St Margaret's School, London: A Boutique Education in Hampstead

Hidden away on a leafy residential street in Hampstead, St Margaret's School offers a distinctive proposition in a market often dominated by size and scale. This is a boutique school in the truest sense; with a capacity of around 170 girls aged 4 to 16, it is smaller than a single year group at some of its neighbours. The result is an environment where anonymity is impossible and the "family feel" often claimed by marketing brochures is a genuine daily reality.

The school occupies a handsome Victorian house with modern additions, blending into the domestic architecture of Kidderpore Gardens. It serves as an all-through school until age 16, meaning there is no sixth form. This structural decision shapes the school's character significantly. Rather than being the junior partners to a dominant senior cohort, the Year 11 girls lead the school, preserving a sense of childhood that can sometimes vanish early in larger institutions.

Mrs Sharron Shackell took up the Principalship in September 2025, bringing extensive pastoral and academic experience from her previous role as Deputy Head at Immanuel College. Her appointment signals a continued commitment to the school's nurturing ethos while maintaining academic ambition.

At drop-off, the gates reveal a scene that feels less like an institution and more like a large, bustling household. The Victorian architecture creates a homely aesthetic, with classrooms that often retain period features such as fireplaces and high ceilings. This is not a campus of glass atriums and vast concrete piazzas; space is at a premium, and the school uses every inch of its footprint creatively.

The atmosphere is noticeably calm. With small class sizes—often numbering between 10 and 15—lessons tend to be conversational rather than instructional. Teachers know not just the names of every girl, but their siblings, their pets, and their particular worries. This intense level of pastoral attention creates a safety net that allows quieter girls, who might drown in a school of 1,000, to find their voice.

Tradition plays a role, but it wears a friendly face. The school motto, Sursum Corda (Lift up your hearts), reflects an ethos of optimism rather than heavy-handed religiosity. While not a faith school, the values are broadly Christian in their emphasis on kindness and service. The absence of a sixth form changes the social dynamic interestingly; the "top of the school" privileges and responsibilities fall to 15 and 16-year-olds, giving them leadership experience earlier than their peers in 11-18 schools.

Academically, St Margaret's performs solidly, delivering results that open doors to excellent sixth forms without the pressure-cooker environment found elsewhere in north London. In the most recent government data, the school achieved an Attainment 8 score of 51. This score sits above the England average of roughly 46, indicating that pupils achieve, on average, just over a grade 5 (strong pass) across eight key subjects.

The school ranks 1712th in England for GCSE performance. While this places it in the middle 35% of schools in England (reflecting solid performance in line with the middle 35% of schools in England), raw rankings can be misleading for such a small cohort. A single pupil's results can swing the statistics significantly. The average EBacc APS score of 5.41 further confirms a picture of consistent, reliable academic delivery where the core subjects are handled well.

More telling than the league table position is the value-added narrative. The school prides itself on identifying potential in girls who may not be natural test-takers and scaffolding their learning to ensure they exceed baseline expectations.

The curriculum is broad and balanced, resisting the urge to narrow options too early. In the Junior School, the focus is on building core skills alongside a rich diet of art, music, and languages. French is introduced early, and by the time girls reach the Senior School, they are accustomed to specialist teaching.

In the Senior School (Years 7-11), the scale of the school allows for a bespoke approach to learning. Teachers can pivot a lesson to address a specific misconception immediately, something that is harder to do in a class of 30. The curriculum includes all the expected GCSE staples, alongside Art, Drama, Music, and Spanish.

Science teaching is practical and engaging, making good use of the on-site laboratories. The humanities are strong, with history and geography trips utilising London as an extension of the classroom. The lack of a sixth form does not limit the ambition of the KS4 curriculum; teachers are focused purely on the GCSE journey, without the distraction of A-level sets.

Since education at St Margaret's concludes at Year 11, the transition to post-16 education is a defining feature of the school's provision. The school views this not as an exit but as a launchpad. Preparation for sixth form transfer begins early, with senior staff guiding families through the maze of London admissions.

Leavers typically progress to a mix of high-performing day schools and state grammar or comprehensive sixth forms. Popular destinations often include University College School (UCS), South Hampstead High School, Channing, and Highgate, alongside competitive state options like The Henrietta Barnett School or Woodhouse College. The school's intimate knowledge of each girl helps align them with a sixth form environment where they will thrive, whether that is a large IB provider or a specialist A-level college.

Entry to St Margaret's is possible at various points, with the main intakes at 4+ (Reception) and 11+ (Year 7). Occasional places do arise in other year groups, and the school is often open to discussing mid-year entry if space permits.

