Grimsdell Good School Guide
Grimsdell, is delighted to share its latest review from the Good Schools Guide, which praises the school’s creative curriculum, strong academic focus, and nurturing ethos. The report highlights recent developments at Grimsdell.
A Creative and Connected Curriculum
The review commends Belmont’s approach to learning, describing it as “immersive and fun,” with themes that unite the whole school across subjects. From forest school adventures for nursery children to hands-on science projects and music-making, pupils enjoy a curriculum that inspires curiosity and collaboration. Task Time, where children work in mixed-age groups on activities such as woodwork and outdoor learning, was singled out as a standout feature.
Academic Progress and Specialist Teaching
Parents appreciate the school’s “more structured, more academic focus,” with phonics and maths prioritised in early years. Specialist teachers from Mill Hill School bring expertise in science and music, enriching pupils’ experiences through initiatives like Science Week and the Toffee Bear choir.
Pastoral Care and Wellbeing
The review also praises Grimsdell’s exceptional pastoral care, describing it as “an enclave of calm” where kindness is at the heart of school life. From playground buddies to school counsellors and therapists, every child is supported to thrive. The Grimsdell Way, a set of values prioritising empathy and care, is embraced by even the youngest pupils.
A Happy Start to a Mill Hill Education
The Good Schools Guide concludes that Grimsdell offers “a happy and kind beginning to the all-through journey of a Mill Hill education,” combining academic ambition with a nurturing environment where children don’t even realise they are learning.
Belmont Good School Guide
The Good School Guide review praises Belmont for blending traditional values: manners, responsibility, kindness with an increasingly ambitious academic curriculum and a wealth of co-curricular opportunities. Pupils thrive in an environment where they can “be children for longer,” while embracing a growing “cool to be clever” mindset.
Academic Excellence
Head Dr Abbott’s vision for a more rigorous academic approach is evident, with initiatives such as chess added to the curriculum and strengthened end-of-year assessments. The innovative Future Skills programme equips pupils with essential soft skills: communication, collaboration, critical thinking, and creativity woven into engaging activities like forest school. Specialist teaching begins early in computing, art, DT, languages, and the arts, ensuring breadth and depth from the start.
Outstanding Pastoral Care
The review commends Belmont’s pastoral provision, describing form tutors and heads of year as “responsive” and “caring.” The Whisper programme empowers pupils to report wellbeing concerns anonymously, while school values Be Kind, Be Brave, Be You are lived daily through assemblies, challenges, and classroom culture. Parents consistently praise the SEND support as “super helpful” and “supportive.”
Exceptional Co-Curricular Opportunities
Belmont offers over 100 clubs, from coding and gardening to music ensembles and drama workshops. Sport remains central to school life, with up to 90 matches per term and pathways for elite performers. Creative opportunities abound, including a dedicated videography room and the Young Entrepreneurs Academy, where pupils launch businesses and earn UCL certificates. Outdoor learning, music, and enrichment activities ensure every child can explore their passions.
The review concludes that Belmont provides a holistic education in enviable grounds, where pupils are encouraged to seize every opportunity and develop both academically and personally. As one pupil put it: “School is pretty perfect really.”
