Hampstead School

{{Use British English|date=March 2018}} {{Use dmy dates|date=September 2020}} {{Infobox school | name = Hampstead School | image = Hampstead School Logo.jpg | image_size = 140px | coordinates = {{coord|51.55577|-0.20711|type:edu_region:GB_dim:100|format=dec|display=inline,title}} | motto = ''Learning together, achieving together'' | established = 1862 | closed = | type = [[Community school (England and Wales)|Community school]] | religious_affiliation = | president = | head_label = Headmaster | head = Matthew Sadler | r_head_label = | r_head = | chair_label = | chair = | founder = | specialist = | address = Westbere Road | city = [[London]] | county = | country = [[United Kingdom]] | postal_code = NW2 3RT | local_authority = [[Camden London Borough Council|Camden]] | ofsted = yes | urn = 100052 | staff = | enrolment = 1,300<ref name="GIAS">{{cite web |title=Hampstead School |url=https://get-information-schools.service.gov.uk/Establishments/Establishment/Details/100052 |publisher=Get information about schools |access-date=29 August 2020}}</ref> | gender = [[Co-education]]al<ref name="GIAS"/> | lower_age = 11 | upper_age = 19<ref name="GIAS"/> | houses = | colours = Red, black and white | publication = | free_label1 = | free_text1 = | free_label2 = | free_text2 = | free_label3 = | free_text3 = | website = {{URL|http://www.hampsteadschool.org.uk}} }}

'''Hampstead School''' is a large [[comprehensive school]] in the [[London Borough of Camden]], located in [[West Hampstead]] in North London.

About 1,300 students between the ages of 11 and 19 attend its [[lower school]] and [[sixth form college]]. Hampstead School's headmaster since 2020 is Matt Sadler.<ref>[https://www.goodschoolsguide.co.uk/uk-schools/review/hampstead-school www.goodschoolsguide.co.uk]</ref>

==History== The main school building on Westbere Road is one of West Hampstead's oldest buildings. It was originally the site of [[Haberdashers' Boys' School|Haberdashers' Aske's Hampstead School]] after relocating from its original [[Hoxton]] premises in January 1903 and before moving in 1961 to its present location when it became [[Haberdashers' Aske's Boys' School]], [[Elstree]].

Hampstead School was founded as a [[Secondary modern school|secondary modern]] in 1961 and incorporated Harben Secondary Modern School in Netherwood Street, [[Kilburn, London|Kilburn]],<ref>[http://www.thevirtualtourofhampstead.co.uk/kilburn.htm Kilburn website, accessed 9 September 2013]</ref> before becoming a [[comprehensive school|comprehensive]].

The main building façade still displays the old Latin motto ''Is est emendo; tendo quod macula iocus notitia'' – {{in lang|en}} ''To correct faults, give direction and impart knowledge''.<ref>[https://www.hampsteadschool.org.uk/_site/data/files/news%20items/1B7424744C3CE91CBFB4BBFA98C2AFA0.pdf www.hampsteadschool.org.uk]</ref>

==Academic standards== Hampstead School was awarded a 'gold star' accolade by [[Office for Standards in Education|Ofsted]] in 2001, which placed it within the top 6% of schools in the country. This was despite half of its 1,275 pupils speaking English as a second language and 10 per cent being refugees. Compared with similar schools, Hampstead was rated well above average for exam results and given an 'A' grade.<ref>[https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/main.jhtml?xml=/news/2001/02/07/nofs107.xml "Schools with the golden touch"]{{dead link|date=July 2021|bot=medic}}{{cbignore|bot=medic}}, Liz Lightfoot, [[The Daily Telegraph]], 19 June 2001</ref>

Some aspects of the school's performance according to Ofsted dipped after the 2005 inspection. In particular, attendance and GCSE results fell sharply in 2006. However, according to Ofsted this dip was corrected by 2008.<ref name="Ofsted">[http://www.ofsted.gov.uk/oxedu_reports/display/%28id%29/101471 Ofsted report October 2008]{{Dead link|date=July 2025 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }}</ref>

[[GCSE]] students sitting their examinations in 2010 achieved the school's highest key stage 4 results to date, surpassing the record set by the 2009 cohort.<ref>[https://news.bbc.co.uk/2/shared/bsp/hi/education/09/school_tables/secondary_schools/html/202_4275.stm BBC report January 2010]</ref>

The 2012 Ofsted report graded the school as 'good' for both achievement of pupils and quality of teaching.<ref>{{Cite web |url=http://www.hampsteadschool.org.uk/_files/DF72FAE128176C496E28A589A8457F8A.pdf |title=Archived copy |access-date=7 September 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140714231740/http://www.hampsteadschool.org.uk/_files/DF72FAE128176C496E28A589A8457F8A.pdf |archive-date=14 July 2014 |url-status=dead }}</ref>

