The Village School, Belsize Park Review 2026: A Small Girls' School That Closed in July 2025

The Village School catered for girls aged 2 to 14, traditionally from Nursery through to Year 6, though in September 2024 it expanded to include a senior section with the ambition of taking one Year 7 cohort annually through to GCSEs by 2029. This expansion was ultimately curtailed by the school's closure.

As an independent school, The Village School did not participate in national Key Stage assessments or publish state sector performance data. The school's approach emphasised an enriching, broad curriculum tailored to each girl's needs, delivered through small class sizes and an individualised teaching style. Interactive whiteboards equipped every classroom, and specialist spaces included a Creative Lab, library, and music room.

The school reported strong results for its 2022 Year 6 cohort, with 10 scholarships awarded to pupils moving on to a range of leading day schools. This suggests that academically, the school prepared girls effectively for competitive secondary admissions, despite its non-selective intake.

The school was academically inclusive, welcoming children through a bespoke admissions process personalised to each child rather than through competitive entrance exams. This progressive, nurturing approach meant girls of varied abilities could thrive, with the school committed to identifying and supporting each pupil's strengths.

Being independent and having closed in July 2025, there are no recent Ofsted inspections or state sector metrics available for this school.

The Village School occupied a spacious Edwardian house set within a secure half-acre site in residential Belsize Park. For a school of its size (capacity 140, but only 72 pupils enrolled at closure), the facilities were impressive. The half-acre of outdoor space included a full-sized floodlit netball court, a large grassy area, an adventure playground, an outdoor classroom, and fruit trees and herb gardens. There was also a well-equipped theatre, reflecting the school's ethos of combining traditional education with 21st-century cultural opportunities.

Indoor facilities comprised classrooms with interactive whiteboards, a Creative Lab for creative and project-based learning, a library, a music room, and a first aid room. The setting near Hampstead Heath provided additional opportunities for outdoor learning and exploration.

Extracurricular provision was woven into the school day. By leaving at 4:30pm after completing homework and attending a club, girls experienced a broad range of activities without the pressure of late evenings or weekend commitments. Music, drama, sport and creative arts all featured prominently, supported by the school's specialist spaces.

The school's location in Belsize Park made it accessible for families in Hampstead, St John's Wood, and the wider Camden area. The environment was residential, leafy, and safe, offering a village feel within the urban context of North London.

The Village School operated direct admissions (not through local authority processes, as an independent school). Registration required a completed form and a non-refundable fee of £125. If a place was offered and accepted, parents paid an acceptance deposit of £2,500, refunded upon the child's departure.

Entry points included:

• 2+ (Pre-Prep): 15 places available annually; applications accepted throughout the year.
• 4+ (Reception): Approximately 8 places available; applications accepted throughout the year.
• 11+ (Year 7, from September 2024): Taster day visits introduced, allowing prospective pupils to spend time with their form teacher and experience life as a 'Village girl'.

The admissions process was described as bespoke and personalised, avoiding the competitive, exam-based format typical of selective London prep schools. This inclusive approach meant the school was accessible to a wide range of families seeking a nurturing alternative to larger, more academically pressured environments.

With capacity for 140 but only 72 pupils enrolled at closure, the school was undersubscribed in its final years. This decline in pupil numbers, coupled with external financial pressures (including VAT on fees from January 2025 and rising employer National Insurance contributions), ultimately led to the closure decision by Chatsworth Schools in January 2025. The broader context included a 30% fall in birth rates in Camden since 2018, which had already forced the closure of four state schools in the borough.

Fees in the school's final year were £23,523 per annum. Bursaries were available for up to 50% of fees, means-tested and assessed by an independent bursary assessor. All parents were welcome to apply at any point during their child's time at the school.

Because the school has now closed, there is no catchment area or admissions competition to consider for prospective applicants.

The Village School, Belsize Park offered a distinctive alternative within London's independent girls' sector: small, nurturing, non-selective, and proudly progressive. Its half-acre site, no-homework policy, and family-oriented ethos appealed to parents seeking an intimate educational environment where each child could develop at her own pace without the pressures of competitive examination culture. The school's 40-year history demonstrated sustained commitment to this vision, and its 2022 scholarship results suggested it succeeded in preparing girls for strong secondary schools.

However, the school's closure in July 2025 reflects the challenging realities facing small independent schools in the current economic and demographic climate. Declining birth rates in Camden, coupled with new VAT on fees and rising employment costs, created financial pressures that a school with just 72 pupils (against a capacity of 140) could not withstand. The ambitious expansion into secondary education in September 2024 came too late to reverse the trend.

For families who valued The Village School's ethos and are now seeking alternatives, other small independent girls' schools in North London include Sarum Hall in Hampstead and South Hampstead High School (though the latter is larger and academically selective). Parents may also consider co-educational options or state sector girls' schools depending on their priorities.

This review serves as a historical record of what The Village School, Belsize Park offered and why it mattered to the families and community it served for four decades.

Is The Village School, Belsize Park still open?

No. The Village School, Belsize Park closed permanently on 10 July 2025 following a decision by Chatsworth Schools in January 2025. The closure was due to declining pupil numbers, the introduction of VAT on independent school fees, and rising National Insurance contributions. The school is no longer accepting applications.

What was the age range at The Village School, Belsize Park?

The school served girls aged 2 to 14. Traditionally it was a preparatory school for ages 2 to 11, but in September 2024 it began expanding into secondary education with the aim of eventually offering education through to GCSEs (age 16). This expansion was cut short by the closure.

What were the fees at The Village School, Belsize Park?

Fees in the school's final year were £23,523 per annum. Bursaries were available for up to 50% of fees, assessed on a means-tested basis by an independent assessor. A registration fee of £125 and an acceptance deposit of £2,500 (refundable on departure) were also required.

What was unique about The Village School's approach?

The school was known for its small size, family-oriented ethos, and a distinctive no-homework policy from age 7. Homework was completed during dedicated school-day slots, meaning girls left at 4:30pm having finished their work and attended a club, freeing evenings for family time. The school was also academically inclusive, with a bespoke admissions process rather than competitive exams.

Where can I find similar schools in the area?

Parents seeking small, nurturing independent girls' education in North London might explore Sarum Hall School in Hampstead, South Hampstead High School (a larger, academically selective option), or co-educational independent schools such as Lyndhurst House or Hampstead Hill School. State sector options in Camden include primary schools with strong reputations and, for secondary, schools like Camden School for Girls.