Parliament Hill School Review 2026: A High-Achieving Girls' School with a Century of Excellence

When Miss Morant opened Kentish Town County Secondary School in 1906, she declared that young women should be enabled to use their talents to the full and become the equals of men in education. More than a century later, Parliament Hill School stands on the edge of Hampstead Heath as a thriving comprehensive that has honoured this founding vision while evolving into one of London's most respected state secondary schools. The school ranks 682nd in England for GCSE outcomes, placing it in the top 15% of schools across England (FindMySchool ranking). With an Ofsted Outstanding rating achieved in 2019, a coeducational sixth form consortium partnership, and consistent university progression including Russell Group places, Parliament Hill combines academic rigour with a genuinely inclusive culture. The school educates approximately 1,200 students across years 7-13, with girls forming the main school intake and the sixth form welcoming boys alongside girls through the LaSWAP consortium arrangement.

The school occupies a distinctive site on Highgate Road, immediately adjacent to Hampstead Heath, offering students a peaceful campus that feels separate from the urban density of North London whilst remaining easily accessible to central areas. The physical environment has been transformed through significant capital investment. A £30 million redevelopment programme, progressing through the 2020s, added a modern sports hall, purpose-built drama and music studios, and a dedicated sixth-form building featuring a green roof and achieving BREEAM Excellent certification for sustainability. The historic Morant building, named after the school's founder, has been carefully refurbished to Passivhaus standards, blending heritage architecture with contemporary energy efficiency.

Sarah Creasey has led the school as Headteacher since 2017, bringing twenty-five years of experience in London secondary education. Before taking up the post, she spent a decade at Preston Manor in the London Borough of Brent — a mixed all‑through school — where she led the English department. Under her leadership, the school regained its Outstanding Ofsted rating in 2019, having previously dropped to Good status in 2013. Staff describe a culture of high expectations coupled with genuine pastoral care. The school's motto, "High Achieving and Happy," runs as what the leadership describes as a golden thread through everything the school does, reflecting a philosophy that academic ambition and student wellbeing are not in tension but mutually reinforcing.

The student body reflects the diversity of North London and inner-city Camden. Nearly half of all students speak English as an additional language, and approximately 36% of families qualify for free school meals, indicating significant socioeconomic diversity. This diversity is presented not as a challenge to manage but as a strength that enriches the school community. Students conduct themselves with visible confidence around the campus, moving purposefully between lessons whilst maintaining an informal, friendly atmosphere during breaks and lunch periods.

GCSE Performance

Parliament Hill's GCSE results reflect consistent strong performance across the student cohort. In 2024, an average Attainment 8 score of 58.9 placed the school well above the England average of 45.9. The Progress 8 score of +0.5 indicates that students make above-average progress from their starting points, a particularly significant achievement given the diversity of prior attainment within the comprehensive intake. Approximately 47% of GCSE entries achieved grades 9-7 in 2024, compared to the England average of 54%. The English Baccalaureate (EBacc) remains a focus, with 33.9% of pupils achieving grades 5 or above across the core EBacc subjects, exceeding the England average of approximately 25%.

The school ranks 4th among Camden secondary schools and 682nd in England, placing it within the top 15% of schools across England (FindMySchool ranking). This position has been maintained consistently over recent years, reflecting stable teaching quality and effective curriculum leadership. The breadth of GCSE subject offerings includes classical languages (Latin is available) alongside the full range of sciences, humanities, and creative subjects, allowing students to construct curricula aligned to their interests and university aspirations.

A-Level Performance

The sixth form, operating through the LaSWAP consortium partnership with William Ellis School, La Sainte Union Catholic School, and Acland Burghley School, delivers A-level qualifications across thirty subjects. In 2024, 33% of A-level grades achieved A* or A, with 63% achieving A-B grades overall. These results place the sixth form in the top 20% of schools in England (FindMySchool ranking). The breadth of subject choice enables students to pursue specialist pathways whilst maintaining flexibility. Students report strong subject teaching with teachers who combine subject expertise with genuine enthusiasm for their disciplines.

