Home → Our Vision → Sustainability
At The Hall, sustainability is both a responsibility and an opportunity. We recognise that the way we run the school has a real impact on the environment, and that schools also have a vital role to play in educating pupils to be thoughtful, responsible global citizens.
Our approach to sustainability brings together school operations, strategic oversight, curriculum delivery and pupil participation, ensuring that green values are embedded across all aspects of school life.
Sustainability at The Hall is guided by a Sustainability Strategy Group, which supports the work of the School’s Eco Committee and oversees our progress as a Green Flag Eco‑School. The Hall is committed to reducing its environmental impact and to embedding sustainable practices and green values throughout the school community.
The purpose of the group is to ensure that the school is moving forward on a carbon reduction pathway and that sustainability is considered strategically in both the short and medium term.
The Strategy Group includes teaching and support staff from across all sections of the school, works closely with pupils through active Eco Committee involvement and ensures sustainability is embedded in policy, planning and decision‑making.
Sustainability Strategy Group Key Areas of Focus
This joined‑up approach ensures sustainability continues to evolve with the school.
Sustainability at The Hall is not confined to school operations. We are committed to equipping pupils with the knowledge, awareness and values they need to engage thoughtfully with global challenges.
Themes of sustainability and global social responsibility are introduced from Reception to Year 8, wherever relevant, including topics such as:
Hall pupils are highly receptive to this learning, and many are keen to take their understanding beyond the classroom through projects, discussions and practical initiatives.
Eco-Schools is a charitable organisation that encourages students to protect their school and the wider eEco‑Schools is a global charity that empowers pupils to care for their school and the wider environment through practical eco‑challenges, leading to the award of the internationally recognised Green Flag. The Hall has been part of the Eco‑Schools programme since 2018 and achieved Green Flag status in 2020, which we continue to maintain through regular review and development of our sustainability initiatives.
Pupil voice is central to sustainability at The Hall. Our Eco Committee, made up of representatives from Year 1 upwards alongside staff volunteers, plays an active role in shaping environmental initiatives and representing pupils within the Sustainability Strategy Group.
Through their involvement, pupils:
Eco Committee projects and campaigns help turn sustainability strategy into visible, meaningful action across the school community.
Pupil-led sustainability groups and the Eco Committee are actively empowered in areas such as:
During 2022-2023 The Hall prioritised becoming carbon neutral by measuring, reducing and offsetting emissions arising from school business across the academic year. The measuring of carbon footprint across the whole school was a significant and lengthy undertaking, with data being verified and calculated by One Carbon World over the previous academic year.
In the summer of 2023, we were awarded the United Nations Climate Neutral Now initiative’s Silver Award, a rare rating for first-time submissions! We were delighted that staff and students alike have been thus recognised by the UNFCCC (United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change) for the outstanding commitment and hard work carried out across the school in successfully reducing our carbon footprint.
The STARS Gold Award received from Transport of London in June 2023, signifies that The Hall is among the top 10% of London schools, setting high standards to inspire others to transform travel habits, fully engage the wider community to promote best practices, and see a measurable reduction in the number of journeys made by car every day.
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In the education sector, sustainability relates both to the running of a school according to sustainable development policies, and includes sustainability in the curriculum, raising awareness about environmental issues in future generations.
We are conscious that The Hall’s everyday activities impact on the environment in many ways, including, for example:
The Hall is working to embed green values and sustainable practices into all aspects of school life.
The Sustainability Strategy focuses upon the work of the school’s Eco Commmitee and our Green Flag status as an eco-school, to ensure that the school is ultimately more sustainable through the development of key strategic initiatives across all aspects of school life and functioning. A Sustainability Strategy Group has been established, with responsibility for ensuring that the school is on a carbon reduction pathway in the medium term.
The Strategy Group consists of staff from across all sections of the school, both teaching and support staff. Student participation is important too and members of the Eco Committee have an active voice within the Strategy Group discussions and decision-making.
The Hall is committed not only to ensuring that we run according to sustainable practices in aspects such as power consumption and energy use, water use, reducing waste and ensuring sustainable procurement, but also to teaching our students pupils about sustainability and global social responsibility.
Hall pupils are receptive to such teaching and many are keen to learn about and become involved in projects and activities aimed at world problems such as global warming, deforestation, habitat loss, conservation and global poverty, which are incorporated into the curriculum from Reception to Year 8 wherever relevant.
