Palmers Green High School

Word From The Head

Sarah Proudlove

All sections of the School, from the Nursery through to the Seniors, enjoy being part of our 'one school' community. Preps use the same facilities as the GCSE pupils in some subjects e.g. Art, Music, PE and D&T, and Juniors enjoy Science in the laboratories. Throughout, small class sizes and excellent teaching enable rapid progress, whilst exciting extra-curricular activities encourage pupils to develop into well-rounded individuals.

Our purpose-built Nursery is designed for 3-4 year old girls, most of whom transfer to Reception at PGHS. Lower School classes from Reception though to Year 6 benefit hugely from the encouragement and expertise of their class teachers and teaching assistants. Favourable teaching group sizes, light and airy classrooms and access to senior school facilities all lead to an inspirational learning environment. This is enriched by specialist teaching in Art, Design & Technology, Drama, French, Spanish, Music and PE - frequently in half class groups.

In the Senior School, small class sizes (an average of only 10 at GCSE) and a broad range of extra-curricular activities enriches the pupils' experience. In 2023, the overall percentage of A*/9/8 grades is a magnificent 41% and A*/9 to A/7 is 69%, placing them amongst the top performers in the country.


Former pupils enjoy coming back to share their news with recent leavers currently following Sixth Form courses at Henrietta Barnett, St Michael's, Latymer, Dame Alice Owen's, King's College Mathematical School, Woodhouse Sixth Form, North London Collegiate, Aldenham, Downe House, Headington and Roedean. Older leavers are enjoying their courses at university, including Cambridge, Oxford, UCL, King's London, Exeter, Nottingham and Leeds.

Ranked number one in The Sunday Times national league table for small independent schools with no sixth form, parents can be reassured that Palmers Green High School pupils not only attain excellent results in relation to their abilities and aptitudes, but also grow in confidence and poise as members of this very special school community.

Palmers Green High School selects pupils on the grounds of ability and aptitude. Entry into the Nursery is at 3. Entry into the Main School is usually at 4 into the Prep Department, at 7 into the Junior Department and at 11 into the Senior School. For 11 entry, candidates sit examinations in English, Maths and Reasoning, which are designed for their age group. The Maths, English (Comprehension) and Reasoning (NVR and VR) assessments are done via the ISEB Common Pre-test. English (Creative Writing) is a traditional written paper.