Introducing Berkhamsted Schools Group
Thank you for visiting us. We hope you enjoy finding out more about Berkhamsted on this web page. If you have any families that you feel would like to apply please do contact our International Admissions team who will help you with the application process.
We are a family of leading independent schools based in Hertfordshire and Buckinghamshire (easy reach of Heatherton and London), offering high quality education and care for pupils aged 5 months to 18 years. We offer boarding for international families from 13+.
Berkhamsted Schools Group
Easy access to London and Heathrow
Berkhamsted is a historic and prosperous English market town with a family-friendly atmosphere, surrounded by beautiful Chiltern countryside. Its traditional High Street features both well-known brands and independent shops. This convenient location provides easy links to central London (direct trains 30 minutes from Euston Station), Heathrow Airport (40 minutes by car) and Luton Airport (32 minutes by car) making it easily accessible for international families seeking a prestigious day or boarding school.
Our Schools
Day Nursery
Age 0 – 3, girls & boys
Berkhamsted Day Nursery occupies a beautiful country house situated in the tranquil and idyllic environment of Berkhamsted Pre-Prep on the Haresfoot site.
Children at our Day Nursery will enjoy all the attention that they would normally receive at home but with the added benefits of trained staff, a full-time chef and facilities specifically intended to stimulate each area of development.
Our Schools
Berkhamsted Pre-Prep
Age 3 – 7, girls & boys
Parents choose Berkhamsted Pre-Prep because it possesses a warm and nurturing family atmosphere without compromising on high standards of education and behaviour.
We give every child at Berkhamsted Pre-Prep the best possible start to their education. Our pupils start in our Nursery class – Stepping Stones (3+); places at Reception (4+) are subject to availability.
Our Schools
Berkhamsted Prep
Age 7 – 11, girls & boys
Parents choose Berkhamsted Prep because each individual will benefit immensely from being part of a school that is recognised as providing a high quality educational experience for its pupils; where they achieve their best because of their extremely positive and ‘can do’ attitude to school.
Watch our videos to discover more about the Pre-Prep and Prep
Our Schools
Berkhamsted Girls
Age 11 – 16, girls only
At Berkhamsted Girls, we aim to develop remarkable people. Whilst we maintain a strong academic focus so that every girl fulfils their potential in terms of qualifications, we believe that opportunities beyond the curriculum as just as important for the development of our young people. Under our ‘diamond’ teaching structure, girls are taught in single-sex academic lessons – an environment which we believe allows for a more precisely adapted and focused approach to teaching and learning.
Our Schools
Berkhamsted Boys
Age 11 – 16 years, boys only
At Berkhamsted Boys every boy flourishes, finding their skill, talent or passion within our academic curriculum or in opportunities beyond the classroom.
Under our ‘diamond’ teaching structure, boys are taught in single-sex academic lessons – an environment which we believe allows for a more precisely adapted and focused approach to teaching and learning.
Discover more
Hear from some of our pupils at Berkhamsted about life in our schools and how we develop remarkable people
Boarding life
Home from Home
Our boarding community is a mixture of full boarders (termly) and weekly boarders (Sunday – Thursday) from Year 9, and local pupils who flexi-board, from Year 7. Berkhamsted has two boarding houses, St John’s for girls and Incents for boys. Both are located a few minutes’ walk of both the Senior School campuses and the town centre.
Both houses provide a warm, friendly and secure atmosphere in which students are valued, supported, encouraged and challenged so that they can be themselves and realise their potential. Above all we hope all pupils will be happy during their time with us and that they will enjoy the opportunities and challenge a busy boarding community will afford them.
Discover more about boarding at Berkhamsted
Please watch some of our videos to find out more about boarding life at Berkhamsted School
Our Schools
Berkhamsted Sixth
Age 16 – 18, girls & boys
We equip our students with the skills they need to rise to the challenges of the modern and ever-changing world, succeeding at university or thriving on an apprenticeship scheme, either of which can prepare them for a fulfilling career.
Berkhamsted Sixth has a strong academic focus, yet we also believe that opportunities and experiences beyond the curriculum are just as crucial for students’ future success and happiness.
Purpose built Sixth Form centre for the future
New Sixth Form Opening 2024
Pupils have been educated at Berkhamsted School for over 475 years and we are honoured to have shared this beautiful and historic location with you. Founded in 1541, the School is proud of its roots and partnership with the town and, over the years, we have overseen the careful and considered evolution of our estate.
Looking to the future it is important for the School to address the shortcomings of our existing facilities. This is particularly true with regard to our Sixth Form provision, which needs to be enhanced to provide the best possible environment for our students to not only learn, thrive and excel but one that will equip them for their future.
We are delighted to be surrounded by a thriving community of neighbours, amenity groups and partner schools. Following our consultations with the community regarding our plans and subsequently receiving planning approval, we look forward to sharing with our continued vision for the new Sixth Form centre on Castle Campus.
We are determined to ensure our vision responds to Berkhamsted’s historical context. As a significant landowner in Berkhamsted we understand the importance of our plans and ensuring we are making a positive contribution to the area.
Richard Backhouse – Principal
Academic
At Berkhamsted, we aim to create an environment in which all pupils are supported and encouraged to reach their full potential. Our approach draws on the best of modern teaching methods, yet we retain traditional values and standards.
Berkhamsted Boys and Berkhamsted Girls – GCSE’s
At GCSE our girls and boys are taught separately in single-sex classroom at Castle Campus (Boys School) and Kings Campus (Girls School) although they do have extra curricular activities together.
