NW schools for girls

[LadyCafe]

Hello,
My daughter has been accepted to St Mary's in Hampstead. I know the head is new this year.. how is she doing? How is this school academically and socially? Do many British families send their children here? How does this school compare to other schools?
Thank you.

Hello OP. I don't know all that much about St Mary's but it may help if you ask MN to change the title of your thread to "NW London schools for girls".

Thank you, CruCru. Will try to change!

It goes to 11, so will be very focused on the 11+ and many parents will tutor from about year 4 and deny it possibly less academic than some. ask about their secondary destinations (numbers, not just lists of schools)

I've heard that it's a nice place pastorally, lots of SENCO input if that is needed.

Like all Hampstead schools, it will be very international. That said, the two families I know who have girls there are British.

The playground/garden is huge for zone 2.

Why are most Hampstead schools international? I would think private schools in zone 1 are more so...
St Mary's isn't very academic? How so? What's the difference from other private schools?
Thank you

Most "smart" areas of London are quite international. I assume that it is because people moving to a foreign country don't want to live anywhere that they might consider down at heel. Plus, if they get an expat package, they'll be more likely to afford an expensive area than someone from the UK.