Developing remarkable people
A family of leading independent schools based in Hertfordshire and Buckinghamshire, offering high quality education and care for boys and girls aged 5 months to 18 years.
Welcome to Berkhamsted School
We are committed to the thriving of young people in our care – their development, their membership (with their parents) of our community, and their flourishing within a culture which is ambitious and accepting. I know that your time is precious so I recommend you start with the short film below which explains our ethos and aspirations for our pupils.
I hope this provides a useful launchpad for your exploration of our schools and helps you as you seek the best future for your child.
Richard Backhouse
Principal Berkhamsted Schools Group
Read more
Martin Walker appointed as next Principal of Berkhamsted Schools Group
We are delighted to announce that Martin Walker has been appointed as the next Principal of Berkhamsted Schools Group from April 2026. Martin will take over from Richard Backhouse, who has done an outstanding job as Principal over the last ten years.
Read moreAwards & Recognition
We’re proud to share that the Berkhamsted Schools Group has been named a finalist in three national awards this year.
- Independent School of the Year for Sporting Achievement – recognising the breadth and success of our pupils’ sporting accomplishments.
- School House Award for Mental Health and Wellbeing – celebrating our commitment to supporting the wellbeing of our community.
- School House Award for Sustainability – highlighting our focus on building a greener, more responsible future.
These shortlists reflect the dedication of our pupils, staff, and wider community to excellence, care, and innovation across every aspect of school life.
School Journey
The perfect environment for very young children to take their first steps into the wider world.
Read moreDay Nursery
Age 0 – 3 Co-Ed
A supportive, family community which fosters a strong sense of belonging.
Read morePrep
Age 7 – 11 Co-Ed
Our role is to inspire, support and foster a love of learning.
Read moreHeatherton
Age 2 – 4 Co-Ed Nursery4 – 11 Girls
Exceptional single-sex classroom education with co-educational opportunities for boys.
Read moreBoys
Age 11 – 16Day & Boarding
Where girls flourish academically while allowing them to experience co-educational opportunities.
Read moreGirls
Age 11 – 16Day & Boarding
A dynamic and diverse community that offers a stimulating and supportive environment.
Read moreSixth
Age 16 – 18 Co-EdDay & Boarding
Single sex or co-ed?
Can you really ‘have it all’? At Berkhamsted we offer families the opportunity to join our community from 5 months in our Day Nursery providing a through educational journey to Sixth Form at 18. Often choices need to be made – but not at Berkhamsted – you can have it all!
Big or small?
Within our Group of Schools, we can offer all the facilities of a large School of 2,000 pupils – a sports centre with 25m pool and astro, an outdoor centre with high ropes, and a theatre. However, as each of our Schools are located on their own campus with the largest at 550 pupils, they are small enough to ensure that every individual pupil is known and can flourish within a secure, nurturing environment. Our campuses also change to be suitable for each curriculum stage, meaning that a pupil who starts at our Nursery will feel like they have been through a changing school journey without feeling that they have ‘outgrown’ their environment by the time they reach our Sixth Form.
Day or boarding?
Berkhamsted has a small boarding community of pupils from the UK and abroad. Many of our families enjoy the flexibility that our boarding facility provides for busy families, with the ability to offer early breakfast or supper or the possibility of emergency overnight care, if needed. Our boarding houses offer flexi opportunities from Year 7 with weekly and full boarding from Year 9.
Town or country?
The School is situated within the idyllic Chiltern Hills market town of Berkhamsted in Hertfordshire with a local community vibe similar to the ‘London village atmosphere’ that our London families enjoy; yet it is only 30minutes direct from London Euston and under 40minutes by car from both Heathrow and Luton airports – making it an easy commutable town. Our location has the benefits of being in a bustling town, with easy access to the countryside.
Old or new?
Berkhamsted’s history dates back to 1541 when it was founded by John Incent, Dean of St Paul’s Cathedral, with our original Old Hall still at the heart of our community. But we are a forward-looking modern school. A dual focus on teaching IT skills alongside an immersive use of IT to enhances learning experiences from Pre-Prep through to Prep, where from Year 5 pupils are issued with their own personal Microsoft Surface Device. Our teaching staff have developed a curriculum that encourages pupils to understand how best to utilise technology as part of their learning. In 2025 we will open a new Sixth Form, focused on providing an environment which bridges the move between school and university or the workplace. Our classrooms will facilitate the ‘Harkness style’ of learning where the teacher will join the group at a boardroom table for a more discursive way of teaching, and the café will be a place where both staff and pupils can relax and develop working relationships as they would in any workplace.
All rounder or academic?
