The Mulberry House School is an independent co-educational pre-prep and nursery in West Hampstead, serving children aged 2 to 7+ across two sites on Minster Road and Shoot Up Hill. Founded in 1994 with a clear mission to provide "the highest standard of education and care," the school has built a formidable reputation for preparing young learners for 4+ and 7+ entry to some of North London's most competitive preparatory and senior schools. With around 190 pupils, a non-selective admissions policy, and a curriculum rooted in the principle that children are "born curious, live curious, stay curious," Mulberry House combines academic rigour with a warm, nurturing environment. The school holds prestigious accreditations including Artsmark Gold and the NACE Challenge Award, and recent ISI inspection (June 2024) found the school met all standards, praising pupils' "sophisticated knowledge and appreciation of human rights" as a significant strength. Fees range from £4,876 to £9,032 per term (excluding VAT), with scholarships and bursaries available.
Founded in 1994, The Mulberry House School was established on the principle that every child is special, different, and possesses individual needs. The school's founding ethos emphasises partnership between educators and parents to ensure each child's first school experience is both secure and happy. Under the leadership of headteacher Miss Erika Billmore (appointed February 2025), the school continues to champion curiosity-driven learning as its core educational philosophy.
The school's values revolve around fostering respect, achievement, and a genuine love of learning. Children are encouraged to respect themselves and others while embracing challenges, supported by a community that explicitly commits to safeguarding and promoting child welfare. The 2024 ISI inspection team noted that leaders have implemented a wide programme of activities enabling pupils to embody British values as active citizens both within school and in the wider community, describing this as a significant strength.
Operating across two West Hampstead sites, the school creates an intimate learning environment where staff know each child well. The atmosphere is purposefully designed to be warm and encouraging, recognising that early years experiences shape attitudes to education for years to come. Parents describe a culture where individual needs are genuinely met, and where children develop confidence and enthusiasm for learning rather than simply acquiring knowledge.
The Mulberry House School does not publish standardised test data, as independent pre-preps are not required to participate in national assessments. Instead, academic effectiveness is measured through progression to selective senior schools and the quality of provision observed during inspections.
The curriculum is structured across Early Years (nursery-aged children from age 2) and Prep Years (through to age 7+), with a strong emphasis on wellbeing and spiritual, moral, social, and cultural (SMSC) development alongside traditional academic subjects. The school prepares children for both 4+ and 7+ assessments, working in close partnership with parents to identify the right next school for each child.
The June 2024 ISI inspection confirmed that the school successfully meets all Independent School Standards. Inspectors found that the educational provision enables pupils to develop academically, socially, and emotionally in a supportive environment. The school's commitment to extending learning beyond the classroom is evident in its approach to enrichment and breadth of experience.
With a non-selective admissions policy welcoming children of all backgrounds and faiths, the school's value-added contribution is particularly noteworthy. The ability to prepare a wide range of learners for entry to highly selective preparatory schools speaks to the quality of teaching and individualised support provided.
Learning at Mulberry House extends well beyond traditional classroom walls. The school operates two sites in West Hampstead, with brightly-lit classrooms designed to create a stimulating yet calm learning environment. A particular highlight is the outdoor classroom at Westbere Copse, a local nature reserve where children engage in forest school activities and hands-on environmental learning.
The school organises regular educational visits aligned with curriculum topics and children's interests, including trips to the local park, Whipsnade Zoo, and the National Portrait Gallery. These first-hand experiences are complemented by visiting speakers and specialists who extend classroom learning with expert knowledge.
Extracurricular provision is substantial for a school of this size. Full-time and afternoon children can participate in a wide range of clubs including Spanish, Ball Skills, Crafts, and Drama. The school's Artsmark Gold accreditation reflects a serious commitment to arts education, while the NACE Challenge Award demonstrates focus on extending all learners, regardless of starting point.
The school places strong emphasis on producing well-rounded children capable of communicating confidently with others. Pupils develop social and emotional skills through daily interactions, structured SMSC programmes, and opportunities to engage with their local community. The 2024 ISI inspection particularly noted pupils' sophisticated understanding of human rights and British values.
The Mulberry House School has established excellent links with leading preparatory and senior schools across North London and beyond. The school works in partnership with parents to identify the right next step for each child, preparing pupils for entry at either 4+ or 7+. Parents choose at application whether they intend to stay until 4+ only or continue through to 7+.
Recent leavers have secured places at a highly impressive roster of selective schools. Top destinations include North London Collegiate School, Haberdashers' Aske's Boys' School, Haberdashers' Aske's School for Girls, South Hampstead High School, City of London School for Girls, University College School, Highgate, Latymer Upper School, Wetherby Prep, and Westminster Under School.
In 2018, a particularly strong year, pupils received 8 offers from Haberdashers' Girls, 4 from Haberdashers' Boys, 9 from Highgate, 9 from North London Collegiate, 5 from UCS, and 4 from South Hampstead High School. Historical data from 2016 showed similarly impressive outcomes, with multiple children gaining places at the region's most competitive schools at both 4+ and 7+ entry points.
The breadth of destinations reflects both the quality of academic preparation and the school's commitment to finding the right fit for each child. Pupils leave Mulberry House well-prepared not only for entrance assessments but for the academic and social demands of their next schools.
Admission to The Mulberry House School is competitive, operating on a first-come, first-served basis dependent on availability. The school is non-selective, welcoming children of all abilities and backgrounds, but high demand means places often fill quickly, and waiting lists are common.
Prospective parents must first attend one of the school's monthly Open Evenings, held approximately once a month at 6pm. These sessions offer the opportunity to tour the school, learn about the educational approach, meet the headteacher, and ask questions. Following an Open Evening, families can proceed with registration.
