The St Margaret’s Family Tree
At St Margaret’s Hampstead, our pastoral care is the living heart of our community. It’s what gives our school a genuine family feel and what The Good Schools Guide describes as a "happy family atmosphere" where girls have an "innate sense of belonging". Our unique Family Tree system is a central pillar of this ethos, designed to ensure every girl is seen, supported and connected across all year groups.
The Family Tree system is a non-competitive initiative that forms the girls into 12 small families, each named after a British tree. These groups are designed to embed our school’s family ethos by allowing pupils to interact naturally across different ages, building relationships that span from Reception through to Senior School.
How our Family Tree works
Our Family Tree is a vertical grouping system with at least one girl from each year group in every family. All members of a Family Tree also come from the same House. This thoughtful structure provides a strong network of support for every pupil.
The groups meet regularly throughout the term, with the senior girls taking on the responsibility of running and leading the meetings. This student-led initiative provides a safe and supportive way for less confident girls to "branch out" and find a reliable group of peers within the school community.
Cultivating friendship, support & character
The primary purpose of our Family Tree is to create opportunities for pupils to support one another, share their experiences and simply enjoy the company of a blend of ages. The first meeting of each year is dedicated to a getting-to-know-you session to welcome new members into the fold. During these collaborative sessions, the girls participate in a variety of activities, often suggested by the pupils themselves. These can include:
The positive impact of our Family Tree system is independently validated. A recent ISI Inspection Report noted that “pupils have a strong appreciation of the non-material aspects of school life as seen in Family Tree time, where pupils from across years meet to discuss issues that concern them”.
This initiative is a powerful reflection of our core belief that if a girl is happy and feels valued now, her academic aims and future success will be fulfilled. Our Family Tree system ensures that every girl feels a sense of belonging, nurturing the self-discipline, self-esteem and mutual respect that are at the heart of our community.
Ready to see your daughter flourish in our caring community?
We invite you to discover firsthand how St Margaret's Hampstead can inspire your daughter's journey. Join our vibrant community where every girl is empowered to achieve her full potential.