Hampstead Hill School Avis 

We've had a fabulous experience with Hampstead Hill School. Both our son and daughter were there a few years ago, and they nurtured their confidence throughout the process, and helped them to sit the 7+ exams. The good news for us was that they got into the schools they wanted.

What we loved most about the school when we first visited was that Andrea Taylor has a wealth of experience and we felt we could really trust her with a process we were very nervous about. Secondly, the environment had such an amazing spirit and we were really drawn to that. We wanted a school that would develop both their academic skills and also nurture their self esteem, and they certainly delivered that.

My son is now at LSE and my daughter is doing A-Levels and they couldn't have had a better start!

A brilliant school which prepares the children wonderfully for life and further education. Beyond the excellent teaching, the staff are nurturing and the children are taught the values of not only being good pupils, but good people. Could not recommend highly enough.

Andrea Taylor is an unbelievable hard working loving woman.She helped me when I needed to find my sons great happy place for them to thrive; not only did she prepare them for fantastic schools which they sailed through exams will flying colours:she looks after the parents. I know loads of single parents struggling with emotional problems,holding down full time jobs Andrea helped and organized time tables for their children to be safe while they waited for mummy or daddy to come.She is the fairy god mother we all need.Money doesn’t buy kindness or empathy.If I had more children there is only one place I would sent them Hampsteadhill!!!!!!

Fond memories of my time as a pupil at HHS and huge gratitude for the generosity and encouragement which I was met with there.

We couldn’t have wished for a happier or more nurturing school for our son. He absolutely loved his time there and went to school each day feeling happy, secure and excited to learn. The warmth and care of the staff is truly exceptional — they nurtured his curiosity, encouraged his confidence and, importantly, instilled in him a wonderful work ethic and genuine love of learning. It is such a warm, loving and joyful school, filled with people who really care about the children. We will always look back on his years there with enormous fondness and gratitude. A truly special place.

We moved from Copenhagen when our daughter was two, knowing very little about the UK school system. We were fortunate to find a place for her at Hampstead Hill School, where Andrea and her wonderful team welcomed and supported our family from the very beginning.

The care, kindness and dedication shown by the teachers and support staff made a lasting impression on us. Our children are now 14 and 12, and they still look back on their time at HHS with great affection. We’re especially grateful that both went on to secure places at their first-choice schools.

We can’t thank the HHS team enough for helping our children thrive. We wholeheartedly recommend the school to any family seeking a warm, supportive and holistic education.

All my three children attended Hampstead Hill from nursery and I could not be happier with the school. They learnt a lot, were eminently prepared for 7+, and at the same time loved to go to school every single day. I also appreciated that it was technology free, long before it became popular.

HHS is a truly wonderful school which is run with such dedication and personal care that it stands out as remarkable in the age of private equity firm run educational establishments. Two generations of my family have benefited from being educated here under Andrea's watchful and loving eye and the confidence, intelligence, and capacity that the pupils graduate with is a delight to watch. The academic results and passage that the school offers into much coveted places at the key London independent schools from 7 up is also priceless and the sense of community and friendship formed by pupils and parents long outlives their time at the school. The staff are caring and kind and the preparation for later life exemplary.

Both my children joined HHS from 3 years old: my daughter left at 7 having received offers from NLCS, City, Highgate, SHHS and others and my son is still there. The academic standards are extremely high but the school is so much more than that. It fosters a real sense of community amongst children and parents and we have really felt as though we have worked in partnership with the staff. The personal touch - particularly in the lower school - prevails here and all the staff are authentic, kind, approachable and down to earth. HHS has instilled and nurtured curiosity, a love for learning and good manners in our children.

Academic excellence is a consistent factor at HHS but unlike some other "prep" schools, the children are stretched in a very natural way and not through spoon feeding or rote learning. The curve does not seem steep yet the results speak for themselves. Having been through the assessment process, I can also attest to being very supported by Andrea in relation to selecting a school that suited my daughter's personality.

Lastly, the wraparound care and flexibility is amazing - they really make it easy for working parents.

We will be sad to leave HHS as it has set both of our children up brilliantly. Highly recommend.

Our two children went to HHS, the youngest one leaving in 2025 to start year 3 at South Hampstead Junior School. They both truly enjoyed their time there.
The academic level is high and the pupils are fully prepared for the year 7 exams. Great care was taken by all the staff to ensure the children are happy.
We were well supported as parents and someone was always available to discuss concerns or issues.
Our children still say they miss what they think is the best school food they have ever had.

Hampstead Hill under the incredible leadership of Andrea is a unique and special experience. We have 2 children (now 16 and 13) who joined at 2 and went on to excellent schools at 7 having been guided expertly and with nurturing through the years. If your child has an appetite for learning it is the perfect school and can mean you can avoid the challenges of the 11+where the child feels more of the stress than at 7. Hampstead Hill is rooted in teachers and a system you can totally trust.

We had all 3 children going to HHS. Under Andrea's Leadership and that of her team all 3 children thrived.

Not only did they reach their academic potential, they've all three made life long friends from their time there. They are now 18, 16 and 13.

I would recommend HHS in a heart beat for it's warmth, support and genuine care from the teachers and in particular Andrea.

