150 Years of Girls’ Education

The Ham & High traces South Hampstead’s 150-year history, with photos from the archive, stories through the decades, and reflections from Mrs Paul on the school’s legacy for championing girls’ education.

The 150-year-old school that had suffragettes as staff and still teaches girl power.

Current Head Anna Paul emphasises the thread of female empowerment that runs through the school’s history.

“We want to recognise the school’s feminist past. I feel as though the founding headmistresses are still a part of the school, the Houses are named after them and we talk about their courageous spirit to communicate just how brave and radical they were and how committed to promoting women’s education.”

Ms Paul describes how she has fostered an atmosphere of “joyful scholarship” offering a holistic education where they have “unashamedly high academic expectations” for the girls alongside broad opportunities outside the classroom and an approach to learning that celebrates everyone “finding their niche and exploring what they are passionate about”.

“It’s a very values led school,” she says, citing kindness, bravery, respectfulness and a sense of purpose.

But giving girls a voice is also a massive part of South Hampstead High.

“We have a huge debating and oracy programme here. The founding heads would be really supportive, they wanted girls to have a say and be treated equally in society. I still talk about feminism, about the progress that has been made and the progress that needs to be made.”

Read the full article here.