Hampstead School Of English


Hampstead School Of English




General Info


The school was established in 1977. Over the years, it has grown in terms of student numbers and around 350 students at any time now study here, some (especially during the summer term) for the minimum 2 weeks but many for several terms. We believe that the large number of returning and long-stay students, and the high proportion of our students who register as the result of personal recommendation, is a reflection of our commitment to individual attention for every student. We want every student to leave the school feeling that we have done all we can to help them, not only with their English studies, but also with accommodation and general pastoral care. The maximum number of students in each class is 15 or 8 in a mini group, but we aim to provide the same level of individual attention for each student as they would receive in a smaller class. This isn't always easy and involves teachers, the Director of Studies, the office staff and the Principal, working in close co-operation to ensure that any problems or queries are dealt with as quickly and effectively as possible. This teamwork is another aspect of the school, which we feel sets us apart from other schools of our size. The environment, both inside and outside the classroom, is friendly and relaxed, and the teachers all share ideas and materials on a day-to-day basis, and also in seminars and workshops which are organised by either the Director of Studies or individual teachers. Weekly staff meetings provide a further forum for discussion. The Director of Studies works closely with the teachers and encourages co-ordination and discussion on an informal basis. The school continues to expand but our aim is to maintain the balance we have developed between high academic standards and the friendly informality, despite growing numbers of students and staff. Facilities We have 2 computer rooms, one with 14 computers giving free access to Internet and another with 8 (soon to be more) fast Internet connections for your laptops. There is a library which is staffed from 8:30 to 17:00 every day. There is a coffee room and canteen where hot and cold food are sold. You can use the Study Centre any time from 8:00 to 19:00. The Study Centre manager will help you choose exercises, books and cassettes which will develop your English as fast as possible. The library contains information about the latest exhibitions and events in London, cheap tickets and trips and information about travelling in Britain. Information on universities in the UK is also available for students planning to study here.

Accommodation Info


We have an excellent network of homestays and other accommodation within easy travelling distance of the School. Our location on the edge of Central London close to attractive residential areas means that travelling times are reasonable. Students stay with a local host, which may be a typical `family' of husband, wife and children, or a couple or a single (often retired) person. London is a cosmopolitan city with many different types of people from many different backgrounds and this is reflected in our homestays. A studio apartment consists of one room used for both living and sleeping. The School owns several houses containing studios between 15 and 20 minutes walking distance from the School. All studios have modern furnishing, televisions, modem outlets with ISDN broadband access (data only - no voice), study space and good storage space. All our studios are newly refurbished to a high standard and all have their own private shower room and toilet. Some studios contain small kitchenettes, some share a communal kitchen (3 to 4 studios per kitchen) and others have their own en-suite kitchen. All are supplied with bed linen and towels and kitchens are all fully equipped. Bartrams Hostel (females only) is managed by nuns but accepts females of any religion. It is located in a lovely part of Hampstead next to the Royal Free Hospital, about 30 minutes walk from the School. The facilities are excellent and the atmosphere relaxed and friendly. Students have their own key and there is no curfew. Accommodation is in single rooms with B&B and dinner Monday to Thursday. This suits female students who would like to live in a large, well-ordered hostel. Kings, a College of the University of London, has a large student residence opposite the Hampstead School of English. During the academic year, London University students occupy the rooms. In the summer, they are available for Hampstead students. Most of the rooms are single. Bathrooms and toilets are shared and are cleaned once a day. There is a large restaurant, which serves buffet style breakfast and dinner. The journey to the School takes approximately two minutes. Accommodation can be booked as B&B or half board. Kings suits students coming to Hampstead in summer who want to be very close to the school.

Social Activities


During breaks before and after classes, students can make friends with people from different countries in the school coffee room. The coffee room leads on to a sunny patio area which forms the focus for summer barbecues and parties. Social programme There is always something happening in London and we put together a weekly social programme, which has something for everyone. Because the social programme is optional, students can decide to do as much or as little as they like, choosing activities that interest them. Examples of events on our social programme across the year include: PartiesLatino Dance evenings Video afternoons Riverboat Disco Karaoke at the Castle pub Student night at the Cane bar Ice-skating at Somerset House Cultural EventsSt Patrick's Day Parade Belly dancing lessons Great Spitalfields Pancake Race Musicals - The Lion King, Les Miserables London Fashion Week SightseeingTower of London Madame Tussauds Natural History Museum St Paul's Cathedral Westminster Abbey London Eye London Aquarium National Gallery & Trafalgar Square National Portrait Gallery The British Museum Tate Modern Gallery Hampstead Walk Covent Garden Thames Boat Trip London Zoo Weekend ToursStratford upon Avon Wales Oxford Leeds Castle & Rochester Stonehenge & Bath Canterbury & Dover Castle Windsor & Hampton Court Brighton Please note that the Social Programme is optional and unsupervised. Although we endeavour to ensure that tours and sports in the programme are operated by suitably qualified and experienced companies, the school takes no responsibility for the students during any of these activities.

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