Communication between Garden House School and the parents is of paramount importance
At Garden House, we believe that a strong partnership between home and school is essential to every child’s success and happiness. By working closely together, we can ensure that each child is supported, encouraged and given the opportunity to fulfil his or her potential both academically and personally.
Parents are warmly encouraged to play an active role in school life and are always welcome to contact the School. Throughout the year, families are invited to attend concerts, ballet recitals, sporting fixtures, assemblies and the many events featured in the School Calendar, helping to create a vibrant and connected community.
The School benefits from a dedicated and enthusiastic Parents’ Association, with every class represented by a Class Representative who acts as a link between parents and the School community.
The Parents’ Association organises social events for parents and staff, supports charitable initiatives and works closely with the School to enrich the children’s experience.
Together, the School and Parents’ Association also host annual drinks receptions for each class, providing an informal opportunity for parents to meet one another and spend time with teachers. The Parents’ Association meets twice each term and warmly welcomes new parents to become involved.
The Parents’ Association plays a central role in the life of the School, organising a wide range of events and activities that enrich the experience of every child and strengthen the sense of community at Garden House.
One of the highlights of the School calendar is the spectacular Gala Night at Cadogan Hall, where every child aged six and above performs alongside professional musicians. The production is a truly collaborative effort involving the School’s Music, Art, Drama and English departments, with the children themselves contributing creatively to the writing and development of the performance.
Throughout the year, the Parents’ Association organises and supports a variety of seasonal celebrations and cultural events. From decorating the School at Christmas to arranging Halloween workshops, Easter activities and events celebrating traditions such as Hanukkah, parents contribute enormously to the warmth and inclusivity of School life. Parents also help design and create costumes for productions and support regular initiatives including Cake Day, Book Week and World Book Day activities.
The Parents’ Association also arranges a fundraising Christmas Carol Service, visits from authors and artists and exhibitions showcasing the children’s artwork.
The annual Quiz Night at the Royal Hospital is the Parents’ Association’s principal fundraising event, combining a lively quiz with an auction featuring much sought-after class artwork created by the children.
The Summer Fair in Burton Court is another much-loved occasion, offering an afternoon of entertainment including pony rides, climbing walls, arts and crafts, face painting and bouncy castles, all in support of the Parents’ Association’s chosen charity.
Charitable giving and community awareness are an important part of life at Garden House School. Throughout the school year, children and parents are encouraged to take part in a wide variety of fundraising initiatives, both large and small, helping to foster compassion, responsibility and an understanding of the importance of supporting others.
Each year, parents vote to select the School’s chosen charity, with fundraising efforts centred around supporting that organisation. In previous years, the Garden House School Parents’ Association has supported a range of charities including Blue Marine Foundation, Over the Wall, Honeypot, Auditory Verbal UK, Roald Dahl’s Marvellous Children’s Charity and The Whitley Fund for Nature. The Parents’ Association also makes an annual donation to the Royal Hospital Chelsea. This year, the chosen charity is the Katherine Low Settlement in Battersea, selected following presentations and a pupil ballot organised by the School Council.
Charities regularly visit the school to speak in assemblies, helping children gain a greater understanding of both local and global issues. Alongside major annual fundraising events such as Quiz Night and Gala Night, pupils are encouraged to organise and support their own charitable initiatives.
Fundraising opportunities are woven into the school calendar and include Cake Days, Jeans for Genes Day, the Poppy Appeal and Christmas Box collections. Older pupils are also encouraged to respond to current events by creating their own fundraising projects, such as sponsored runs and community appeals. Children’s charitable efforts both inside and outside school are recognised and celebrated through the school’s community board.
The Royal Hospital Chelsea was first opened in 1692 with one very simple purpose; to provide a fitting home to retired soldiers in recognition of their loyal service to the Nation. 325 years later, we continue to offer shelter, comradeship and the very highest standards of care and support to hundreds of Army veterans, fondly known as the Chelsea Pensioners, like 79 year old Gordon 'Sandy' Sanders.
Sandy served in the Royal Electrical and Mechanical Engineers for 24 years, and following his wife's death came to live at the Royal Hospital in 2009. "We'd been married for 48 years. After that length of time, your spouse is everything to you and after her death I was so lonely. Living at the Royal Hospital has taken away the loneliness of my bereavement. The biggest thing that keeps me going is the banter - here I am never lonely. I can share stories with my fellow comrades in a place I can call home."
The Royal Hospital not only focuses on improving the quality of life of the Chelsea Pensioners, but also gives them peace of mind that they will have a comfortable home and be cared for in their later years.
Thanks to the support of Garden House School, its staff, volunteers and parents who take part in this evening's charity quiz, the Royal Hospital will ensure that we are here for the next generation of Army veterans: for those who served in Afghanistan, Iraq and beyond.
If you would like to find out more about the many ways you can support the Royal Hospital Chelsea, please contact The Reverend Steven Brooks on 020 7881 5124 or chaplain@chelsea-pensioners.org.uk - Registered Charity No. 1076414
The Garden House School Parents Association is delighted to be supporting London’s Air Ambulance in 2026/7, helping this vital charity continue its life-saving work across the capital.
London’s Air Ambulance delivers an expert team of doctors, paramedics and pilots directly to the scene when someone is critically injured. Using a helicopter from 08:00 until sunset, and rapid response cars at night or in adverse weather, the team can reach patients within minutes of an incident.
The charity provides advanced, potentially life-saving procedures at the scene, including open chest surgery, blood transfusions and general anaesthetic. By delivering specialist emergency care as quickly as possible, its team gives critically injured patients the best possible chance of survival and recovery.
London’s Air Ambulance treats an average of six patients every day. However, as a charity, it relies on public support for 95% of its funding.
Through the support of the Garden House School Parents Association, we are proud to help London’s Air Ambulance continue its extraordinary work, saving lives and making a difference to people across London when they need it most.
