Developing Remarkable People

Girls’ independent prep school in Amersham with co-educational nursery for pupils aged 2-11. Our role is to inspire, support and foster a love of learning.
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Welcome to Heatherton Girls Prep School in Amersham, Buckinghamshire

Heatherton is a forward-thinking, innovative school with a very special close family feel that is renowned in the Buckinghamshire area. Part of the Berkhamsted Schools Group.

Mrs Nicola Nicoll, BSc (Hons), MEd

Headteacher of Heatherton

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Awards & Recognition

We’re delighted that Heatherton has been shortlisted for Small Independent School of the Year at the Independent Schools of the Year Awards 2025. Being a small school doesn’t stop us from making a big difference – we combine a nurturing, family-centred environment with the exceptional resources of the wider Berkhamsted Schools Group.

We are also proud to have been Highly Commended for Outstanding Pastoral Care in the Muddy Stilettos Best Schools Awards, recognising our commitment to creating an environment where every pupil feels confident and supported. Our strong pastoral provision and socio-emotional education empower children to understand and articulate their feelings from a young age.

As well as being commended as a school, the Berkhamsted Schools Group was also Highly Commended for Sustainability in the Muddy Stilettos Best Schools Awards. We are proud to be part of a group that is dedicated to building a better future for our pupils and community.

 

 

We are delighted to be recognised by Early Excellence as a Partner School for 2024/25. This recognition allows us to host events and share good practices in our area, fostering an environment of continuous improvement and excellence.

Find out more about our upcoming courses

Co-Ed Nursery

Our co-educational Nursery offers outstanding Early Years education for girls and boys aged 3 – 4.

The Nursery at Heatherton is a very caring environment, where every child is known individually and their own interests nurtured and developed.

—Heatherton Nursery Parent

Heatherton’s Co-Ed Nursery

Academic

Where your daughter will flourish

The first few years of your daughter’s school experience will make a considerable impact on her future. They are crucial for opening her mind to learning, setting the standard for the years to come.

Academic Stretch & Support

Co-curricular

Outdoor Education

Sparking a sense of adventure and developing long-lasting friendships.

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News

Why Heatherton? Is it for our specialist curriculum?

Why Heatherton? Is it for our specialist curriculum?

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Young Singer of the Year 2025

Young Singer of the Year 2025

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Amersham named in The Sunday Times Best Places to Live 2025

Amersham named in The Sunday Times Best Places to Live 2025

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Year 12s learn to lead with Humanutopia

Year 12s learn to lead with Humanutopia

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Celebrating music at Young Musician of the Year Festival

Celebrating music at Young Musician of the Year Festival

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  • OPEN EVENTS

    Why Heatherton?

    Discover for yourself why so many families choose Heatherton Choose your 2025 open events – bookings now live
    Book your open event

    Pupils of all ages flourish in their levels of understanding, communication and quality of expression […] The school’s development of pupils’ highly effective use of vocabulary is a significant strength which deepens their understanding across the curriculum.

    Independent Schools Inspectorate, November 2024

    Forward thinking and outward looking enough not to be a bubble, but there’s a lovely innocence about this small girls’ school nonetheless.

    Good Schools Guide

    Leaders review and thoughtfully adapt the curriculum so that teaching methods meet the learning needs of pupils in all year groups. Teachers communicate high expectations for pupils’ learning outcomes. They draw on their in-depth subject knowledge and devise well-planned lessons to motivate pupils and extend their thinking. Pupils, including those in the early years, make good progress as a result.

    Independent Schools Inspectorate, November 2024
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    We’re delighted that Heatherton has been shortlisted for the Small Independent School of the Year Award in the Independent Schools of the Year Awards 2025! @isotyawards

With a record number of entries this year, we’re proud to be recognised amongst a group of excellent schools. Being a small school doesn’t stop Heatherton from making a big difference; offering a nurturing, family-centred environment while providing pupils with the exceptional resources of the wider @berkhamstedschools Group.

A list of finalists will be published on 9 September and the winners, chosen by the Independent Schools of the Year judging panel made up of sector leaders, will be announced at an awards ceremony in October.

Watch this space to find out if we win!

#HeathertonPrep #IndependentGirlsSchoolAmersham #PrivateSchoolBucks

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    Year 6’s penultimate day of school means that our DT lesson is ⭐️Design an ice cream sundae🍦 ⭐️Make an ice cream sundae ⭐️Eat an ice cream sundae!

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    A big thank you to all who contributed their used aluminium cans to be recycled as part of an art sculpture for Amersham in Bloom. We will keep you updated with where to spot the finished bird! Well done to those Year 5 and 6 girls who have worked on creating it. @amershaminbloom

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    It is such a privilege to welcome our school community to our End of Year Celebration tonight. 

We come together to recognise and celebrate the incredible achievements of our girls, and to say a heartfelt thank you to our parents and staff for all their support throughout another wonderful year.

🌟 We are also delighted to welcome back our alumna, Grace Constable, who will be sharing her journey and inspiring us all.

Let the celebrations begin!

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    Art & DT 🎨 👩‍🍳 afternoon for our Y6 girls- sketching and picking herbs from our Eco Council garden beds to make a salsa verde to enjoy with freshly prepared, baked potato wedges! Delicious girls!

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    In Year 2, we’ve been learning all about seaside holidays of the past 🏖️. Thanks to @HistoryOffThePage, we had the chance to step back in time and experience what a Victorian seaside holiday might have been like.

We explored old coins 🪙, made our own train tickets 🎫, dressed up in period clothing 🎩, and even enjoyed a traditional Punch and Judy show 🎭. A fantastic way to bring history to life!

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    🏆We are delighted to announce that Heatherton has been Highly Commended in The Debrett’s Education Award for Outstanding Pastoral Care.🏆

This achievement reflects our focus on creating an environment in which pupils feel comfortable and confident sharing their feelings. In addition to our thorough pastoral provision, we provide an excellent socio-emotional education which empowers pupils to identify and articulate their emotions from a young age. This contributes to the supportive and caring environment that Heatherton is renowned for.

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    🏘️ Discover Heather Town – A place where parents and children grow together through the power of play.

🧸Enjoying parent-led play with your child is not only fun – it’s a vital part of their development.. 

Join us on Thursday 26 June from 09:30 to 10:15 and experience a joyful morning in our imaginative play space, where children can safely take risks, solve problems, and express themselves freely.

🎟 Only £5 per child (each child must be accompanied by their parent).

Limited to 30 spaces per session – book early to secure your spot!

Click the link in our bio to book your adventure. It all starts with play.

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    Why Heatherton? 

Is it our research-led curriculum? 🧠

We recently had the privilege of welcoming Julie Fisher, an independent Early Years Adviser and Visiting Professor of Early Childhood Education at Oxford Brookes University, to speak to parents. Julie captivated us all with her decades of evidence-backed insight on how children learn best, inspiring both parents and staff and reinforcing our belief in giving every child the very best start in their education.

At Heatherton, we’re passionate about nurturing young minds with research-informed practice, ensuring your daughter has the brightest future possible.

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