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
Awards
We are thrilled to announce that Berkhamsted School has been shortlisted for the Tes Schools Awards 2025 under the category of Best use of technology. The category focuses on the thoughtful and considered implementation of technology that has had a positive impact on the educational outcomes of students. This achievement comes after our use of ICT in teaching and learning was highlighted as an “area of significant strength” in our ISI report.
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
A new Sixth Form Centre on Castle Campus will provide state-of the-art education facilities for generations of Berkhamsted students. Opening in Spring 2025.
Find out morePlease read more about our Anti-Modern Slavery policy in our 2024 statement:
News
Berkhamsted Group, Heatherton | 12.05.2025
Why Heatherton? Is it for our specialist curriculum?
Read
Berkhamsted Group, Boys, Girls | 25.04.2025
Berkhamsted shortlisted for Tes Awards 2025 – Best use of technology
Read
Berkhamsted Group, Boys, Girls, Sixth Form | 28.03.2025
Berkhamsted celebrates opening of new Sixth Form building
Read
This #MentalHealthAwarenessWeek is all about celebrating community, and how it supports our mental health and wellbeing.
💚Communities connect, support, and give us a sense of belonging and purpose.
At Berkhamsted, we cultivate a community that sees our pupils actively desiring to support their peers. Our core value ‘Serve Others’ underpins these schemes and hopefully stays with pupils even as they move on beyond our School.
Through initiatives like Allies and Advocates and Rising Allies, pupils share experiences, challenge stigma, and grow into empathetic leaders. They’re creating a school culture rooted in understanding, belonging, and support 🙌
From Sixth Formers leading mental health discussions with Year 9s, to Year 8s mentoring Year 5s on friendships, online safety and more—our pupils are building real connections across year groups 🤝
One Rising Ally said: “We spoke from the heart and from experience, and hope that they feel more able to deal with some of the challenges that come with growing up.”
By implementing this approach into school life, pupils of all ages have the chance to interact and learn from one another.
Being part of a positive community helps us:
✅ feel a sense of belonging
✅ feel supported
✅ have purpose.
#ThisIsMyCommunity
#MHAW
@mentalhealthfoundation
🌍 Inspiring the next generation of changemakers!
We were delighted to welcome Shaz Memon — Berkhamsted parent and founder of @wells.on.wheels — to speak with our Year 10 Kings pupils at the launch of this term’s Social Entrepreneurs Project.
💡 Wells on Wheels is transforming lives in rural India, helping girls attend school by replacing the daily burden of carrying water with an innovative rolling water wheel.
Shaz shared powerful insights on building meaningful impact:
✨ Don’t just seek to do good, seek a solution to a problem.
💪 Prepare for and expect failure, this is a natural part of the process
🎯 Use what you have: your talents, your network, your passions. This will lead to your own unique contribution.
Our pupils are now preparing to launch their own social enterprises — watch this space! 👀
🎓 Farewell, Year 13!
Today we say goodbye to our Sixth Formers as they step into the final chapter of their Berkhamsted journey, their A Level exams! Wishing you the very best of luck! 🍀
From our leavers’ assembly where they were presented with “Best in year” prizes to signing shirts and collecting their leavers’ hoodies, the day has been packed with memories. ✍️
It was fun and games this afternoon, with a BBQ, the traditional tug of war competition, and the ultimate water fight to send off the year with a splash! 💦
A day full of emotion, excitement, and a few tears. We look forward to welcoming you as members of our @OldBerkhamstedians community. 💙
#BerkhamstedSixth #Year13Leavers #ALevels2025 #OldBerkhamstedians #BerkhamstedSchool #TeamBerko
On this day in 1945, Europe celebrated peace after years of conflict. Today we honour the courage and sacrifice of those who served.
At Berkhamsted, we remember the 139 former pupils who gave their lives during the Second World War. Their names are etched into our memorial, and into the heart of our school’s history.
We will remember them.🕊️
#VEDay #LestWeForget #VictoryInEuropeDay #WWII #OldBerkhamstedians
On this day in 2016, Berkhamsted was honoured to receive a visit from HM The Queen Elizabeth II to celebrate our 475th anniversary.
During her visit, she inspected a Guard of Honour formed by the @berkhamstedccf, the School`s Combined Cadet Force, watched various performances by pupils, and attended a reception where she met members of the local community. The Queen also unveiled a plaque to commemorate her visit.
