Community Impact Report 2026

Community Impact Report 2026

Contents Foreword

3

The Berkhamsted Society

4

The Berkhamsted Society Community Events

5 - 10

Public Benefit

11 - 13

School Partnerships

14 - 16

The Impact of Bursaries

17 - 18

Partnerships With Local Groups, Charities And Businesses

19 - 24

Our Support of Charities

25 - 26

Community Volunteering

27

Foreword Strong and meaningful partnerships lie at the heart of Berkhamsted’s identity as a dynamic and flourishing town. Building and sustaining close relationships with local charities, organisations, businesses and community initiatives is central to our commitment to public benefit and shared success.

Through our collaboration with local charities, Berkhamsted School is proud to provide practical support and resources that help make a tangible difference to people across the community. Our partnerships with local businesses offer valuable opportunities that enrich the education, aspirations and personal development of our pupils. Meanwhile, our involvement in community projects brings people together, nurturing a sense of belonging, mutual respect and collective purpose.

This work creates lasting benefits for the wider community as well as for the pupils and families of Berkhamsted School. Our students gain first hand experience of social responsibility, develop empathy and leadership skills and come to understand the importance of contributing positively to the communities around them. Through shared initiatives and collaborative action, the School and the town continue to grow closer, strengthening the connections that bind us.

We would like to express our sincere thanks to everyone who has contributed to and supported our community partnerships. Your commitment, generosity and enthusiasm are vital to the positive impact we continue to make together.

Thank you for being part of this journey. Together, we are shaping a stronger, more connected community.

Richard Thompson Assistant Vice-Principal (External Relations)

The Berkhamsted Society The Berkhamsted Society brings together the School’s engagement with a wide range of key constituencies, including Old Berkhamstedians, the Friends of Berkhamsted School, current and former parents, current pupils and the local community.

The Society supports the School’s commitment to being an active and positive presence within the community. It strengthens connections across its constituencies, fostering meaningful relationships, building social capital and creating a tangible impact both locally and beyond.

By providing a platform for networking, the Society enables members of the School community to connect with residents and organisations across Berkhamsted, while also encouraging collaboration within the town itself.

Members of the local and wider community benefit from a diverse and engaging programme of events, which has significantly enhanced the positive contribution an organisation of our size makes to Berkhamsted. These initiatives offer mutually beneficial opportunities for those within the School community and the wider town alike.

“the Society enables members of the School community to connect with residents and organisations across Berkhamsted”

The Society has established strong, mutually beneficial partnerships, with its work having a direct and lasting impact on both local and wider communities. Through this work, the Society plays a vital role in fulfilling the School’s responsibility to develop supportive and collaborative relationships with local schools, charities and businesses. www.berkhamsted.com/community/ berkhamsted-society/

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Berkhamsted Society Community Events

The Society has continued to host a number of events which are accessible not only to the School community but also wider communities, bringing people together.

TRINITY 2025 On 22 June, the Society held its annual ‘Proms in The Quad’ concert and, for the very first time, invited members of the wider town community as well as the School community. Once again, it proved to be a resounding success.

The event was compered by Old Berkhamstedian, Jed Thirkettle, and pupils from the Prep School all the way up to Berkhamsted Sixth entertained the 500 strong audience. All genres of music were well and truly represented at this family fun concert.

Funds raised went to ‘Team Jed’, a charity dedicated solely to raising money for research into Muscular Dystrophy, The Swan Youth Project, a youth drop-in centre in Berkhamsted, and Berkhamsted School’s Music Departments.

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Summer Barbecue

In order to bring the local community together, the Society hosted its annual Summer BBQ which took place on the Grass Quad of the Castle Campus. Over 100 local residents, business owners and charity representatives attended. This provides an ideal opportunity for the School to network and establish links with local people.

SOCIETY

THURSDAY 3 JULY 18:00 - 20:00

MICHAELMAS 2025 On 5 September, the Society hosted its annual and very popular Wine Tasting evening in Deans’ Hall. During the evening, the guests were introduced to 6 wines from different countries around the world, learning about the different regions, grape varieties, tasting techniques and what to look for when choosing wines.

