St Mary's School, Hampstead

Founded in 1926, St Mary's School, Hampstead occupies a distinguished Victorian building on Fitzjohn's Avenue, preserving original 19th-century features including mosaic flooring and grade-listed oak paneling. This independent Catholic prep school welcomes girls aged 2 to 11, combining academic rigour with pastoral care rooted in Catholic Social Teaching. With approximately 213 pupils across Nursery to Year 6, St Mary's offers a big heart alongside impressive facilities including a Global Learning Centre with VR room, robotics lab, and 3D printers. Recent ISI inspection confirmed the school meets all standards, praising teachers who balance academic rigour with creative learning. Girls progress to leading London day schools including South Hampstead High, Francis Holland Regent's Park, Channing, North London Collegiate, City of London School for Girls, and Godolphin & Latymer, with 30-40% securing scholarships and awards.

Address

47 Fitzjohn's Avenue, Hampstead, London, NW3 6PG

School type

Independent, Catholic

Gender

Girls only

Ages

2–11

Current roll

207 pupils

Fees

Confirm current fees directly with the school

Religious character

Catholic

Website

St Mary's School traces its heritage to 1926, when it moved to its current Hampstead location, though the original congregation was established by Mary Ward, the founder of the Institute of the Blessed Virgin Mary. The school's mission centres on developing the whole child—academically, spiritually, socially, and emotionally—within a Catholic framework that welcomes families of all faiths and none. Headmistress Charlotte Owen describes "Our St Mary's Way" as an ethos grounded in academic excellence, pastoral warmth, and moral integrity.

The physical environment reflects this heritage. The five-storey Victorian building retains period details that lend gravitas to the learning environment, while modern extensions house specialist facilities. The chapel, in use since 1939, remains central to school life, hosting weekly services and reflective assemblies. Five playgrounds including a blue all-weather netball court provide ample outdoor space in the heart of urban Hampstead.

Catholic Social Teaching underpins the curriculum, encouraging pupils to consider justice, dignity, and community responsibility. Despite its Catholic foundation, St Mary's maintains an inclusive admissions policy, welcoming families from diverse faith backgrounds. The atmosphere is deliberately nurturing, with small class sizes averaging 14 pupils and two forms per year group. Staff emphasise individual attention, building confidence in each girl's academic and personal strengths.

The school's recent accolades underscore its standing. Beyond the Small Independent School of the Year shortlisting, St Mary's received Highly Commended recognition for Outstanding School Sport at the ISA Awards 2024, reflecting its commitment to sporting excellence alongside academic achievement. The most recent ISI inspection praised pupils who "care for one another and are proud of their school," capturing the supportive ethos parents consistently report.

St Mary's delivers a broad, knowledge-rich curriculum from Nursery through Year 6. Early years provision begins at age 2½, with Nursery sessions emphasising play-based learning, phonics, and social development. From Reception onwards, the school follows a structured academic programme covering English, mathematics, science, history, geography, religious education, modern foreign languages (French from Reception), art, music, drama, and physical education.

The Global Learning Centre represents a significant investment in STEAM education. Equipped with a virtual reality room, robotics lab, and 3D printers, this dedicated space allows pupils to engage with cutting-edge technology from an early age. Teachers integrate VR experiences into geography and history lessons, bringing distant places and historical periods to life. Coding and robotics feature regularly from Year 3, developing computational thinking and problem-solving skills.

Specialist teaching begins early. From Reception, pupils are taught by subject specialists for physical education, music, and French. By Year 3, they benefit from specialist instruction in science, art, and computing, with most core subjects also taught by dedicated specialists. This approach ensures pupils encounter subject-passionate teachers, maintaining engagement and deepening understanding.

The library, housing over 1,000 titles, supports literacy development and independent reading. Pupils enjoy regular library sessions and participate in book clubs, author visits, and World Book Day celebrations. The school maintains a strong focus on reading for pleasure, recognising its importance in developing vocabulary, comprehension, and imagination.

As an independent school, St Mary's does not participate in national state school assessments or publish standardised exam results. Instead, the school prepares girls for competitive entrance exams to selective London senior schools, including 11+ and 13+ exams. The school's track record speaks for itself: girls consistently gain places at highly sought-after day schools, with 30-40% winning scholarships or awards annually. This success rate reflects rigorous preparation, small-group tutoring, and careful matching of pupils to appropriate senior schools.

Support provision is carefully tailored. Pupils requiring additional help in literacy or numeracy access targeted interventions, often delivered in small groups or one-to-one. The school employs specialist support teachers who work closely with class teachers to identify and address learning gaps. For pupils with more significant needs, the school collaborates with external specialists, including educational psychologists and speech and language therapists.

