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University College School

University College School

Frognal, Hampstead, London, NW3 6XH

020 7435 2215

seniorschool@ucs.org.uk

www.ucs.org.uk

University College School
School type Boys' Day, Co-educational Sixth Form
Founded 1830
Headteacher Mr Mark J Beard
Date Appointed September 2013
Girls Age Range 16-18
Boys Age Range 11-18
Number of Senior School 875
Number of Junior Branch 255
Senior School £7,030
Junior Branch £6,498
Pre Prep £5,817
Associations HMC,AGBIS

University College School (UCS) was founded in 1830 by University College London (UCL) to promote the principles of intellectual curiosity, breadth of study and independence of mind. Such attributes combine to achieve academic excellence, and UCS is one of the highest achieving schools in the UK. UCS now comprises three schools all situated within a mile of each other:

  • Pre-Prep for boys aged 4-7
  • Junior Branch for boys aged 7-11
  • Senior School for boys aged 11-18 and girls aged 16-18
There is so much more to an outstanding education than examination grades but pupils leave UCS with exceptional grades at GCSE and A-Level. In 2018, 31% of A-Level exams taken at UCS were graded at A
  • and 70% were either A* or A. In 2017, the school was ranked 10th amongst independent co-educational sixth forms in England for A-Levels and 7th amongst independent boys’ schools for GCSE. UCS's track record of supporting university applications to both UK and overseas institutions is first class and is facilitated by knowledgeable and caring staff. It is expected that at least 20 offers per annum are received from either Oxford or Cambridge and an increasingly large number of pupils now head to prestigious universities in the USA. Recent leavers have accepted places at Harvard, Stanford, MIT, Duke and Columbia.

    • The curriculum throughout the UCS Foundation is broad and is designed to match the educational needs of pupils at all stages of their development. At the Senior School, "Dialectics" lessons in the first two years invite children to inquire into the philosophy of learning, and lessons in all subjects place a strong emphasis on the value of discussion. Pupils thrive in this dynamic learning environment and lessons are finely tuned to enable pupils to increase their problem-solving skills, their sense of curiosity and their love of learning for learning's sake. The extensive co-curricular programme permits a vast number of pupils to participate in performing arts and every pupil participates fully in the games programme.

    UCS is renowned for providing outstanding pastoral care and much of this is based on developing strong and open relationships with parents as well as pupils. Approachable, experienced staff, that are warm and engaging, nurture relationships with pupils and guide them through their schooling. The support for pupils is as comprehensive as it can be. Their well-being is the highest priority.

    UCS is a united community of individuals, and pupils develop diversity, lateral-thinking and confidence. The coupling of independence of mind with academic excellence not only makes UCS one of England's leading schools, it makes UCS truly distinctive. Selecting children with no regard to race or creed, UCS fosters in them a sense of society alongside a respect for the individual. Pupils are taught humanity, understanding and empathy which enables them to contribute to and lead in so many areas of 21st century life. By offering the fullest range of opportunities for personal and for group endeavour, pupils learn the value of commitment and the joy of achievement. UCS is a place of study, but also of self-discovery and self-expression; a school that places equal value on learning with others as on learning from others.