St Christopher's School is an independent day preparatory school for 246 girls aged 4 to 11, set within a Victorian house and spacious garden in the leafy residential heart of Belsize Park, Hampstead. Founded in 1883 and educating girls for over 140 years, the school combines heritage with a forward-looking curriculum grounded in five core values: creativity, curiosity, challenge, kindness, and community. As a member of both the Girls' Schools Association and the Independent Association of Preparatory Schools, St Christopher's operates as a selective prep school focused exclusively on girls during their formative primary years. The school received an Excellent rating across all areas in its March 2022 ISI inspection and was nominated for the Independent Prep School of the Year Tes Award in the same year. With class sizes averaging 18 pupils and a double Reception intake each September, the school balances academic rigour with a nurturing single-sex environment designed to let girls explore, take safe risks, and grow in confidence. Fees for 2025/26 are £8,455 per term, including VAT and lunches.
St Christopher's roots trace back to 1883, when an enthusiastic educationalist began teaching a small class in her father's drawing room. The earliest written records appear in 1889, and by 1924 the school had formalised its identity as a girls' preparatory school in Hampstead. Today, the school occupies a large Victorian house at 32 Belsize Lane, close to both Hampstead Heath and excellent transport links, including Belsize Park, Swiss Cottage, Finchley Road, and Hampstead Heath stations.
The school's ethos centres on the belief that learning through play is integral to a girl's development. Teamwork, compassion, friendship, loyalty, and respectful conflict resolution are taught as much in the playground as in the classroom. As a single-sex prep school, St Christopher's provides a safe and nurturing space where girls can enjoy their childhood, take risks in a supportive setting, and discover their voices without the pressures of co-education during these foundational years.
St Christopher's values the contributions of all pupils, not just the extroverts who raise their hands first. The assessment process is deliberately designed to allow quieter children to shine, and throughout their time at the school, girls benefit from a highly individualised curriculum that ensures every voice is heard and recognised. The school teaches thinking skills to help pupils sift through information overload, discern what matters, reflect deeply, and apply knowledge with confidence and conviction. This approach fosters independent thinkers who form their own opinions and articulate them with assurance.
The school is a member of the Schools Inclusion Alliance and holds Bronze Rights Respecting School status, reflecting its commitment to inclusivity and children's rights. Under the leadership of Mr Mark Maddocks, who joined as Headteacher in October 2024, the school continues to balance tradition with innovation, ensuring that every girl's experience is enriched by intellectual curiosity and creative freedom.
St Christopher's delivers a curriculum based on the National Curriculum with thoughtful additions and variations tailored to the school's educational philosophy. The cornerstones of English and Mathematics remain central, but every girl also immerses herself in STEM, Technology, Music, Art, Sport, Drama, Languages, Humanities, and unique offerings such as Chess and Philosophy. This breadth of study is designed to foster intellectual curiosity and encourage creative thinking and problem-solving.
The school's unique exam format encourages girls to approach challenges with creativity and resilience. Teachers focus on developing critical thinking skills, enabling pupils to navigate information, form reasoned opinions, and express themselves with clarity. Class sizes average 18 pupils, with two classes per year group, allowing for personalised attention and tailored support.
As an independent school, St Christopher's does not participate in state-school performance tables, and SATs results are not publicly reported. However, the school's March 2022 ISI inspection awarded Excellent ratings across all areas, highlighting the quality of teaching, pastoral care, and the overall educational experience. The inspection recognised the school's success in nurturing confident, articulate, and intellectually curious pupils.
The school's track record of secondary school destinations underscores its academic strength and reputation among North London's top senior schools. On average, 90% of leavers proceed to day schools, with 10% choosing boarding options. Over the last five years, the most popular destinations have been Channing School (16% of leavers) and South Hampstead High School (13%). St Paul's Girls' School, Francis Holland Regent's Park, City of London Girls' School, Godolphin & Latymer School, and North London Collegiate School each receive 8–9% of leavers. Girls typically move on to one of 15–20 independent senior schools, a testament to the school's strong academic preparation and the confidence it instils in its pupils.
St Christopher's occupies a large Victorian house with a spacious garden, providing a tranquil setting within the bustling Hampstead area. The campus offers a range of specialist spaces supporting the broad curriculum, including facilities for STEM, Technology, Music, Art, and Drama. The school's sports provision is well-regarded, with girls participating in netball, football, rounders, pop lacrosse, hockey, and athletics.
Extracurricular life is rich and varied, catering to diverse interests and encouraging girls to explore new passions. Clubs include language learning for curious minds, running, ukulele, storytelling, architecture, puppet making, puzzles, stop motion animation, and singing with digital doodling. This wide range of activities complements the academic programme and reinforces the school's commitment to creativity, curiosity, and community.
The school's location is one of its practical strengths. Belsize Park station (Northern Line) is a seven-minute walk, Hampstead Heath station (North London Line) is nine minutes away, and both Swiss Cottage (Jubilee Line) and Finchley Road (Jubilee and Metropolitan Lines) are thirteen minutes on foot. This accessibility makes the school a convenient choice for families across North London.
