University College School is a leading London day school providing places for approximately 600 boys aged 11–16, with a co-educational Sixth Form of approximately 350 places. UCS admitted its first cohort of girls into the Sixth Form in September 2008 and around 60 girls join UCS each year.
University College School was founded in Gower Street in 1830 as part of University College, London and moved to its current location in Hampstead in 1907. The UCS Foundation comprises three separate schools offering education to children at each stage of their development from the ages of 3–18, founded to promote the Benthamite principles of liberal scholarship and education. Intellectual curiosity, breadth of study and independence of mind combine to achieve academic excellence; they are not subordinate to it.
Selecting children with no regard to race or creed, UCS fosters in them a sense of community alongside a tolerance of and a respect for the individual. By offering the fullest range of opportunities for personal and for group endeavour, it teaches the value of commitment and the joy of achievement. It is a place of study, but also of self-discovery and self-expression; a school that places equal value on learning with others as on learning from others.
Admission. UCS Pre-Prep accepts boys at the age of 4 to join Reception. Boys join the Junior Branch at the age of 7 and the Senior School at the age of 11. We invite both boys and girls to apply at 16 for places in our Sixth Form. We always advise parents to check the admissions pages on the UCS website for the most up-to-date information.
Curriculum. The UCS curriculum is designed to match the educational needs of pupils at all stages of their development. At the Pre-Prep, the mix of formal and informal learning develops independent and enquiring thinkers. At the Junior Branch, whilst the emphasis is on breadth, boys are also prepared for Key Stage 2 Tests in English, Maths and Science.
The Lower School: In the first years at the Senior School boys aged 11–13 follow a broad, common curriculum founded on the best features of the National Curriculum but enriched to develop a love of learning and positive study skills. These traits enable our pupils to develop their own academic specialisms as they go up through the school, whilst also ensuring that they receive a rounded academic education.
Mathematics is taught in banded groups related to boys’ ability and progress. There is otherwise no streaming and subjects are studied within form groups. Homework is set each day, and usually takes between 45 minutes and one hour.
The Middle School. The curriculum is deliberately broad, in order to provide a suitable basis for further study leading to GCSE and Sixth Form courses. Pupils are divided into sets in Mathematics according to ability. More time is devoted to Science and boys may take up a further Classical or Modern Language (Greek, German, Spanish or Mandarin). In addition boys choose one option from Music, Drama and Computing. PSHE continues in Year 9 in the classroom and in the following two years, through a programme of presentations, discussions and visits from outside speakers. Homework tasks include a wider range of topics and activities than before.
For the two years leading to GCSE, boys continue with English and Mathematics. They may then choose freely a further seven subjects with the only proviso that, to maintain a sufficient breadth to their studies, they must include at least one Modern Language from those they have previously studied and at least one science subject. Boys in the top two Mathematics sets also take the Additional Mathematics qualification alongside their GCSE.
The GCSE subjects offered are: Biology, Physics, Chemistry, French, German, Spanish, Italian, Mandarin, Latin, Greek, History, Geography, Art, Design and Technology, Drama, Dance, Music and Computer Science.
The Sixth Form. Pupils may study any combination of four subjects in the Transitus (Year 12) and may freely mix Arts and Science subjects if they wish. Careful guidance is provided to ensure that the course upon which they embark will provide an appropriate basis for an application to the Higher Education course and institution of the individual pupil’s choice. After one year of study, pupils may continue with three or four subjects in the Sixth Form (Year 13). Sixth Form sets normally include 8–10 pupils who, in preparation for Higher Education, are encouraged to take greater personal responsibility for study.
The A Level subjects available are: English, Mathematics, Further Mathematics, Biology, Physics, Chemistry, French, German, Spanish, Mandarin, Latin, Greek, History, Geography, Economics, Politics, Philosophy, Psychology, Drama and Theatre Studies, Computer Science, Design and Technology, Art, Music and History of Art.
