Description
Heathside Preparatory School is Independent Secondary school in Non-selective for kids aged 2 to 16 (Gender - 2 to 16 )
The independent, happy, friendly, and academic school is known among the local community for putting children at the heart of everything we do. The school is set in historic buildings in the heart of Hampstead, a few minutes’ walk from Hampstead Heath, where the children play at lunchtimes.Heathside maintains an informal atmosphere while fostering a high level of individual responsibility and self-motivation. We encourage the development of the whole person and, as a result, Heathside is a relaxed and happy place and academic standards are high.Heathside has been providing child-centred education for more than 25 years. You will find out more about us on these pages, but the best possible way to get to know us is to come and visit. You are most welcome to register to arrange a tour for yourselves and also a taster day for your child to experience our school life and teaching.
Facilities
11+
They have an excellent track record over the past 25 years of supporting children to gain places to, and scholarships from, many of the most prestigious schools in London and across the United Kingdom.Heathside’s vision and commitment to our children means the preparation for school entrance exams begins at the start of a child’s education at Heathside. However, we are most definitely not an 11+ ‘hot house’ and our whole-child ethos considers children of all abilities. We focus on developing a love of learning for its own sake.
13+
It is normal practice that parents choose between the 11+ or 13+ route to a particular secondary school. Some children opt to stay on at Heathside to 13 in order to take the entrance exams to top schools including Westminster, UCS, City of London Boys, Eton, Rugby, Marlborough, Stowe, Brighton College and others.Many top schools use 13+ pretests in Year 6 to help manage eventual 13+ entry at Year 9. Where this is the case, most of these schools use the ISEB’s computer-based 13+ Pretest and a four-part exam.
Years 1 to 4
Throughout the school, we differentiate teaching for children of different abilities. In Maths, children are put into ability groups from Year 3 onwards. In Literacy, higher-ability children are given extension tasks and more challenging weekly spellings and high-level texts are studied.A balanced amount of homework reinforces learning and instils an independent work ethic in children from a young age. Reading and phonics homework starts in Reception. By Year 1 a topic homework is added, and in Year 2, homework is set in Maths, English and a topic homework.
Year 5
It is only in Year 5 that teaching becomes more explicitly geared towards 11+. This approach, which we have found effective over many years, enables us to keep children focused on learning for its own sake, and not distracted by the unnecessary anxiety and stress that testing can cause. The first exam preparation classes are held during the Easter holiday of Year 5, followed in the Summer Term by optional preparation classes each morning at 8am before the regular school day begins.
Year 6
In Year 6, exam preparation is in full swing. Experience has shown us that exam preparation is good for all students, irrespective of whether they will take the 11+, as it gives them an opportunity to dive deeply into core subjects and accelerate writing skills. Children are regularly expected to work independently and quietly in order to replicate test conditions.
Features
Things to note
Clubs and Activities
Heathside has always focused on offering a well-rounded education, encouraging children to try new and unusual things – experience more, and learn more during the process.Heathside prides itself on the wide range of activities we offer as extra-curricular clubs, and we encourage children to try many different activities to excite their interest and discover their passions,They run a range of clubs and activities for different age groups including: Art, Athletics, Capoeira, Chess, Choir, Code Club, Dance, Debating, Drama, Fencing, Fitness, Football, Gymnastics, Photography, Prep, Morning, Science, and Warhammer.
Sports
The sport teachers are specialists who coach a range of team sports including football, cricket, rounders, basketball and netball. Heathside teams play frequent friendlies against other schools. We use a number of different sports facilities in the local area, many within walking distance and others a short coach ride away.The physical activity programme includes swimming, cross-country running, gymnastics, wrestling, athletics, music and movement, karate, yoga and capoeira.
Drama
From Nursery upwards, all children are encouraged to take part, so that performing in front of an audience becomes a normal part of school life. Our productions cover a wide range of genres including Shakespeare, Gilbert & Sullivan and major classical and modern plays and musicals.
Music
Music is an essential part of Heathside school life, both in the curriculum, starting in Nursery, and in school clubs. They have instrumental groups for violin and cello, guitar, wind, ocarina, recorder and flute. Heathside also offers individual lessons for all pupils interested in learning to play an instrument, and we have a thriving choir
Extra Curricular
Please check the school website link for details.
0.12 miles
