Welcome to Berkhamsted
As a leading academic school in the UK, Berkhamsted is highly selective and admits a limited number of boarders each year, including students applying from overseas. The majority of these students enter at Sixth Form level, although applications may be considered from boarders who wish to study at GCSE level. With a history dating back to 1541, our boarding students are able to participate fully in the life of a traditional English independent school, providing an experience which allows our students to mature and start a journey of educational study more akin to university than school. The school is located in the historic market town of Berkhamsted in Hertfordshire, with convenient access to London (30 minutes by train) and Heathrow Airport (a 40 minute drive). Berkhamsted School has much to offer the international student seeking a top class education.
Berkhamsted provides excellent boarding facilities and pastoral care for our students, a home from home. A key feature which differs from a traditional boarding school is the flexibility offered at weekends, when students have the freedom to choose how they spend their time; students are able to play for sports teams, use the first-class facilities, undertake independent study and extension work, go on day trips or simply enjoy the time to relax and recuperate after a busy week at school.
WELCOME TO BERKHAMSTED
Foreword from the Principal
Berkhamsted is a large school of over 2000 pupils aged 3 – 18 years, and the majority of students attending our Senior Schools (Girls and Boys) and Sixth Form are day students. As a boarder at Berkhamsted, this means you will experience life at a traditional English independent school as a member of a small, diverse boarding community of around 100 students.
Academically, Berkhamsted offers students unrivalled opportunities for A level study (there are 28 subjects available), within a disciplined and supportive environment.
The key features of Berkhamsted that we believe will influence your decision are:
• Our excellent academic standards.
• Our outstanding success in placing students at top universities.
• Our focus on students’ wellbeing.
• Our location – in an historic market town 30 minutes by train to London and a 40 minute drive to Heathrow Airport.
• The quality and breadth of the extra-curricular programme available to all students.
• The experience of a traditional English independent day school.
• Our status as a Tier 4 sponsor with the UK Visas and Immigration (UKVI).
Berkhamsted School’s record of outstanding academic achievement, extensive extra-curricular activities, first-rate teaching and entrance success at the UK’s most prestigious universities demonstrates that our Sixth Form is a ‘winner’.
If you are looking for a boarding experience with a difference, come and talk to us.
Richard Backhouse MA (Cantab)
Foreword from the Headteacher, Berkhamsted Sixth
We look forward to welcoming you to our outstanding Sixth Form and to our brand-new Sixth Form Centre.
Boarding at Berkhamsted is a unique opportunity.
Our boarding facilities and pastoral care are of the highest quality, ensuring our students are able to develop into mature, independent students ready for university and the professional world.
Nick Cale BA
Our Values and Aims
We aspire to use our values to guide everything we do – in our daily exchanges and our strategic planning.
Our values are:
Aim high with integrity
Berkhamsted is a learning community in which all teachers, pupils and support staff strive to be the best they can be. We all belong to a community of learning where we work towards being better tomorrow than we have been today. How we succeed is as important, however – we want to be successful without sharp elbows – and we proudly include integrity as a crucial ingredient of our ambition, as befits a school founded over 480 years ago by the Dean of St Paul’s Cathedral.
Be adventurous
We foster a spirit of adventure in our pupils from the time they join our family of schools, within and beyond the classroom. Whilst this most definitely includes physical challenge (perhaps most visibly on our high ropes course and our hugely successful outdoor education, sport, drama and music programmes), we also foster an adventurous mindset in our pupils, who are encouraged to try, fail, learn and repeat in everything they do.
Serve others
We are a community that understands the importance of service. We celebrate and encourage the work of our students in the local community, as volunteers for example, and as those who engineer change for good, inside and outside the School. Our expectation is that Berkhamstedians will not just go on and do well, although of course, we expect that they will, but that they will also go on and do good.
Educational Aims of the Berkhamsted Schools Group
Flowing from our school values, our aim is for every pupil to:
• Develop the skills and ambition required for lifelong success
• Strive for the best achievements possible
• Grow in moral purpose, character and courage to become respectful and wise
• Explore and enjoy the fullest breadth and extent of life opportunities
• Belong to a community which looks outwards and forwards
• Contribute to the success and wellbeing of each other, locally, nationally and globally
• Be inspired by the School’s Values, heritage and Christian foundation
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 Senior Schools (ages 11 - 16)
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 addition, pupils must study at least one Science GCSE as one of their six options. For the most academically able, they can take also take AdMaths and complete their three Science GCSEs in as two options (by using the Learning Pathway sessions).
