Sarum Hall School Review 2026: Award-Winning Heritage Prep in Belsize Park

Sarum Hall School, founded in 1929 in the heart of Belsize Park, combines nearly a century of educational heritage with modern, purpose-built facilities housed in an architecturally acclaimed building that won the RIBA Award in 1996. This independent Church of England preparatory school educates around 192 girls aged 3 to 11 in a non-selective environment, guiding them to some of London's most competitive senior schools including North London Collegiate, Godolphin & Latymer, South Hampstead High, and City of London School for Girls. Fees range from £6,450 to £6,975 per term (plus 20% VAT), with means-tested bursaries available from Year 3 onwards. The school's Golden Values—Kindness, Courage, Respect, Honesty, Fairness, and Resilience—underpin a nurturing community recognised by Artsmark status across four art forms and noted in the 2023 ISI inspection for pupils' "excellent attitudes to learning" and "extremely well-developed sense of self-belief."

Miss Violet E Webb, a former pupil of the Godolphin School in Salisbury, founded Sarum Hall in September 1929 at 51 Eton Avenue with just seven students; the school's name derives from Sarum, the Roman name for Salisbury. Enrolment doubled by the second term, and by the start of the second year, 28 pupils were on roll. Upon Miss Webb's retirement in 1960, the school transitioned to a charitable trust, embedding its mission to serve the local community. A brief wartime evacuation to Whatcombe House in Dorset in 1939 proved unsuccessful, lasting only one term before the school returned to Belsize Park.

After sixty years in a converted Victorian house, Sarum Hall moved in 1995 to its current, purpose-built home on Eton Avenue, designed by Allies and Morrison. The building garnered the RIBA Award, Civic Trust Award, and the Royal Fine Art Commission Trust Building of the Year Award, all in 1996. In 2024, TaskSpace reconfigured three classrooms to optimise learning environments, maximising natural light and improving storage solutions.

The school describes itself as "a vibrant and nurturing community where curiosity, creativity, and confidence flourish." Its Golden Values form the bedrock of school life, with an emphasis on developing "articulate, thoughtful, and confident" individuals through "engaging lessons, supportive relationships, and a shared commitment" to core principles. Miss Karen Coles has served as Headmistress since November 2022, succeeding Victoria Savage.

Sarum Hall is non-selective at the main entry point (3+) but employs English and maths assessments for girls joining from Year 1 onwards. The school builds learning "around a strong academic foundation," preparing pupils intensively for the 11+ exam with recent cohorts receiving an average of three offers per pupil. Almost all leavers secure their first-choice senior school at 11.

In the 2025 destinations data, the most frequent moves were to Francis Holland Regent’s Park and South Hampstead High School; other offers included Beaconsfield High School, Channing, Highgate and North London Collegiate, alongside Brighton College and Downe House. Over recent years, the most common destinations have included Highgate, Francis Holland Schools, Godolphin & Latymer, North London Collegiate, South Hampstead High, and Channing, with approximately 20 per cent of pupils winning awards and scholarships. The full roster of destination schools also includes Cheltenham Ladies' College, City of London School for Girls, Downe House, Queen's College, Queenswood, St Paul's Girls, and Wycombe Abbey.

The October 2023 ISI inspection confirmed that the school meets the standards set out in the Education (Independent School Standards) Regulations 2014. Inspectors highlighted that "pupils show high levels of achievement in creative pursuits and particularly in the performing arts," that "pupils of all ages, needs and abilities demonstrate excellent attitudes to learning," and that "pupils have an extremely well-developed sense of self-belief and self-confidence while showing great humility towards others." The single area for improvement identified was to "include opportunities to integrate information and communication technology (ICT) further in class-based activities to improve pupils' independent research and study."

Facilities were expanded in 2024 with additions such as a science lab, an art studio and a new maths classroom — including features like glass walls to support interactive learning. A well-stocked library and outdoor spaces—including a triple-decker treehouse and multi-use games pitch—support both academic work and creative exploration.

Sarum Hall occupies a spacious, modern environment with outdoor spaces that include a floodlit netball court, four short tennis courts, and a purpose-built, fully equipped gym ensuring that the majority of sports lessons can be held on-site regardless of weather. Lessons also take place on the multi-purpose Astroturf and at Primrose Hill, with swimming sessions held at Swiss Cottage Leisure Centre. The sports curriculum encompasses football, netball, swimming, gymnastics, cross country, and athletics. In recent years, the school has enjoyed national success in athletics, and the under-9s team achieved second place at the London Schools Gymnastics competition.

Sports have long been central to Sarum Hall life. The original school maintained a gymnasium and organised annual sports days at Hampstead Heath Extension, with prizes consisting of real silver items such as cups, spoons, clocks, and candlesticks. The thriving extracurricular PE programme now offers jazz, gymnastics, netball, cricket, football, and fencing.

The arts are equally prominent. Sarum Hall holds Artsmark status across four art forms—art, music, drama, and dance—with the award process noting that "provision well exceeds the criteria." Art and Design at the school encompasses Art and Design, Design and Technology, and Food Technology. Music thrives with 95 per cent of pupils playing at least one instrument; the school supports several ensembles, including choirs, jazz band, orchestra and a string quartet. Drama opportunities arise through class assemblies and LAMDA classes, while ambitious plans are underway to incorporate art history into cross-curricular learning.

An extensive clubs programme offers opportunities during lunch breaks, before school, and after school, with five to ten different extracurricular academic activities or hobby clubs available to each pupil. Activities include performance arts, debating, music theory, choir, orchestra, football, netball, brainteasers and logic puzzles, Lego construction, creative drawing, arts and crafts, coding, eco-team, fencing, sewing, dancing, chess, cooking, and book club. Regular educational trips are organised for all year groups, with visiting speakers and residential trips beginning in Year 5.

