What our parents say

99% ‘Very Satisfied’ or ‘Satisfied’

Asked in our most recent (July 2025) confidential survey about their overall satisfaction with their child’s experience at Herne Hill School over the past academic year, 99% responded that they were either ‘very satisfied’ or ‘satisfied’, with the vast majority being ‘very satisfied’ (91%). In the light of our parents’ understandably high expectations, we are very proud of their feedback.

Parents know best

Given how difficult it is to measure provision outcomes at our pupils’ very young age, we attach great importance to the views of our parents. They are close to all we do and witness first-hand how their children progress, and to what extent we deliver against our ambitious stated aims.

July 2025 parent satisfaction survey

The survey was carried out electronically via SurveyMonkey in early July 2025, in an entirely anonymous fashion.

86 responses, representing nearly a third of our pupil body, were received from all year groups (20% from Year 2, 12% Year 1, 14% Reception, 28% Pre-Reception and 27% Kindergarten). The response split for boys / girls was 48% / 52%, which is also fairly representative of our pupil body.

The response to the overarching question of “Overall, how satisfied are you with your child’s experience at Herne Hill School this year?” was an average rating of 4.9 (out of 5.0) based on:

91% Very satisfied (78 responses)
8% Satisfied (7)
1% Neutral (1)
0 Dissatisfied (–)
0 Very dissatisfied (–)

This high level of satisfaction is in line with that achieved in July 2024 and even surpasses it slightly. Indeed, we had also obtained 98+% satisfaction the prior year, but with a split of rounded 85% ‘Very satisfied’ and 14% ‘Satisfied’.

The July 2025 results for the additional, more specific satisfaction rating questions are posted below. We are especially pleased with how high and consistent the ratings are across all domains of our provision, as we believe this reflects our efforts towards supporting the development of ‘the whole child’.

Average ratings out of 5.0, in the order of the questions asked:

4.8 Overall
4.7 Language & communication
4.7 Mathematical
4.6 Scientific
4.9 Creative and artistic
4.8 PE/Physical

4.8 The world we live in
4.8 Musical & drama
4.4 IT/Technological
4.7 French

Average ratings out of 5.0, in the order of the questions asked:

4.9 Overall
4.8 Self-understanding and confidence
4.9 Interpersonal, social and team working skills
4.7 Respecting diversity and cultural understanding
4.8 Understanding of how to stay safe and healthy (physically and mentally)
4.9 Attitude towards and enjoyment of learning

Average ratings out of 5.0, in the order of the questions asked:

4.9 Ethos
5.0 Friendliness and atmosphere
4.8 Lunches/catering
4.8 Learning support

4.9 Facilities and resources
4.8 Wrap-around care (breakfast club & after-school care)
4.5 Individual music tuition

Average ratings out of 5.0, in the order of the questions asked:

4.7 Information about the school’s routines and policies
4.7 Information about my child’s performance and progress
4.8 Weekly newsletter and website parent zone
4.9 Responses to questions, concerns and complaints (including timeliness)
4.8 The school’s administration (including helpfulness)
4.9 The school’s leadership and management

Additional qualitative parent perspectives

In addition to rating their level of satisfaction and providing comments in each of the above sections, parents were also asked some open-ended questions to provide further perspectives. Many of them made use of this, and we have provided below several such comments from the most recent July 2025 survey, by year group.

The greatest selection is from Year 2 parents. We consider their views to be particularly valuable as they span the entire Herne Hill experience, including the 7+ transition process.