A selection of cheeses and bread accompanied the wines. Father Michael Eggleton, an accredited tutor with the Three Counties Wine School, was the guide for the evening.

Just before October half term, we welcomed garden designer and TV presenter, Katie Rushworth. Katie is best known for her role on ITV’s ‘Love Your Garden’. Trained in horticulture and garden design, she combines creative flair with practical expertise to transform outdoor spaces across the UK. Katie also runs her own garden design business and is the author of ‘Plants, Beds and Boarders’. The sell out audience thoroughly enjoyed this relaxed, personalised but very informative presentation.

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We were then delighted to host the Michaelmas Fayre on 29 November, a whole school event run by The Friends of Berkhamsted School involving parents, staff and pupils from across the School. There was something on offer for everyone, including an array of fun House activities, food and drink, musical entertainment and, of course, some essential Christmas shopping! We are thankful to the Friends of Berkhamsted School and to the many sponsors from the local community, including those contributing to the exciting collection of raffle prizes. Proceeds from this event support projects within the School and local charities, with the nominated charity this year being The Swan Youth Project, which provides a safe, inclusive space for young people aged 11 to 16+ years. None of this can happen without the generous support of our school families, for which we are always extremely grateful.

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Berkhamsted’s Festival of Light is held each November and marks the start of the town’s Christmas celebrations. With charity and craft stalls, a small fairground and Elves’ Posting House (a magical place for young children to write their letters to Santa, and meet Mother Christmas in person), alongside a candlelit St Peter’s Church and entertainment on stage from local schools and groups, there is something for the whole family. Taking place in the High Street, which is closed to traffic, the event now includes a Santa Parade with Santa on his sleigh, preceded by scouts and others from the town. In 2025, the procession was led by Richard Thompson (Assistant Vice Principal), striking as an Elf in his white car suitably lit with fairy lights.

LENT 2026 On 3 February, we welcomed Dame Laura Kenny to the Centenary Theatre. Laura is one of the UK’s most recognised sportswomen and Britain’s greatest ever female Olympian.

Respected and admired by fans and teammates as much for her outgoing personality as for her domination in the velodrome, in winning her fifth Olympic gold medal at the Tokyo 2020 Games, Laura became the first British woman to win gold at three consecutive Olympics. On the evening itself, Laura was interviewed by Miles Harrison, who has been a sports commentator on television and radio for nearly forty years. He began his career at BBC Radio covering rugby, football, cricket and tennis before joining Sky Sports to concentrate on rugby union. He has covered eight British and Irish Lions Tours and has also been heard regularly commentating on other top international and club games.

London Olympics to a cyclist who had to battle through injuries, showing the greatest levels of determination and resilience, the audience had a glimpse of it all. Laura is an amazing sportswoman who clearly came across as a role model for all to follow. We could have sat listening to her story for hours!

Miles was such a professional in the way that he conducted the ‘fireside chat’. The two of them blended in conversation so well. There is no doubt that this was a special evening for the sellout audience.

It was a terrific evening when Miles took Laura through her life story, covering the highs and lows of a stunning career. From the excitement of a young cyclist competing and winning gold at the 8

This was followed on 25 February by another sell out event when the Band of the Household Cavalry returned for a Concert Spectacular. Director of Music and Officer Commanding The Band of The Household Cavalry, Major Paul Collis-Smith, led the band through an amazing programme. The audience was blown away by the performance as this world-class band played pieces including Viva Musica III, Festive Overture, Fog City, Softly as I Leave, Danza 2, Resplendent Glory, Silverado, Day of the Dragon, Welcome to the Jungle, Into the Unknown, Deus Ex Machina and Regimental Marches. It was stunning. We were also treated to something special as pupils of Berkhamsted School joined the band in the second half. This was truly an experience of a lifetime for those pupils, and their performance, fitting in seamlessly alongside the band musicians, was amazing!

TRINITY 2026 On 16 April, we hosted what turned out to be not only a highlight of the year but also a highlight of the Society’s overall events programme.