St Christopher's is academically selective, with the main point of entry at 4+ into Reception. Each January, the school holds assessments for girls born on or after 1 September, and between 35 and 40 girls are offered places annually. From September 2024, the intake structure changed to a double Reception entry, rather than the previous split between Reception and Year 1. Entry at 5+ into Year 1 is now offered on an occasional vacancy basis only.
Registration is open for girls born after 1 September 2021, and families are encouraged to apply early via the school's website. Registration does not guarantee a place, but every registered girl will be invited for assessment in due course. The school welcomes visits at any time before or after registration, and families are invited to attend autumn open events to experience the school firsthand.
The assessment process is designed to identify girls who will thrive in St Christopher's warm and innovative learning atmosphere. Importantly, the school does not favour any particular exam provider and structures its assessments to allow quieter children to shine alongside their more extroverted peers. This inclusive approach reflects the school's belief that not every child is an extrovert, and every contribution matters.
As a standalone prep school not tied to any one senior school, St Christopher's prepares girls for a wide range of selective independent senior schools across London. Competition for places is strong, reflecting the school's reputation, excellent facilities, and track record of successful 11+ transitions. Families considering St Christopher's should register early and prepare for a selective admissions process that values curiosity, kindness, and the potential for academic and personal growth.
St Christopher's School is a distinguished girls' prep school that combines heritage with a modern, thoughtful approach to education. Founded in 1883 and set within a characterful Victorian house in Belsize Park, the school offers a nurturing, single-sex environment where girls aged 4 to 11 can flourish academically, socially, and creatively. The school's five core values—creativity, curiosity, challenge, kindness, and community—are evident in every aspect of school life, from the broad and ambitious curriculum to the rich extracurricular programme and the inclusive, individualised approach to teaching and learning.
The school's Excellent ISI rating in 2022 and nomination for Independent Prep School of the Year underscore its educational quality and reputation. With an average class size of 18, two classes per year group, and a focus on developing independent, articulate thinkers, St Christopher's provides a personalised and intellectually stimulating experience. The impressive roster of secondary school destinations—including Channing, South Hampstead High, St Paul's Girls', and North London Collegiate—confirms that the school prepares its pupils exceptionally well for the next stage of their educational journey.
For families seeking a girls-only prep school in North London that values every child's voice, encourages creative and critical thinking, and balances academic excellence with kindness and community, St Christopher's is a compelling choice. The selective admissions process and fees (£8,455 per term for 2025/26, including VAT and lunches) reflect the school's premium position, but bursary support is available up to 100% of fees for families who require it. Early registration, a visit to the school, and thoughtful preparation for the 4+ assessment are strongly recommended.
Yes, St Christopher's School is a highly regarded independent girls' prep school in Hampstead. It received an Excellent rating across all areas in its March 2022 ISI inspection and was nominated for the Independent Prep School of the Year Tes Award in 2022. The school has a strong academic track record, with the majority of leavers securing places at selective independent senior schools including Channing, South Hampstead High, St Paul's Girls', and North London Collegiate. The school's ethos of creativity, curiosity, challenge, kindness, and community is well-established, and the small class sizes and individualised approach ensure that every girl is supported and challenged appropriately.
The main point of entry is at 4+ into Reception, with assessments held each January. Registration is open for girls born after 1 September 2021, and families should complete an application form via the school's website. Registration does not guarantee a place, but every registered girl will be invited for assessment. The school also offers occasional places at 5+ into Year 1, subject to availability. Families are encouraged to visit the school before or after registering and to attend one of the autumn open events. For the latest admissions information, timelines, and application forms, visit the school's official website at www.stchristophers.london or contact the admissions team directly.
For the 2025/26 academic year, fees are £8,455 per term, which includes VAT and lunches. This amounts to approximately £25,365 per year. The school offers bursary support to a number of pupils, with financial assistance available up to 100% of fees for families who demonstrate need. Families interested in bursary support should contact the school's admissions or finance team early in the application process.
Over the last five years, the most popular destinations for St Christopher's leavers have been Channing School (16% of leavers) and South Hampstead High School (13%). Other popular choices include St Paul's Girls' School, Francis Holland Regent's Park, City of London Girls' School, Godolphin & Latymer School, and North London Collegiate School, each accounting for 8–9% of leavers. On average, 90% of leavers proceed to day schools, and 10% choose boarding schools. Girls typically move on to one of 15–20 independent senior schools, reflecting the school's strong academic preparation and reputation among North London's top senior schools.
St Christopher's stands out for its single-sex environment tailored specifically to girls aged 4 to 11, its historic roots dating back to 1883, and its clear commitment to five core values: creativity, curiosity, challenge, kindness, and community. The school's individualised curriculum and assessment process are designed to ensure that every girl's voice is heard and valued, including quieter children who may not be first to raise their hands. The school's broad curriculum includes unique offerings such as Chess, Philosophy, and a wide range of creative and sporting clubs. Its location in Belsize Park, with excellent transport links and proximity to Hampstead Heath, combines urban convenience with a peaceful, leafy setting. The school's consistent Excellent ISI ratings and impressive secondary school destinations further distinguish it as a leading girls' prep school in North London.
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