==Sixth Form== Hampstead School's approach, many of whose students enter the Sixth Form with below average standards,<ref name = "Ofsted"/> enables most go on to university.<ref name = "Ofsted"/>

===Debating=== The school's [[Debating Society]] meets every Friday and includes students from all year groups.<ref>{{Cite web |url=http://www.hampsteadschool.org.uk/page/?title=Extra-Curricular+Activities&pid=27 |title=Hampstead School official website |access-date=13 December 2010 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20101002081032/http://www.hampsteadschool.org.uk/page/?title=Extra-Curricular%2BActivities&pid=27 |archive-date=2 October 2010 |url-status=dead }}</ref>

In 2005, 21 students from Hampstead School became the first team from a comprehensive school to win top prize for being best delegation at the [[Model United Nations]] (MUN) forum held at [[Belfast]]. Providing participants with the opportunity to debate issues of international concern, the MUN Forum was attended by over 250 delegates from 20 selected schools throughout England, Canada, Burkina Faso and America. Hampstead School students also received several awards for outstanding individual performances.<ref>[http://www.camden.gov.uk/ccm/content/press/2005/press-releases-november-2005/budding-diplomats-from-hampstead-school-sweep-the-board-in-model-united-nations.en "Budding diplomats from Hampstead School sweep the board in model United Nations", Camden Council website, 9 November 2005.] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110604011644/http://www.camden.gov.uk/ccm/content/press/2005/press-releases-november-2005/budding-diplomats-from-hampstead-school-sweep-the-board-in-model-united-nations.en |date=4 June 2011 }} accessed November 2007</ref>

Entering two teams to compete in the biennial competition hosted by [[Woodhouse College]] in [[North Finchley]], one of Hampstead School's teams (representing North Korea) won the 2017 MUN Best Delegation Award.

===''The Hampstead Trash''=== In 2013 [[headmaster]] Jacques Szemalikowski reported to the police a pupil who had set up a website critical of Hampstead School.<ref>Davis, Anna. "[https://www.standard.co.uk/news/education/hampstead-headteacher-tells-police-of-pupil-enchanted-by-anarchism-and-tips-off-his-chosen-university-8801621.html Hampstead headteacher tells police of pupil 'enchanted by anarchism' and tips off his chosen university]." ''[[London Evening Standard]]''. 6 September 2013. Retrieved 8 September 2013.</ref>

===School mural=== In 2024, Old Hampsteadian [[street art]]ist [[Pref (artist)|Pref]] inspired a new {{convert|17|m|ft|adj=mid|-wide}} and {{convert|7|m|ft|adj=mid|-tall}} artwork for the school's [[design and technology]] building. Welcoming its creation, headmaster Matt Sadler commented: "the previous, smaller, mural that was replaced had been in situ for 12 years, but I hope the new one will last even longer..."<ref>[https://www.hamhigh.co.uk/news/24365826.hampstead-school-students-create-mural-artist-pref/ www.hamhigh.co.uk]</ref>

