishes to be considered for a place, subject to assessment.

3. Arrange School Visit and Taster Session. Attend an open morning, tour, or taster day so the school can assess suitability. The visit may include the child, depending on parental wishes. Assessments will be administered as appropriate during the visit. Parents should disclose any professional reports (emotional, physical or educational) that may affect the assessment or placement during the taster day.

4. Receive Offer and Accept. An offer of a place is made to applicants who, after careful consideration, match the ethos and standards of the School and are likely to benefit from what the School offers. The offer is accepted by signing the acceptance form and paying the acceptance deposit. The deposit must be paid either two terms or one term before the child is due to start, whichever is sooner; the terms and conditions of the Parent Contract accompany the acceptance form. Joining literature and the first invoice are sent in the term before the child joins.

5. Begin School. Upon deposit and documentation completion, the child is officially enrolled and ready to begin at the appropriate time. Continued progression through the School remains subject to the Head's ongoing assessment.
School Events
The school has not added events
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