It is hard to tell when your child is young what type of young adult they will grow up to be. The earliest years are where the foundations for future success are cemented, meaning our children are nurtured to become independent, confident leaders of their own learning. Leadership opportunities are plentiful from 3 years old with an emphasis on personal and social development. As our children mature and move between our sites, Berkhamsted offers pupils the opportunity to become academically ambitious through various extension societies including leadership and debating. In addition, the school offers strong Oxbridge entry programmes. Pupils may decide that they wish to develop their creative side through Drama opportunities from their first performance in Reception through to A Level or put their energy into Sport – for which Berkhamsted is currently ranked 7th in the country. The School also offers an established Duke of Edinburgh programme led by our own Outdoor Education team. These opportunities allow your child to have an all-round and ambitious education which we believe is what develops remarkable people.
New Sixth Form
Our newly opened Sixth Form Centre offers state-of the-art education facilities for generations of Berkhamsted students.
Find out morePlease read more about our Anti-Modern Slavery policy in our 2025 statement:
News
Berkhamsted Group, Girls, Sixth Form | 05.11.2025
Investing in Female Performance: PEBE Sports Bra Workshops
Read
Berkhamsted Group, Prep | 10.10.2025
The Beast and the Berkhamsted: Author Jack Meggitt-Phillips visits Prep
Read
Berkhamsted Group, Sixth Form, StoneX | 08.10.2025
StoneX Rugby and Lacrosse: A night to remember
Read
Orchestral Workshop 🎻🎺🥁🎷🪈
Last night, to kick off Berkhamsted’s annual Young Musician of the Year competition, Prep pupils from local schools attended an Orchestral Workshop. 🎶🎻
The Workshop was all about trying out new musical techniques and learning to have fun while playing together.
All Prep pupils were matched with a Berkhamsted Senior pupil or staff member, to help them learn and develop as a musician. ⭐️
Listen here to their performance of ‘Soul Bossa Nova’- performed after only just 40 minutes of practice! 🎼
Stay tuned for more music concert from this week’s Young Musician competition. 🎹🎤
Thank you to all the Prep Schools for joining us and the Senior pupils for mentoring them.
@berkhamstedprep
@heathertonschool
@berkhamstedmusic
@gayhurst_school
@lockersparksch
With over 1,139 pupils in the Senior School playing competitive fixtures across 16 sports, we believe that every pupil should feel confident, supported, and ready to perform their best, on and off the pitch. 🏃♀️
Recently, girls from Year 7–13 took part in a Sports Bra Workshop led by @teampebe, a company that designs sports bras based on cutting-edge research into breast movement and performance.
Sophie from PEBE spoke openly about breast health, showing how the right fit can make all the difference, from boosting comfort to reducing injury risk. Pupils learned that a poorly fitting sports bra can even reduce stride length by 4cm and increase the risk of ACL injuries by 4%!
After the talk, pupils were offered personal fittings and the chance to ask questions in a supportive, body-positive space.
As Sophie shared, “We want girls to shop for a sports bra with confidence — and to enjoy sport without anything holding them back!”
At a time of iconic success in women’s sport, marked by the unforgettable recent victories of the Lionesses and Red Roses, the importance of investing in research that supports female athletes has never been clearer.
We hope these workshops have empowered our pupils to better understand their breast health and feel confident exercising for life without discomfort or limitation.
#BerkhamstedSchool #BerkoSport #TeamBerko
Today, Berkhamsted Schools Group celebrates Founder’s Day, which commemorates the opening of our School in 1541.
The School was founded by John Incent, Dean of St Paul’s Cathedral. The recorded act stated:
“The Deane obtained of the King’s Majesty a Licence to purchase £40 in Lands by the year, to found a school with an incorporation at Berkhamsted… whereof the Kings always of this realme should be founders for ever after the decease of the said Deane by the said License, and should name and place the Schoolmaster there as oft as that room should happen to be void.”
The school has since undergone transformative changes, with the merger of the boys’ and girls’ schools in 1996, and the welcoming of Heatherton School to the Berkhamsted Schools Group in 2011. However, our mission and ethos remain the same as Dean Incent’s original wishes in 1541.
At his last Founder’s Day as Principal, Richard Backhouse spoke on how Berkhamsted can preserve and enhance Dean Incent’s legacy in the modern day.
🎙️ New Podcast Episode: Learning Pathways
In this episode, we discuss the Learning Pathways programme at Berkhamsted School, with a special focus on the Higher Project Qualification (HPQ) for Year 10 students.
Miss Brand, Acting Head of Learning Pathways, explains how the HPQ helps pupils explore their interests, build confidence, and develop essential research skills.
🎓 Graduate Teaching Assistants Amber and Fran share their experiences supporting students through their projects, from choosing topics to managing challenges and reflect on the importance of independence and passion in learning.
Tune in to hear how the HPQ empowers our pupils to think deeply, work creatively, and take ownership of their learning journey.
