Author: Sophia White

6th August 26

In my first year as Chair of the Board of Governors, I am delighted to have seen that Finton House School’s core values continue to define our school community and its ethos remains clearly encapsulated in the school motto “Open Hearts and Guiding Hands.”

From its inception the school’s aim has been to educate and develop children of all abilities, including some who need dedicated support. This approach continues to be underlined by the school’s values of self-belief, kindness, respect, morality and resilience.

Thanks to the wisdom and generosity of Finton’s founders, it is constituted as an educational charitable trust. This ensures that all efforts are dedicated towards providing the best possible educational experience for the children in the school’s care. Finton House has no external shareholders – which means that any financial surplus is reinvested back into improving pupils’ learning experience.

Finton House further achieves its charitable aims by actively supporting the local community and offering bursaries to children, who would not otherwise have the opportunity to benefit from a Finton House education. In terms of community engagement over the last 12 months Finton House has supported six charities including Home Start Wandsworth, Little Village, St George’s Hospital Charity, Tom’s Farm, Trinity Fields and Wandsworth Foodbank. In addition to this Finton House shared its facilities with several local schools including, amongst many, Bertrum House, Donhead Preparatory School, Prospect House School, Smallwood Primary School and White House School.

Following the imposition of VAT, increases in National Insurance and general inflationary pressures the Governors are acutely aware of the financial pressure many parents are facing in privately educating their children. We remain resolutely focused on ensuring that Finton House provides the best value for money with the best educational experience.

The 2025/26 academic year has seen Finton House achieve exceptional results across all disciplines. For a school our size and mixed ability, Finton House is punching way above its weight in all areas, competing against much larger schools both locally and nationally. From a Year 6 cohort of 47 pupils, consisting of 24 boys and 23 girls, they achieved a total of 144 offers from leading secondary schools across the UK, averaging three offers per pupil. This year saw a record 39 scholarships, specifically 16 Academic, 13 Sport, 2 Art, 2 Dance, 2 Drama and 1 All-Rounder.

Beyond our graduating class’s successes, the rest of the school also celebrated an extraordinary array of achievements. Notably, Finton House made history, as the only school ever to win both national tournaments at the IFSA Under 11 seven-a-side Football Cup and the EFL Utilita Kids Cup. 20 Finton artists had their work displayed at the Young Art Exhibition at Christie’s, with six pieces ‘Commended’ and one ‘Highly Commended’. The Quiz Club reached the National Quiz Finals and several pupils achieved individual national honours – including at Cambridge University in the Primary Bee Translation and the Poetry By Heart Best in County Award.

Although significant, these extraordinary achievements are a testament to the school’s educational approach. Beyond the academics, Finton House continues to shape character, empower change-makers and nurture the global citizens of tomorrow, guided always by the school’s core values.

Recent marketing analysis and parental survey feedback highlight that word-of-mouth recommendations from past and present families play a vital role in our ongoing success, alongside the dedicated work of Finton’s staff and community. Thanks to their collective effort, the school is entering the 2026/27 year with a full school role for which I and my fellow Governors are deeply grateful.

We are far from resting on our laurels or replying on Finton’s strong reputation. As Governors our focus is to help the continuous building on these strengths to ensure the long-term, sustainable success of Finton House. As always, the success of Finton House rests on the excellence of our teaching and support team led by our Headmaster, Ben Freeman and his Senior Leadership Team who make Finton House what it is today. Their dedication, open mindedness and intellectual curiosity to constantly seek new and better ways to enhance pupils’ development and learning experience is exemplary.

The successful introduction and roll out of the PSB Learning Skills aimed at developing independent enquiry, research, writing and presentation skills, all key lifelong skills, is a wonderful example of this. My fellow Governors and I are extremely fortunate to work with such a dedicated and talented executive team who are the beating heart of the school.

In these challenging times all Governors are acutely aware that global and economic changes are happening all around us. We recently held a strategy day involving the Governors and the Senior Leadership Team which concluded that, whilst not being complacent in the face of numerous challenges facing the private education sector, Finton House does occupy a unique space in the marketplace. We are determined to maintain this for the years ahead so future cohorts of children can continue to enjoy the benefits of a Finton House education.

I am extremely fortunate and humbled to have been appointed Chair of Governors. To be able to support and help to guide such a unique and special school continues to be a great privilege. My own children attended Finton House over 25 years ago and to find that the founding ethos of the school has remained unchanged and is as relevant today as it was in 1987 is a testament to all my predecessors and the founder’s foresight. As Governors we are determined to maintain Finton House’s unique character, spirit and values in the years ahead.

James Vickers
Chair of Governors

28th May 26

Finton House School’s U11 football team has completed a historic 2025–26 season, cementing their legacy as double national champions by capturing two major trophies at the most iconic venues in English football. From the heartbreak of narrowly missing out on glory last year to standing victorious on the grandest stages, this milestone achievement highlights years of dedication, team chemistry, and the school’s deep commitment to athletic excellence.

The historic double began just weeks ago at St. George’s Park, the official home of England’s national teams. Competing in the Independent Schools Football Association (ISFA) U11 Sevens Competition, Finton House dominated the tournament from the opening whistle. The boys swept through the group stages with brilliant tactical display before defeating Berkhamsted in a tense Semi-Final. Facing UCS in the high-stakes Final, the team showcased incredible composure to secure a 3–1 victory and claim their first national title of the season.

With one trophy secured, the squad—proudly representing AFC Wimbledon—set their sights on the legendary Wembley Stadium for the prestigious Utilita Kids Cup. Ahead of the EFL League One Play-Off Final, the tight-knit team stepped onto the Wembley ground in front of friends, family and fans. In a thrilling showcase of skill, Finton House secured a monumental 3–1 win over Blakehill Primary School, who represented Bradford City. The victory was sparked by an opening goal from Lamine Savane and sealed by a spectacular brace from Player of the Match Eden Belmeskine, a milestone conclusion to a massive tournament that sees over 20,000 schoolchildren compete annually across England and Wales.

Reflecting on the whirlwind journey, the Finton House coaching staff praised the teams character, stating that to see them crowned national champions twice over at the iconic homes of English football is a moment they will never forget, noting that the boys demonstrated exceptional teamwork, determination and sportsmanship throughout both competitions.

This unforgettable championship-winning lineup included captain Tafari Frances, goalkeeper Xander Teschmacher, Lamine Savane, Oscar Coleman, Eden Belmeskine, Pareece Hull, Christopher Rohan, Ben Menzies, and Ruben Turtill—a group of young athletes who have written a new chapter in Finton House School’s sporting history.