For Reception entry, the process is gentle, involving a play-based assessment designed to check school readiness and social interaction. It is not an academic test, but rather a check that the child will be happy in the school's environment.

At 11+, the process is more formal but remains humane. Candidates sit entrance examinations in English and Mathematics. Unlike many London consortium schools, St Margaret's sets its own papers. A reference from the current school and an interview with the Head are key components. The interview is designed to explore the candidate's interests and character rather than to catch them up on obscure knowledge.

This is the school's undisputed super-power. In a school of 170, there are no cracks for a child to fall through. The form tutor is the central figure in a girl's life, but the "open door" policy is literal rather than metaphorical. Girls feel comfortable approaching the Head or senior staff directly.

The latest ISI inspection in October 2025 confirmed that the school meets all required standards, validating the robustness of its pastoral and safeguarding arrangements. This follows a history of strong inspection outcomes, with previous reports praising the quality of personal development.

A unique feature is the "Family Tree" system. This vertical pastoral structure places girls into "families" with members from every year group, Reception to Year 11. These groups meet regularly, allowing older girls to mentor younger ones naturally. It breaks down age barriers and ensures that a Year 7 pupil has a friendly face in Year 11 to wave to in the corridor.

Despite its size, St Margaret's punches above its weight in extracurricular provision. The location in Hampstead is leveraged intelligently. Sports typically take place at nearby external facilities, including the vast heath extension, allowing girls access to netball courts and playing fields that the compact site cannot provide.

Music and Drama are central pillars of school life. The choir is active, performing at local venues and school services. Drama productions are inclusive, ensuring that every girl who wants to tread the boards gets her moment in the spotlight.

Clubs change termly and might include anything from Debating and Coding to Gardening and Yoga. The school runs a tailored enrichment programme that includes visits to London's galleries, museums, and theatres, ensuring girls engage with the cultural capital of the capital city.

Fees for the 2025/2026 academic year are £7,949 per term for the Senior School (Years 7-11). In the Junior School, fees range from £6,862 per term (Reception to Year 2) to £7,554 per term (Years 3-6).

The school offers limited financial assistance in the form of bursaries for eligible families. Scholarships are available for 11+ entry, recognising excellence in Academic, Art, Drama, Music, and Sport categories. These are typically honorary or carry a modest fee remission, focusing on recognition rather than large-scale financial reduction.

The school is located on Kidderpore Gardens in Hampstead (NW3). It is well-served by public transport; West Hampstead (Jubilee, Thameslink, Overground) and Finchley Road (Metropolitan, Jubilee) stations are within walking distance, as are numerous bus routes on the Finchley Road.

The school day typically runs from 8:30am to 3:30pm or 4:00pm, depending on the year group. Wraparound care is available, with breakfast club starting at 7:30am and after-school care extending the day until 6:00pm for working parents. Lunch is cooked on-site, offering a balanced menu that caters to dietary requirements.

No Sixth Form: Families must be prepared for a move at 16. While this allows for a fresh start and a specialized sixth form choice, it does mean another round of applications and exams during the GCSE years.

Limited Site: The boutique nature of the school means on-site facilities are compact. There are no acres of playing fields or Olympic-sized pools on the doorstep. Sports require travel to off-site locations, which works smoothly but eats into the day.

Small Social Circle: A small cohort creates intimacy, but it also limits the social pool. If a girl falls out with her friendship group, there are fewer alternative groups to join than in a school of 1,000. However, staff are experts at managing these dynamics.

St Margaret's offers a sanctuary of calm and kindness in the frenetic London education market. It proves that you do not need to be vast to be successful. Best suited to families who value individual attention over state-of-the-art stadiums, and who want their daughters to be educated in a nurturing environment where confidence is built on relationships, not just results. The main challenge is the transition at 16, but for the right girl, the foundation built here is invaluable.

For the 2025/2026 academic year, Senior School fees are £7,949 per term. Junior School fees range from £6,862 to £7,554 per term depending on the year group.

Does St Margaret's School have a Sixth Form?

No. St Margaret's is an all-through school for girls aged 4 to 16. Girls leave at the end of Year 11 (GCSEs) to attend sixth forms or colleges elsewhere, with popular destinations including UCS and South Hampstead High School.

How competitive is entry to St Margaret's School?

Entry is selective but generally considered less pressured than the most academic north London consortium schools. The 11+ process involves English and Maths papers and an interview, looking for potential and character as much as raw academic data.

What sports facilities does St Margaret's School have?

The school has limited on-site outdoor space due to its location. It makes extensive use of local facilities in Hampstead and West Hampstead for netball, rounders, tennis, and athletics.