Can you spot yourself in any of the photos?
@heathertonschool
Huge congratulations to Anna M and Emma P, our brilliant Year 11 pupils at @berkhamstedgirls, who have both been awarded the prestigious @arkwrightscholarships Engineering Scholarship! 🔧
With over 1500 applicants nationwide, Anna and Emma impressed with their passion, creativity and commitment to engineering — and we couldn’t be prouder! 💡
From DT competitions and F1 in Schools to the Faraday Challenge, both girls have embraced every opportunity to develop their skills and follow their ambitions. Anna hopes to study Chemical Engineering and one day create solutions to help treat skin conditions. Emma dreams of tackling global environmental issues through mechanical engineering. 🌍🧪
With the backing of the Arkwright Scholarship behind them, both Anna and Emma will receive specialist support, mentoring or work experience to help them achieve their career goals. Arkwright states that the scholarship aims to support young people in becoming “future leaders” so watch this space! 🚀
We’re so lucky to have Lesley Koulouris as our School Archivist 💫
Tune into our latest podcast as she joins @OldBerkhamstedians Coordinator Vicky Rees to share fascinating stories from Berkhamsted’s rich past 📚
Founded in 1541, our school’s history is full of hidden gems—many still being uncovered today 🕰️
🎧Listen now via the link in our bio or your favourite podcast platform
🎤 The talent was incredible at our Young Singer of the Year competition – making it a tough decision for adjudicator James Slimings!
🏆Zoe A from @berkhamstedsixth was ultimately crowned the Berkhamsted Young Singer of the Year for her rendition of ‘Spotlight’ from the musical Everybody’s Talking About Jamie.
✨ Watch the performances of all our finalists to hear the remarkable breadth of musical talent we have at Berkhamsted School.
🎤 Our talented pupils shone in the Young Vocalist of the Year category at the Young Singer of the Year competition, performing hits from musicals, chart-toppers, and even opera!
🌟 Congratulations to Eva V from @BerkhamstedGirls, crowned Young Vocalist of the Year for her stunning performance of ‘Talking to the Moon’ by Bruno Mars.
🏆 Adjudicator Awards also went to Matthew R from @BerkhamstedBoys for his beautiful version of ‘Stargazing’ by Myles Smith, and Lauren C from @BerkhamstedGirls for her heartfelt performance of ‘My House’ from Matilda. 🎶
🎤✨ Last week, Berkhamsted’s Kings Campus felt like a West End stage!
Pupils from across the Berkhamsted Schools Group took to the mic for our biggest music competition yet – the Young Singer of the Year! 🎶
With four venues buzzing at once, our talented pupils wowed us with performances across folk, classical, musical theatre, jazz, pop and more.
After a tough first round, finalists returned to impress guest adjudicator James Slimings – Director of Performance at All Saints Catholic College. 🎼
Our youngest stars from @BerkhamstedPrep and @Heatherton took part in the Young Voice of the Year category and showed some incredible courage and talent! 💫
The final results for this category were:
Alice W – @heathertonschool
Adjudicator Awards: Bea W and Toby K – @berkhamstedprep
👀Look out for the performances from Young Vocalist of the Year and Young Singer of the Year coming up.
📣 We’re thrilled to announce that Berkhamsted School has been shortlisted for the Tes Awards 2025 – in the category of Best Use of Technology! 💻
Our innovative use of ICT in teaching and learning was highlighted as an “area of significant strength” in our recent ISI report. This nomination celebrates how thoughtfully we embed tech into our classrooms to enhance learning outcomes for our students. 🙌
We are so proud of all our staff, in particular the IT team and Director of EdTech, Jo Hughes, for their hard work and commitment to implementing technology into our practice.
🏆 Winners will be revealed on 20 June at a glittering gala in London – wish us luck!
@tesforteachers #TESawards
Welcome back to Berkhamsted for the Trinity Term!
There`s lots to look forward to this term including:
Young Singer of the Year competition 🎤
Start of the cricket season for boys and girls 🏏
Athletics fixtures 👟
Prep production of Honk 🐥
Sports Days 🏅
Year 4 trip to Liddington 🎯
Year 6 trip to Skern Lodge 🌄
🍀Good luck to all our pupils taking their GCSE and A level exams.
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