St Margaret's School (Hampstead) - recent experience please!

[GaliaK]

Hi all! We are considering sitting 7+ at St Margaret's. My daughter would be moving from North Bridge House. I would be grateful for any recent experience and feedback on the school. How competitive is 7+? I know there's only a handful of places, but are the competition and standards as bad as at SHHS? What are the facilities like? Would you say it's an academic school? Any other useful info would be much appreciated! My DD is a gentle soul, but also shows academic potential. Trying to determine what prep school might suit her best. Thank you!

Hello,
We are also very curious about St Margaret! In particular how parents feel about the small classes (what happens if some girls don't get along?) and the fact that it is a girl only school.
We would very much appreciate if you could share your experience.
Thank you!

My daughter was at St. Margaret's for a few years, left as we got an occasional place at a school that had been higher up on our original priority list. But she was very happy there. It's quite a few years ago now.

It's a lovely sweet place and the head, Mr Webster is fantastic. I would suspect he's superb if there are issues with dyslexia, neurodiversity etc. There were concerns about the year 2 teacher and her sketchy grasp of maths but that won't affect you for 7+. It's also very small - 12 or so per class in the junior which can lead to friendship issues depending on the mix of girls, and limits the clubs they can offer. I doubt it's genuinely very selective as most people will have it as their backup. Nothing like shhs highgate etc in terms of genuine competition.

Might be a bit far for you but I'd strongly recommend Norfolk House in Muswell Hill - its done wonders for my "gentle soul" who has blossomed in confidence. I'll be gutted when she's finished to be honest.

@GaliaK I don't know if you're still thinking about this but I have heard the terribly sad news that Mr. Webster is on long-term sick with a stroke. A previous ISI report did draw attention to the risks associated with a very small senior leadership team, if you're looking round I would be asking questions about the future.

Thank you, everyone! Just an update - we got a place at St Christopher's Hampstead. So happy! But thank you all for the feedback

hello - just to say there is nothing sketchy about maths taught at St Margarets Hampstead - the maths is sensational there - couldn't recommend the school more - especially the infant and junior school - the after school clubs are so good - it has been known for infants to cry because they are being picked up and not going to do the fun stuff in the enrichment clubs -

@GaliaK i have friends with children here. Talisman headteacher won't be returning so they have a new stronger one who seems great but my friends get the impression she doesnt have the support of the teachers as they are used to the old style. She is leaving and they are actively recruiting.

Good for kids with additional needs like ADHD/more support, less so for more academic students so they leave.

My daughter was there from Reception to Year 11 and she left very self-assured without being cocky and with a load of good friends, an admirable work ethic and a strong sense of self. While it isn't an academic hothouse, it's not true that the more academic students leave. Quite a few of my daughter's class of 16 got all 8s and 9s at GCSE and four of the girls have gone on to UCS for 6th Form. It definitely has a family feel and you get the sense the girls are really looked after. It is true that the head Mark Webster has gone and everyone is devastated but I have heard that the interim head (who was only ever going to be there for a year) has made some positive changes. It will be interesting to see who the new head is. It may not have all the flash facilities other bigger schools have but in our experience it has always had a lot of heart and lovely girls

They know their girls and it really is a great school - shout out for the reception/ infant and junior school teachers who really are outstanding - had my girls reading beautifully from when they left reception ....no idea how they did it....of a good after school art club for infants - they love it - not had too much experience of after year 6 yet but I know girls who have left recently (went to other sixth forms - as there is none in ST Mags) - and have got places offered at UCL and Cambridge for next September ....so a bright school - we like it

I feel so lost please somebody help me decide! My 6 year old daughter is currently at an independent school and due to VAT increase the school is closing and we need to make a decision as soon as possible!
at present, we are considering three potential schools:

1. Queens College Marylebone
2. St. Mary's Hampstead
3. St. Margaret's Hampstead

My daughter loves gymnastics and is in a competitive team, she loves netball, singing and plays two instruments so basically she loves sports and music. She wants to become a scientist and a doctor so a school where she can achieve the best academic results possible alongside with sports and music.
Highgate School isn't an option as they only accept children from year 3 onwards same as City Junior. Channing hasn't got a place for her and is on a waiting list. St Christopher's, Sarum Hall is also full. Cavendish School isn't for us for sure and Hampstead Hill is also a strongly no. We ideally want a girls only school.
I heard Queens college isn't very academic 😕 especially the senior school. St Mary's Hampstead is excellent but very religious 😞 and St Margaret's leavers destination isn't very clear and no outdoor space.. I'm so stressed out i don't know where to enrol my child. Please somebody advise. We live in Islington but do drive so we don't mind travelling also daughters current school is in Camden..

Whatever makes you think that children who go to state schools don’t achieve their ambitions of becoming doctors or scientists?

What about South Hampstead? Very academic? St Margarets according to friends isn't that academic.

Well good luck to you and your children in a class of 40! And lack of teachers, facilities. I went to a state school myself and confirm it is full of bullish.it! I hated every single day of my primary and secondary school life. You probably don't have experience with both schools like I do so please keep your opinion to yourself.

South Hampstead was contacted directly by our headteacher and they were not able to offer anything 😞

my two girls were at St Ms and both had a very happy time with solid friendships. there is an outdoor playground and they use a local tennis court (1 block away) for lots of netball / tennis lessons so plenty of outdoor time.

strongly recommend St Margaret's Hampstead.

Thank you ever so much! Will have my little one do a trial day at St Margaret's hoping she likes it 🙏

I do hope that whatever school your child ends up at has a policy of encouraging polite discourse and respect. For your information all my family were educated in State schools. We all have degrees and advanced professional qualifications. Two doctors - a gp and a consultant- a vet, and three head teachers.

Well whichever school you were educated hasn't taught you to mind your own business! You clearly don't understand what you read as you answered with a question! Questioning my choices about my child's future! And on top trying to publicly humiliate me! I repeat mind your own business!

!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

In case you need them.

Good luck with your trial day. Current parent of a junior school girl here. My daughter is very happy at the school. The teachers are invested in the girls' wellbeing as well as their academic - yes, academic! - success. Don't listen to any naysayers. If you want your child to thrive in a positive environment, where she is well-cared for, St. Margaret's is a great choice. Come join us!

Thank you ever so much 💓 your message is very reassuring and made me feel so much better already! 😊 we are booked in for a trial day+assessment next week. Very excited yay! 😀

@Alyssa2018 would your daughter (if she wants of course) have to do 7+ next academic year or is this option closed? Because if you are targeting City Girls then there would be more than enough time to prep her for Autumn 2025 exams? Or is tour school closing imminently and needs to be moved asap?
I do not know Queens College but I agree St Mary’s Hampstead is extremely religious. It is however a big school which is reassuring in the current environment. I would be stressed at St Margaret’s because it is too small in my opinion and at risk of closing, especially after the Head change. Have you checked out The Village Prep? It is girls only too. Also if I might ask what you did not like as Hampstead Hill out of curiosity as we have been offered a place there and we have very mixed feelings about it.

The village is closing…!

St Margaret’s is at no risk of closing. It is a registered charity, is in a strong financial position and new head has been appointed who has a lot of experience

Hi @Alyssa2018 we are moving from Bristol and looking at similar schools for my DD in Yr R. We really loved Queens and Channing. We ruled out St Mary's as too religious. We are visiting a few more schools on your list soon - would you mind sharing your thoughts about the others you have mentioned, especially those you ruled out. DD is also keen on gymnastics and other sports so I'd be interested to know which schools are strongest for that.