== Notable former pupils == [[Alumni]] (Old Hampsteadians) include:  * Athian Akec, activist and writer, trustee of the [[Black Equity Organisation]]<ref>[https://www.independent.co.uk/author/athian-akec www.independent.co.uk]</ref> * [[Magdalen Berns]], vlogger * [[Alex Bogdanovic]], Great Britain tennis player * [[Neil Brockdorff]], professor of Biochemistry at Oxford University<ref name=bwhoswho>{{Who's Who | author=Anon| title=Brockdorff, Prof. Neil | id = U291001 | year = 2019 | edition = online [[Oxford University Press]]|location=Oxford}}</ref> * [[Pablo Bronstein]], artist<ref>[https://www.tate.org.uk/art/artists/pablo-bronstein-11761 www.tate.org.uk]</ref> * [[Doc Brown (rapper)|Doc Brown]] (Ben Bailey Smith), actor, rapper, brother of [[Zadie Smith]] * Jon Carroll, chairman of [[Berkshire Music Trust]]<ref>{{Cite web |date=2023-07-21 |title=New name for Berkshire Maestros: Berkshire Music Trust |url=https://wokingham.today/new-name-for-berkshire-maestros-berkshire-music-trust/ |access-date=2023-09-23 |website=Wokingham.Today |language=en-GB}}</ref> * Aslam Choudry, [[London Borough of Brent|Mayor of Brent]] (2011/22) and Labour borough councillor<ref name="Observer-Choudry">{{cite web |url=http://www.harrowobserver.co.uk/west-london-news/local-harrow-news/2011/05/13/brent-s-new-mayor-unveiled-116451-28690747/ |title=Brent's new mayor unveiled |first=Ian |last= Proctor |date= 13 May 2011 |work= harrowobserver.co.uk |publisher= Harrow Observer |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110520150051/http://www.harrowobserver.co.uk/west-london-news/local-harrow-news/2011/05/13/brent-s-new-mayor-unveiled-116451-28690747/ |archive-date= 20 May 2011 |url-status= dead |access-date=25 May 2020}}</ref> * [[Maya Jane Coles]], DJ and electro-music producer * [[Rowenna Davis]], journalist and Labour borough councillor * [[Sadie Frost]], actress<ref>[https://www.theguardian.com/film/1999/feb/20/1 The questionnaire: Sadie Frost], [[The Guardian]], 20 February 1999</ref> * [[Bruno Heller]], television producer (''[[Gotham (TV series)]]'', ''[[Rome (TV series)]]'') * [[Tobias Hill]], novelist and poet<ref>[http://www.camdennewjournal.co.uk/120904/f120904_02.htm "The poet who works with kids and animals"] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070622051612/http://www.camdennewjournal.co.uk/120904/f120904_02.htm |date=22 June 2007 }}, ''[[Camden New Journal]]'', 10 December 2004. Accessed 18 November 2007.</ref> * [[Jervis Johnson]], games designer<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.linkedin.com/in/jervis-johnson-7a318a9/|title=Jervis Johnson LinkedIn|publisher=LinkedIn|access-date=2025-08-16}}</ref> * [[Jasper Joffe]], artist<ref>[https://joffebooks.com/about www.joffebooks.com]</ref> * [[Adam Kidron]], music producer * [[Anita Klein]], printmaker<ref>[http://www.camdennewjournal.com/news/2011/mar/anita-klein%E2%80%99s-stolen-painting-%E2%80%98maia-upset%E2%80%99-back-boundary-gallery www.camdennewjournal.com], ''[[Camden New Journal]]'', 17 March 2011</ref> * [[Deborah Levy]], novelist, poet and playwright * [[Andrew McIntosh, Baron McIntosh of Haringey]], former GLC Leader, government minister and member of the [[House of Lords]]<ref>[http://www.scotlandoffice.gov.uk/our-communications/release.php?id=3037 Lord McIntosh of Haringey – Government Spokesman in House of Lords for Scotland Office] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071011020544/http://www.scotlandoffice.gov.uk/our-communications/release.php?id=3037 |date=11 October 2007 }}, 26 June 2001, [[Scotland Office]]</ref> * ''[[Pref (artist)|Pref]]'', graffiti artist and muralist<ref>[https://www.prefprefpref.com/ www.prefprefpref.com]</ref> * [[Zia Haider Rahman]], author * [[Justin Rowlatt]], TV journalist and presenter<ref>[https://www.bbc.co.uk/blogs/newsnight/2007/02/ethical_wife_in_cash_giveaway_shock.html www.bbc.co.uk]</ref>{{failed verification|date=October 2025}} * [[Zadie Smith]], novelist<ref>[https://www.londonmuseum.org.uk/collections/london-stories/zadie-smith-writing-north-west-london/ www.londonmuseum.org.uk]</ref> * [[Mark Stein (footballer)|Mark Stein]], QPR and Chelsea footballer * [[Helen Storey]], professor, artist and fashion designer * [[Aryan Tajbakhsh]], English and Barawa footballer * Amelia Toomey (''aka'' [[Girli]]), singer, songwriter and rapper<ref>{{cite web| url = https://news.camden.gov.uk/holocaust-memorial-day-in-camden---keeping-the-memory-alive| title = Holocaust Memorial Day in Camden - Keeping the Memory Alive| date = 28 January 2015| website = Camden Council| publisher = [[London Borough of Camden]] | quotation=Milly Toomey, who recently attended Hampstead School|access-date =2022-07-10 }}</ref> * [[Jamie Waylett]], former child actor as "Vincent Crabbe" in ''Harry Potter'' * [[Rachel Yankey]], British Olympian and England footballer.

==Notable teachers== In the [[1998 New Year Honours]], then-[[headmistress]] [[Tamsyn Imison]] was appointed [[Order of the British Empire|DBE]]:<ref name = "TES">[http://www.tes.co.uk/article.aspx?storycode=304042 Millennium Dame - interview with Tamsyn Imison: ''Times Educational Supplement'', 20 March 2008 includes much comment on Hampstead School] accessed 20 July 2010</ref> citing that Dame Tamsyn Imison had introduced initiatives to improve standards and ensured the best were spread to local schools.<ref>[https://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/uk_news/43595.stm "Teachers head honours class of '97"], [[BBC News]], 31 December 1997</ref>

==References== {{reflist}}

==External links== {{Portal|London|Schools}} * [http://www.hampsteadschool.org.uk/ Hampstead School official website] * ''[http://hampsteadtrash.blogspot.com/ The Hampstead Trash]'' - blog critical of the school administration

[[Category:Secondary schools in the London Borough of Camden]] [[Category:Educational institutions established in 1862]] [[Category:1862 establishments in England]] [[Category:Schools in Hampstead]] [[Category:Community schools in the London Borough of Camden]]