St Margaret’s Hampstead

Since September 2025, Sharron Shackell, previously deputy head (pastoral) at Immanuel College in Bushey. She has a first class history and politics degree from the University of Manchester and a history PGCE from the University of Cambridge. An ISI

A tiny school with 14 girls currently in reception, 16 per class in the junior school and 18 in the senior. The numbers applying will always exceed the number of places available, particularly in years 5 and 6, when parents queue up to sidestep

One or two depart at 11+ – mainly for selective secondaries in the independent and state sectors, such as South Hampstead and Henrietta Barnett – but, as the school firmly states, no specific preparation is provided. Most parents are more than

In 2024, 65 per cent 9-7 at GCSE.

Apart from the early years, the national curriculum is followed throughout, but teachers are given autonomy to go above and beyond. ‘Because the class size is small, they can work faster and have time to move laterally,’ says the school, and an

The school uses advanced data collection to ensure teachers are well informed about progress and problems, and learning difficulties are overseen by an experienced learning support co-ordinator, who develops appropriate individual programmes, with

On our visit, we were greeted by the full squeak of early-stage musicians, but everyone leaves the junior school able to read music, use a keyboard and play the ukulele. More formal music instruction begins in year 3, with individual instrumental

Apart from a well-equipped, Astroturfed playground, the school has negligible outside space, but imaginative use is made of a multitude of north London sports venues, and two PE teachers (with the help of two minibuses) introduce girls to a wide

Founded in 1884, the school moved to its present site - a large, red-brick villa in Hampstead - in 1954, where an entire wall is hand-painted with the school’s ‘family tree’. Pupils are allocated a ‘branch’ at the outset, with older girls taking

This is a school of very well-behaved girls. ‘There are, of course, interpersonal issues, but when things do happen, we can throw a lot of resources at it.’ Parents agree. ‘My daughter has passed through a few friendship groups, with petty

A clear mobile phone policy is a really important part of modern schooling. This school has provided us with their policy.

About 60 per cent of families - from a multitude of ethnicities and backgrounds - live within walking distance, though some travel from as far afield as Muswell Hill and Islington. Atypical of the area, perhaps, they are a trusting bunch, who have

Fees are relatively competitive compared to local independents, and money is managed tightly, with a ‘tidy surplus’ reinvested to pay for school improvements. Bursaries of up to 100 per cent are available.

Cosy, nurturing, rounded and grounded education delivered in a happy family atmosphere.