Heath School in Hampstead provides specialist education for students aged 11–16 who cannot attend mainstream schools due to permanent exclusion, managed moves, or the need for an alternative educational pathway. Part of the H3 Federation since April 2023, the school sits on Agincourt Road and serves around 31 young people at any one time. Its June 2024 Ofsted inspection awarded a Good rating overall, with Outstanding judgments for behaviour and attitudes, personal development, and leadership and management. All Year 11 students in the latest cohort achieved qualifications in maths, English, and vocational awards, ensuring every leaver progressed to their chosen post-16 destination.
Heath School's mission – "Where every student can learn and grow" – reflects a commitment to re-engaging young people who have disengaged or been excluded from mainstream education. The school is one component of the H3 Federation, which unites Haverstock School (a mainstream secondary and sixth form), Harmood School (a secondary special school for social, emotional, and mental health needs), and Heath School under shared leadership led by Executive Headteacher Nicholas John. This federated structure was formalised in April 2023 after a two-year collaborative trial, allowing the partnership to match each student to the setting best suited to their needs and to pool expertise across mainstream, special, and alternative provision.
The ethos centres on inclusion, high expectations, and personalised support. Inspectors in 2024 praised the school's culture of care and the staff's ability to build trusting relationships with students who often arrive with fractured educational histories. Every young person is encouraged to re-engage with learning through a combination of academic study, vocational courses, and pastoral intervention. The school emphasises second chances, personal development, and the importance of qualifications that open doors to further education and employment.
Heath School offers a curriculum designed to meet the diverse needs of its cohort. Core academic subjects – maths and English – are delivered alongside a broad range of vocational qualifications, including BTEC awards in health and fitness, land-based studies, cooking skills, and creative media. Students work towards GCSEs, BTEC certificates, and Functional Skills qualifications, with the mix tailored to individual starting points and aspirations. The school's 100% achievement rate for Year 11 leavers attaining maths, English, and vocational credentials underscores the effectiveness of this blended approach.
The curriculum is complemented by a strong focus on personal development, careers guidance, and practical life skills. Students engage in home cooking, animal care, plant-based studies, and sports training, equipping them with competencies beyond the academic. Multi-agency support is embedded in the provision, with SEND support available and close links to Camden's Local Offer. The school runs student review days to monitor progress and adjust support plans as needed.
Heath School also leads the borough-wide Camden Pathways Programme, which commissions and quality-assures long-term placements at vocational Key Stage 4 providers such as colleges and specialist training centres. Through Camden Pathways, students can access courses in construction, sport, hair and beauty, health and social care, and other vocational fields. This outreach role positions Heath School as a hub of expertise for Camden's wider education network, offering training and support to mainstream schools managing at-risk learners.
Ofsted's June 2024 inspection highlighted the school's Outstanding provision for behaviour and attitudes, noting that staff create a calm and purposeful learning environment where students feel safe and respected. The inspection also recognised Outstanding personal development, with students gaining confidence, resilience, and the social skills necessary for their next steps.
Heath School does not operate standard admissions procedures. Students are referred by their mainstream schools or by Camden local authority, in consultation with families. Referrals typically involve young people who have been permanently excluded, placed on managed moves, require an off-site direction, or who would benefit from a vocational pathway at Key Stage 4. Families must give written consent, after which the Camden Pathways team arranges a meeting to discuss educational options and interests. Interviews with chosen providers are then organised, with a team member present to support the transition.
Because the school serves excluded or at-risk students, there is no catchment area or distance criterion. Places depend on assessed need and the availability of capacity. Parents considering Heath School should contact Camden's Pupil Services or their child's current school to discuss whether a referral is appropriate.
Heath School offers a vital safety net for Camden's most vulnerable secondary-age students. Its Outstanding ratings for behaviour, personal development, and leadership demonstrate that the school not only supports young people in crisis but helps them flourish. The federated structure with Haverstock and Harmood creates a continuum of provision that can adapt to changing needs, and the 100% qualification rate for leavers is testament to the school's focus on outcomes and progression. While the school is small and highly specialised, its impact on the lives of the students it serves is profound. For families navigating exclusion or managed moves, Heath School represents a structured, nurturing environment where young people can rebuild their educational trajectory and leave with the qualifications and confidence they need for the future.
Yes. Heath School was rated Good overall by Ofsted in June 2024, with Outstanding judgments for behaviour and attitudes, personal development, and leadership and management. All Year 11 students achieved qualifications in maths, English, and vocational subjects, and every leaver progressed to their chosen post-16 destination. The school provides specialist support for excluded and at-risk students in a structured, caring environment.
Heath School operates through referrals, not standard admissions. Students are referred by their mainstream school or by Camden local authority, with written consent from parents or carers. If your child has been permanently excluded, placed on a managed move, or requires an alternative educational pathway, contact Camden's Pupil Services or speak to your child's current school to discuss whether a referral to Heath School or the Camden Pathways Programme is appropriate.
Students work towards GCSEs in maths and English, BTEC awards in vocational subjects such as health and fitness, land-based studies, cooking skills, and creative media, and Functional Skills qualifications. All Year 11 students in the most recent cohort achieved qualifications in maths, English, and vocational courses, ensuring progression to further education, training, or employment.
The H3 Federation was formed in April 2023 and comprises Haverstock School (mainstream secondary and sixth form), Harmood School (secondary special school for SEMH needs), and Heath School (pupil referral unit). The federation is led by Executive Headteacher Nicholas John and allows the three schools to share expertise, resources, and governance while offering a continuum of provision to meet diverse student needs across Camden.
The Camden Pathways Programme, led by Heath School, offers alternative educational placements at vocational Key Stage 4 providers for students who would benefit from a different learning environment. Students can access courses in construction, sport, hair and beauty, health and social care, and creative media at partner colleges and training centres, all inspected by Ofsted. Referrals are made by schools or Camden local authority in discussion with families.
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