Heathside Preparatory School in Heath Street will shut its doors at the end of the summer term after governors decided it was no longer viable.
In a statement they said: “The governors of Heathside School Hampstead have, with deep sadness, announced their intention to close the school at the end of the current academic year.
“Factors specific to Heathside, dwindling pupil numbers and a low number of pupils on roll for September, mean that the governors now believe that the school is no longer viable, forcing them to make this very difficult decision.”
Neither the Heathside School nor the Dukes Education websites curently reflect the news.
The non-selective school was founded in 1986 and focuses on a holistic and progressive education with a child-centric approach including no restrictive uniforms and outdoor learning on Hampstead Heath. Its troubles date back to 2019, when a “requires improvement” Ofsted report led to management and ultimately ownership changes.
The school never quite regained its position as a popular co-educational option in the area. Declining birth rates and the VAT on school fees led to further falls in pupil numbers to below 110 pupils. The school will close at the end of the summer term. Current pupils have been offered places at Dukes sister schools including Devonshire House Prep.