The curriculum follows the national framework but is enhanced through the school's emphasis on intellectual curiosity and independent thinking. Teaching is structured around clear learning objectives, with staff trained in evidence-based pedagogical approaches. Class sizes in the main school average around 28-30 students, providing sufficient scale for social breadth whilst remaining small enough for teachers to know individual students' learning profiles. A-level groups are smaller, typically 10-15 students, enabling more personalised teaching.

The school places particular emphasis on literacy and numeracy foundations. Intervention programmes are deployed early for students who fall behind, with the SENCO coordinating support for approximately 5% of the cohort who have identified special educational needs. Teaching assistants work alongside class teachers to provide differentiated support, particularly in core subjects. The school has invested in modern science facilities, with three separate laboratory spaces enabling simultaneous delivery of physics, chemistry, and biology to different year groups.

Beyond the classroom, academic enrichment is embedded throughout the curriculum. The school operates a structured homework policy, with expectations increasing through the year groups. Revision support intensifies in Year 11 and Year 13, with staff running after-school clinics in core subjects during the spring term leading up to examinations. Students describe teachers as approachable and willing to provide additional help, with many students accessing voluntary extension sessions in subjects they wish to pursue at university.

The extracurricular programme is extensive and deliberately structured to offer pathways from recreational participation to elite achievement. The school operates over thirty clubs and societies, providing opportunities across creative arts, sports, STEM, and service-learning.

Music: A Defining Strength

Music holds a prominent place in the school's identity. The newly built music studios provide dedicated teaching spaces with piano, keyboard, and ensemble rehearsal areas. The school operates a full orchestra, which performs two major concerts annually, typically drawing audiences of 300-400 parents and community members. The Chamber Choir specialises in a cappella arrangements and has performed at external venues including local churches and community events. A Jazz Band meets weekly and performs at school concerts and occasional external events. The String Ensemble caters to students learning orchestral instruments, whilst the Concert Band serves wind and percussion players. Individual instrumental tuition is available through peripatetic teachers, with approximately 40% of students receiving lessons in at least one instrument.

The school has an established partnership with the Royal Academy of Music's Discover scheme, providing masterclasses and performance opportunities for advanced musicians. Annual music scholars' recitals showcase the most accomplished performers, with students often preparing pieces at Grade 7-8 ABRSM standard or equivalent.

Drama: Highly Professional and Accessible

The drama programme operates through both the curriculum and an active extracurricular scene. The main school production, staged annually in the spring term, typically involves 80-120 students across acting, technical, and crew roles. Recent productions have included full-scale musicals and contemporary plays, with the school investing in lighting and sound equipment that enables semi-professional production values. A sixth-form drama society provides opportunities for older students to develop directing and producing skills through smaller-scale productions.

Drama is taught as a GCSE and A-level option, with the dedicated drama studio featuring a flexible stage configuration, tiered seating, and professional-standard lighting. Students completing GCSE Drama typically progress to A-level, where the course combines performance, technical theatre, and theoretical study. The school's drama results are consistently strong, with A-level students regularly achieving A* and A grades.

STEM

The school operates a Robotics Club that participates in regional and national competitions, including the FIRST Tech Challenge. Students design, build, and programme robots to complete specific tasks, developing engineering and problem-solving skills. The club meets twice weekly and has achieved notable success, with teams regularly advancing to regional finals. Members report that the club provides practical application of physics and engineering principles learned in lessons.

A Coding Society meets weekly to explore programming languages beyond the curriculum, with students working on projects ranging from game design to data analysis. The school has invested in modern computer labs with up-to-date software, enabling students to learn Python, Java, and web development technologies. Several students have progressed to computer science degrees at Russell Group universities, with the school providing mentoring and guidance on university applications.

