11 Holly Hill, Hampstead, London NW3 6QN
10 reasons to choose University College School, Junior Branch & Pre-Prep
Top line
University College School, Junior Branch & Pre-Prep has a Schoolsmith Score® of 82. It is one of the best independent prep schools in and around Hampstead and one of the 8 best primary schools for 0.5 miles.
School fundamentals
University College School, Junior Branch & Pre-Prep is an independent prep day school for boys between the ages of 4 and 11 years. The school has an academically selective admissions policy. It is the junior division of University College School, an all-through school to age 18. University College School, Junior Branch & Pre-Prep fees range from £9,165 (Rec) to £10,047 per term (2025/26). Fees include VAT but exclude lunches.
Average class size
University College School, Junior Branch & Pre-Prep has two classes per year to Year 2, three from Year 3, and an average class size of 20 pupils.
Leavers' destinations
Most Junior Branch pupils move up to University College School at the end of Year 6, without taking an entrance exam.
The University College School, Junior Branch & Pre-Prep curriculum
School curriculum is based on the National Curriculum with some additions and variations. In pre-prep the curriculum is ‘creative’, linking foundation subjects through half-termly topics. The curriculum also includes PSHEE, reasoning, French, Spanish, Mandarin. The school offers each pupil between 5 and 10 different extra-curricular academic activities or hobby clubs. In recent years the school has enjoyed national tournament success in maths, general knowledge quizzes, science.
More on the curriculum
There are regular educational trips for all year groups, visiting speakers and residential trips from Year 4. School participates in the Eco Schools programme and has Green Flag accreditation.
Specialist teaching
Specialist teachers for sport, music, art, DT and languages throughout, drama from Year 3, and for most subjects from Year 5.
Sport at University College School, Junior Branch & Pre-Prep
School offers between 10 and 15 different sports over the course of the year. Competitive teams in major sports from Year 3.
The Arts at University College School, Junior Branch & Pre-Prep
Art, music and drama are taught as discrete curricular subjects to all pupils. Two choirs, orchestra and one or two instrument ensembles. All pupils learn an instrument in class and up to half take extra-curricular instrument lessons from Year 3. There are some extra-curricular creative and performing arts clubs.
Wraparound care
Wraparound care from 8.00am to 5.00pm.
Find another school near University College School, Junior Branch & Pre-Prep
The Academy School, Hampstead (0.2 miles); Heathside School (0.3 miles); Devonshire House Preparatory School (0.3 miles).
Christ Church School, Hampstead (0.3 miles); New End Primary School (0.3 miles); Rosary Catholic Primary School, Hampstead (0.7 miles).
Alleyn’s Hampstead (0.2 miles); University College School (0.5 miles); St Margaret’s School, Hampstead (0.7 miles).
Parliament Hill School (1.7 miles); William Ellis School (1.7 miles); La Sainte Union Catholic Secondary School (1.7 miles).