Prince George to attend Thomas's Battersea private school, palace announces

Prince George is to attend Thomas's Battersea private school in London in September, Kensington Palace has announced.

A message on the Kensington Palace twitter site read: "The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge have announced that Prince George will attend Thomas's Battersea School in London from September 2017."

The royal couple said in a statement: "Their Royal Highnesses are delighted to have found a school where they are confident George will have a happy and successful start to his education."

Headmaster Ben Thomas said: "We are honoured and delighted that their Royal Highnesses the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge have chosen Thomas's Battersea for Prince George.

"We greatly look forward to welcoming him and all of our new pupils to the school in September."

Day fees cost £6,110, according to last year's Tatler Schools Guide.

George will be four years old when he starts at the private co-educational day school, which proudly states that its most important rule is to "be kind".

The Tatler Schools Guide states: "It's a balance to Thomas's high-achieving, competitive side: exits to Bryanston, Marlborough and Bradfield last year; the school is feared on central London's sporting circuit; the drama productions are impressive. Entrance at 4+ is selective, with 60 places up for grabs (they close the list at 180 registrations). Lots of Chelsea and South Ken families here, who get very stuck into the community."

Pupils are aged from four to 13, with around 20 in a class.

Art, ballet, drama, ICT, French, music and physical education are all taught by specialist teachers from a child's first day in school, according to a welcoming note from Mr Thomas.

He said the school focuses on "enjoyment, learning and achievement" until the children can expect to leave from age 11 to 13.

Mr Thomas said: "Whilst we are proud of our record of senior school entrance and scholarship successes, we place a greater emphasis on a set of core values, which include kindness, courtesy, confidence, humility and learning to be givers, not takers.

"We hope that our pupils will leave this school with a strong sense of social responsibility, set on a path to become net contributors to society and to flourish as conscientious and caring citizens of the world."

The school - which describes itself as a Christian school, open to children of all faiths - believes in "praise as the greatest motivator".

Parents are told their children will be in an atmosphere which seeks positive relationships between pupils, teachers and parents.

It is set in a Grade II listed building in south-west London, the former Sir Walter St John's Grammar School which dates back to 1700.

It has a one-acre Astroturf playground and sports ground, a rooftop playground and a quiet garden and counts a ballet room, gymnasium, science laboratories and a theatre among its facilities.

Kate has said she wants to teach her children to know the importance of respect, honesty and kindness.

She said making George, the future King, and his sister Princess Charlotte aware of the value of these qualities was just as important as academic or sporting success.

Kate, who was speaking during a school visit in February, said: "My parents taught me about the importance of qualities like kindness, respect, and honesty, and I realise how central values like these have been to me throughout my life.

"That is why William and I want to teach our little children George and Charlotte just how important these things are as they grow up.

"In my view, it is just as important as excelling at maths or sport."

Kate told the school assembly during the launch of Children's Mental Health Week: "People often ask me why I am so interested in the mental health of children and young people.

"The answer is quite simple - it is because I think that every child should have the best possible start in life.

"When I was growing up, I was very lucky. My family was the most important thing to me.

"They provided me with somewhere safe to grow and learn, and I know I was fortunate not to have been confronted by serious adversity at a young age."