Pastoral Care. We regard the personal, emotional and moral development of our pupils as a major priority at every single stage of the education that we offer. The aim of our pastoral system is to encourage pupils to develop their own identities and to express them with a proper regard for the feelings and sensitivities of others. Pupils are encouraged from an early age to develop a sense of responsibility for their own behaviour. Much stress is laid upon tolerance of and respect for one another. Considerable effort is made to build a sense of community within the school. To this end, two days a week the school starts with a whole school, deme or year assembly of a non-denominational character. Pupils and their parents know the identity and the responsibilities of the members of staff concerned for their care. Parents are involved as fully as possible in pastoral matters and will always be informed and consulted.
Careers. Pupils are guided by means of interviews and tests towards careers appropriate to their gifts and personalities. Pupils are given opportunities to attend holiday courses directed towards specific careers. Also, visiting speakers are invited to the School and there are frequent Careers events. There is a full Careers Library and a comprehensive programme of Work Experience. The Parents’ Guild and Old Gowers’ Club (alumni organisation) also provide advice and support.
Physical Education and Games. The state-of-the-art Sir Roger Bannister sports complex opened in December 2006. The pupils have periods of Physical Education within their normal timetable in the sports complex. The School playing fields cover 27 acres and are situated a mile away in West Hampstead. In addition to grass surfaces, there is a large all-weather pitch and two pavilions. An impressive new double pavilion was opened in 2019 and the fields have recently undergone major levelling and drainage works. The major sports for Lower and Middle school boys are Rugby, Football, Hockey and Cricket with increased choices from Year 9. The School has its own Tennis and Fives courts at Frognal, together with an indoor heated Swimming Pool. Other sports include Athletics, Squash, Badminton, Basketball, Climbing, Fives and outdoor pursuits. For sixth form boys and girls there is a wide choice of indoor and outdoor sports.
Music and Drama. There is a strong musical tradition at UCS and many pupils play in the Orchestras, Wind Band and a great variety of groups and ensembles. Choral music is equally strong and Jazz is a particular feature. Instrumental tuition is given in the Music School, opened in 1995, and this and Ensemble Groups are arranged by the Director of Music. The School’s Lund Theatre, opened in 1974, is the venue for a range of Drama from major productions to experimental plays, mime and revue. An open-air theatre was completed in 1994. A regular programme of evening events is arranged for the Autumn and Spring terms.
Other School Societies. These cover a wide range of academic interests and leisure pursuits, including the Duke of Edinburgh’s Award scheme. There is a very active Community Action Programme, which works in the local community and there are regular fundraising initiatives for both local and national charities.
Philanthropy at UCS. Philanthropy has played a significant role in modernising the UCS estate and providing exceptional spaces for its pupils. Three major new facilities have opened in recent years which provide modern and up-to-date environments for pupils and staff alike. The Kantor Centre delivers sporting facilities fit for the capacity of the school, visitors and the local community it serves. The AKO Centre for Innovation in Learning and Teaching saw the entire refurbishment of the school library along with establishment of a research fellow into cutting edge teaching methods. Philanthropy has always played its part in the site of the Sixth Form Centre, and some 50 years after the original appeal was made to build this, the AKO Foundation provided a much needed full refurbishment. The generosity of donors, alongside revenues from our commercial activities, has enabled UCS to commit significant sums to funding bursaries, the majority of which provide wholly free places to talented young people. It continues to be the mission of UCS to substantially increase these sums year on year, working to widening access to a UCS education wherever possible.
Fees per term (2024-2025). Senior School: £10,457, Junior Branch: £9,575, Pre-Prep: £8,735. Fees include VAT.
Scholarships and Bursaries. UCS is firmly committed to promoting and increasing access to our unique education through fee assistance. From its beginning in 1830 UCS has had at its core a commitment to access, with a pledge that religion should be no bar to entry. In the 21st century, we add a further commitment – that the education we provide will not be restricted solely to those who can afford it and each year we commit £1.2 million to bursary support. We offer bursaries of up to 100% and UCS consistently ranks at the top of independent schools in London for the number of 100% bursaries awarded each year. The School also offers music scholarships which award the holder a reduction in the annual school fees of between 10% and, in exceptional cases, 50%. The precise value will depend upon the standard of applicants and the competition in any one year. Music scholarships entitle the holder to free instrumental tuition at school on an instrument (including voice) of the candidate’s choice, which will remain in place throughout a pupil’s time at UCS.