The school holds memberships in the Girls' Schools Association (GSA) and the Independent Association of Prep Schools (IAPS), alongside Arts Council Silver status and Eco-Schools recognition.

The main entry point is into the Nursery class at 3+, in the September following the child's third birthday. Only occasional places are available after this entry point. Visits and personal meetings with the Headmistress occur between October and March, two years before entry, and include a tour of the school. Prospective parents are asked to write confirming their continued interest in a place following the visit.

To proceed, parents must complete the registration form and submit a non-refundable registration fee of £180 (including VAT). Upon acceptance, an enrolment deposit of £4,200 (including VAT) is required. The school is currently accepting registrations for September 2027 and 2028 admittance.

Sarum Hall is non-selective at 3+ entry; girls joining from Year 1 onwards are assessed in English and Maths. This non-selective policy at the main entry point ensures broad access, though the school's reputation for preparing pupils for highly selective senior schools attracts families from across North London. The school offers a limited number of means-tested bursaries, awarded according to need from Year 3 onwards, including Emergency Fee Assistance on a sliding scale for pupils who will gain most from a Sarum Hall education.

Annual fee increases are announced at the end of the Spring term. Families should confirm current fee structures and key dates directly with the school, as these may change.

Sarum Hall School offers a distinctive blend of heritage, community, and academic ambition in the heart of Belsize Park. Founded in 1929, the school has evolved from a modest seven-pupil enterprise into a thriving prep school housed in an award-winning building that marries historic values with modern educational practice. Its non-selective entry at 3+ opens the door to a broad cohort of girls, yet the school consistently prepares pupils for London's most competitive senior schools, with almost all leavers securing their first choice and one in five winning scholarships or awards.

The 2023 ISI inspection underscores the school's strengths: excellent pupil attitudes to learning, high achievement in creative pursuits, and a remarkable balance of self-belief and humility. The single area for development—greater integration of ICT into class-based activities—is minor in the context of such strong overall performance. Parents seeking a nurturing, values-driven environment with a proven track record of academic preparation and a rich extracurricular offer will find much to admire.

Fees of £6,450 to £6,975 per term (plus 20% VAT) place Sarum Hall in the mid-to-upper range for London independent prep schools, with bursary support available from Year 3. The long lead time for registration (visits occurring two years before entry) and the popularity of the main 3+ entry point mean that early engagement is essential. For families committed to an all-girls primary education rooted in traditional values, modern facilities, and exceptional arts and sports provision, Sarum Hall represents a compelling choice in North London's competitive independent sector.

Is Sarum Hall School a good school?

Sarum Hall School is a well-regarded independent preparatory school with a strong reputation. The 2023 ISI inspection confirmed that the school meets all regulatory standards and highlighted pupils' excellent attitudes to learning, high achievement in creative pursuits, and extremely well-developed self-belief balanced with humility. The school's consistent record of sending pupils to highly selective senior schools—including North London Collegiate, Godolphin & Latymer, and South Hampstead High—with approximately 20 per cent winning scholarships or awards, demonstrates effective academic preparation. Its award-winning facilities, Artsmark status across four art forms, and strong pastoral ethos make it a solid choice for families seeking an all-girls, values-driven primary education in Belsize Park.

How do I apply to Sarum Hall School?

The main entry point is Nursery (3+), in the September following your daughter's third birthday. Visits and personal meetings with the Headmistress occur between October and March, two years before entry, and include a school tour. After your visit, you will be asked to confirm your continued interest in writing. To proceed, complete the registration form and pay the non-refundable registration fee of £180 (including VAT). Upon acceptance, an enrolment deposit of £4,200 (including VAT) is required. The school is currently accepting registrations for September 2027 and 2028. Entry at 3+ is non-selective; girls joining from Year 1 onwards are assessed in English and Maths. Occasional places may be available for later entry points. Contact the admissions team at admissions@sarumhallschool.co.uk or 020 7794 2261 for the latest information.

What are the fees at Sarum Hall School?

For the 2024–25 academic year, fees range from £6,450 to £6,975 per term. All fees (with the exception of Nursery) are subject to 20% VAT, introduced in January 2025. A non-refundable registration fee of £180 (including VAT) is required upon registration, and an enrolment deposit of £4,200 (including VAT) is due upon acceptance. Annual fee increases are announced at the end of the Spring term. The school offers a limited number of means-tested bursaries, awarded according to need from Year 3 onwards, including Emergency Fee Assistance on a sliding scale. Parents should contact the school directly to confirm current fees and bursary availability.

What secondary schools do Sarum Hall pupils go to?

Over recent years, the most popular destinations have included Highgate, Francis Holland Schools, Godolphin & Latymer, North London Collegiate, South Hampstead High, and Channing. The full roster of destination schools also includes Cheltenham Ladies' College, City of London School for Girls, Downe House, Queen's College, Queenswood, St Paul's Girls, and Wycombe Abbey. Approximately 20 per cent of pupils win awards and scholarships. Almost all leavers secure their first-choice senior school at 11, with recent cohorts receiving an average of three offers per pupil.

Does Sarum Hall School offer bursaries?

Yes, Sarum Hall offers a limited number of means-tested bursaries, awarded according to need from Year 3 onwards. Bursaries are available on a sliding scale and include Emergency Fee Assistance for families whose circumstances change unexpectedly. The school awards bursaries to pupils who will gain most from a Sarum Hall education. Families interested in bursary support should contact the admissions team to discuss eligibility and the application process.