Pupils can take between 8 and 11 GCSEs in this way. GCSE options are chosen from History, Geography, French, Spanish, Latin, Classical Civilisation, Music, Drama, Art, Chinese, Food Preparation and Nutrition, Design and Technology, Computer Science, Physical Education and Religious Studies (full course)*. A number of subjects follow IGCSE courses.
Most of our international students will study the 3 core subjects plus 6 subjects options, one of which must be a science and we also highly recommend the EAL option to help facilitate the other subjects.
The Learning Pathway is an opportunity to create a bespoke course from a range of options including an HPQ (Higher Project Qualification) and various other courses to extend skills and understanding beyond the confines of a traditional School curriculum. Within this pathway there are also opportunities for students to access learning support and be coached how to study.
As a School, our core mission is to prepare young people for the world in which they will live, study and work. Educational research shows that putting pupils at the heart of their own learning helps develop strong metacognition, and digital tools enhance enquiry, collaboration, organisation and self-direction. Pupils value the opportunity to develop these skills, and will benefit in their future lives from a strong blend of digital and analogue literacies.
At Berkhamsted, we believe that digital devices have an important part to play in creating engaging lessons in the classroom and therefore provide every pupil with a digital device upon entry to the School.
We also aim for pupils’ learning beyond the School gates to be as rich and as intellectually stimulating as possible; capitalising on the interactivity and immediacy of our suite of tools. Providing each pupil with a device allows for a more seamless learning experience between the classroom and out of School study.
For our international students, we also provide EAL lessons twice a week that are a mix of general and academic English. These are part of the normal daily timetable and there is a charge for these which is part of the annual fees.
An overwhelming majority of our pupils from Berkhamsted Boys and Berkhamsted Girls progress to Berkhamsted Sixth for their Sixth Form education. To continue, pupils are required to achieve 43 points across their top 8 subjects at GCSE.
* Please note that courses offered are subject to change at the Principal’s discretion.
Berkhamsted Sixth (ages 16 - 18)
The main aim of the Sixth Form at Berkhamsted is to produce confident, well-qualified and interesting young people 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 interests 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. Initiative, creativity and the enhancement of life skills are strongly encouraged.
Careers advice and consultation on university entrance are important features of Berkhamsted Sixth, enabling students to reach considered and realistic decisions about higher education, in the UK or abroad, and their future careers. This includes CV writing clinics, visits from a wide range of employers, business skills sessions for all students and our Annual Careers and Higher Education Fair. In addition, students benefit from a week of work experience towards the end of Year 12.
Students are given one-to-one advice and support in their university applications or when applying for apprenticeships, internships and jobs. There is an Oxbridge programme to challenge and prepare those considering an application to the top universities.
Sixth Form students attend classes at both the Castle and Kings campuses of Berkhamsted School, enjoying the benefits of the excellent resources that the two sites have to offer. The boarding houses are located centrally between the two campuses, with easy access to the town centre.
We aim to ensure that international students enjoy their time in the Sixth Form and feel able to make significant contributions to life at the School. The Sixth Form is an invaluable preparation for life in the adult world of learning, work and relationships.
Students joining the Sixth Form will, as per the Senior School, be provided with a Digital Device upon entry to ensure a seamless learning experience between the classroom and out of School study.
Academic standards and enrichment programme
At Berkhamsted, we pride ourselves on a consistently high academic performance by our students. Study at A level provides the opportunity to focus on your favourite subjects and develop greater independence of thought within a stimulating class environment.
In the Sixth Form, A level courses are offered in 28 subjects and are examined at the end of the Upper Sixth (Year 13). Typically, students study three subjects but some may opt to study a fourth on a semi-independent A Level programme.
The Extended Project Qualification (EPQ) is an academic project that aims to improve learners’ independent study skills through the production of a study on a topic and question of their choice. It provides a superb opportunity for students to explore an area of interest in a sustained and rigorous manner, which aids their approach to undergraduate research. Each student works on a one-to-one basis with a supervisor and conducts much of the research independently.
