Tatler Schools Guide 2024

South Hampstead is once again featured in the Tatler Schools Guide, their annual review of the top schools in the UK.

‘Pupils make the pilgrimage here from postcodes all over London – provided they’ve been able to beat nine other applicants to each of its coveted places. In future, competition will probably remain just as keen but less elitist: plans are afoot to double the bursary provision by South Hampstead’s 150th anniversary in 2026. Meanwhile, it already does a lot of outreach in the local community: teaching languages in local state schools and giving interview practice to any of their Sixth Formers who are considering Oxbridge or a medical degree.

The pupils are typically bright sparks, and they have genuinely inquiring minds. A bunch of young STEM enthusiasts recently triumphed in the Junior Astro Challenge and UK Space Design competition, while a team of Year 8 pupils made the finals of a cyber competition run by the National Cyber Security Centre, which is part of GCHQ. Grades are top-notch and the girls are super-sharp, but hardly starved of thrills and spills. Trips include a philosophy jaunt to India, a STEM visit to South Korea and a wild-sounding adventure to Pembrokeshire – complete with cliff-jumping, campfires and yoga – to learn about kelp farming, coastal eco-systems and the role of insects in them.’

“Girls can be themselves and have a lot of fun here,” says one happy parent. “Yes, they achieve top grades and so on, but (much more importantly) the school turns out super-interesting, ambitious young women who are quirky, curious and kind.” 

Pupils are always encouraged to stand up for what they believe in.

The review featured in the ‘Tatler Schools Guide 2024: the top prep and public schools in the UK’, published in conjunction with the October 2023 edition of Tatler.