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Construction Working Group Meeting Minutes – April 2023
Monthly Monitoring Report – May 2023
Monthly Monitoring Report – June 2023
Monthly Monitoring Report – July 2023
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2020 will long be remembered as a significant and unprecedented year, in which the foundations on which our societies are built have been truly shaken in many different ways. A good deal of our attention has been concentrated on the response to Covid-19 and the ensuing global pandemic. Nonetheless, the killing of George Floyd in the United States sparked protests that went beyond its borders. The response of people through various channels, including the Black Lives Matter movement, triggered a far deeper reflection in the wider world of our understanding on issues of racism, prejudice and social injustice in society.
This has been a wake-up call in so many ways. Organisations of all types, as well as the communities within them, have been challenged to look seriously at themselves and question whether they are truly as inclusive as they believe or wish to be. At The Hall, we are proud of the diversity in our school. As part of our school values, we encourage our pupils and staff to respect, appreciate and celebrate differences. We work together to ensure that pupils and staff are able to learn and teach in a supportive, caring and safe environment, without fear of being bullied and free from discrimination and harassment. Nevertheless, whilst we claim to be a diverse and inclusive community, we must take the time to challenge this premise, address any shortcomings, and emerge stronger.
Education, and particularly schools, are very much at the heart of promoting equality, and it is our responsibility to ensure that every member of our community feels enabled to succeed irrespective of their race, gender, disability, religion or sexual orientation. We need to encourage a continual, open and reflective dialogue around diversity and inclusion whilst aiming to fully equip ourselves to understand and address the complex social issues at the heart of inequality and prejudice. We will not tolerate racism at The Hall, but we can also go further by acknowledging the role we can play in dismantling systemic racism. There is a lot we already do, but there is always so much more we can do.
The responsibilities of this group will include but are not limited to:
Diversity and Inclusion Leads. They will be responsible for, but not limited to:
Development of the culture
Student, staff and parent awareness and training
Policy Review
Curriculum
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The Reverend Francis Wrottesley can have had little idea in 1889 when he established a school in Belsize Park for his three sons and a small number of local pupils, that his creation would go on to have such an illustrious history and become such a leading and highly regarded prep school.
One of the key features of The Hall over the years has been its capacity to adapt and develop to differing circumstances and times. Histories of the school reveal that it has always been innovative in aiming to provide a broad and enriching experience for the pupils and its reputation for academic excellence and high standards have long been treasured.
We believe that the previous twelve Headmasters would be rather pleased to see The Hall of 2024 – a happy, energetic and positive community that continues to seek to provide the best education possible for the pupils in our care. A school that is looking forward and is committed to evolve and progress, not least in terms of a physical transformation of our senior school estate. In addition to some exciting new spaces, we have innovatively redesigned the existing estate within the same overall site ‘footprint’ using sustainable materials and repurposing existing spaces to new uses.
The revitalised senior school building has transformed the teaching and learning of The Hall. New spaces include:
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Founded in 1889
In 1889, the Reverend Francis Wrottesley established a small school in Belsize Park, initially for his growing family of boys and a small number of local pupils. Thus the Belsize School for Boys was born. In 1898, with pupil numbers standing at just thirteen, Wrottesley sold the school to the Reverend Douglas Marshall.
Marshall proved to be a dynamic and ambitious Head. Under his leadership, pupil numbers grew steadily, reaching fifty by 1905, prompting the need for larger premises.
The Hall
Marshall secured a building exchange with a nearby girls’ school at The Hall, Crossfield Road, whose numbers were declining. From this point, the school became known simply as The Hall. By the time Marshall left in 1909, the school had grown to around one hundred pupils.
The Hall was then purchased by Edward Montauban — later a founder of Stowe School — who continued to develop the school over the next decade. In 1920, ownership passed to Robin Gladstone, the nephew of Gerard Wathen. It was Wathen who, over the subsequent thirty years, firmly established The Hall as one of North London’s leading preparatory schools.
The Hall Charitable Trust
From its early years, The Hall earned a reputation for academic excellence, high standards and an education that placed strong emphasis on character, curiosity and confidence. In 1952, the school became a charitable trust, marking an important milestone in its governance and long-term stability. Three years later, in 1955, Raymond Cooper was appointed as the school’s first non‑proprietorial Headmaster.
