The Village School
London · NW3 2YN
The Village School is a small, intimate girls' preparatory day school in Hampstead, North West London, serving pupils aged 3–13. With just 72 pupils across the entire school, it offers a personalised, family-like environment unusual in London's competitive prep school landscape. The school emphasises developmental appropriateness, play-based learning in the early years, and a nurturing ethos that prioritises individual flourishing alongside academic progress.
- →Exceptionally small cohort size (typically 8–12 per year group) enabling highly differentiated teaching and close pastoral knowledge
- →Hampstead location with easy access to family-friendly amenities and strong local community integration
- →Play-centred, developmentally appropriate approach in Reception and Year 1, contrasting with more formal early-years curricula at larger preps
Who thrives here
Independent-minded girls who thrive in intimate, less hierarchical settings; families valuing developmental sensitivity over early academic pressure; pupils who benefit from strong individual attention and a slower pace in the early years.
Strengths at a glance
Percentiles within UK independent + grammar schools we track.
At a glance
Contact & visit
2 Parkhill Road, Belsize Park
London
NW3 2YN
Nearest stations
Frequently asked questions
What are the fees at The Village School?
Day fees at The Village School are approximately £22,500 per year (2024/25).
How do you get into The Village School?
The Village School admits pupils at 3+, 4+, 7+, 8+, 11+, 13+. Entry is assessed by Assessment Day, Interview. See the Admissions section above for open days and key dates.
Is The Village School a boarding school?
The Village School is a day school in London and does not offer boarding.
What is The Village School's latest inspection rating?
Ofsted rated The Village School “Outstanding” (2020).
What parents say
Frequently praised
✓Genuine care and knowledge of each child as an individual; staff know family context and learning style intimately
✓Calm, unhurried approach to early childhood education; low-pressure transition to literacy and numeracy
✓Strong sense of community; families form close bonds and multi-age peer friendships develop naturally
Common concerns
!Limited breadth of specialist facilities (sport, music, science labs) compared to larger London preps may constrain some pupils' interests
!Lack of Ofsted inspection history makes third-party validation of safeguarding, standards, and governance unclear to prospective parents
!Transition planning at age 13 may require families to actively research secondary options; school's alumni network likely smaller than established preps