Leafy, elegant, and effortlessly charming—Hampstead has a distinctly North London flair. If you’re a parent considering this picturesque corner of the capital and wondering where to begin your prep school search, you’re in the right place.
Hampstead is a sweet spot for families seeking academic excellence combined with a warm, nurturing environment. So, in this blog, we’re shining a spotlight on four of the very best prep schools in Hampstead/NW3.
Devonshire House Prep School
A happy and relaxed co-educational school, Devonshire House is set in the heart of Hampstead. Committed to outstanding care and education, the school aims to develop pupils’ individual talents. The school is wonderfully diverse, reflecting its position as a top prep school in London, but is still characterised by a distinctive village feel. The school regularly sends its leavers to top senior schools. Academic excellence is alive and well, with children developing early confidence in reading, writing and numeracy from the time they start in the Lower School. However, the school ensures that academic rigour does not supplant their commitment to wellbeing, and giving ‘space to be a child’.
Lessons at Devonshire House are lively and fun. The school supports a diverse curriculum that sees art, music, drama and technology as central pillars. All pupils begin learning French in reception, with some then able to take up Spanish in the years following years.Their spacious grounds allow for regular PE lessons and sport. Football, netball, rugby, rounders, cricket and tennis are among some of the most popular sports played here. There are astroturf pitches and an outside sports centre. Some pupils even go on to sports scholarships and national competitions in their chosen sport. Forest school is a particularly rewarding activity, with Devonshire House priding themselves on their commitment to outdoor activities. It is one of the only London preps to employ a full-time Forest School teacher. Extra-curricular activities are as diverse as they are fun, subjects including ballet, chess, yoga are championed, and music lessons such as piano, woodwind, violin and guitar give children an excellent foundation in their musical journeys. Devonshire House is inclusive, where entry is non-selective in Nursery and Reception. From year 1, applicant pupils must attend an observation morning. Whilst applicants applying at 7+ must take basic assessments in Maths and English.
St. Anthony’s Prep School
St Anthony’s Prep is a boy’s school set across two traditional Victorian redbrick buildings, taking pupils from ages 2-13, spread across a junior and senior house. Recently, the school’s curriculum has undergone a significant restructuring under the new headteacher’s leadership – grouping together subjects under a head of faculty. This restructuring has led to increasing academic quality and consistency.
Maths and English stand out as particularly strong subjects. Pupils are set in Maths from year 3, with the subject being taught as both a logical discipline and a creative pursuit in a cross-curricular manner, with links to art, science, and real-world problem-solving. Outside the core subjects, History, Ethics and Philosophy are used to foster discussion and develop critical thinking skills. A French club is open to all pupils but mainly attracts those who speak French at home. St Anthony’s music programme is also broad with choirs, recorder groups, and a rock band allowing students to explore their musical talents and perform collaboratively. In sports, the school maintains a competitive yet inclusive approach, with opportunities for international tours and regular fixtures against local rivals. The school utilises their location to organise regular trips to central London, whilst regularly inviting visiting speakers to enhance their pupil’s learning experiences. Admission to the school is lead through age-appropriate assessments in English and Maths.
St. Christoper’s Prep School
St Christopher’s is a forward-thinking, academically ambitious girls’ prep school a stone’s through from Hampstead village, with a warm, nurturing ethos and a truly modern outlook. Founded in 1883, the school blends history and innovation—set in a handsome Victorian villa, but constantly evolving in both its teaching and values.
St Christopher’s champions a cross-curricular, and future-facing curriculum. From coding and CAD design to classics and chess, girls are encouraged to make creative connections across subjects. Specialist teaching begins in Reception and spans everything from digital technology to philosophy. Science is taught from the outset, and languages are a real strength, with Latin introduced in Year 5 and several others offered as clubs. Art, music, and drama are all celebrated, with visiting artists, national competitions, and a strong choral tradition. Clubs range from judo and debating to forest school and digital animation. Outdoor learning—including termly “Heath Days”—makes full use of the school’s leafy Hampstead setting.
St Christopher’s site is charmingly quirky (with some limitations for physical accessibility), it’s beautifully equipped, from a duplex library, outdoor stage and science garden to all-weather sports courts. Wellbeing is deeply embedded in school life. Two emotional literacy support assistants, daily mindfulness sessions, and a strong focus on digital hygiene help nurture confident, balanced girls. Staff monitor friendships closely, and the culture is one of kindness, inclusion, and mutual respect.
St. Christina’s Prep school
St. Christina’s is a co-educational Catholic prep school that takes pupils from the ages 4-11. Nestled between Primrose Hill, and Regent’s Park, in NW8, the school boasts an enviable location with its pupil body able to benefit from the extensive grounds of the nearby parks. Pupils here can be characterised by their politeness. St Christina’s is a very friendly school. The staff are long-standing, so it has St Christina’s has a very stable feel. Whilst a Catholic school, they accept children from a range of backgrounds and faiths. Academically, the school excels in STEM education – shown through the award-winning Formula 1 models designed by pupils, one can see in the schools’ corridors. Teachers are well respected for their approach to teaching, encouraging students to be self-reflective of their work and to set their own targets. Spanish is the main Modern foreign language (MFL) taught at St. Christina’s, which is brought in slowly from the early years. With their dedicated, native Spanish teacher, the school aims for all their pupils to acquire the necessary foundation to be able to go on and study Spanish at GCSE level.
Early years education is conducted in an array of interconnected rooms with a dedicated kitchen. Literacy, communication, and mathematical skills are the core focus of early years education. However, these core skills are taught creatively though different mediums, making excellent use of technology, creative practice and outdoor education. The arts flourish at St Christina’s. There are vibrant displays of student artwork and the school conducts drama activities for all ages. Students have wonderful opportunities for self-expression, these include the annual musical production and poetry competitions amongst others. The school’s music programme is also strong, with instrumental lessons for nearly half of the students, as well as inclusive choir and orchestra opportunities.
How we can help
In summary, Hampstead offers a number of nurturing and academically rigorous prep schools that supports students’ growth and development in all areas. This list is by no means exhaustive but aims to provide an overview of just some of the excellent prep schools Hampstead has to offer.
For more advice, and for supported applications to those listed as well as other top London schools, please do contact us.
