Welcome to Beyond 150,
creating future impact in a fast-changing world
Since our outstanding school for girls first opened its doors in 1876, the belief in looking to the future with vision and energy has been one true constant.
Since our outstanding school for girls first opened its doors in 1876, the belief in looking to the future with vision and energy has been one true constant.
Since our outstanding school for girls first opened its doors in 1876, the belief in looking to the future with vision and energy has been one true constant.
1876
2026
BEYOND
150
1876
2026
BEYOND
150
1876
2026
BEYOND
150
To the 27 pupils and handful of teachers who attended that first day, not much else of the 2026 incarnation would be familiar. The school today inhabits newer buildings on a different site, with many times more girls. The joy and exuberance that is typical of school life at South Hampstead might surprise our Victorian predecessors, as might the uniforms. No straw boaters, for a start.
To the 27 pupils and handful of teachers who attended that first day, not much else of the 2026 incarnation would be familiar. The school today inhabits newer buildings on a different site, with many times more girls. The joy and exuberance that is typical of school life at South Hampstead might surprise our Victorian predecessors, as might the uniforms. No straw boaters, for a start.
To the 27 pupils and handful of teachers who attended that first day, not much else of the 2026 incarnation would be familiar. The school today inhabits newer buildings on a different site, with many times more girls. The joy and exuberance that is typical of school life at South Hampstead might surprise our Victorian predecessors, as might the uniforms. No straw boaters, for a start.



Once they’d got past the fashion, architecture and laughter in the corridors, though, I think the staff and students of 150 years ago might start feeling more at home.
Once they’d got past the fashion, architecture and laughter in the corridors, though, I think the staff and students of 150 years ago might start feeling more at home.
Once they’d got past the fashion, architecture and laughter in the corridors, though, I think the staff and students of 150 years ago might start feeling more at home.



Stronger than ever is the spirit of optimism, innovation and feminist resolve that helped establish the Girls’ Day School Trust. And they would undoubtedly recognise the continuing influence of our school motto, Mehr Licht! *, in our unwavering commitment to sparking intellectual curiosity and illuminating individual pathways.
The school motto ('more light') is taken from the last words of the German poet and and polymath, Johann Wolfgang von Goethe.
Our 150th anniversary is the perfect moment to honour South Hampstead’s legacy in providing outstanding opportunities for young women to define the school’s future impact for young women in a fast-changing world.
Our 150th anniversary is the perfect moment to honour South Hampstead’s legacy in providing outstanding opportunities for young women to define the school’s future impact for young women in a fast-changing world.
Our 150th anniversary is the perfect moment to honour South Hampstead’s legacy in providing outstanding opportunities for young women to define the school’s future impact for young women in a fast-changing world.



This strategy is a declaration of how we intend to continue empowering every one of our girls to shine brightly and happily in her own unique light. We have so much to look forward to.
This strategy is a declaration of how we intend to continue empowering every one of our girls to shine brightly and happily in her own unique light. We have so much to look forward to.
This strategy is a declaration of how we intend to continue empowering every one of our girls to shine brightly and happily in her own unique light. We have so much to look forward to.



Mrs Anna Paul,
BA (Dunelm)
Head



Mrs Anna Paul,
BA (Dunelm)
Head
1876
2026
BEYOND
150
1876
2026
BEYOND
150
1876
2026
BEYOND
150
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