North Bridge House School is an independent school located in London for 2 years 9 months to 18 year olds. The school has five different locations for different age groups. The Nursery School, located in Hampstead on Fitzjohn's Avenue, is for 2 years 9 months - 5 year olds. The Pre-Preparatory School is just around the corner on Netherhall Gardens and is for 5 - 7 year olds, and the Preparatory School is situated on Gloucester Avenue near Regent's Park and is for 7 - 13 year olds. North Bridge House has two Senior School campuses, one in Hampstead for 11- to 16-year-olds and one in Canonbury, Islington for 13 - 18 year olds. The current headmistress of the Nursery and Pre-Prep Schools is Mrs Christine McLelland. The current headmaster of the Prep School is Mr Brodie Bibby. The headmaster of the Senior School in Hampstead is Mr Brendan Pavey. The headmaster of the Senior School and Sixth Form in Canonbury is also Mr Brendan Pavey. With acting head Mr Sean Doherty while Mr Pavey is unavailable. The school is owned and operated by the Cognita group.
History
In 1939, North Bridge House School was founded as a Junior and Preparatory school in St. John's Wood. By the 1950s, the school had moved to 8 Neatherhall Gardens, Hampstead, which today houses the Pre-Prep school. A re-organisation of the school during the 1960s resulted in the move of older Prep-School students to two Nash houses near Regent's Park. Around the same time, the nursery was opened in a Victorian villa on Fitzjohn's avenue, where it continues to operate today. Later, in 1987, the whole Prep-School was moved to a former covent in Gloucester Avenue, Primrose Hill, previously occupied by the Japanese School of London, and at the same time, the Senior School was established, allowing students to continue their studies at North Bridge House up to the age of 16. In 2012, the Royal School, Hampstead, was merged with North Bridge House, its former location now the Hampstead Senior School. £3.5m was invested in the redevelopment of the school, allowing for the refurbishment of the whole site, and the addition of specialist teaching facilities. £1.7m was invested to provide the addition of a sports hall, which was completed in 2014, and opened by former Olympic Triple Jumper, Jonathan Edwards. In the same year, the North Bridge House Sixth Form was founded. It is situated in a 500 year old Grade II listed building in Canonbury, Islington, preparing students for university entry. This later expanded to include a senior school.
Present Day
North Bridge House school is operated by Cognita, which owns and operates private schools around the world. It is a mixed ability school, and admissions include an examination and interview by the headmaster. North Bridge House accepts international students, who come from other Cognita schools. In 2018, the Canonbury school achieved 70% 7-9 grades at GCSE, and 29% A-A* at A Level, and the Hampstead Senior School achieved 56% 7-9 at GCSE. North Bridge House consistently achieves high grades in Mathematics, English Literature and other creative subjects, such as art, drama and photography at GCSE. Extra-curricular activities are offered for students. Students can join the cast of the plays put on by the school, as well as forming bands for annual music competitions. Students can also take part in the Duke of Edinburgh award while at North Bridge House. There are sports teams which compete against other schools in England, and internationally. There are three houses: Veritas, Fortis and Decus. House competitions are organised, with students being able to score merits for their respective house throughout the year, the winner being awarded with a trip at the end of the year for the whole house to attend. The cost of attending the senior school is currently £19,200 or £22,830 for international students, including lunch, whilst the cost for attending the sixth form is £19,335. Scholarships are offered to talented pupils, such as art, drama, music or mathematics scholarships. North Bridge House includes a Nursery, Pre-Prep, Prep, Senior and Sixth Form, allowing students to attend North Bridge House for their entire pre-university education.