I have had 4 children go through the school. Arthur, now 11, thomas now 9, Sophie, now 5 and Martin who is a current pupil in Class 4.
I truly belive there is no better school. Academically, the provision is amazing. Arthur got into the Hall and St Paul's at the 11+ entrance and I truly believe that Hampstead Hill provided him with the foundation of academic skills. When he left Hampstead Hill after pre-reception, Arthur knew to count and read simple books but more importantly I believe Hampstead Hill provided him with the independence skills needed at this stage (e.g. putting his coat by himself). Similarly, thomas and Sophie are both really strong academically and I believe it is thanks to Hampstead hill as they both were reading chapter books at the end of pre-reception. The teachers are truly loved by the children. Brogan from class 4 will probably always remain one of thomas' favourites teacher.
Pastoral care is also amazing at Hampstead Hill. They really care about the children and they did not hesitate to inform me when my nanny was crossing the road while being on her phone with my chidren 10 steps behind her.
They provide lots of fun activites during the class for the little ones:
- music with a guitar playing music teacher coming every week
- yoga
- Spanish class
And after 3h30, they provide clubs such as Drama, chess, fencing, gymnastics etc
The children love the playground and the meadow as well as playing in the beautiful St stephen hall.

The provision they provide for parents is truly amazing: No need to bring snacks or lunch. The school is opened until 17h30 and they are understanding when you arrive 5 min late. During the holidays, they provide school clubs with known teachers to the children, which makes settling in very easy.
Hampstead hill helped with potty training with my 4 children and they were all clean within a week. I could not have asked for better support.
It is an independent, family run school and it is felt. Andrea and Sian know every kid by name. You can always come to them with any issue / problem / concern. They are always very supportive.

The best pre-prep in North London. Wonderful teachers, low turnover - many of them have been there for 10-15+ years. Kids consistently go off to Westminster, St Paul, City of London, UCS, Highgate and South Hampstead. Highly individual approach, children who struggle receive extra tuition and care. Great family-like atmosphere. From happy parents of 3 HHS alumni!

Hampstead Hill School is a wonderful place that pupils and parents will remember all their life. This school is offering a very rare combination of genuine nurture and strong academic development. The school staff really care. Our experience is very positive, only positive. What the school offered to our children is exceptional. We are pleased to highly recommend HHS.

We cannot rate Hampstead Hill School highly enough. The school manages to combine extemely high academic and pastoral standards with a genuinely warm, nurturing and family like environment.

Our children received an incredible level of individual attention, and we always felt that the teachers really knew them, understood their strengths and cared about their progress and wellbeing.

We actually left the school for a period and later returned (from Dubai), and the support we received during that transition was exceptional. The school went above and beyond to help the girls settle back in, including providing accelerated classes to help them catch up. They quickly regained their confidence, progressed enormously and went on to excel.

Andrea, the Head is exceptional. Her commitment to the children and families is evident throughout the school, and that ethos filters through the entire community.

The long and accommodating hours are also a huge benefit for working families, while still maintaining the feeling of a close knit, supportive school community.

Hampstead Hill is a very special school and one that our family will always remember extremely fondly. We couldn't recommend it more highly.

An exceptional school with outstanding results

I have nothing but respect and admiration for Hampstead Hill School and for Andrea, whose dedication and leadership have created such a warm, nurturing and inspiring environment.

I attended the school myself, so I know first-hand the excellent foundations it provides. I was therefore delighted to send my two children there as well. They both received an outstanding education and went on to achieve success in their entrance examinations for their chosen schools. Hampstead Hill prepared them academically while also giving them confidence, independence and a genuine love of learning.

The teachers are caring, committed and attentive to each child’s individual needs. There is a wonderful balance between high academic standards and a supportive, happy atmosphere in which children feel known, valued and encouraged.

Andrea deserves particular recognition for the school’s strong sense of community and for the care she shows towards pupils and families. Hampstead Hill is a truly special school, and I would wholeheartedly recommend it to any family looking for an excellent education in a warm and supportive setting.

Both our children attended Hampstead Hill School. I cannot recommend the school highly enough. It combined rigorous teaching for all the children to attain their possible results at the 7+, combined with kind, nurturing and loving pastoral care.

If you’re looking for a school that will give your child the best possible educational start, this is the place.

Both my kids, now 11, joined HHS in year 1. I found the whole experience excellent at many levels. Excellent academic ethos whilst being very nurturing and supportive. Both were super happy and made lasting friendships. Lovely community parents too. They both went into City Junior school afterwards.

I can’t recommend it enough!

Marta

A truly wonderful school

My two children attended Hampstead Hill School, and we could not have wished for a happier or more nurturing start to their education.

What we loved most was that the school allowed children to be children, while recognising and developing each child’s individual strengths and encouraging them to achieve their best academically. The teachers knew the children so well and provided exactly the right balance of care, encouragement and challenge.

I also really appreciated the school’s approach of allowing children to grow in confidence and independence. As parents, we never felt that we needed to be overly involved or constantly hovering, because we trusted the school completely to support and guide them.

Andrea is an exceptional Headteacher and truly the heart of the school. Her kindness, dedication and genuine love for the children are evident in everything she does. We have always thought the absolute world of her.

Both of my children had such a lovely time there and left with wonderful memories, confidence and a strong foundation for the future. We will always be grateful to Andrea and the entire Hampstead Hill School team. It is a very special school that will always hold a special place in our family’s hearts.