Francis Holland School, Regent's Park

Francis Holland, Regent’s Park, NW1 is a happy, academic day school of 430 girls aged 11-18. Within a friendly and supportive atmosphere, pupils achieve excellent examination results.

In April 2008, the Independent Schools Inspectorate’s Report rated the school ‘outstanding’ in pupil achievement, pastoral care, and quality of teaching. In addition, the sixth form pupils were noted as ‘outstanding’ in both ‘academic work’ and ‘social development’. All pupils transfer to universities, including Oxford and Cambridge. The ethos of the school emphasises courtesy and altruistic behaviour at all times.

As part of their curriculum, sixth formers attend weekly lectures from visiting guest speakers, many of them prominent in public life. Sport, drama and music make a particularly strong contribution to the school’s lively extra-curricular schedule. The school has its own swimming pool and uses Regent’s Park for tennis, hockey, rounders and netball.

A large new wing (approx 5,000sq ft) opened in October 2008 providing additional classrooms and seminar rooms, a fourth art studio and a performance area for music, drama and theatre studies. There are two school orchestras, several choirs and a jazz band. Girls can choose from over 70 clubs and societies, including history and politics, ju-jitsu, cookery, water polo, Mandarin Chinese, gymnastics, yoga, kick-boxing and animal club.

Charitable initiatives are strongly encouraged: the whole school undertakes an annual sponsored walk and funds a summer activity camp for local children. Conveniently located next to Regent’s Park, the school takes full advantage of its central location, being easily accessible by public transport.