The overwhelming majority of students go to university, although there is strong support for those intending to enter the world of work straight after school. The pastoral care teams and academic departments offer detailed advice to students and great care is 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 universities for their chosen subject. Information on our latest leavers’ destinations are published on our website.
Since the A level programme requires high levels of commitment, minimum entry requirements are set for entry to Berkhamsted Sixth - please refer to the A level guide for details. For our international students, weekly EAP lessons are provided two times a week that are in the normal daily timetables in preparation for the IELTS examination. EAP/ IELTS lessons are designed to prepare and equip students with the skills and academic language expected at university level. These lessons focus on the four main skills of academic reading and writing, speaking and listening and continue until the end of Year 13. There is a charge for these which is part of the annual fees. If required, additional tuition in English as a second language is available at an extra cost.
A Level Subjects at Berkhamsted
We offer the following courses at A level: Art, Craft & Design, Business, Biology, Chemistry, Classical Civilisation, Computer Science, Design Technology, Drama & Theatre Studies, Economics, English Language & Literature, English Literature, Level 3 Diploma in Food Science & Nutrition, Geography, History, Latin, Mathematics, Further Mathematics, Modern Language French, Spanish and Chinese, Music, Photography, Physical Education, Politics, Physics, Psychology, Religion StudiesPhilosophy & Ethics, Sociology.
This list is subject to change, please refer to the school website for the most up to date information.
Enrichment
At Berkhamsted, we recognise that intelligence takes many forms. We encourage all our students to pursue their talents and interests through the many enrichment opportunities on offer. For the more academically adventurous, there are a number of avenues through which to fulfil their potential. The Crawford Society (Sixth Form) and the Junior Crawford Society (Senior School) are academic societies at which pupils themselves deliver lectures, enter into intellectual debate and develop their curiosity beyond the confines of the GCSE and A Level curriculums.
A Broader Education
The extra-curricular programme is a fundamental part of life at Berkhamsted and aims to broaden all pupils’ life experiences through a wide range of activities, clubs, societies, sports, courses, performances and visits.
Expeditions through either the Combined Cadet Force or the Duke of Edinburgh’s Award are designed to increase each pupil’s personal resilience, while activities offered within and as part of the Berkhamsted Award & Diploma aim to kindle enthusiasm for pursuits beyond the taught curriculum. The cumulative result of this programme is confident, interesting young people who expect themselves to play a leading role in whichever group, institution or business they join.
In Year 10 we offer a leadership programme designed to develop skills that encourage pupils to step out of their comfort zone and try new things, including public speaking.
Community Service and Charities
Service is a core value of the School, which has an extensive community service programme and an excellent track record of serving the local community and raising funds for a wide range of charities. Year 13 students enjoy the opportunity to work on charity and council-linked consultancy projects through The Student Consultancy, a programme run in conjunction with the Careers Service at the University of Oxford that is now being rolled out to schools around the country after its introduction at Berkhamsted.
Boarding at Berkhamsted
We offer excellent boarding facilities for pupils aged 11 to 18.
Our boarding community is a mixture of full boarders (termly) and weekly boarders (Sunday – Thursday nights) from Year 9, and local pupils who flexi-board, from Year 7, due to school commitments.
Boarding life at Berkhamsted
Berkhamsted has two boarding houses, St John’s for girls and Incents for boys. Both are located on Chesham Road within a few minutes’ walk of both Senior School campuses and the town centre.
The girls’ boarding house, St John’s, has a mixture of single and twin bedrooms for senior girls. All bedrooms are furnished and decorated to a high standard and all are en-suite. There are two common rooms, kitchen facilities and large gardens.
The boys’ accommodation, Incents, includes a mixture of single and twin bedrooms for senior boys, some of which have en-suite facilities. As with the girls’ house, all rooms are furnished and decorated to a high standard. The house also has two common rooms, kitchen facilities and a games room. Gardens are shared with St John’s.
