We are proud to introduce Sarum Hall School – a happy and thriving independent prep school for girls aged 3 to 11. Situated in the heart of Belsize Park, we provide a nurturing environment where curiosity, creativity, and a love of learning are encouraged every day. Our modern facilities include specialist teaching spaces, dedicated rooms for science, art, and computing, spacious outdoor play areas, and a vibrant school community where every child is supported to grow in confidence and ability.
Welcome Message
Welcome Message
“Sarum Hall School is an exciting and busy place with many varied opportunities built around a strong academic foundation. It is exciting to see how the staff and the girls bring learning to life every day, in order to nurture and develop inquisitive minds and innate curiosity.
“Our pupils are encouraged to challenge themselves in every discipline in order to find their passion for a love of learning in an area in which they can build confidence. This confidence quickly affords them courage “to have a go” in other activities. We are unashamedly ambitious for all and value each aspect of the curriculum. This is reflected in the wealth of opportunities the girls are exposed to and the range of stimulating subjects which make up our dynamic and diverse curriculum. In this way the children learn when it is their turn to step into the spotlight and contribute and when it is time for them to take a step back and let someone else bring in their area of expertise; all for the greater good of the team and the richness of the community.
“We support our children to become independent, articulate, creative thinkers, who are inclusive, respectful, and courteous towards everyone. Our core learning skills are at the heart of everything we do. We encourage them to be resilient in themselves, and to learn the personal skills needed to meet life’s ups and downs, so they can work and play with all members of the school.
“Our caring and devoted staff – teaching and support – know each girl as an individual which allows us to identify and celebrate personal achievements and triumphs on a regular basis. The strong sense of community within the school promotes humility, a feeling of security and genuine happiness for one and other’s successes.
“Our pupils take their social and ecological responsibilities seriously, to ensure they can serve their community in the round. Our Golden Values (kindness, courage, respect, honesty, fairness and resilience) underpin all we do to help prepare each child to continue their schooling and life’s adventures beyond.
“Our website can only give a flavour of life in our school, so please do arrange a visit. I look forward to welcoming you and introducing you to our community.”
The school’s mission is to identify and fully develop the natural talents and potential of each individual pupil and to prepare them for a full, happy, healthy, active and productive life. The school seeks to achieve this within the context of the culture, ethics and values of the Christian faith emphasising those strong moral and spiritual tenets shared with other faiths.
We aim to provide a safe, supportive environment where pupils can thrive academically, socially, and personally. This includes developing core literacy, numeracy, and cultural understanding; fostering environmental awareness and community values; encouraging creativity, independence, and healthy living; and equipping pupils with transferable skills across a broad curriculum. We also prepare pupils with the skills and resilience needed to navigate an evolving, ever-changing world.
We achieve this through clear policies, high yet realistic expectations, a caring ethos that respects individual needs, and a rich, engaging curriculum delivered by skilled teaching.
Golden Values
We believe that, in order to enable effective teaching and learning to take place, good behaviour in all aspects of school life is paramount. This applies to all staff and pupils at the School, including those in the Early Years Foundation Stage. Our Golden Values underpin life at the School and we aim to promote good behaviour, self-discipline and respect by the whole school community.
Core Learning Skills
We recognise that pupils have diverse ways of learning so we employ a variety of teaching methods to bring out the best in each pupil. Our broad, balanced and purposeful curriculum fosters core learning skills essential for success throughout a child’s academic and adult life. We hold high expectations for our pupils and support their development into becoming independent, adaptable and critical thinkers.
Keeping Children Safe in Education
We have a duty to Keep Children Safe in Education. This responsibility necessitates a series of relevant policies that we adhere to, and we may need to share information and work in partnership with other agencies when there are concerns about a child’s welfare.
Sarum Hall School was founded in September 1929 at 51 Eton Avenue, Belsize Park by Miss Violet E Webb, the first Headmistress. Miss Webb had been a pupil at the Godolphin School in Salisbury and named Sarum Hall School after that town – Sarum is the Roman name for Salisbury.
