Last updated 28 September 2026
School Guide verdict
North Bridge House Senior Canonbury is an independent secondary in London where pupils secure good GCSE passes well above the national average, earning it a 5-star rating from School Guide. The school was rated Excellent overall in its 2026 ISI inspection. An earlier inspection by Ofsted in 2015 also awarded it an Outstanding grade.
Top grades at GCSE (7-9) and top grades at A level (A*/A)
This shows current pupil progress from the end of GCSE to A level compared to other pupils in England. This “value added” data measures academic development from one key stage to the next
School Description
Visit North Bridge House and have the opportunity to find out everything our school has to offer. We would love to show you around.
Join us to see the school in action, hear from the Head, and meet our brilliant staff and pupils. Private tours are available if you cannot make the next Open Day, or if you are looking for a mid-year or immediate vacancy. We are here to personalise your tour experience.
Our upcoming Open Events
Thursday 18th March 2027 9:30am
– To create a dynamic learning environment in which all children discover their pathway to academic success
– To equip young people with the confidence, humility and resilience to thrive in everything they do
– To empower young people to be creative, inspired and to inspire
– To nurture strong relationships within an inclusive, empathetic community
We have always believed in the importance of celebrating the individual and, as such, have built our long-standing success on maintaining an environment in which our pupils are happy, confident and proud of their achievements.
We believe in the importance of educating the whole child so that his or her true potential can be fulfilled. With academic work and self-discipline at the centre of school life, we focus on providing a breadth of learning experience that takes pupils much further than the curriculum itself. Through a wide range of academic and extra-curricular learning experiences, we aim to develop self-awareness and the acquisition of skills needed for adult life. Our continuing objective is an education that prepares our young adults for the future.
North Bridge House Senior Canonbury has established an impressive track record of GCSE and A Level results. Our students secure university places at leading Russell Group destinations, including Oxford and Cambridge, Bristol, Cardiff, Durham, Edinburgh, Glasgow, King’s College London, Leeds, Liverpool, Queen Mary University of London, Sheffield, UCL and York.
Students also gain entry to renowned Arts and overseas institutions, such UAL: Camberwell College of Arts, Royal Academy of Music, Haverford College and Loyola Marymount University.
Charlotte Tassell-Dent was appointed Head Teacher in 2019, having been part of NBH Canonbury since its founding in 2014. Charlotte's journey began through pastoral leadership and safeguarding, which gave her a deep understanding of the importance of supporting the whole child before stepping into the role of Head. She is passionate about student wellbeing and progress, because she firmly believes that a happy learner is a thriving learner. This philosophy underpins her approach to leadership and the culture the school continues to build, one that balances strong pastoral care with academic challenge and rich opportunities beyond the classroom.
Who/what inspired you to become a teacher?
I didn’t initially set out to become a teacher. I simply knew I loved Geography and had a strong desire to travel. After my A Levels, I took a gap year to travel before going on to study Geography at university. During my degree, I had the opportunity to work in a secondary school, and I quickly discovered how energising and rewarding working with young people could be. No two days were ever the same, and I was inspired by the opportunity to make a real difference in students’ lives.
What achievement are you most proud of as Head?
I am most proud of our school being a nurturing community for all.
I enjoy watching our students grow and flourish from Year 7 through to Year 13. Being part of their journey and supporting them through challenges, celebrating their successes, and seeing them leave as confident, happy and thriving young adults is incredibly rewarding. There is great joy in seeing students succeed in the pathways that are right for them. Whether that is securing a place at university in the UK or abroad, gaining entry to a specialist arts or vocational course, or experiencing the “aha!” moment in lessons where they discover a genuine passion.
What does a successful school look like to you?
A successful school is a happy and purposeful community where students, staff and parents are united by shared values and a clear vision. It is a place where young people feel supported and challenged in equal measure, and where everyone works together to help every child reach their full potential.
What is the most important quality you want every child to have when they leave your school? And why?
Kindness and curiosity. One of our goals is to cultivate students who are responsible global citizens, ready to make an impact in both our community and beyond. Kindness ensures our students make a positive contribution to the world around them, while curiosity drives them to ask questions, embrace new experiences and continue learning long after they leave school.
Please give 5 words to describe the ethos of your school.
Kind
Ambitious
Nurturing
Challenging
Enriching
This school is independently managed and its admission criteria may be selective. There is no set catchment area as pupils are admitted from a wide variety of postcodes and, in the case of boarding schools, from outside the UK. Contact the school directly or visit their website for more information on Admissions Policy and Procedures.
North Bridge House Senior Canonbury was rated Excellent overall by the ISI in 2026, and previously received an Outstanding grade from Ofsted in 2015.
Pupils achieve good GCSE passes (5 or more GCSEs at grade 9-4 including English and maths) at a rate of 94.3%, which sits well above the national average of 38.9%.
There are 195 pupils on roll at the school.
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