Children usually join on the Monday after their second birthday, subject to term dates. The school accepts registrations for unborn children if parents wish to apply early, though an acceptance deposit is required to secure the place. Registration fees are £125 for a nursery place only, £250 for combined nursery and school registration, £150 for a school place where the child already attends nursery, and £300 for a school place without prior nursery attendance. Siblings of current pupils are exempt from registration fees.
Places are allocated strictly by date of birth of the child, with registration forms processed weekly. Even a difference of a few days can affect class placement and availability. Parents are advised to register as early as possible due to consistently high demand. If a place cannot be offered immediately, children are added to a waitlist, though the school does not disclose waitlist positions.
Occasional places may become available in Reception or Year 1. Families interested in mid-year or later entry should contact the admissions office directly at [email protected] or call 020 8452 7340.
The Mulberry House School occupies a distinctive position in the North London independent landscape: a genuinely non-selective pre-prep with an exceptional track record of preparing young children for entry to some of the capital's most competitive schools. This combination of inclusive admissions and impressive outcomes speaks to high-quality teaching, individualised support, and a curriculum that extends well beyond exam preparation.
The school's greatest strength lies in its commitment to nurturing curiosity and love of learning during the critical early years. The 2024 ISI inspection's recognition of pupils' sophisticated understanding of human rights and British values is particularly noteworthy for such young children, reflecting an educational approach that develops character and citizenship alongside academic skills.
Facilities, particularly the outdoor classroom at Westbere Copse, and the breadth of extracurricular provision demonstrate a genuine commitment to enrichment. The range of destinations to which pupils progress confirms that academic preparation is robust, with children successfully navigating both 4+ and 7+ entry points to schools including North London Collegiate, Haberdashers', UCS, Highgate, and South Hampstead High.
For families seeking a warm, nurturing first school experience that combines academic rigour with genuine attention to individual needs, Mulberry House offers a compelling proposition. The non-selective admissions policy means the school is open to a wider range of families than many feeder pre-preps, though competition for places remains intense and early registration is essential.
The first-come, first-served admissions process is transparent but demanding, requiring parents to plan well ahead—sometimes even before birth. Fees are substantial, though scholarships and bursaries provide some access for families who would otherwise be priced out. Parents should also consider that the school's age range (2 to 7+) means children will transition to a new school for the remainder of primary education, requiring careful forward planning and preparation for competitive entrance processes.
For families committed to the independent pathway and seeking a strong foundation for selective school entry, The Mulberry House School delivers an environment where young children can develop academically, socially, and emotionally while preserving the joy and wonder that should characterise early childhood education.
The Mulberry House School is a well-regarded independent pre-prep with strong inspection outcomes and an impressive record of progression to selective preparatory and senior schools. The June 2024 ISI inspection found the school met all standards, with particular praise for pupils' understanding of British values and human rights. The school's non-selective admissions policy combined with successful placement of pupils at highly competitive schools including North London Collegiate, Haberdashers', UCS, Highgate, and South Hampstead High suggests effective teaching and strong value-added. Academic provision is complemented by Artsmark Gold accreditation and NACE Challenge Award recognition, demonstrating commitment to arts and extending all learners.
Prospective families must first attend one of the school's monthly Open Evenings, held approximately once a month at 6pm. After attending, you can register your child by paying a registration fee (£125 for nursery only, £250 for combined nursery and school, £150 for school if already in nursery, £300 for school without nursery attendance; siblings exempt). Children typically join on the Monday after their second birthday. Places are allocated strictly on a first-come, first-served basis by child's date of birth, so early registration is essential due to high demand. Contact the admissions office at [email protected] or 020 8452 7340.
Day fees for 2024-25 range from £4,876 to £9,032 per term (excluding VAT). Registration fees are £125–£300 depending on entry point, though siblings of current pupils are exempt. The school offers scholarships and bursaries for eligible families. An acceptance deposit is required to secure a place. For the most current fee information and details of financial assistance, contact the school directly or visit their fees page at mulberryhouseschool.com/admissions/fees.
Pupils successfully progress to leading North London preparatory and senior schools at both 4+ and 7+ entry points. Recent destinations include North London Collegiate School, Haberdashers' Aske's Boys' School, Haberdashers' Aske's School for Girls, South Hampstead High School, City of London School for Girls, University College School, Highgate School, Latymer Upper School, Wetherby Prep, and Westminster Under School. In 2018, pupils received 8 offers from Haberdashers' Girls, 4 from Haberdashers' Boys, 9 from Highgate, 9 from NLCS, 5 from UCS, and 4 from SHHS. The school works in partnership with parents to identify the right next school for each child.
Yes, the school has nursery provision for children from age 2. The Early Years provision forms an integral part of the school, with children typically joining on the Monday after their second birthday. Nursery places are offered on a first-come, first-served basis, and early registration is strongly advised due to high demand. Parents must decide at application whether they are applying for nursery only (with 4+ exit) or combined nursery and school (with 7+ exit). The nursery curriculum focuses on curiosity-driven learning with emphasis on wellbeing and SMSC development.
The school's educational philosophy centres on the principle that children are "born curious, live curious, stay curious." The curriculum is structured across Early Years and Prep Years, emphasising curiosity-driven learning, respect for self and others, and developing a genuine love of learning. The 2024 ISI inspection noted a wide programme enabling pupils to embody British values as active citizens. Learning extends beyond the classroom through educational visits (Whipsnade Zoo, National Portrait Gallery, local parks), an outdoor classroom at Westbere Copse nature reserve, and visiting specialists. The school holds NACE Challenge Award and Artsmark Gold accreditation, reflecting commitment to extending all learners and excellence in arts education.
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