Indeed, when the school was founded, the now affluent Hampstead Garden Suburb was being developed for poor families to live in, and it was Barnett's wish to educate girls based on their natural ability, not their financial background.

Originally known as 'The Institute', the school was initially intended to enclose the North-East side of Central Square, according to Sir Edwin Lutyens' masterplan for the area, and the north wing was completed in 1911.

John Soutar, the Hampstead Garden Suburb Trust's architect supervised construction of the south wing in 1923, while Lutyens designed the elevations for Crewe Hall, the central block.

The building offered concerts, evening classes and debates until its conversion to the Henrietta Barnett School for Girls in the 1930s.

External applicants are also admitted for the Sixth Form based on GCSE grades.

The school offers all students participation in The Duke of Edinburgh's Award, at all levels.

This building project has since been completed, providing the school with two outstanding new blocks: one for Music and Drama and the other for Design & Technology and Art, including two computer rooms.