Dining facilities allow boys and girls to meet together and all pupils have access to the excellent sports facilities of the Senior School. Wi-Fi internet access are available in both boarding houses and house outings are arranged on a regular basis. Boarders can also use their free private membership at the KnoxJohnston Sports Centre, which offers a fitness suite, sports hall and 25m swimming pool. Here, pupils can take part in any of the classes, ranging from aqua aerobics to pilates.
Care and supervision
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. Each house is managed by a Head of House who acts ‘in loco parentis’. The Heads of House are supported by matrons and two residential tutors in providing a caring environment in which pupils can work and develop both as individuals and as part of a community.
Routine medical appointments will be made by the Head of the Boarding House and/ or a School Nurse. Emergency medical appointments can be made by any member of staff. It will normally be the on-duty member of staff in the boarding house, but it can also be someone else. Students can also call 999 in an emergency and should inform a member of staff as soon as possible if they do so.
House rules are kept to a minimum and are designed to be sensible and fair. In keeping with the general philosophy of the School, the boarding houses aim to encourage selfdiscipline, mutual respect and an honest and open outlook. 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.
Wellbeing
Wellbeing is a priority and Berkhamsted is proactive in talking about and promoting mental health. We have a full time Deputy Head in charge of wellbeing who oversees a team of counsellors and runs a programme of wellbeing courses for our community, not just our pupils.
As a school, we understand that teenage years and the associated examination stress can be challenging. We therefore provide professional support to enable students to develop the skills they need to stay physically and mentally healthy whilst at Berkhamsted and far beyond. Our students have the ability to meet face-to-face with a counsellor should they wish or they are able to seek support and advice through online options. We have a team of counsellors offering different modalities to meet the pupils’ needs.
At Berkhamsted we use Graydin Coaching and Tooled-Up Education. This approach places your child’s voice right at the centre of our pastoral care. It also enables us to base our pastoral care on a combination of the latest research findings. We are interested in who your child is becoming, as much as what they are achieving.
Full time boarding
Full time boarding enables pupils to focus on academic studies while participating fully in all that the School has to offer. Boarding also offers an ideal preparation for university. Boarders are expected to learn how to manage their increased freedom sensibly and with consideration for others.
Berkhamsted School offers a number of boarding places to overseas pupils. Parents who live abroad and wish their children to board with us must appoint a guardian in this country in case of emergency. Parents or guardians are also required to make all holiday and travel arrangements.
It is the parents’ (or guardians’) role to make transport arrangements (e.g. flights and transfers) for the arrival and departure at the start and end of terms and for any occasion when a pupil has a contagious illness and needs to spend time with their guardian. Students must arrive in time for the start of each term/ half term and stay until the last day of each term/half-term.
Weekly and flexible boarding
Both houses offer boarding on a weekly basis over four nights (generally Sunday to Thursday) to pupils in Year 9 and above. Space permitting, we also offer occasional or flexible boarding for day pupils in Year 7 and above.
Please note that flexible boarding is subject to availability and bed spaces of single study rooms cannot be guaranteed. Bed spaces are allocated on a first come, first served basis.
Why flexible boarding?
• Parents can fulfil work commitments in this country or abroad during term time in the knowledge that their children are being cared for.
• Parents may take holidays in term time without disrupting their children’s education.
• Pupils who would benefit from more specific support for their academic progress can be offered additional help.
• It provides a secure environment to meet unexpected family difficulties.
• Pupils who have long journeys to school might prefer to spend a few nights in the boarding houses during the week, thereby minimising the amount of time involved in transporting them to and from school each day. This may also enable pupils who live further afield to take advantage of the many after-school activities on offer.
• ‘Last minute’ accommodation can be provided for day pupils by arrangement with the Heads of the Boarding Houses.
Safeguarding
The Berkhamsted Schools Group is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of all children. This means that: we expect staff and visitors to adopt a child-centred and co-ordinated approach to child protection and safeguarding. Any child can be abused and therefore has the right to be safeguarded. We maintain an “it could happen here” attitude. Safeguarding children is everybody’s responsibility.
Guardians
It is a requirement for all overseas pupils to have a guardian in England. The School does not appoint guardians. The appointment of guardians is the parents’ responsibility and parents must make sure that the guardian can provide suitable accommodation and ensure the welfare of the student. The School values its relationship with guardians who play an important role in helping to look after students when they are away from home. You will be sent more detailed instructions on the expectations of guardians in the joiner information pack.