We welcomed back Old Berkhamstedian, Roman Kemp who is one of the country’s most established broadcasters. He hosted Capital FM’s Breakfast show for over 6 years and has solidified himself as a trusted name in the TV presenting space. In 2022, he became a regular presenter for BBC One’s ‘The One Show’ and alongside this, he fronts BBC One’s quiz show ’The Finish Line’. In 2025, Roman became the host of Sky Sports’ Friday Evening Football Coverage, ‘Premier League Friday’ and won the 4th series of ‘Celebrity Race Across the World’ alongside his sister, Harleymoon Kemp. In addition to his regular presenting work, Roman has hosted multiple high-profile programmes including the BRIT Awards. In 2019, Roman made the final of ‘I’m a Celebrity Get Me Out of Here’ and 9

presented the ‘Xtra Factor’. Roman and his Dad Martin hosted ITV’s morning show, ‘Sunday Best’ in 2020, which returned in 2021 as ‘Weekend Best’, and since 2019 they have appeared together on Celebrity Gogglebox. Roman is a passionate advocate for mental health awareness and support, and in 2022 announced one of his biggest and most important projects; the BBC One documentary ‘Roman Kemp: Our Silent Emergency’. The follow up documentary, ‘Roman Kemp: The Fight for Young Lives’ was broadcast on BBC One in 2023. Prior to this, Roman released his first book based on his own life and mental health journey, titled “Are You Really OK?”. In 2024 Roman was announced as Vodafone UK’s new brand ambassador.

It was a terrific evening for all who attended. Roman took us back to how and where it all began, mentioning the close relationship he has with his parents and sister. He recounted tales of getting his break on radio and how difficult it was to get his foot on the first rung of the ladder. There were and are clearly many highs and great successes on his life journey, but he was totally honest and open when explaining the difficulties he has had and still has to cope with, especially when it comes to mental health. His presentation was incredibly emotional but inspiring and uplifting at the same time.

Will Mellor was our guest on 20 May when we hosted an evening with the renowned British actor, presenter, and podcast host with a career spanning over three decades across television, theatre, and radio. Best known for his roles in hit shows including Two Pints of Lager and a Packet of Crisps, Broadchurch, No Offence, Coronation Street, Mr Bates vs The Post Office, he also made it to the semi-finals of Strictly Come Dancing in 2022. Will has become one of the UK’s most recognisable and versatile on-screen talents. In recent years, he has expanded into presenting and podcasting, co-hosting the hugely successful Two Pints Podcast alongside Ralf Little, as well as starring in the popular series Will & Ralf Should Know Better on U&Dave. With a loyal fanbase and a natural, relatable style, Will continues to be a sought-after figure for brand collaborations, live events, and media projects. In May 2025, Will performed the song “Bring him Home” at Gorton Monastery, in aid of the charity When You Wish Upon A Star. He released a recorded version as a single, which debuted at number 18 on the UK Singles Downloads Chart. Richard Thompson interviewed Will, exploring the outward facing side of this well-known performer but also delving into his thoughts on mental health, goal setting and striving to achieve something new. This was a really popular evening for all who attended and the queue of those wanting a ‘selfie’ with Will at the end of the event was testament to that!

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Public Benefit Since 2023, the Berkhamsted Society has supported 23 groups across 47 events providing £40,671 of public benefit support.

GRAHAM GREENE FESTIVAL

COMMUNITY CHRISTMAS CELEBRATION

24–27 Sept 2026

The Berkhamsted Society provided refreshments, including mulled wine and mince pies, for over 300 guests attending the Community Christmas Celebration in aid of The Swan Youth Project. The event, held at St Peter’s Church, featured a festive programme of carols and readings and was warmly enjoyed by all in attendance.

Graham Greene Festival 24–27 Sept 2026 For over twenty five years, the School has proudly supported and sponsored the Graham Greene International Festival. Held each year around Graham Greene’s birthday on 2 October, the Festival celebrates his life and literary legacy.

The School provides a unique setting for the event, combining historic significance with excellent facilities and outstanding hospitality. The Festival attracts an audience from the local community alongside visitors from North America, Japan and across continental Europe. Many return year after year, drawn by the quality of the programme.