The school operates a Science Enrichment Programme that brings together high-attaining STEM students for extension sessions, exploring topics beyond the standard curriculum. Recent sessions have covered topics including quantum physics, synthetic biology, and artificial intelligence. Guest speakers from university science departments and industry professionals provide context and inspiration.

Sports: Comprehensive and Competitive

The new sports hall, completed in 2021, provides a modern facility with a four-court configuration, enabling simultaneous delivery of multiple activities. The school fields teams in netball, basketball, badminton, and volleyball, with the netball team competing in the Camden Schools League and regularly reaching borough finals. A fitness and conditioning club provides strength and conditioning training for students interested in sports performance.

Athletics is offered through the PE curriculum, with the school participating in borough and London championships. The school has produced several students who have gone on to represent their local authorities in track and field events. Swimming is offered as a GCSE and A-level option, with students accessing local leisure facilities for training. Outdoor education is embedded through the Duke of Edinburgh Award scheme, with the school offering Bronze, Silver, and Gold levels. Approximately 150 students participate annually, undertaking expeditions to locations including Snowdonia and the Lake District.

Creative Writing and Publishing

The school operates a Creative Writing Club that meets fortnightly, with members sharing original work and receiving peer feedback. The school publishes an annual literary magazine, Perspectives, which features student poetry, short stories, and creative non-fiction. The magazine has won recognition in school publication competitions, and the editorial team reports that the process of selecting, editing, and publishing student work develops valuable skills in critical feedback and collaborative decision-making.

Debating and Public Speaking

A Debating Society meets weekly during term time, preparing students to participate in interschool competitions. The school has competed in the English Schools' Debating Association competitions and the Lord Mayor's Debate, with students developing skills in research, rhetoric, and persuasive communication. Several students have progressed to university debating societies and have represented their universities in national competitions.

Community Service and Global Engagement

The school maintains partnerships with community organisations in Camden, with students undertaking volunteer work in local youth centres, food banks, and literacy programmes. A Global Engagement Group organises fundraising and awareness-raising activities for international charities, with recent campaigns supporting education initiatives in East Africa and mental health projects in Southeast Asia. The school's emphasis on service learning is reflected in the leadership programme, which explicitly includes community contribution as one of the criteria for student leadership roles.

Sixth Form Progression

Approximately three-quarters of Year 11 students continue to the LaSWAP Sixth Form, with the remainder pursuing education at other providers or entering employment. The LaSWAP consortium arrangement provides access to thirty A-level subjects across the four partner schools, with students able to construct highly specialised subject combinations that would not be possible within a single school. The consortium operates a shared timetable, enabling students to move between sites for different lessons. Transport between sites is provided by dedicated shuttle buses, minimising transition time between lessons.

University Destinations

In the 2024 leaver cohort, 55% of sixth-form leavers progressed directly to university, with a further 4% entering higher-level further education courses. The school reports strong progression to Russell Group universities, with students regularly securing places at institutions including Durham, Edinburgh, Bristol, Warwick, and London universities. The school website indicates that students achieve places at Oxbridge, though specific numbers are not published; recent figures suggest modest but consistent Oxbridge representation over time.

The school provides structured university guidance, with a dedicated university admissions coordinator who meets with students from Year 12 onwards. The guidance includes UCAS application support, personal statement development, and interview preparation. For students applying to competitive courses including medicine, law, and engineering, the school offers additional mentoring and access to subject-specific webinars. The school has established relationships with university admissions teams, enabling students to attend university open days and subject-specific taster sessions during the school year.

Entry to Year 7 is administered through Camden's coordinated admissions process. The school is significantly oversubscribed, with approximately 600 applications for 180 places in recent years, resulting in a subscription proportion of approximately 3.3:1. Admissions follow the usual community-comprehensive priorities: exceptional social/medical need and looked‑after children first, then siblings, followed by straight‑line distance from the gate. There is no ability banding or selective testing; the school serves its local comprehensive intake.

