School leaders say the aim is to prepare children not only for exams, but for a rapidly changing future where creativity, collaboration, digital fluency and adaptability are increasingly important life skills. At the centre of the transformation is the immersive classroom. The interactive learning environment allows pupils to “step directly into the topics they are studying”. It is “designed to spark curiosity and creativity”.
Equipped with robotics kits, LED circuitry, 3D printers and a mini wind tunnel, the space brings learning to life as pupils code, design, build and test their own ideas.
“Schools have a responsibility to prepare children not only academically, but for the world they are going to enter in the future,” says Foley, “and this investment is helping make our vision for education a reality. The immersive classroom has been a real gamechanger for our pupils. They are able to visualise concepts in a much deeper way and genuinely experience the subjects they are learning about rather than simply reading about them.”
Teachers report higher levels of engagement and enthusiasm from pupils, while the immersive environment is helping children retain information more effectively and supporting a range of different learning styles.
The room is also being used for wellbeing activities, reflection sessions and small group work, creating a calm and adaptable space that supports pupils both academically and pastorally.
Hendon’s Stem Fab Lab, which will combine technology, science, engineering and practical skills in one collaborative learning space, is scheduled to be completed in September 2026.
The lab will have laser cutters, 3D printers, electronics benches, textiles equipment, virtual reality technology, cooking stations and multi-sensory learning areas, and is designed to encourage experimentation, teamwork and hands-on learning, helping children develop practical problem-solving skills while combining digital innovation with creativity and design thinking.
“The advent of AI has encouraged all schools to rethink their approaches to teaching and learning,” says Foley. “For us, it means harnessing its technological benefits, but also ensuring pupils still have quality experiences where they can make, build and learn with their hands.
“We are seeing a real resurgence in the importance of practical skills, and this facility will give children opportunities to combine science, innovation and technology with hands-on experiences that develop the resilience and creativity that will become increasingly valuable in the future workplace.”
Despite the focus on innovation and new approaches to learning, Hendon Prep says its core ethos, to empower, inspire and include, remains unchanged.The school’s recent ISI inspection report praised the exceptional levels of care and support provided to pupils, with small classes continuing to allow teachers to tailor learning to each individual child.
The £400,000 investment also includes playground enhancements, hall modernisation, a redesigned learning hub, improvements to early years provision and an additional minibus for its home-to-school service. Foley adds: “Our investment is not a case of replacing traditional education, but enhancing it and ensuring children leave us with the confidence and skills they need to thrive both now and in the future.”
Alongside its strong 11-plus preparation, Hendon Prep offers an automatic transfer pathway to Mount House School in Barnet, also part of Blenheim Schools, giving families additional flexibility at secondary level.
For a school described as one of north London’s “best kept secrets”, the latest developments represent a further ambitious step forward, and a clear statement about the future of education.
Hendon school stock photography Nov 2025.[Missing Credit]