Alumni Association, the Old Gowers’ Club. There are almost 9,000 current Old Gowers living in countries all across the world. Many are actively involved in helping current pupils prepare for the future, including supporting networking, interview preparation, attending careers events, and volunteering as speakers from universities and wide ranging professions. Amongst the Old Gowers are Nobel Prize winners, Olympic medalists, leaders in the arts, science and law as well as entrepreneurs in a diverse range of areas, to name but a few.
Charitable status. University College School, Hampstead is a Registered Charity, number 312748. Its aims and objectives are the provision of the widest opportunities for learning and development of students without the imposition of tests and doctrinal conformity but within a balanced and coherent view of educational needs and obligations.
Governors & Staff:
Governors:
Mr Stephen Warshaw, BA (Chair)
Mr Andrew Brem, MA, MSc, MBA
Mr Joe Cohen
Mr Richard Donner, BA
Ms Reena Gogna, LLB Hons
Mr Robert Gullifer, MA, FRSA
Mr Avi Rao, MBA, BEng
Mr Christopher Rodrigues, CBE
Mrs Angela Ryker Gallagherm, JD, MBA
Mr Tim Smith, BA, DipTchng, MBA
Professor Li Wei, PhD, FBA, MAE, FAcSS, FRSA
Dr Edward Ziff, OBE, DL, Hon DBA
[OG] Old Gower
Senior School:
Headmaster: M J Beard, MA, MEd
Vice Master & Academic Director: M T English, BA, MA
Deputy Head (Pastoral): A R Wilkes, BA
Assistant Heads:
R H Baxter, BA, MA
S E Bennett, BA
S A P FitzGerald, BA
J E L Lewis, BA
P S Miller, BSc
E D Roberts, MSci
Deme Wardens:
Baxters: S C Walton, MusB
Black Hawkins: A M Mee, MA
Evans: S D Maze, BA
Flooks: J P Cooke, BA
Olders: M Foster, BSc
Underwoods: Dr K Bugler, BSc, MSc, PhD
Sixth Form:
Head of Sixth Form: R H Baxter, BA, MA
Lower School Wardens:
Head of Lower School: E D Roberts, MSci
Entry: E A Barnish, BA, MA
Shell: Mr L N Hughes, BA
Senior School Heads of Departments/Subjects:
Art: Mr L A Farago, BA
Art History: Mr A M Mee, MA
Biology: Miss R A Potter, BSc
Chemistry: Dr S K Hoyle, MSci, PhD
Classics: Mr A R McAra, MA
Computer Science: Mr C Spence-Hill, BSc, MA
Design & Technology: Mr H J Franks, BA, MA
Drama: Mr C M Abbott, BA (Director of Drama)
Economics: Ms K Shah, BSc, MPhil
English: Mr H Hardingham, BA, MA
Geography: Mr M B Murphy, BA
History: Mr A G Vaughan, BA
Politics: Mr L A Smith, BA
Learning Support: Mr P G P Milton, BSc, MSc
Mathematics: Mr D J Armitage, MEng
Modern Languages: Mrs S Hess, BA (Head of Modern Languages and Head of German)
Miss C Bandera, BA, MA (Head of Italian)
Miss K Cieslak, MA (Head of French)
Miss M R Maggioni, BA (Head of Mandarin)
Ms L V Tyson, BA (Head of Spanish)
Music:
Mr C R Dawe, BA, MA, MMus (Director of Music)
Mr I C Gibson, MA (Head of Academic Music)
Philosophy: Dr K S Viswanathan, BSc, MA, PhD
Physical Education: Mr E P Sawtell, BA (Director of Sport)
Physics: Dr P D Edmunds, MSci, PhD
PSHE: Mr D J Bluck, MA
Psychology: Mrs C E Hawes, BSc, MSc
Junior Branch:
Headmaster: Mr L Hayward, MA
Deputy Head (Academic): Mr M Miles, MSc
Deputy Head (Pastoral): Mr D J Edwards, BA
Assistant Head (Admin): Ms P Gaglani, BSc
Pre-Prep:
Headmistress: Dr Z Dunn, BEd, PhD, NPQH
Deputy Head (Head of EYFS): Ms N Watt, BEd
Director of Learning Support and SENCO (Pre-Prep and Junior Branch): Ms S Ryan, MA