The school provides open days in autumn term, typically in September or October, enabling prospective families to visit and meet staff. The admissions process is transparent, with the school publishing its admissions policy and distance data annually. Families should verify current distance thresholds with Camden's admissions team, as the last distance offered varies annually depending on the distribution of applications within the catchment area.

Entry to the sixth form is available to students from other schools as well as internal progression. A-level entry requires a minimum of five GCSEs at grade 5 or above, including English and mathematics, with subject-specific requirements for particular A-level courses. For example, A-level mathematics typically requires GCSE mathematics at grade 7 or above. The LaSWAP consortium operates a joint admissions process for sixth-form entry, with applications considered across the four partner schools.

The school operates a form tutor system, with each tutor group containing approximately 25 students. Form tutors meet with their groups daily for registration and pastoral time, providing continuity of relationships and enabling early identification of any wellbeing concerns. The school employs a full-time SENCO who coordinates support for students with identified special educational needs, working closely with parents and external agencies including educational psychology services.

A school counsellor provides confidential support for students experiencing emotional or mental health difficulties. The counsellor meets students on a weekly basis, with referrals coming from form tutors, parents, or students themselves. The school has trained staff in mental health first aid and operates a peer support scheme in which senior students receive training to provide emotional support to younger peers.

The school takes bullying seriously and has invested in staff training on recognising and responding to all forms of bullying, including cyberbullying. Students report that incidents are taken seriously and addressed promptly. The school operates a clear behaviour policy with graduated sanctions, and staff describe a culture in which respect and kindness are genuinely valued rather than merely enforced through rules.

This is a state school with no tuition fees. The school day runs from 8:50am to 3:20pm, with students expected to be present for registration by 8:45am. Lunch is provided on site, with the school operating a cashless catering system (introduced in 1999 as an innovative measure to prevent bullying around lunch money). Students may bring packed lunches or purchase meals from the school canteen.

Uniform is compulsory and consists of a blazer, skirt or trousers, white shirt, and school tie. Additional costs include PE kit, school trips (typically £30-80 per trip depending on destination and duration), and optional enrichment activities such as music lessons and Duke of Edinburgh expeditions. The school provides support for families experiencing financial hardship, with the ability to discuss payment plans for school trips and other costs.

Transport links are excellent. The school is accessible by bus from across North London, with multiple routes serving Highgate Road. Kentish Town and Hampstead Heath stations are within walking distance, providing access to the Northern and Circle lines respectively. Many students walk or cycle to school, and the school provides secure bicycle storage.

Oversubscription and catchment proximity. With approximately 600 applications for 180 places, entry is highly competitive. Allocation is determined by distance from the school gate, meaning families must live within a fairly tight radius to secure a place. Families considering the school should verify current distance thresholds with Camden's admissions team, as these vary annually. The school is not suitable for families living more than 1-1.5 miles from Highgate Road.

Girls-only main school. The main school admits girls only, with boys joining only in the sixth form through the LaSWAP consortium. Families seeking a mixed-gender secondary experience throughout years 7-11 should look elsewhere. The school's single-sex environment is intentional and reflects the school's commitment to girls' education, but it is not suitable for all families.

Pace and academic expectations. The school maintains high academic expectations, with a curriculum that moves at considerable pace. Students who struggle to keep up with the intensity of teaching may find the environment stressful. The school provides support through intervention programmes and additional tuition, but these are most effective for students who are broadly capable but require additional scaffolding. Students with significant learning difficulties may be better served by schools with more specialist provision.

Parliament Hill School represents outstanding value for families within the tight catchment area of North London. The school delivers consistently strong academic results, a broad and enriching extracurricular programme, and a genuinely inclusive culture that celebrates diversity. The recent £30 million investment in facilities demonstrates commitment to maintaining contemporary learning environments. The Ofsted Outstanding rating and strong university progression, including Russell Group places, confirm that the school delivers high-quality education. Best suited to girls with solid academic foundations who thrive in a purposeful, supportive environment and families who live close enough to access a place. The main challenge is securing admission; once a place is secured, the education provided is exceptional.