The love, care and nurturing that is given to every child throughout their HHS journey is really evident and is what sets Herne Hill School apart from all other schools. I could not have chosen a better school for my son in his formative years.
The school’s greatest strength is its exclusive focus on Kindergarten to Year 2. All the resources are geared towards this age group, and they are not an add-on like at other independent schools. It is a very special place.
The school’s ethos of Love, Care and Excellence could not be more appropriate. There is no doubt that our daughter has felt love by the HH family. She has been cared for and celebrated every day.
The teaching and pastoral care is consistently excellent. You often hear in some schools of certain teachers being excellent and everyone hopes to get them for their children. At HHS, every teacher has been excellent.
We have had the most wonderful School Journey at HHS and enjoyed every minute of it. I have no doubt our daughter will remember it fondly even when she is 30+!
Herne Hill school is a very special place! They have the ability to make learning fun at every step of our son’s time at the school.
Our daughter has loved being at Herne Hill, and we’ve been so happy we chose for her to go to Herne Hill. It’s been great for her. Thank you!
Herne Hill School is a very nurturing and loving environment. There is an excellent choice of after-school clubs – always accommodating, even at the last minute, with wrap-around care.
The school’s ethos and ‘Golden Rules’, its high academic standards and its supporting caring environment have benefited our child greatly. It really is a wonderful school.
Our son formed strong relationships with incredible teaching staff, with a strong sense of community and belonging. Our children will always be Herne Hill kids at their core, and we couldn’t have asked for more. Lucky us, and lucky them x

The culture and ethos of the school is outstanding. The teachers have been exceptional in giving our son the push and guidance he needed.
The teachers and teaching assistants take time to know every child to provide for individual learning, encouraging excellence and achievement.
The whole team do a great job supporting all the children. The ethos really shines through: they experience love, care and excellence every single day.
It’s self-evident how much the teaching staff care. Thank you for making such a nurturing environment for learning and emotional development of our child. It’s a foundation to build a life upon.

Herne Hill School has a wonderful atmosphere. We always describe it as a village School feel in the middle of London.
My child has really benefited from the small class sizes and lots of one-on-one help and guidance. Herne Hill know exactly what young children need to thrive!
There is a strong sense of community and diversity of learning, driving open-mindedness around ‘trying’ and exploring ideas and concepts in the classroom as well as in discussion.
Herne Hill School provides such a confidence-boosting, thoughtful and inspiring environment, where our daughter obviously feels included, empowered and cared for. They have instilled a sense of security and confidence in her.
Our daughter’s class is such a lovely environment, with strong bonds among the children, and she has made some wonderful friendships. She has developed such an enthusiasm for school and learning new things.

My son has been nurtured. He loves coming to school, and I love to see him thrive! The staff in his class are everything to him! Thank you for the opportunities you offer for parents to get involved.
The environment the school creates is so nurturing and ambitious. My daughter has grown remarkably in confidence, is working well above her age level, and has become a kind, considerate learner.
Herne Hill is the most welcoming and positive environment. The care the teacher has shown to the children is exceptional. She is invested in every child, observing all of their interactions and gives fantastic guidance to parents. We could not be happier.
Our son has been so happy at the school since day one. It feels nurturing and rounded, and the outdoor space is incredible.
The personalised care for our son has been exceptional – understanding who he is and what he needs in terms of his education, but also personal and social development. We love it.
It’s just wonderful how inclusive the school is according to ability/emotional needs. Thank you for providing such a lovely school that allows our children to enjoy being children and make learning fun.
Herne Hill School feels like one big lovely family. We are delighted that our son is able to stay at Herne Hill until Year 2. We know his school experience is only going to continue to get better.
Herne Hill School provides a well thought-through and thoughtful approach to early years learning. It’s age appropriate with the right levels of stretch for the child.

The school’s great strengths are the care and attention they pay to every child, and their overall philosophy based on scientific research.
Our daughter has benefited hugely from the level of encouragement and support she has received from her teacher and all the support staff.
Herne Hill encourages curiosity about learning and the world around, which will stand our son in great stead for the next part of his academic journey.
The catering is far superior than any other school I have come across! The variety of the menu is fantastic and has meant that our son is always open to trying new foods, flavours and textures.
All the staff are nurturing, infinitely patient and really knowledgeable about child development. It is very clear how much they tailor their activities and learning for every child.
Our daughter is thriving thanks to Herne Hill’s play-based curriculum, kindness and the reliable routines of her school day. The teachers have genuine warmth towards students and parents.
There is a very authentic feeling of warmth and interest in both the pupils and the family, which makes for a unique and secure environment.
Our son has been so happy in Kindergarten. He goes in happy every day and talks about school in such a lovely way. It’s been a wonderful experience for him and it’s clear that the environment is incredibly nurturing