Girls also benefit from extension opportunities. The school runs subject-specific clubs for high-achieving pupils, including mathematics challenge groups, creative writing workshops, and science clubs. Pupils regularly enter national competitions, achieving notable success in mathematics challenges, creative writing prizes, and art exhibitions.

Beyond the classroom, St Mary's offers over 40 weekly clubs spanning sport, music, drama, and academic enrichment. Sporting options include netball, gymnastics, athletics, swimming, tennis, rounders, and dance. The school achieved notable success in gymnastics, with U11 and U9 teams winning championship titles. Swimming lessons take place at a nearby facility, ensuring all pupils develop water confidence and technique.

Music permeates school life. Pupils learn recorder from Year 1, progressing to a choice of instruments including piano, strings, woodwind, and brass. Individual lessons cost £375 per term (capped at £434.82 including VAT). Pupils perform in regular concerts, showcasing solo and ensemble skills. The school choir sings in chapel services and external venues, fostering musicianship and teamwork.

Drama features prominently, with annual productions involving every year group. Recent performances have included adaptations of classics and original works, staged in Chapel Hall or Mary Ward Hall. Pupils develop confidence, memorisation skills, and collaborative creativity through drama classes and productions.

Residential trips enrich the curriculum. Year 4 pupils enjoy an outdoor adventure trip, Year 5 travel on a geography field trip, and Year 6 embark on an activity week before leaving for senior school. These experiences build independence, resilience, and lasting friendships.

An After School Club operates until 6pm, offering supervised play, homework support, and enrichment activities. Holiday Club runs during school breaks, providing flexible childcare with themed activities. These services support working parents while maintaining the school's nurturing ethos.

The school's urban setting does not limit outdoor provision. Five playgrounds offer varied environments—from quiet zones for reading or board games to active areas for sports and imaginative play. The all-weather netball court supports both curricular PE and lunchtime games. Despite the central London location, the grounds provide surprising space and greenery, offering pupils fresh air and movement throughout the day.

St Mary's operates a selective admissions process, welcoming girls at Nursery, Reception, and occasionally into later year groups when spaces arise. Entry at Nursery (age 2½) and Reception is most common, with occasional places in Years 1–6 depending on availability and the applicant's suitability.

Application process

Parents should contact the school directly for the current registration process, fee schedule and tour availability. Open Mornings allow prospective families to tour the building, meet staff, and experience the school's atmosphere. Attending an Open Morning is strongly encouraged but not mandatory.

Assessment

For Nursery entry, the school invites children to a taster session, observing social skills, curiosity, and readiness for group learning. Reception applicants attend a more structured assessment day, participating in group activities, literacy and numeracy tasks, and informal play. The school looks for girls who show enthusiasm for learning, kindness towards peers, and potential to thrive in a small, supportive environment.

For entry into Years 1–6, applicants complete age-appropriate assessments in English and mathematics, plus an informal interview. The school considers academic potential, personal qualities, and fit with the school's ethos. Previous school reports are requested, and the admissions team may contact the applicant's current school for a reference.

Timing

Registration opens approximately two years before intended entry, though families can register earlier. Offers for Reception entry are typically made in the January preceding the September start. Families should apply early, as places are limited and competition is strong.

As an independent school, St Mary's is not bound by local authority catchment areas or distance criteria. The school attracts families from across North and Central London, including Hampstead, Belsize Park, Primrose Hill, St John's Wood, Highgate, and Swiss Cottage. Demand consistently exceeds available places, particularly for Reception entry. Securing a place requires early registration, strong assessment performance, and a good match between the family's values and the school's Catholic ethos.

Deposit and financial assistance

Successful applicants should confirm current deposit requirements directly with the school before accepting a place. Bursaries may be available for families who would otherwise be unable to afford fees, and applicants should contact the admissions office for current eligibility and application procedures. The school is committed to maintaining socioeconomic diversity and supports families through its bursary programme where possible.

Progression to senior schools

St Mary's girls leave at age 11, moving to a wide range of selective London day schools. The most popular destinations include South Hampstead High School, Francis Holland Regent's Park, Channing School, North London Collegiate School, City of London School for Girls, and Godolphin & Latymer. Other recent destinations include Highgate School, Belmont, Queenswood, St Mary's Ascot, and Parliament Hill School. The school provides expert guidance during the senior school selection process, helping families identify schools that suit each girl's academic profile, interests, and personality. The high proportion of scholarship winners—30-40% annually—demonstrates the school's success in preparing girls for competitive 11+ exams.

St Mary's School, Hampstead offers a distinctive blend of heritage, academic rigour, and pastoral warmth in the heart of one of London's most sought-after neighbourhoods. Its Catholic foundation provides a moral and spiritual framework, yet the school welcomes families of all faiths and none, creating a diverse and inclusive community. The small size—approximately 213 pupils—ensures every girl is known, supported, and challenged according to her individual needs.