In 2024, TaskSpace transformed three additional classrooms by reconfiguring the existing spaces to create optimised learning environments for pupils. Maximising natural light and improving storage solutions were essential, ensuring the spaces met the requirements for both form rooms and classrooms.
In 2023, TaskSpace designed and delivered three unique classrooms by reconfiguring the old spaces to create optimised learning environments for pupils. Creative bench seating was introduced in the science lab, in a funky molecular style, while maintaining all the practical facilities in their existing locations to minimise cost and complexity of the project. Within the Art room, it was key to make the most of the light in the space as well as create better storage – this concept was mirrored in the Maths room and ensured the space met the criteria of a form room and classroom.
On the 10th July 2017, work began on the new Food Studio; a dedicated space to enable the girls to fully embrace the food technology curriculum and to learn invaluable life skills. Tons of earth and London clay were excavated in order to create a room which would exist below the level of the existing terrace and so minimise the impact on the overall footprint of the playground and other areas. Work was successfully completed in April 2018 and the result is a fantastic light and airy space that integrates seamlessly into the existing building. On 26th April, Cook and…Read More
Headteacher Christine Smith invited former Sarum Hall pupil and ChildLine founder Esther Rantzen to officially open a new two-storey playhouse in the grounds of the school. The 73-year-old TV presenter and philanthropist, who lives in Hampstead, cut a ribbon at a ceremony to open the new playhouse.
In the early 1990s, the Governors announced exciting plans to move the school to a new building further down Eton Avenue. The staff were involved in the planning and development of ideas for the new building and in 1994 the whole school attended a ceremony for the laying of the foundation stone. A time capsule was then buried in the far corner of the new gym, which may be found by future generations if this building is ever demolished. The time capsule contents include coins, a fountain pen, some of the school uniform, letters written by the girls at the…Read More
Sarum Hall girls have always participated in sports activities, opportunities that were not available at all girls’ schools in the first half of the 20th century. The original school had a gymnasium and organised annual sports days at Hampstead Heath Extension. In those days the prizes were real silver and consisted of items such as cups, spoons, clocks and candlesticks. Upon the retirement of Miss Webb in 1960, the school became a charitable trust.
In 1939, at the outbreak of war, the school was evacuated to Whatcombe House in Dorset. Unfortunately the evacuation was unsuccessful, only lasting about one term. The conditions, including cooking facilities, were far from ideal and the bombing in the Hampstead area of London was not as bad as expected, so many parents wanted their children back home with them. Following the short evacuation, the school was forced to close and reopened again in 1945, following repairs to the building caused by war damage.
When the school first opened the girls were delighted to find a modern, even revolutionary, style of uniform. Most girls’ schools at that time had the typical ‘gym’ tunic. Sarum Hall School girls, however, had pleated kilts and warm jumpers in the winter and pretty cotton dresses in various shades of green during the summer months. In 1933 deportment ties were introduced as a means of distinguishing those whose general carriage was particularly good at all times. These ties were dark green with light green stripes and girls who were awarded them were allowed to wear them instead of the…Read More
Sarum Hall School was founded in September 1929 at 51 Eton Avenue, Belsize Park by Miss Violet E Webb, the first Headmistress. Miss Webb had been a pupil at the Godolphin School in Salisbury and named Sarum Hall School after that town – Sarum is the Roman name for Salisbury. The first term began with just seven pupils; double that number enrolled for the second term and at the beginning of the second year there were 28 pupils. The oldest year group that started at Sarum Hall School in 1929 had just three pupils in it all the way up…Read More
“Why did we choose Sarum Hall? Its reputation and our observations on the school’s value system and pastoral care, and how they raise the girls in addition to educating them. Also their commitment to music, the arts and extra-curricular activities.”
Sarum Hall School parent
“I think she is being extremely well taught in a very nurturing environment.”
Sarum Hall parent
“My daughter is happy and enjoys her school experience immensely. She often surprises us with the breadth of her knowledge.”