Our Boarding Team at Berkhamsted
Nick Cale, Headteacher Berkhamsted Sixth
I joined Berkhamsted in 2008 and I have held several key positions in my time, including Head of French, Head of Modern Languages, Director of Data and Research and, most recently, Deputy Head of Curriculum and Assessment. I live in Berkhamsted with my wife, Alex, and two young daughters, Clara and Alba.
I was educated at QEH Bristol and studied French and German at Birmingham University, during which time I was fortunate to complete university placements at both Université Grenoble Alpes and the Albert-LudwigsUniversität in Freiburg.
Before training to become a teacher, I enjoyed working in French hotels in the Alps and also as a ski guide in Austria. A keen lover of all things sport and travelling, I have also coached rugby and cricket throughout my time at Berkhamsted as well as accompanying numerous school ski trips to both Europe and North American together with a wide range of other trips that have allowed me to try out new languages.
Chris Sutton, Head of Boarding and Director of
International Admissions
I joined Berkhamsted in September 2017 from Pangbourne College and live in Berkhamsted with my wife Lucy and our three young daughters. Having previously run a successful boarding house of over 65 boys for six years, I’m passionate about how boarding can enhance education and the tremendous opportunities it has to offer for both UK and Overseas boarders. I was a boarder myself between the age of 13-18 years old.
My focus is fostering a family feel within the boarding houses to ensuring that a nurturing, homely and caring environment is established for all our boarding students.
Since January 2022, I have developed my roles at Berkhamsted to now become Head of Boarding and Director of International Admissions. This means I attend many events and fairs both in the UK and overseas, meeting agents, students and parents, which I thoroughly enjoy.
Miss Jessica Thackray and Mr Andrew Ottaway, Heads of St John’s Boarding House
Jessica joined the School as a Drama teacher in 2016. Alongside being Co-Head of St John’s, she also holds the post of Head of Cox’s House at the Boys School, which she has done for four years.
Andrew joined Berkhamsted in 2014 and was Head of St George’s House from 2016 – 2020, before taking over as Head of Economics and Business and Co-Head of St John’s.
We are very much looking forward to working with your family throughout your daughter’s time at the school. Our vision is that your daughter’s experience in the House will be an encouraging one and that they will feel affiliated to a positive and warm community that they treasure beyond their time at the school. We hopes that that each girl will develop into a remarkable young person who follows the School Values intrinsically and who inherently shows compassion, resilience and moral courage in everything that they do.
Will Findlay, Head of Incents Boarding House
I am delighted to introduce myself as the incoming Head of Incents Boarding House from September 2024.
I have lived in Incents House as a Resident Tutor for the past 3 years with my wife, Clarissa, and our labrador, Barley. I am teacher of History and Politics and, for the past 3 years, I have been Head of Old Stede House at the Girls School. I am very passionate about boarding and making the experience a truly special one for all of our boarders. I went to boarding school myself and started boarding aged 10, so I know all to well the wonderful opportunities boarding life can offer.
When you join Incents House, you will be looked after by a team including Resident Tutors, a wonderful Matron, Prefects in Year 13 and many more people all motivated by helping and supporting you. We want to help you feel at home and make friendships that will last you a lifetime.
I hope to meet you soon to welcome you to Incents House and its remarkable members.
Boarding Benefits
Pupils who board at Berkhamsted experience an added dimension to life at the School. It is an environment in which firm friendships are formed, academic progress is encouraged and the opportunity to participate fully in all that is on offer at the school is within easy reach.
Boarding at Berkhamsted offers:
• Excellent care and attention
• Educational support and guidance
• A community in which every individual matters
• An extension of family life
• A secure and positive environment in which each pupil thrives
• A balance of work and leisure in a homely, friendly and safe environment
• An atmosphere of mutual respect
• An opportunity to get to know young people from other countries and cultures
• Boarding houses in the heart of Berkhamsted town with direct train links to central London
“Weekly boarding works well for us. I know he’s happy and we enjoy our weekends together knowing the homework is done.”
–Parent of Year 10 Incents Weekly Boarder
“I enjoy spending a night in St John’s every now and thenit’s like having a sleepover at a friend’s house!”