Academically, the school prepares girls exceptionally well for the 11+ transition. The impressive progression to leading London day schools, coupled with a 30-40% scholarship rate, speaks to the quality of teaching and the rigour of exam preparation. Specialist teaching, small classes averaging 14 pupils, and investment in STEAM facilities through the Global Learning Centre provide a well-rounded, forward-thinking education.

The setting is both a strength and a consideration. The Victorian building retains character and history, but space is inevitably limited in central London. Families seeking extensive playing fields or sprawling campuses should temper expectations. However, five playgrounds and an all-weather court provide adequate outdoor provision, and the school makes excellent use of local facilities for swimming and extended sports.

Fees are substantial, ranging from £3,775 per term for Nursery mornings to £6,985 per term (capped at £8,100 including VAT) for Reception through Year 6. Additional costs for lunch, music lessons, and clubs can add significantly. Bursaries are available, though competition for financial assistance is strong. Families should budget carefully, factoring in the deposit, registration fee, and extras.

The admissions process is competitive and requires early engagement. Securing a place demands timely registration—ideally two years before intended entry—strong assessment performance, and alignment with the school's values. Families comfortable with a Catholic ethos, selective admissions, and independent school culture will find St Mary's a nurturing and academically excellent choice. Those seeking a secular, non-selective, or state-funded option should look elsewhere.

For families who value tradition, small class sizes, specialist teaching, and a proven track record of senior school success, St Mary's School, Hampstead merits serious consideration. It is a school where girls are known by name, encouraged to ask questions, supported in their struggles, and celebrated for their achievements. The combination of academic excellence, pastoral care, and spiritual grounding creates an environment in which girls flourish intellectually, socially, and emotionally, leaving well-prepared for the challenges and opportunities of senior school and beyond.

The school provides provides small class sizes (averaging 14 pupils), specialist teaching from Reception, and investment in STEAM facilities through the Global Learning Centre support academic achievement and personal development. For families seeking a Catholic ethos, selective admissions, and a supportive atmosphere, St Mary's is an excellent choice.

How do I apply to St Mary's School, Hampstead?

To apply to St Mary's School, Hampstead, register via the school's online portal at paying a £180 registration fee. The school recommends registering approximately two years before your daughter's intended entry date. Main entry points are Nursery (age 2½), Reception, and occasionally into Years 1–6 when spaces arise. After registration, attend an Open Morning to tour the school and meet staff. Assessment varies by age: Nursery applicants attend a taster session; Reception applicants participate in a group assessment day; older applicants complete literacy and numeracy assessments plus an interview. Offers for Reception entry are typically made in January preceding the September start. Successful applicants pay a £3,000 deposit to confirm their place. For questions about admissions or bursaries, contact admissions@stmh.co.uk.

What are the fees at St Mary's School, Hampstead?

The fact pack does not provide a current fee schedule for St Mary's School, Hampstead. Families should confirm termly fees, lunch charges, optional extras, registration fees, deposit requirements and bursary arrangements directly with the school before applying.

What senior schools do girls from St Mary's School, Hampstead go to?

Girls from St Mary's School, Hampstead progress to a range of leading London day schools at age 11. The most popular destinations include South Hampstead High School, Francis Holland Regent's Park, Channing School, North London Collegiate School, City of London School for Girls, and Godolphin & Latymer. Other recent destinations include Highgate School, Belmont, Queenswood, St Mary's Ascot, and Parliament Hill School. Approximately 30-40% of pupils win scholarships or awards to their senior schools, reflecting the quality of academic preparation and the rigour of exam coaching provided. The school offers expert guidance to families during the senior school selection process, helping match each girl to schools suited to her academic profile, interests, and personality.

Does St Mary's School, Hampstead have a sixth form?

No, St Mary's School, Hampstead does not have a sixth form. The school is a prep school catering to girls aged 2½ to 11, covering Nursery through Year 6. Girls leave at age 11 to attend senior schools with secondary and sixth form provision. Popular onward destinations include South Hampstead High School, Francis Holland Regent's Park, Channing School, North London Collegiate School, City of London School for Girls, and Godolphin & Latymer, all of which offer sixth form education.

Is St Mary's School, Hampstead a Catholic school?

Yes — it’s a Catholic school. St Mary's School, Hampstead was founded by the Congregation of Jesus, a teaching order established by Mary Ward. The school's ethos is rooted in Catholic Social Teaching, emphasising justice, dignity, compassion, and community responsibility. Weekly chapel services, religious education lessons, and sacramental preparation are integral to school life. However, the school operates an inclusive admissions policy, welcoming girls of all faiths and none. Families who value the school's academic rigour and pastoral care need not be Catholic to apply, though they are expected to respect and support the school's Catholic ethos and participate in religious observances as part of the school day.