Hampstead Hill School today

[Ninst]

I am currently looking for schools to send my son to for Reception year. I wanted to ask if there is anyone who sends their child to Hampstead Hill School or has in the past. I have heard good things about it but am worried it’s a family profit business and that I’ve read from previous posts that it is a bit chaotic. Is this still true? Is it nurturing but still gets the children into good schools at 7? The last posts were from a while ago so just wanted to get a more up to date response.
Many thanks

[newmummycwharf1]

I have friends with kids currently in the year before reception and they are very pleased. No idea if things change from reception to year 2

[Ninst]

Thanks. I did read that from year 1 onwards it’s not as good as the early years, but don’t know if that’s still true. Reassuring to know that their kids are happy :-)

[LuluJakey1]

All independent schools are run for profit.

[4plus]

From Y1 onwards it gets more hothouse, with tons of homework etc.
Whether it’s good or bad, depends on the person.
If you want SHHS or UCS then go for HH, they send a lot to these two schools. Also City, though not so many children.

[Ninst]

I would ideally like him to go to UCS but we missed the application deadline so will have to apply at 7+. Would you recommend any other good schools in Hampstead or St. John’s Wood area?

[feetonthetable]

Lulu that is not true - some independent schools run for profit if they are owned by a proprietor. However some are also run by a charitable trust and any surplus made go goes back into the school. The charitable trust schools have criteria such as offering up to 100% bursaries, strong community links with use of facilities, staff etc.

[hoping4happiness]

Hi, other good schools in the area are Lyndhurst, hereward house, abercorn , arnold house, northbridge house, heathside prep, devonshire house, st anthonys. (no idea about waiting list/application dates)!

[Ninst]

Thanks for all your help everyone :-)

[Zelbie]

Also, Mulberry House in Kilburn / West Hampstead (probably slightly easier for you to travel to than HHS). Very, very good school and great 7+ results.

[Ninst]

Thank Zelbie will look into that too

[adijagmom]

Hi All - I am looking at HH too primarily because of the extended hours they offer which works for working parents. Most others end at 330pm and I have no idea how to manage after that ! Does any one know any child minders or after school clubs around that area that do pick up ?
Also any thoughts on a 2 year old going to HH for a full day till 530pm? A lot of people have told me they typically won't last that long in school and will come home realllyyy cranky !

[whampsteader]

adijagmom: Our daughter is at HHS (early years). She’s extremely happy there, and we benefit greatly from extended hours (and no school holidays!). Also means that parents are mostly working couples, which we like. Staying till 5:30 isn’t a problem for our girl, although most children at HHS will be picked up earlier.
For pick up you can ask one of the teachers - I see lots of them take children from/to school.

[horsemadmom]

Those extended hours saved my sanity. Do they still have the blue cots and blankets?

[adijagmom]

@whampsteader - thanks a lot. I know it is a real saviour for working parents and I liked the school so was almost final but then heard a lot of mums tell me I was letting him be there too long so got confused again. When you say the teachers pick up - is it before 530 ? or for after 530 ?

[whampsteader]

I think it depends on when they finish, they just take them with them once they’re done. So between 4 and 5:30 AFAIK

[Everyusernameistaken1997]

As someone who has been through Hampstead Hill school's Junior and Senior I would never ever send me child there. The food was great the but Head Mistress and all her posse of daughters who help run it were honestly like a gang of bullies, one memory I have that has never left me was when one teacher by the name of Vicky, a out run bully who clearly has a lot of baggage in life made all the kids (including myself) clean the the classroom, dont get me wrong this is good for kids to teach the responsibility in life but they made the kids do this exclusively. whilst cleaning up around the classroom I sustained a massive splinter in my thumb, trust me it was huge, I remember this as clear as yesterday. When I showed this too my teacher Vicky she literally said and I quote " Get back to cleaning". This was said to me a 5 year old.I was then sent home with this splinter as the teacher despite knowing full well did nothing about it. As I hear this Woman Vicky is still employed there wHich does not surprise me as Bullies look after Bullies. Only pleasant memory I have there was the food, DO NOT SEND YOUR CHILDREN.

[whampsteader]

Our girl likes Vicky

[Jargo]

They share with you the information on where Leavers go at 4 and 7. I think it's on their website.

I do suspect if you've missed the UCS deadline you will not have a hope in hell of getting into HHS as it's hugely popular with working families due to extended hours and wrap around care options.

We have experience of both Mulberry House School and Hampstead Hill School - both excellent. HHS is more "chaotic" then Mulberry - which is definitely more structured. We prefer the space at MHS however, HHS is definitely better suited to the child that attended there (a little "wilder"). HHS is also better for transport with the overground and Northern Line being so close.

[PipaJJ]

Hi @Ninst
It all depends what you are looking for? Lots of choice in our area
Some fantastic but exam factories (The Hall) , others chaotic (HHS), then mediocre at best but guaranteed place (Northbridge), great but locked in to 13 (Hereward house).....
As local mum of 3DC - my advice would be to visit and get a feel for the school. Its a very personal choice.
If UCS is the ambition - entry at 7+ is highly competitive so would be worth looking at prospective schools 11+ results too.
My oldest DS is at Westminster now - but went to Heathside - non selective, nurturing, but academic school. Know their 11+ / 13+ results were amazing this year..... worth a look.
Good Luck ! :)