Heathfield School

Since September 2025, Jonathan Williams, previously deputy head for a year. Born in Wales to Welsh and American parents, he moved to Northern Ireland aged 9 and has a hybrid Celtic accent, contributed to by studying theology at St Andrews and a PGCE

‘Encouraging, personal’ admissions process with option of taster days and entrance via CEM assessments at 11+ and interview with head. Current year 7 is one form entry, with influx from local preps at year 9 able to sit test at 11+ and defer or take

Around 30 per cent leave after GCSEs, generally for a larger or co-ed experience - we wonder if there will be fewer once school’s sixth form goes co-ed. Vast majority of sixth formers to university, more than half to Russell Group. Popular

In 2025, 56 per cent 9-7 at GCSEs; 40 per cent A*/A at A level (61 per cent A*-B).

Numbers kept deliberately small for a ‘sweet spot where everyone is known’. Classes are capped at 16, but most we saw had under 10, all with a friendly and convivial atmosphere. In an immersive French lesson, we observed five year 8 girls being

Significant changes afoot with the impending shift to co-ed from 2026. Girls say, ‘It was a shock at first’ but many who’d previously planned to leave after GSCE ‘will now stay’.

Impressive 2022 Cadagon centre boasts enviable common room,

Thirty-one per cent of students on the SEND register, split evenly across year groups. One ECHP when we visited. Mostly dyslexia and dyscalculia, with increasing ADHD and autism numbers. The small class sizes see most supported with quality first

The arts are the feather in Heathfield’s cap, with impressive displays around school, including a battalion of mannequins sporting eye-catching exam creations in textiles and fashion. Parents say the school ‘is a beacon for creative girls’ and

‘Tons of sport’ - an enormous offering for a small school. Impressive facilities include 25m indoor heated pool (with swimming lessons for all), five lacrosse pitches, six tennis and netball courts, two gyms with trampolines, and yoga and dance

Used to be full boarding only – that’s now dropped to around 50 per cent. Twenty-five per cent are weekly boarders and eight per cent flexi. Most sixth formers board (30 of 50), with fewer lower down the school. So huge adaptation in recent years,

Many parents chose the school due to its small size, crediting Heathfield with bringing girls ‘out of their shells’. Pastoral care is ‘second to none’, they told us, with form tutors and boarding staff overseeing care. ‘Ensuring girls are not

School describes parents (and the strong old girls network) as an ‘incredibly supportive community that cares deeply’ - including around productions, sports events and work placements. Parents say PTA is ‘incredibly engaged’ – a recent 125-year

Academic, art, drama, music and sport scholarships (prestigious but no monetary award) at 11+, 13+ and 16+. Equestrian at 11+ and photography at 16+. Means-tested bursaries of up to 100 per cent awarded for financial or compassionate reasons.

A small, nurturing school steeped in history, Heathfield offers its girls exceptional provision in the arts and fashion and is stepping into an exciting new chapter with co-ed sixth form. Girls are full of confidence, highly articulate and encouraged