WELCOME TO NORTH BRIDGE HOUSE

Storytelling came to life on Tuesday as our Year 7 students were joined by Year 5 students from @GatehouseSch for an inspiring author visit with Zohra Nabi! ✨📚

Zohra inspired everyone with tales from her novels, The Deep Dark, the first in The Cassia Thorne Mysteries series, and The Kingdom Over the Sea. She also spoke about what first sparked her love for writing, as well as the inspirations behind her characters and stories.

Our students, and our visiting friends from Gatehouse, asked lots of questions, explored their own creative ideas, and were thrilled to have their copies signed by Zohra.

Opportunities like these not only ignite a love of reading but also show students what’s possible when imagination and determination meet - a truly memorable afternoon for our young writers and readers. 📖💫

@zohra_nabi

#nbhcanonbury #AuthorVisit #ZohraNabi #TheDeepDark #YoungWriters #BookSigning #InspiringAuthors #GatehouseSchool #CognitaSchools #LoveOfReading #SchoolLife #LondonSchools

Who says you can’t find nature in the heart of the city?
 
Today, we celebrated @cnnclimate’s Call to Earth Day, held in partnership with Rolex’s Perpetual Planet Initiative - a global initiative dedicated to inspiring awareness and action for a more sustainable future. This year’s theme, “Guard Your Green Space,” couldn’t be more fitting for our students, who have been busy designing and transforming one of our outdoor areas into a sustainable Be Well Eco-Garden - growing flowers, herbs, and seasonal berries to encourage biodiversity in our urban surroundings.
 
CNN’s Nada Bashir visited to hear how this green haven will not only support local wildlife but also promote mindfulness and offer a calm space for students to connect with nature. As the garden develops, students plan to expand it further by growing vegetables that can be used in our school kitchen - a hands-on way to learn about sustainability and the journey from garden to plate.
 
We’re also actively working on other sustainability projects across the school:
💡 Turning off unused monitors and lights to reduce energy consumption
🔌 Unplugging devices when not in use to save power
🥗 Cutting down on food waste in the dining hall
🌱 Encouraging every class to take small steps that make a big difference
 
All part of our ongoing mission to reduce our carbon footprint and protect the planet we all share.

Together, we’re learning, growing, and taking action for a greener tomorrow - one mindful choice at a time. 💚🌳

@cognitaschools #NBHHampstead #CallToEarthDay #CNNCalltoEarthDay #GuardYourGreenSpace #EcoGarden #SustainabilityInSchools #MindfulLearning #EcoSchools #UrbanBiodiversity #SustainableFuture #LearningForLife #WeAreCognita

Earlier in the term, our Year 7 students took part in a three-day residential trip to Condover Hall in Shrewsbury. It was the perfect way to start the year building new friendships and taking on challenges. The experience also helped students step outside their comfort zones and develop key skills such as communication, leadership, and resilience.

Their days were filled with lots of adventure, including activities like archery, zip-lining, wall climbing, the Gladiator Wall, and the laser maze. Each activity brought plenty of teamwork and encouragement as everyone pushed themselves and supported one another. They even swapped their helmets for headphones for a well-earned silent disco! The trip was a brilliant start to the year and an experience to remember. 🏕️🧗‍♀️🏹🎯

#NBHHampstead #CondoverHall #Year7Adventure #Teamwork #OutdoorLearning #LeadershipSkills #SchoolTrip #ConfidenceBuilding #CharterhouseSquareSchool #LearningBeyondTheClassroom #wearecognita

Teaching, learning, and giving back in Malawi 🇲🇼

During the summer, our very own Mr. Amar and Ms. Oliver travelled to Zomba, a remote village in southern Malawi, to volunteer as teachers with @chifundofoundation, a small Irish charity founded by friends of theirs.

Over three weeks, they did an incredible job teaching 70 students at a Summer School - leading lessons in Maths, Geography, History, Economics, Science, Music and ICT, while helping older students prepare for college and university. In the afternoons, classrooms turned into enriching spaces for creativity, with netball, guitar lessons, crafts, dancing and even “Chifundo Cinema”, where Mr Amar brought a portable projector and DVDs all the way from the UK so the students could experience The Lion King and Harry Potter for the very first time.

When power allowed, they introduced students to donated laptops, a first-time experience for many, and were continually inspired by their positivity, gratitude, and determination to learn despite the frequent power cuts and limited resources.

One of the charity’s greatest successes has been the graduation of Davies, who joined the programme in 2006 and recently completed his degree at the University of Malawi with honours - a true inspiration for others.

Mr. Amar and Ms. Oliver’s work in Malawi reflects exactly the kind of empathy, curiosity, and community spirit we hope to inspire in every student. Thank you to our community for your support, from donating football shirts to the Year 8 bake sale which raised £200 to provide blankets for the students.

A huge well done to Mr. Amar and Ms. Oliver and the team for their inspiring work and the lasting impact they’ve made in Malawi - a true reflection of the NBH spirit. 💙

If you’d like to learn more or support @chifundofoundation, we encourage you to visit the link in their bio.

📸 Swipe to see some moments from the Summer School.

#NBHHampstead #MakingADifference #TeachingAbroad #Malawi #ChifundoCharity #CompassionInAction #charity

History is full of extraordinary stories waiting to be told and Black History Month is our chance to celebrate them.

Black History Month began in the UK in 1987, thanks to Akyaaba Addai-Sebo, inspired by the US observance founded by Carter G. Woodson in 1926. This year’s theme, “Standing Firm in Power and Pride,” recognises the resilience, leadership, and rich cultural legacy of Black communities across the UK.

In assembly, we explored the early presence of Black people in Britain and highlighted key figures such as Mary Seacole, the pioneering nurse and businesswoman, and Olaudah Equiano, the author and abolitionist. We also reflected on Black British culture today and discussed why learning about these histories matters; it promotes equality, inclusion, understanding, and unity, while recognising contributions that are often lesser-known.

This month gives us an opportunity to celebrate and reflect on the voices, stories, and achievements that shape our society - an awareness and appreciation we actively celebrate throughout the year. 🌍🫱🏾‍🫲🏼

#nbhhampstead #blackhistorymonth #standingfirminpowerandpride #bhm2025 #diversityandinclusion #celebratingculture #learningtogether #blackbritishhistory #wearecognita @bhm_uk

This morning, our senior students went head-to-head in a spook-tacular pumpkin carving competition, showing off their creativity, skill, and a healthy dose of Halloween spirit! Judged by our House Captains, the results are in…

🥇 1st place: Amara for Veritas
🥈 2nd place: Theo for Decus

Well done to everyone who carved their imagination into these amazing pumpkins! 👻🎃

#nbhhampstead #pumpkincarvingcontest #schoolcompetition #wearecognita