Hampstead Fine Arts College

Principal Candida Cave (aka Candy, this is a first-name-terms school) clearly exudes the same art school elegance that she did when she founded the college with fellow artist Nicholas Cochrane in 1978: stylish, eccentric, with a timeless trademark

All students interviewed by principal and head prior to being offered a place: around 30 places for year 10 entry an around 90 places into sixth form, when candidates need five GCSEs at grade 4 or above, including in English and maths plus reference

Just under half leave after GCSEs. Popular destinations for sixth formers are King’s College London, Bristol and Sussex. Degree courses include English literature, business, politics and history, although by far the majority of leavers go to leading

In 2024, 21 per cent 9-7 at GCSE; 33 per cent A*/A at A level (63 per cent A*-B).

A wide range of subjects is now offered at both GCSE and A level, although the school continues to enjoy a reputation as a specialist arts college. At A level it is possible to combine a group of similar creative subjects: say, performing arts,

Learning support is overseen by the very accessible pastoral deputy head, whose room is central to the school and whose door, we noticed, is always open. Two assistant tutors provide one-to-one support, which might include working on study profiles

Many students already study the subjects that other schools would consider to be extracurricular, so there’s no need for photography or film club. There are no after-school choirs or orchestral ensembles, but pupils may take instrument or singing

Competitive sport is not the obvious bedfellow of creative individuality but, for those students who want it, weekly football and basketball are available. One parent told us how, as elsewhere in the school, the ‘have a go’ attitude is encouraged,

All academic and wellbeing issues are tracked centrally, so tutors have a full picture of every student. They feel known and heard: ‘we’re able to say what we need’, ‘there’s an easy one-on-one relationship’, ‘it’s hard not to fit in’. The head of

Students come from all over London, and even from the home counties. Some live with guardians nearby, just to be able to attend this very individual school. As one alumna said, ‘If you are arty and unique you will find like-minded people.’ A number

The school has a small number of scholarships and bursaries available, awarded on merit.

Most students feel instantly liberated by the relaxed atmosphere engendered by hugs, headphones and hoodies. So grateful not to have to conform to traditional norms, they discover a new motivation to learn: ‘it’s a very different atmosphere to other