Student Voice Award

South Hampstead has won this year’s Education Choices Award for Developing Student Voice.

The annual awards celebrate innovation and leadership across the UK education sector.  In a strong field of finalists in this year’s Developing Student Voice category – including King’s College Wimbledon and Wellington College – South Hampstead was named as the joint winner alongside sister GDST school, Putney High.

The accolade is testament to our commitment to embedding oracy across the curriculum and the instrumental role of our award-winning Debate Hub in encouraging pupils across the UK to find their voice.  South Hampstead’s genuinely democratic culture empowers our pupils to express themselves and to effect change. So far this year, students have spoken at the House of Lords about the power of all-girls’ education and staged an incredible showcase debate with expert speakers on the impact of AI on education. Our Head Girl interviewed Everyday Sexism founder Laura Bates about the intersection of new technology and gender equality, and girls spoke to senior leaders at the International Coalition for Girls’ Schools UK conference. We recently introduced a new oracy and critical thinking course for Year 7 and, in September, we launch our first school-directed course for GCSE students: Scholarship through Speech.

Head Mrs Paul commented: “It is wonderful to be recognised for this award as we approach our 150th anniversary year. Founded by trailblazing women in 1876, South Hampstead continues to instil girls with the self-belief to navigate the world with confidence. Our forward-thinking curriculum is a key tenet of our Beyond 150 strategy and our intentional focus on developing student voice is just one aspect of how we equip our girls to face a rapidly-changing future.”