–Year 8 St John’s Flexi Boarder
“Boarding at Berkhamsted is great because if you are a long way away from home, you feel comforted and at ease because the boarding house staff are very friendly and look after you. You never feel isolated or alone.”
–Year
12 Incents International Boarder
UK Admissions
Entry procedures
Prospective pupils may be registered for admission at any time after birth. Parents are encouraged to visit the School before registering their children. We offer a range of opportunities for parents and prospective pupils to learn more about what Berkhamsted School has to offer, including Open Events and group or individual tours. Most parents and prospective pupils visit the school at least once before the final stages of the Admissions process.
To be included in the assessment process for each age group, prospective pupils must have registered as an applicant. A candidate registration form should be completed on our website, and the non-refundable registration fee paid by bank transfer.
Entry requirements
Entry to the School is dependent upon satisfactory academic attainment at respective stages of the Curriculum as well as a good interview and a reference that reflects a sound disciplinary record and a commitment to the wider aspects of school life. Progression from one section of the School to another can never be guaranteed, however, we endeavour to make decisions on entry with the expectation that pupils should be able to progress through the School. Progression is also dependent on satisfactory academic progress, a positive attitude to work, a sound disciplinary record and a commitment to the wider aspects of school life.
For Weekly and Flexi boarders, please find details of entry requirements for each entry point in the Berkhamsted Information Book for either the Girls, Boys or Sixth Form.
Admissions database
Information is held on our school database when parents of prospective pupils make enquiries about admission to Berkhamsted School. The purpose of holding this information is to enable the School to contact the enquirer, provide information about the School and to build up details of potential admissions to Berkhamsted School. The data is processed in accordance with Data Protection legislation.
Admissions contact details
Admissions Manager
Telephone: 01442 358001
E-mail: admissions@berkhamsted.com
Correspondence address: Admissions Department
Berkhamsted Schools Group
Overton House 131 High Street
Berkhamsted
Hertfordshire
HP4 2DJ
International Admissions
Sixth Form (age 16+)
We welcome applications from international students who would like to join Berkhamsted Sixth as a full boarder on our 2 Year A Level programme. To apply, please email internationaladmissions@berkhamsted.com and provide a copy of the student’s latest school report and passport.
Once registered, applicants will be invited to take our entrance assessments. We have partnered with UKiset and all international applicants are required to complete a UKiset test which forms part of our assessment along with an interview.
UKiset is an adaptive cognitive online entry test designed to assess the student’s academic ability and level of English. The test is taken at a UKiset-approved UK or International Test Centre, or it can be taken remotely with online invigilation, arranged by UKiset. For information please visit the UKiset website.
The test fee is payable directly to UKiset and for applicants who are taking the test as part of their entrance assessments for Berkhamsted, the school registration fee is not required.
For all students in Berkhamsted Sixth, progression to Year 13 depends on satisfactory attainment, as determined by the student’s term grades and results across the course of Year 12 (Lower Sixth Year), in addition to the end of year examinations. Work ethic, discipline record and contribution to the wider life of the school will also be taken into consideration.
Senior School (ages 13-16)
We welcome applications from international students who would like to join Berkhamsted Boys as a full boarder in Year 9, or Year 10 for our 2 year GCSE programme. To apply for Year 9, please refer to the Year 9 Admissions Timeline and ensure registration is completed before the deadline for the relevant year of entry.
To apply for Year 10 please email internationaladmissions@berkhamsted.com and provide a copy of the student’s latest school report and passport.
Once registered, applicants will be invited to take our entrance assessments. We have partnered with UKiset and all international applicants are required to complete a UKiset test which forms part of our assessment along with an interview.
UKiset is an adaptive cognitive online entry test designed to assess the student’s academic ability and level of English. The test is taken at a UKiset-approved UK or International Test Centre, or it can be taken remotely with online invigilation, arranged by UKiset. For information please visit the UKiset website.
The test fee is payable directly to UKiset and for applicants who are taking the test as part of their entrance assessments for Berkhamsted, the school registration fee is not required.