🎧 Listen now via the link in our bio!
“As much as we enjoy nostalgia, and wish things could always remain the same, change is inevitable. Thinking about the future can be extremely overwhelming and can feel like it’s a long time away but it can sneak up on us and we all need to be ready for it.
This can be especially true for the Sixth Form students planning their futures beyond these school walls and on to a whole new world.
But change can be very overpowering and I’m sure this new building is going to do exactly that, empower and prepare students for life beyond school, in whatever they do next. How can a building that is itself forward thinking and planning for its own and our sustainable future not make anyone who steps inside think the same thing?”
These words were by @henryfraser0 @oldberkhamstedians, mouth artist and inspirational speaker, who officially opened our new Sixth Form Centre, the Zaha Hadid building.
We were honoured to welcome him with other Old Berkhamstedians, Governors, representatives from @berkhamstedchamberofcommerce, @berkhamstedtowncouncil, @berkocastle, @densindacorum and @swanyouthproject to celebrate the opening of the building, which is already inspiring our current @berkhamstedsixth students.
Named after the renowned architect and another @OldBerkhamstedians, the Zaha Hadid Building is purpose-built to foster independence and collaboration, preparing our students for life beyond Berkhamsted.
We’re excited to welcome future Berkhamsted Sixth students at our Subjects Evening tonight.
Applications for Year 12 entry in 2026 close on Friday 17 October at 17:00.
🔗Follow the link in our bio to register your place.
Welcome to our Academic Scholars! ✨
Last week, we celebrated the start of the year with a special breakfast in the library for our Academic Scholars. 🥐📚
Mr Harrison shared exciting opportunities for upcoming Academic Competitions, and we began exploring ideas for this year’s Curiosity Journals.
A wonderful morning of conversation, curiosity, and pastries! ☕✨
#BerkhamstedScholarships #AcademicExcellence #BerkhamstedSchool
What a night to remember!
Berkhamsted Rugby and Lacrosse at StoneX 2025.
Catch up with all the highlights and articles at www.berkhamsted.com/stonex
It’s not every day you get to drive an F1 car at school… 🎮🏎️
Last week, Berkhamsted pupils got behind the wheel of three @williamsracing Formula 1 simulators and tested their skills on the track! With PS5s also in action, pupils (and teachers!) experienced the thrill of racing first-hand.
Esports aren’t just fun — they help build focus, quick thinking, and teamwork. From lightning-fast reaction times to analysing every corner, our pupils showed determination and perseverance throughout the day.
💬 “It was pretty hard, but I gave it my best shot.”
💬 “At first I struggled, but once I found my feet it was amazing!”
After some seriously competitive laps, here are our fastest drivers of the day:
🏁 Sixth Form, Baku: Zac W — 1:40:92
🏁 Boys, Marina Bay: Orson M — 1:32:01
🏁 Girls, Silverstone: Darcey W — 1:34:00
Well done to everyone who raced, and a special thank you to Mrs Hughes for organising! 👏
#BerkhamstedSchool #Esports #F1 #WilliamsRacing
Lots of our pupils have been practising to perform at StoneX this Wednesday. 🎸
Let’s hear a sneak peek of how Year 8 and 9 are getting on. 👂
Hear more from them this afternoon.
Watch the live stream at Berkhamsted.com/stonex
The Boys’ 1st XV rugby squad have worked tirelessly to develop their abilities and constantly build toward success, in preparation for their big match at StoneX against Northampton School for Boys, this Wednesday.
Led by Head Coach Mr Pryor, with support from Mr Dudley (S&C), Mr Barton (Attack) and Mr Maitland (Defence), the squad are ready.
Ahead of the big match, we caught up with Mr Pryor to talk training, the occasion, and the challenge ahead. 🏉
Hear from Miss Steed, Head of Lacrosse at Berkhamsted, as the Girls’ 1st X get ready to take on Moreton Hall at StoneX Stadium this Wednesday! 🥍
✨ Good luck to the team — we can’t wait to see you shine! 💙
#BerkhamstedLacrosse #teamberko
Fun Fact Friday ✨
Did you know that Berkhamsted once hosted forty first-year students from St. Mary’s Hospital Medical School during the war years (1939–1943)?
The students were welcomed into our community, given access to laboratories after school hours, and even challenged us to a rugby match in October 1939 — which Berkhamsted won 15–3! 🏉
To thank the School for its kindness, St. Mary’s presented the House Apparatus and Long Run Cup, engraved with the words:
“Presented by St. Mary’s Hospital Medical School to recall the gratitude of the Dean and Staff for help given and kindness received 1939 to 1943.”
The cup’s first winners were Swifts House in 1956, and its most recent were Spencer House in 2011. 🏆
