In the last two years this school has declined into an abysmal state which has now been picked up by the government watchdog, OFSTED. You can read the report here: https://files.api.ofsted.gov.uk/v1/file/50035282 There is also an article in the local newspaper here that explains it well: http://camdennewjournal.com/article/hampstead-private-school-hit-by-stinging-ofsted-report We are immediately withdrawing our children as are most of the other parents but I wanted to post this in case anyone out there might be making the mistake of thinking to send their children there. Please AVOID at all costs! read more

I am mystified by the one-star rating from someone from the United States for Heathside Preparatory School. I too am from the United States and I have nothing but admiration for the school where my four nieces and nephews have been blessed with amazing educations. IN fact, I have been so impressed that over the years I recommended it to other Americans moving to London for work. Two couples who have had their children there (family of five and four) were very happy. In fact, one family left London to return to the US and missed the school so much that they returned to UK. All of those children are grown now and are in excellent schools, two of them at Westminster. By the way, all but two of the eight children I personally know are all...wait for it...BOYS. In addition, I have had the true pleasure of watching several Heathside Preparatory School musical concerts over the years and seen those children perform admirably. All are supported so beautifully by the teachers that you can see the children's confidence emerge more and more as they play solo or in concert. It is very moving. read more

A small, well run private (US terms) school in the heart of Hampstead, a posh village north of London. Expect small classes of 15 or so. (Compared to 30 students class at the New End School, just down the road). Weekly swim lessons at an off site location and French lessons. Computer lessons avail. Outdoor play at the Hampstead Heath, possibly the largest open space in London, just a couple blocks away--what a luxury! The school was not accredited but, no matter, it is a quality education and my child thrived at this school. Had we stayed in London, would not have hesitated to continue at this wonderful school. Jill, the co-head mistress, is very sweet. read more

The small intimate atmosphere seems everything you want for your child. However, you quickly discover that both joint-Headteachers have no particular liking or understanding of small boys. This is very much a School for pretty, sheep-like, little girls who make no waves. Boys are an inconvenience to be borne with resignation. The parents of boys are something to be fleeced or ripped-off for so called extra lessons. Heathside is like putting hamsters in cages shared with feral cats................ Spend lunch time in the School on a wet, cold day and you know for certain why they don't want parents to see the unruly chaos and lack of supervision. The noise is unbearable the children run up and down between the floors bursting with energy.....................where are the teachers or the joint-Heads? They are in the WHITE BEAR opposite or the WELLS TAVERN round the corner in Well Walk. When the children are on Hampstead Heath there is no check of who has gone where or who is missing. The teachers seem very discontented with the running of the place and seem to be on the look out for new positions. Jill is very petty! No NOT RECOMMENDED! A.R. (USA). read more

Our children moved to Heathside this academic year and they are extremely happy there. They have made close friends, bonded with their teachers who seem committed and thoughtful, and faced new challenges, such as a poetry recital. There is some alarm about the recent Oftsed findings, which another reviewer mentions, and some legitimate concerns are raised. But the tone and content of these new reports is so completely at odds with the school's previous record - rated 'Outstanding' in every area last November - one might be forgiven for finding something fishy about the new findings. For instance, one of the reports attacks the lower school for having inadequate outdoor play space, and insists that playing on the Heath each day is no compensation. The lower school has been in that building with that small play space for 25 years, and the school was nonetheless regarded as 'Outstanding' till a few months ago. Odd that this is suddenly a problem. The previous reviewer claims that 'everyone' is leaving the school. We're not. We're committed to ensuring that Ofsted's legitimate concerns are addressed, but our happy children are staying put, as are all of their friends. read more