A School That Evolves With Purpose
A defining feature of The Hall throughout its history has been its willingness to evolve. The school has consistently invested in its people, curriculum and environment to ensure that boys are educated in a way that is both ambitious and relevant.
A significant recent milestone was the completion of a major modernisation programme for the Senior School in 2024. Carefully designed within the existing site footprint, the refurbished facilities enable pupils to benefit from subject‑specialist teaching environments more typically associated with senior schools, supporting excellence both in and beyond the classroom.
Outstanding Facilities for Modern Learning
The completed development includes:
Together, these facilities reflect The Hall’s commitment to providing an exceptional educational environment that prepares boys confidently for the next stage of their education.
Looking Ahead: The Next Chapter
Over more than a century, The Hall has been shaped by a succession of Headmasters who have each interpreted Wrottesley’s founding principles for their time. While educational priorities have evolved, the school’s values – scholarship, ambition, pastoral care and the development of well‑rounded boys – have remained constant.
In September 2026, The Hall will welcome Henry Keighley‑Elstub as Headmaster, marking the beginning of an exciting new chapter in the school’s history. An experienced and highly respected leader in London prep education, Henry brings nearly 30 years of teaching and senior leadership experience.
Having led schools including Devonshire House Preparatory School and Pembridge Hall, he is known for combining academic ambition with a strong emphasis on pastoral care and character development. He shares The Hall’s values and its belief in providing a broad, enriching education that enables boys to thrive.
Together, the school’s historic foundations, exceptional facilities and committed leadership ensure that The Hall continues to look confidently to the future while remaining true to its past.
HEADMASTERS OF THE HALL:
1889 – 1899
Francis Wrottesley
1899 – 1909
Douglas Marshall
1909 – 1920
Edward Montauban
1924 – 1955
Gerard Wathen
1920 – 1929
Robin Gladstone
1955 – 1976
Raymond Cooper
1976 – 1991
Paddy Heazell
1991 – 1992
Nicholas Coates
1992 – 1993
Dicky Dawe
1993 – 2003
Paul Ramage
2003 – 2005
Garry Pierson
2005 – 2006
Paul Ramage
2006 – 2013
Philip Lough
2013 – 2024
2024 – 2025
2025 –
Christopher Godwin
Carl Rycroft
Willem Steyn, Interim Head
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Providing an extraordinary learning journey for every boy.
At The Hall, we inspire a lifelong love of learning and nurture curious minds, generous hearts and a genuine sense of purpose. Through academic ambition, outstanding pastoral care and a breadth of opportunity, boys develop the confidence, values and skills to flourish at school and beyond.
We want every boy to leave The Hall ready for the next stage of his education and equipped to make a positive contribution to the world around him.
The Hall provides a high-quality education for boys aged 4 to 13 (Reception to Year 8), enabling every pupil to fulfil his individual potential within a framework of academic ambition, curiosity and care.
We believe children thrive when they feel known, supported and challenged. Alongside academic excellence, we provide a broad and enriching education that encourages boys to think independently, discover their interests and develop confidence in themselves and consideration for others.
Our school is a happy, nurturing and purposeful community in which every boy is encouraged to contribute positively, take responsibility and make the most of the opportunities available to him. Through strong relationships, expert teaching and a wealth of experiences beyond the classroom, we help pupils grow into thoughtful, capable and well-rounded young people.
These aims are reflected in our values, which guide daily life at The Hall.
At The Hall, our values shape everything we do, from how boys learn and grow to how they treat one another and contribute to the community around them. Our four core values are Curiosity, Courage, Community and Kindness.
Together, they underpin our teaching, pastoral care and ambitions for every pupil, creating an environment where boys are challenged, supported and inspired to flourish academically, socially and emotionally.
The result is confident, kind and intellectually curious young people who are well prepared for senior school and for life beyond it.
Questions that lead to understanding
At The Hall, curiosity is where learning begins. From the very earliest years, boys are encouraged to ask questions, explore ideas and think independently. A Year 1 pupil might wonder why an object floats in water and be supported to experiment, predict and explain his thinking. As boys grow, that same curiosity deepens into genuine enquiry – whether questioning how glaciers have shaped Iceland’s landscape while abroad on a geography trip, or digging beneath the surface of a topic to understand how and why things work.
Through specialist teaching, stimulating discussion and a wide programme of educational trips and visits, boys learn to think deeply, pursue their interests and develop the intrinsic motivation that underpins both academic excellence and a lifelong love of learning.
