Our Story

The New Model School Company (NMS) was the brainchild of a group of forward-thinking educationalists, social policy experts and proactive parents who wanted to do things differently. They believed there had to be a way to provide children with a rigorous, knowledge-rich education without it costing the earth.

Such was their belief that they were prepared to fund it themselves. So, when Maple Walk opened in a sports hall in North West London in 2004, it did so with seed investment from a number of individuals, all committed to this vision of a new model of education.

Maple Walk moved to its current, purpose built and eco-friendly site by Roundwood Park, NW10 in 2010. This move was possible with the support of The Craigmyle Charitable Trust. Lord Craigmyle continues to support the school as a Patron of NMS.

In 2009 Faraday School was opened in East London, following the same model. Faraday is supported by the Fishmongers’ Company, one of the 12 great Livery Companies of the City of London, who sponsor our Fishmongers’ Faraday Award which offers a free, or subsidised school place, to a local child every year. We are hugely grateful for their support.

As both schools successfully grew, so did the investment required. But what remains distinctive about the NMS model is that the current and past shareholders do not expect a return on their investment. Philanthropy is still at the heart of the NMS ethos. Enormous efforts are made to maintain the company’s financial resilience while keeping fees as low as possible. And all surplus profits made at Maple Walk and Faraday are re-invested in the schools and put towards broadening our bursary support.

As the schools have grown, so the company has grown. NMS now has a hugely experienced board of Directors and Advisors who oversee the successful running of the schools, plus our education dynamo, the Teaching & Learning Committee who oversee and drive our ambitious curriculum.

Twenty years on, the belief of our founders is bearing fruit. Both schools are thriving, parents are clearly drawn to our approach of teaching an ambitious knowledge-based curriculum in a creative way. Results at both schools are excellent, recognised by the Independent Schools Inspectorate’s Inspections of both schools as ‘Excellent’ in all areas. Our Year 6 leavers consistently receiving offers and scholarships from many of the top senior schools in London and beyond.