Lower Prep School for Girls Aged 5 – 8 Years
In the Lower School at St Mary’s, we follow the National Curriculum and supplement this with the Independent Schools Examination Board curriculum.
Nestled in the heart of Hampstead, St Mary’s School provides a nurturing and inclusive environment where young girls thrive. Renowned for its supportive community and strong ethos, the school prides itself on fostering confidence, resilience, and a love for learning. Students are encouraged to explore their full potential through a balanced curriculum that resonates with their innate curiosity and creativity. As an Independent Catholic School in Hampstead, we strive to create an inclusive environment that welcomes girls from diverse communities and faith backgrounds, or none, recognising that all benefit from the school’s values. Our Lower School covers Years 1, 2 & 3. We follow the National Curriculum and supplement this with the Independent Schools Examination Board curriculum – meaning we are able to offer an extremely broad and balanced curriculum focusing on individual strengths and talents. We believe that this broad curriculum allows for great enrichment across the whole school.
Our curriculum provides opportunities for all children to learn and achieve, promotes their spiritual, moral, social and cultural development and prepares them for the many opportunities, responsibilities and experiences of life.
The Lower School includes children aged 5 – 8 years and covers Years 1, 2 and 3.
- Religious Education
- English
- Mathematics
- Science
- Art and Design
- Design Technology
- Computing and Digital Literacy
- History
- Geography
- French
- Music
- Physical Education
- Personal Health & Social Education
Extra Curricular Activities
Beyond the classroom, extra curricular activities play a significant role in shaping well-rounded individuals. St Mary’s offers a variety of sports, clubs, and societies that encourage girls to collaborate and excel in areas they are passionate about. These experiences not only enrich their educational journey but also instil the values of teamwork, responsibility, and leadership within the safe and inspiring settings of the lower school grounds. For further information please explore Clubs.
St Mary’s School in Hampstead provides an exceptional Lower School programme for girls aged 5 to 8 years, fostering both academic growth and personal development during these formative years. The curriculum is designed to inspire a love of learning, blending traditional academic subjects with creative arts, physical education, and social-emotional learning. The small class sizes allow teachers to give individual attention, ensuring that each girl’s strengths are recognised and nurtured. At this stage, the school places a strong emphasis on building foundational skills in literacy, numeracy, and critical thinking, while also encouraging curiosity and independence through hands-on projects and collaborative learning experiences.
Beyond academics, the Lower School programme at St Mary’s School focuses on the holistic development of each girl, helping them build confidence, resilience, and a strong sense of community. The school provides a supportive and inclusive environment where girls are encouraged to express themselves, explore new interests, and develop their talents. Extra-curricular activities such as music, drama, and sports are integrated into the school day, offering opportunities for girls to discover and pursue their passions. Through this balanced approach, St Mary’s ensures that girls in the Lower School years not only achieve academic success but also grow into well-rounded, confident individuals ready for the next stage of their educational journey.
