Notting Hill Prep

Last week our Upper School brought the Addams Family to life and we could not have been prouder. Here is a peek behind the scenes at the talent, teamwork and a whole lot of fun that made it all happen.

🎭✨ THE ADDAMS FAMILY... THAT’S A WRAP! ✨🎭
What an absolutely incredible 3 nights! Three sold out shows, three unforgettable audiences, and a whole lot of New Heights Playhouse magic. 🖤🕷️

A huge congratulations to our amazing cast, our hardworking crew, everyone backstage, our brilliant music department, and all the teachers involved. You should be so proud of yourselves! 👏

Mr Routledge summed it up perfectly:
“I am so proud of our wonderful New Heights Playhouse Theatre Company. A show like this is no easy feat and the pupils were just fabulous. 3 sold out shows and 3 wonderful audiences. We have been thoroughly entertained and I am super proud of everything they have achieved. It has been ‘spook’-tacular!” 🦇

📸 Ms Kirby

🏺 To tie in with their topic work in class, Year 3 have been exploring Greek and Roman pots through printmaking. After studying different pot shapes and decorative patterns, they designed their own vessels featuring repeating patterns and bold motifs, carefully wrapping their designs around the pot to create the illusion of form.

Using polyboard printing, the children experimented with different techniques, worked collaboratively on the printing press, and carefully aligned two layers to create their final double-layer prints.

The results are striking, and we can’t wait to see them all displayed together at the end-of-year art exhibition. Well done, Year 3! 🎨✨

(Swipe from slide 2 - 9 to see the process!)

🏆 We have some exciting news to share!

Notting Hill Preparatory School has been named Winner in the Education Choices Magazine Awards 2026, Category C: Bursary Support (Prep).

This award means a great deal to us. At NHP, we believe every child deserves access to an exceptional education and the opportunities that come with it, and our bursary programme is central to that commitment. To have that work recognised in this way is truly special.

None of it would be possible without the incredible people behind the scenes: our staff, families, governors, and the supporters of the NHP Foundation, who give their time, energy, and belief to our mission every single day. This one is for you.

Congratulations to all the finalists and fellow winners, and a sincere thank you to Education Choices Magazine and the judges for championing the important work happening across the independent school sector. 👏

Ms Swales travelled to Prague this weekend to compete at the McGahan Lees Open Feis and won the Over 18 Adult Championship and also won the Over 30 Traditional Set Dance competition.

Well done to Ms Swales, what an achievement! 🇨🇿🩷💙

🌟 Last week, Year 5 had the most incredible time at Mill on the Brue, five days of grass tobogganing, archery, climbing, orienteering and unforgettable memories made together.

The team at Mill on the Brue commented on their outstanding behaviour, resilience and positivity, and watching them cheer each other on every step of the way was a joy to see. They finished the trip in style with a disco with some seriously impressive dance moves on show! 🕺

Our Year 2 pupils had a fantastic time exploring the natural world at Holland Park Ecology Centre. 🌿🔍

From discovering habitats to learning about wildlife and conservation, the trip brought their science learning to life.

What an incredible few days at Culmington Manor for our Year 4 residential last week! 🏕️✨

From fencing and axe throwing to survival skills, bouldering and low ropes, the children threw themselves into every activity with amazing confidence and resilience. 🌧️💪

To link with their English topic 'Look Up!' and their learning about the history of flight in Humanities, Year 2 have been inspired by Space during art lessons.

The children have been designing and collaging their own rockets and spacecraft before printing them using Max Ernst's printing technique of frottage in wax crayon.

The children have also been exploring different painting techniques to create their own space skies, discovering and sharing creative ideas and techniques with one another along the way.

They have looked at the constellation drawings of Picasso and other artists inspired by space, such as Lee Bontecou and Karen Rose.

We cannot wait to see these fantastic intergalactic mixed-media creations displayed in the final whole school art exhibition… watch this ‘space’! 🚀

WOW, Year 6! 🌟 What incredible performances and with just 8 days of preparation, the end result was truly amazing.

A huge well done to all of Year 6, a massive thank you to Mr Routledge and the rest of the Year 6 team, and to everyone who helped, from designing props to organising behind the scenes.

You all should be so proud! 👏🎭