At GCSE Level (Key Stage Four) most girls and boys will undertake up to 11 courses. The Senior School curriculum includes core subjects – English Language, English Literature and Maths. In additional pupils must study at least one Science GCSE as one of their six options. For the most academically able they can also take AdMaths and complete their three Science GCSEs.
For more details please see our GCSE guide below
Berkhamsted Sixth – A Level
The main aim of the Sixth Form at Berkhamsted is to produce confident, well-qualified and interesting young adults who will rise to the challenges of the modern world. As the great majority of our students go on to higher education, the Sixth Form has a strong academic focus. Students receive all the encouragement and support they need to help them achieve their potential in their A levels. The Sixth Form also aims to develop wider interest and skills – academic, emotional, cultural, etc. It is a time when the individual can explore ideas and learn to think independently in preparation for university.
At Berkhamsted we pride ourselves on a consistently high academic performance by our students. In the Sixth Form, A Level courses are offered in 29 subjects and are examined at the end of Year 13. Typically students study three subjects but some may opt to study a fourth on a semi-independent A Level programme. Detailed advice is provided to students and great care taken over UCAS applications resulting in a strong record of success in gaining offers and progression to chosen universities. On average, 98% of Sixth Form leavers go on to a degree course to Oxford, Cambridge, Russell Group universities and other highly ranked institutions for their chosen subject.
For our overseas students, weekly EAL lessons are available in preparation for the IELTS examination. If required, additional tuition in English as a second language is also available at an extra cost.
The A Level guide below provides more information about the subjects on offer:
Berkhamsted Results 2023
A Level
2024 A-Level Results Table
| Grade | A* | A | B | C | D | E | F |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Total | 116 | 213 | 181 | 79 | 31 | 4 | 0 |
| Raw % | 18.6 | 34.1 | 29.0 | 12.7 | 5.0 | 0.6 | 0 |
| Cumulative % | 16.6 | 52.7 | 81.7 | 94.4 | 99.4 | 100 | 100 |
GCSE
2024 GCSE Results Table
| Grade | 9 | 8 | 7 | 6 | 5 | 4 | 3 | 2 | 1 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Total | 405 | 473 | 461 | 310 | 160 | 60 | 24 | 4 | 0 |
| Raw % | 21.3 | 24.9 | 24.3 | 16.3 | 8.4 | 3.2 | 1.3 | 0.2 | 0.0 |
| Cumulative % | 21.3 | 46.3 | 70.6 | 86.9 | 95.4 | 98.5 | 99.8 | 100.0 | 100.0 |
Leavers Destinations
Discover more
Please watch some of our videos to find out more about life at Berkhamsted School and how we develop remarkable people and experiences for life beyond school
Meet our International Admissions Team
Berkhamsted is pleased to work with our agents to help find students who would benefit from an education in our School. Our Head of International Admissions, Chris Sutton, is also the Head of the Boys’ boarding house and is able to know our students on an individual basis. Jennie Peachey, our International Admissions Officer will be working with agents to guide them through your child’s application process and will be available to answer any queries you may have regarding the application process at Berkhamsted.
International Admissions Process
Although the majority of pupils attending Berkhamsted are day pupils, we offer the opportunity to join a small boarding community at the school.
Berkhamsted Boys and Berkhamsted Girls may consider applications from international students aged 13 (entering at Year 9) and aged 14 (entering at Year 10) to study at GCSE level. To apply for a place to study at our Senior Schools, applications must follow the current day application timelines as per our website (Berkhamsted Girls / Berkhamsted Boys). Berkhamsted Sixth may consider applications from international boys and girls aged 16 (entering at Year 12) to study for two years and completing A-Levels outside of our day application timeline.
Prospective pupils should contact their agents if they wish to register at any time.
Overseas students, once registered, are required to sit a CAT4 test and complete an online form with questions on the subjects they wish to study at GCSE and A Level under exam conditions through a recognised partner agent, at the nearest British Council office, or at their current school. A reference from the student’s current school is also required.
In addition, candidates will be invited to interview with the Headteacher of Berkhamsted Sixth or the Head of International Admissions.
When joining Berkhamsted Sixth, progression to Year 13 depends on satisfactory attainment, as determined by the student’s term grades and results across the course of the Lower Sixth year (Year 12), in addition to the end of year examinations. Work ethic, discipline record and contribution to the wider life of the school are also taken into account.
Find out more about a new estate just 10minutes direct by train to Berkhamsted
Are you looking to invest or move to a property near Berkhamsted
The Eight Gardens, Watford WD24 4AD
Located within a 4 minute walk of Watford Junction Station with frequent connections to London Zone 2 in just 14 minutes. Residents of The Eight Gardens will benefit from 8 landscaped gardens, impressive art installations, and water features providing quiet spaces to sit, relax and contemplate. Commercial and retail facilities include cafés, retail, and a doctors surgery, whilst a number of local amenities and attractions including the famous Harry Potter Studios, Cassiobury Park and a number of independent schools are within easy reach. Union Court is the first phase of apartments to launch on this brand new development offering a selection of studios, 1, 2 and 3 bedroom apartments within an impressive 13 story tower overlooking the private podium gardens on one side, and stunning pieces of public art on the other. Residents benefit from a concierge, business lounge, fully equipped gym and screening room.
Find out more about the Eight Gardens
New housing development from Berkeley Homes
Just 10minutes by train from Berkhamsted a new housing development from Berkeley Homes affords families the opportunity to invest in property near our school and within 14 minutes of London.
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