INTERNATIONAL ADMISSIONS
Admissions Database
Information is held on our school database when parents of prospective pupils make enquiries about admission to Berkhamsted School. The purpose of holding this information is to enable the School to contact the enquirer, provide information about the School and to build up details of potential admissions to Berkhamsted School. The data is processed in accordance with Data Protection Legislation.
International Admissions contact details:
International Admissions Officer
Telephone: +44 (0) 1442 358001
E-mail: internationaladmissions@berkhamsted.com
UK Boarding Admissions contact details: Admissions Manager
Telephone: +44 (0) 1442 358001
E-mail: admissions@berkhamsted.com
School Policies & Privacy Notices
Berkhamsted Schools Group Policies
The following policies are available on the School website:
–Admissions
–Attendance
–Behaviour and Discipline
–Child Protection and Safeguarding
–Collective Worship
–Complaints
–Curriculum
–English as an Additional Language
–Equal Opportunities
–Expulsion and Required Removal
–First Aid
–Gender Separation
–Health and Safety
–Health and Safety for Centenary Theatre
–Prevention of Bullying
–Progression
–Relationships and Sex Education and PSHE (Senior and Sixth)
–Relationships Education and PSHE (Preps)
– Special Educational Needs and Disability
–Privacy Notice for Parents
–Privacy Notice for Older Pupils
–Privacy Notice for Younger Pupils
–Privacy Notice for Staff
–Privacy Notice External
–Privacy Notice for Donors and Supporters
As our policies are updated, they will be added to the School website.
In addition, the following policies are available to current parents on the Parent Portal:
–Access Arrangements for Examinations
–Accessibility Plan
–Administration of Medicines
–Allergy
–Careers
–Control of Infectious Diseases
–Drugs Alcohol and Smoking
–Examinations
–Fire Procedures
–Head Injury and Concussion
–IT Acceptable Use (Pupils)
–Missing Persons
–Online Safety
–Pupil Uniform and Appearance
–Staff Protection
–Wellbeing and Counselling
How to find us
Our prospectus and website describe the broad principles on which Berkhamsted School is presently run and give an indication of our history and ethos.
Berkhamsted town is an historic market town with a family environment. It is in an easy-to-reach location for both national and international locations. A number of commutable journeys are listed below:
• Closest train station: Berkhamsted 5 minutes walk
• Central London: Berkhamsted to Euston 30 minutes by train
• Heathrow Airport: 40 minutes by road
• Luton Airport: 27 minutes by road
• Gatwick Airport: 1 hour 10 minutes by road
UK Location
Berkhamsted Girls
Kings Campus
Kings Road
Berkhamsted
Hertfordshire
HP4 3BG
Berkhamsted Boys
Castle Campus
Castle Street
Berkhamsted
Hertfordshire
HP4 2BB
Berkhamsted Sixth
Castle Campus
Castle Street
Berkhamsted
Hertfordshire
HP4 2BB
Terms and Conditions
The
Berkhamsted Schools’ Group’s
Terms
and Conditions are available on the School website: www.berkhamsted.com or on request by calling +44 (0)1442 358001.
Fees
Fees are reviewed annually with effect from the beginning of the new academic year in September and include tuition, most text books, lunches, (all meals for Boarders), personal accident insurance and life membership of The Old Berkhamstedians*. School fees protection insurance is available as an option.
The most recent published fees schedule is published on the School website.
Fees are billed termly and are due on the first day of each term.
For parents who reside in the United Kingdom, a deposit of £2,500* is payable on acceptance for all pupils. £1,000 of this deposit will be credited against the first term’s fees and the remaining balance will be credited to the child’s final account when they leave the School. If a deposit is paid and the pupil does not subsequently join the School, no refund will normally be made.
For parents who reside outside the United Kingdom, a deposit of one term’s fees for tuition and boarding are required upon acceptance of the pupil. The deposit will be held for the duration of the child’s time at the School and will be credited to the child’s final account when they leave.
Contact details for Finance are:
Telephone: +44 (0) 1442 358009
E-mail: finance@berkhamsted.com
Although believed correct at the time of publication, they are not part of any agreement between parents and the School.
Parents wishing to place specific reliance on a matter contained in the prospectus or on the School website, or on a statement made by a member of staff or a pupil during the course of a conducted tour of the School or related meeting, should seek written confirmation of that matter before making a commitment.