News
Boarding at Berkhamsted: A pupil perspective

A boarding environment should not just be a ‘house’, but a home. Ask anyone at Berkhamsted School – staff or pupils – and they’ll tell you as much. “We know that pupils who feel well cared for but also have space to unwind and be themselves will thrive socially and academically,” says Mr Will Findlay, Head of Incents (boys boarding house). “Everything we do in the boarding is aimed at helping pupils grow and be successful, so they’re ready for the next stage of their life,” adds Mr Andy Ottaway, Head of St John’s (girls boarding house).
Based in Hertfordshire and only 35 minutes from London, Berkhamsted School has 75 pupils in its thriving boarding community – 47 boys and 28 girls. With six different nationalities across both houses and a mix of full, weekly and flexi boarders from Year 9 to Year 13, the community is richly diverse and accommodating to individual needs.
The connection between pupil wellbeing and academic success is evident. In a boarding environment, a close triangle of communication between pupils, parents and staff ensures boarders are healthy and happy while remaining focused on their studies. “I would recommend any students to join the Berkhamsted boarding community,” says Julong, a Year 11 pupil. “It’s a very warm place to be.”
For John, a Year 13 student at Incents boarding house, the boarding environment was key to his success at GCSE. “It meant I was away from home, away from distractions, and I could just knuckle down. I had about two extra hours to work each day because I boarded, and I could use the study spaces as well.” John found the boarding house to offer the perfect balance between work and play: “Whenever I needed a healthy break from revising, I could go to the gym or the sports field.”
John cites boarding as one of the reasons why he achieved high enough grades at GCSE to return to Berkhamsted for Sixth Form. “Every teacher cares about you, every teacher pushes you. I don’t see a reason not to board – but I’m a bit biased!”
Boya is a Year 13 student who has been boarding at Berkhamsted for over a year. She recently received an offer to study at Columbia Barnard College next year and is grateful for the support she received with her application. “My application tutors were absolutely amazing,” she says. “Columbia has a much earlier deadline than other universities, and they helped me so much with the application process.”
As well as a high-achieving physicist, Boya is Deputy House Captain of her boarding house, St John’s. “U.S. universities value leadership experiences and abilities very highly,” she says. “As Deputy House Captain I was given lots of opportunities to arrange all sorts of activities.” As well as helping build her skillset and support her U.S. application, she describes how boarding has prepared her for university. “Being independent, managing your own work and taking full responsibility for your academic studies are all crucial skills for university life.”
Akmal, a Year 12 student and weekly boarder, is also keen to study in the U.S. “I’m planning to study engineering at MIT,” he says. “I talked to Mrs Guillet, Head of International University Applications, about doing SATs and how to increase my chances of getting in.” Like Boya, Akmal has been taking on extra-curricular leadership opportunities to support his application. “Mrs Guillet gave me some recommendations for how to get involved in the School, so I’m a Learning Leader now.” Learning Leaders act as academic ambassadors, communicating with pupils across the year groups to influence School teaching and learning strategies. It’s an empowering role which helps students take on positions of leadership towards younger pupils whilst also engaging in metacognition – learning how to learn.
Berkhamsted’s friendly and welcoming boarding environment ensures every pupil is supported both academically and personally. Sofiia, who joined Berkhamsted this academic year, describes how boarding has brought her “long-lasting friendships” that “feel like a family”. But while Sofiia and her friends enjoy the range of social activities that boarding has to offer, living with your classmates can also have academic benefits. “At any time, I can go to my friend who does the same subject as me for some questions or support,” she says. “Or we do some test prep in the lounge.” Also a keen physicist, Sofiia has recently been accepted onto a summer course at Yale University. “My tutor was happy to write my recommendation letter and submit my grades,” she says. “I found it very easy to ask for help with my application.”
Ten years on, how has being a boarder at Berkhamsted prepared our former pupils for their future lives and careers? Michelle boarded at Berkhamsted between 2010 and 2012, and is now working for a real estate start-up following a successful career in accounting at reputable firms such as BDO and ICBC Asia. “Berkhamsted prepared me not only for university, but also for life beyond, and how to adapt to this rapidly changing world,” she says. “I did very well in A Level Maths and Economics and I’m very grateful for the support I received.” She describes Berkhamsted as offering a “well-rounded education” that encouraged responsibility and self-motivation. “It’s not just about academic results but also shaping my character, building my confidence and preparing me for life beyond my career. I still remember some teachers who were very inspiring and supportive.”
During their final years at Berkhamsted, boarding allows students to develop independence, responsibility and crucial life skills within the supportive community of the Sixth. Berkhamsted’s new Sixth Form centre is built with students and their future in mind: from the ‘Your Futures Zone’ (where careers guidance is combined with local entrepreneurs working on their day-to-day business) to Harkness discussions in classrooms (akin to seminars in university or the boardroom in the world of work). “We are committed to preparing our students for success beyond school,” says Mr Nick Cale, Head of Berkhamsted Sixth, “and providing them with the skills, confidence and opportunities they need to excel in the working world.”
“From leadership roles to real-world experiences, our goal is to help students flourish not just academically, but personally, so they can go out into the world as confident, capable individuals who will make a difference.”