Founded in 1876, South Hampstead High School is a selective, independent day school for girls aged 4 to 18 in North West London – a buzzing academic powerhouse with kindness and curiosity at its core. While excellent results and university destinations place it among the country’s top schools, South Hampstead is also known for its forward-looking ethos and an approach that aims to ignite a genuine joy in learning. In the Independent School of the Year Awards, South Hampstead was named as the Girls’ School of the Year in 2022 and a London School of the Year finalist in 2024.
The school is well connected to most London postcodes, close to Finchley Road and Hampstead underground stations (Jubilee, Metropolitan and Northern lines), several overground stations and numerous bus routes. It has over 950 pupils, including over 180 in the Sixth Form and 265 in the Junior School. Entry is competitive: at 4+ and 7+ to the Junior School, and 11+ and 16+ to the Senior School. Occasionally vacancies arise at other ages. Full details of the admissions procedures are available at www.shhs.gdst.net. The recently refurbished Junior School occupies two large houses a few minutes’ walk from the Senior School site. The Senior School is housed in a bright, modern building, designed by Hopkins Architects. Sixth Form students have their own home in Oakwood – complete with its own common room, café and garden – in a beautiful, Victorian house, connected to the Senior School. A four-acre sports ground with excellent facilities is a short walk away.
At South Hampstead, the curriculum is designed to provide a secure and imaginative basis for academic progress at each key stage of a pupil’s development. The intention is that all girls develop their own enthusiasms and initiative within a broad educational framework and a balanced range of academic, cultural and aesthetic subjects. In the Junior School, there is a clear focus on developing literacy and numeracy skills, and an integrated approach to the curriculum whereby the focus is on learning across several subjects around a theme. In this way, girls develop real depth of knowledge, as well as confidence in key skills such as research, analysing results, and interpreting and presenting information. In the Senior School, the curriculum has a strong academic spine and includes lessons in critical thinking, oracy and global issues; there is also a strong focus on empowering girls to speak up and speak out through the creative arts and debating. The Week Independent Schools Guide recently listed South Hampstead as the 'best of the best' in the UK for pupil voice.
The Sixth Form offers a range of 25 subjects at A level and students have a strong track record in the Extended Project Qualification (EPQ). A rich and varied programme of speakers, leadership opportunities, international trips and co-curricular activities ensure that every student has the chance to grow, to give back and to shine. The school’s Futures Programme provides a comprehensive framework for supporting pupils with higher education and career choices, while dynamic 'Free Thinking Fridays' sessions encourage independent thought and debate. The vast majority are offered their first-choice university – primarily to Russell Group universities, including Oxbridge, with others heading to medical school, prestigious art and drama colleges, music conservatoires and Ivy League destinations.
Pupils participate enthusiastically in an enormous number of co-curricular activities. Creativity in art, writing, music and drama is strongly encouraged and there are many orchestras, ensembles and choirs. Tuition in almost any instrument and singing can be arranged and girls are prepared for the examinations of the Associated Board of the Royal School of Music. Large numbers participate in the Duke of Edinburgh’s Award.
Fees per term (spring/summer 2025). Senior School: £7,641 exc VAT; Junior School: £6,221 exc VAT.
The fees do not include school lunches, public exam fees, occasional trips or instrumental/singing lessons.
Scholarships and bursaries A number of scholarships and bursaries are available to internal or external candidates for entry at 11+ and to the Sixth Form. Bursaries are means-tested to ensure that the school remains accessible to bright girls who would benefit from a South Hampstead education but require financial assistance. Scholarships are currently awarded for academic, musical and sporting excellence (11+) and academic, art, drama and music in the Sixth Form.
Charitable status. South Hampstead High School is part of the Girls’ Day School Trust, a leading network of independent girls’ schools, Registered Charity, number 306983. As a charity that owns and runs 24 schools and two academies, it reinvests all its income into its schools. For more information, please visit www.gdst.net.
Governors & Staff:
Board of Governors:
Chair: Ms A Dewinter
Mr N Chandra
Mr E Cohen
Dr J Franks
Ms A Gooch
Miss D Navanayagam
Ms K Newton
Mr N Soar
Mrs J Todd
Head: Mrs Anna Paul, BA Dunelm
Senior Leadership Team:
Senior Deputy Head Pastoral: Ms Z Brass, BA Queen’s University Canada
Director of Finance and Operations: Mrs N Brown, BA Birmingham, FCA
Deputy Head Co-curricular, Community, Careers: Mr C Dearmer, MA Oxon
Head of Junior School: Mrs Z Paramour, BA Leeds
Deputy Head Academic: Mr A Westwood, BSc Nottingham
Director of Sixth Form: Mr R White, BA Leeds
Director of Philanthropy & Alumnae: Mrs S Whitworth, MA Edinburgh