In learning and in life
Courage at The Hall is about having the confidence to try, even when something feels challenging. In the classroom, academic courage might mean attempting a difficult problem, sharing an original idea, or learning from mistakes. Beyond the classroom, it can often be seen in a performance on stage, whether that’s stepping into spotlight to perform at Cadogan Hall or during a drama production, as well as in everyday moments of social courage, such as being true to oneself or speaking up when something doesn’t feel right. At every age, boys are encouraged to step outside their comfort zones within a safe and supportive environment. By nurturing both intellectual and personal courage, we help boys develop resilience, self‑belief and the confidence to embrace opportunities with integrity and determination.
Stronger together
Community lies at the heart of life at The Hall. From working collaboratively in lessons to contributing through Houses, sports teams, music ensembles and clubs, boys learn that they achieve more as part of something bigger than themselves. Older boys support and mentor younger boys, helping to build a strong sense of belonging and connection across the school. This emphasis on community creates an environment where boys support one another, celebrate shared success and compete with generosity of spirit. It is a culture that balances ambition with kindness, and individual achievement with collective pride. Boys also become part of a community that extends beyond the school grounds. Through partnerships with local schools and charities, initiatives such as our Saturday Club, and an engaged parent and alumni network, boys learn the importance of contributing positively to the world around them. We want every boy to understand that community is something to which we all belong, contribute and take pride.
In thought, word and deed
Kindness shapes how boys experience school every day. It can be seen in the way boys include others in play, encourage one another in rehearsals or support a classmate who is finding something difficult. It is also reflected in the strong relationships between teachers and pupils, where boys are encouraged, challenged and supported with individual care and understanding. As boys mature, kindness grows into empathy, leadership and the confidence to act when something isn’t right. By valuing kindness alongside achievement, we help boys develop emotional intelligence, self‑respect and respect for others. It ensures that ambition is matched with integrity, and that boys grow not only into successful learners, but into thoughtful, compassionate young people.
Discover what life is like at The Hall and how our values shape everyday learning, relationships and opportunities for our boys.
Find out how to visit us or attend our next open event.
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Welcome to The Hall School, one of London’s leading prep schools for boys aged 4 to 13.
A School Where Boys Thrive
The Hall is first and foremost a happy school where boys love to learn. Walk through our doors and you’ll find classrooms buzzing with intellectual curiosity, corridors filled with artwork and achievement, and playing fields where competitive spirit meets genuine camaraderie. Our small class sizes mean every boy is truly known – not just as a pupil, but as an individual with unique talents, interests, and potential.
Our academic results speak for themselves. Hall boys consistently secure places and scholarships at London’s most prestigious senior schools – Westminster, St Paul’s, City of London and University College School among them – as well as leading boarding schools nationwide. One of the greatest benefits of a Hall education is the breadth of pathways available to your son at the time that’s right for them. This success reflects our rigorous curriculum, exceptional teaching, strong personal relationships with senior schools and our commitment to developing independent, confident thinkers.
A Rich Educational Experience
But The Hall offers so much more than exam results. Our investment in specialist facilities and expert teaching means boys benefit from many experiences at a level typically found only at senior schools. Our dedicated off-site sports centre ensures every boy participates regularly across varied disciplines. Our music programme is among London’s finest, with over 80% of boys learning at least one instrument and our annual gala concert at Cadogan Hall a highlight of the school calendar. Drama productions are acclaimed, and our extensive co-curricular offering spans chess to coding, debating to design technology, ensuring every boy discovers passions beyond the classroom.
With three dedicated schools for Junior (ages 4-7), Middle (ages 8-10), and Senior (ages 11-13) boys, we tailor the experience to each developmental stage while fostering a strong sense of whole-school community.
The Hall Difference
What truly distinguishes The Hall is our ethos. We celebrate ambition and achievement while nurturing kindness and humility. We encourage boys to take risks, ask questions, and think creatively. Our experienced staff know every boy deeply and guide them with wisdom and care. We prepare them not just for senior school entrance exams, but for lives of purpose and contribution.
Whether you are exploring The Hall for the first time or are already part of our community, I invite you to visit and see our school in action. The Hall occupies a special place in the hearts of all who know it – and I think you’ll quickly understand why.
Henry Keighley-Elstub, Head
