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Hampstead Village

Education Guide

Schools in Hampstead, NW3

A comprehensive guide to primary and secondary schools in and around Hampstead Village — with Ofsted ratings, catchment advice and local parent insights.

5

Primary schools

4

Secondary schools

4

Ofsted Outstanding

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Applying for a school place

State school applications in Hampstead are made through Camden Council's admissions portal. The main round opens in September each year for September entry. Catchment boundaries change annually — always check the latest data before assuming you are in catchment.

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Primary Schools

Ages 3–11 · State and independent

Fitzjohn's Primary School

Ofsted: Good (2023)Primary
👶 Ages 3–11📍 NW3 5LS

A well-regarded community primary school in the heart of Hampstead, known for its nurturing environment and strong pastoral care. The school benefits from its proximity to Hampstead Heath, with regular outdoor learning sessions.

Strong arts programmeHeath outdoor learningActive parent community

Holy Trinity CofE Primary School

Ofsted: Outstanding (2022)Primary
👶 Ages 4–11📍 NW3 6ET✝️ Church of England

One of Hampstead's most sought-after primary schools, rated Outstanding by Ofsted. The school has a strong Christian ethos but welcomes children of all faiths. Known for excellent academic standards and a rich extracurricular programme.

Ofsted OutstandingStrong academic resultsChoir & musicExcellent SENCO support

Fleet Primary School

Ofsted: Good (2022)Primary
👶 Ages 3–11📍 NW3 2NT

A vibrant, inclusive primary school with a strong creative arts focus. Fleet has a reputation for celebrating diversity and fostering a love of learning through project-based education.

Arts & creativity focusDiverse communityStrong EYFS provision

St Anthony's School for Boys

Ofsted: Outstanding (2019)Independent
👶 Ages 5–13📍 NW3 6NP✝️ Catholic

A leading independent Catholic boys' preparatory school, widely regarded as one of the finest prep schools in London. Consistently sends pupils to top public schools including Eton, Westminster and St Paul's.

Outstanding ISI inspectionExceptional academic recordStrong sports programmeCatholic ethos

The Mount School

Independent ISIIndependent
👶 Ages 3–11📍 NW3 5NX

A small, nurturing independent primary school with an emphasis on individual attention and creative learning. Popular with families seeking a more intimate alternative to larger schools.

Small class sizesPersonalised learningStrong parent relationships
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Secondary Schools

Ages 11–18 · State and independent

Hampstead School

Ofsted: Good (2023)Secondary
👶 Ages 11–18📍 NW2 3RT

The largest state secondary school serving the Hampstead area, with a strong tradition of academic excellence and a thriving sixth form. The school has a diverse, cosmopolitan student body reflecting the area's international character.

Strong sixth formInternational BaccalaureateDiverse communityGood GCSE results

South Hampstead High School

Ofsted: Outstanding (2022)Independent
👶 Ages 4–18📍 NW3 5SS

One of London's premier independent girls' schools, part of the GDST family. South Hampstead consistently achieves exceptional A-level and GCSE results, with many pupils going on to Oxbridge and Russell Group universities.

Top A-level resultsOxbridge pathwayOutstanding arts & scienceStrong alumnae network

University College School (UCS)

Ofsted: Outstanding (2020)Independent
👶 Ages 11–18📍 NW3 6XH

A distinguished independent boys' school (co-educational sixth form) consistently ranked among the top schools in the UK. Known for its progressive ethos, outstanding academic results and impressive alumni including Nobel laureates and leading public figures.

Top UK school rankingsProgressive ethosOutstanding alumniCo-ed sixth form

The King Alfred School

Ofsted: Good (2023)All-through
👶 Ages 4–18📍 NW11 7HY

A unique independent progressive school on the edge of Hampstead Heath, founded in 1898. Known for its democratic approach to education, where pupils are consulted on school decisions. Strong arts and music provision.

Progressive educationDemocratic school councilExceptional artsAll-through 4–18

Understanding Ofsted ratings

Outstanding

The school is exceptionally effective in all areas. Pupils make significantly better progress than average.

Good

The school is effective. Pupils make progress, behaviour is good and teaching is consistently good.

Requires Improvement

The school is not yet good. Inspectors will return within 2 years to check progress.

N/A (Independent)

Independent schools are inspected by the ISI (Independent Schools Inspectorate), not Ofsted. Most use a similar grading framework.

Frequently asked questions

Which are the best primary schools near Hampstead NW3?+
Holy Trinity CofE Primary (Ofsted Outstanding) and St Anthony's (independent, Outstanding ISI) are consistently rated among the best. Fitzjohn's and Fleet Primary are excellent state options with Good Ofsted ratings.
What secondary schools are in the Hampstead area?+
Hampstead School is the main state secondary serving NW3. Top independent options include South Hampstead High School (girls'), University College School (UCS), and The King Alfred School.
Are there good state schools in Hampstead NW3?+
Yes — Fitzjohn's Primary, Fleet Primary, and Holy Trinity CofE Primary are all well-regarded state schools. For secondary, Hampstead School is the main option, with strong GCSE results and a sixth form offering A-levels and the International Baccalaureate.
What are typical school catchment areas in Hampstead?+
Catchment areas in Hampstead can be very small — sometimes under half a mile — for popular schools. They vary year to year depending on applications. Always check the Camden Council admissions website for the most current data, as it changes annually.
How do I apply for a school place in the London Borough of Camden?+
For state schools, applications are made through Camden Council's admissions portal, typically opening in September for a September start the following year. Independent schools have their own admissions processes, usually involving assessments at 4+, 7+, 11+ or 13+.
Are there any faith schools near Hampstead?+
Yes — Holy Trinity CofE Primary is a Church of England school, and St Anthony's is a Catholic independent boys' school. Both welcome applications from all faiths but give priority to practising church/faith families in their admissions criteria.

Useful resources

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