Top Cricket School

South Hampstead has been named as one of the top 20 girls’ schools in the UK for cricket.

This year’s Cricketer’s Schools Guide, a special 10th anniversary edition, features the nation’s very best cricketing schools judged against an extensive set of criteria, including commitment to cricket in the curriculum, facilities, fixtures and coaching. This is the first time that South Hampstead has been recognised in The Cricketer’s guide, testament to the exceptional progress of the sport in recent years.

Editor of The Cricketer, Huw Turbervill, said: “We’ve covered the schools’ game since our inception in 1921… the 10th anniversary of this guide recognises the fantastic cricket programmes that exist in school curricula up and down the country.”

Congratulating the selected schools on their achievement, the editorial team added: “The game is in excellent hands thanks to the unstinting commitment from you and your coaching team. Considering the quality of entries this year you should be very proud of your efforts.”  

South Hampstead has an illustrious cricketing history: alumna Netta Rheinberg MBE (1911 – 2006) was a notable figure in the cricket world and played for the English women’s team. Several years ago, the school reintroduced cricket as a key summer sport, which is now played at our premier league pitch, home to Hampstead Cricket Club. Cricket is introduced to girls in the Junior School, with softball and hardball training developed in the Senior School, overseen by our recently appointed Head of Cricket, Mr Learoyd.

Last year, our Senior School teams progressed to the advanced stages of several national tournaments whilst our U15 team were crowned GDST national champions. One of our Cricket Scholars was named as Hampstead Cricket Club’s Colt of the Year in 2022 – the first girl to win the award in the club’s 156 year history – and as Middlesex Women’s Youth Player of the Year in 2023. Lots of our pupils now play for local teams; several represent Middlesex and have been selected as part of the GDST Select XI to play against their icons at MCC Women – and have won!  The commitment, enthusiasm and talent of South Hampstead’s pupils and staff will doubtless ensure that the school’s cricketing future continues to shine.