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AGE UK HERTFORDSHIRE TEA PARTY In partnership with Age UK Hertfordshire, the Society welcomed 32 residents from Lagley House, a Berkhamsted based supported housing scheme, along with members of the wider local community, to enjoy an afternoon of sandwiches and cake. The gathering was made particularly special by performances from Berkhamsted pupils in Years 1 and 2, who delighted guests with a selection of Christmas songs.

ROTARY HALF MARATHON Berkhamsted Rotary Club The Berkhamsted Society supported the Rotary Half Marathon and 5 Mile Run by providing the use of Kitchener’s Field, the main car park and the Pavilion. The race, which starts at Berkhamsted Cricket Club, winds its way through the beautiful Chiltern countryside.

This year, over 2,000 runners took part and the event was enjoyed by everyone involved – competitors, spectators and the team of approximately 150 volunteer marshals who helped ensure the day ran smoothly. The event raised over £30,000 for a number of local charities.

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OTHER GROUPS AND EVENTS HAVE INCLUDED: Berkhamsted Heritage Open Days Heritage Hub & Network Berkhamsted Raiders The Children’s Society Walk Berkhamsted Youth Theatre ‘Save the Children’ Quiz Night Smash Arts in 24 hours Musical in a Weeky Hertfordshire Inclusive Theatre Home Choir on the Green Hertfordshire Orienteering Club Tring Youth Theatre Gilbert and Sullivan Rotary Tring Choral Society Berkhamsted Theatre Company The Hospice of St Francis Hertfordshire County Youth Orchestra Castle Choir The Pepper Foundation Dramarama The Berkhamsted Walk Amersham Band

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School Partnerships CHILTERN LEARNING TRUST https://www.chilternlearningtrust.org Berkhamsted School works in partnership with schools across the Chiltern Learning Trust to offer fully funded bursaries to Berkhamsted Sixth. Currently, 18 students from disadvantaged backgrounds, drawn from five different Trust schools, are studying at Berkhamsted through this scheme.

The programme has grown in popularity and impact, with hundreds of students raising their aspirations and applying for these bursary places.

The outcomes for participating students have been impressive. Among them are ten successful Oxbridge applicants, reflecting the academic and personal development supported by the scheme. The initiative has also generated wider benefits, with some Berkhamsted alumni voluntarily returning to their former schools to mentor and support other disadvantaged students considering similar pathways.

Partner schools include Chiltern Academy, Challney Boys, Challney Girls, Denbeigh High School, Putteridge High School.

ROYAL NATIONAL CHILDREN’S SPRINGBOARD FOUNDATION https://www.royalspringboard.org.uk/ The Royal National Children’s SpringBoard Foundation is a charity that places students from economically and socially disadvantaged areas in private schools on full bursaries.

There are currently 4 full boarding SpringBoard pupils at Berkhamsted Sixth.

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VIRTUAL SCHOOL HERTFORDSHIRE https://www.hertfordshire.gov.uk/microsites/virtual-school/ hertfordshire-virtual-school.aspx As part of its ongoing community partnership with VSH, Berkhamsted School hosted the ‘Aim Higher’ residential programme again this year, supporting young people to raise attainment, strengthen confidence and expand aspirations.

During the Easter and summer holidays, the School welcomed over 50 students in Years 10–12 alongside VSH staff and mentors for a costfree stay. Berkhamsted colleagues contributed voluntarily by delivering academic sessions in key subjects, while the School also provided access to boarding accommodation and sports facilities. Lodestone House supported the programme through pro bono catering.

The Outdoor Education and Leadership Development element, delivered at the Haresfoot site, provided year-specific experiences (leadership, teambuilding and bushcraft) and a series of challenges including high ropes, zip lines, and abseiling. These experiences were designed to develop resilience, teamwork and self-management transferable strengths that support students in education, work and wider life.

WREN ACADEMY https://www.wrenacademyfinchley.org/ During the summer break in 2025, Berkhamsted School hosted year 7 and year 8 pupils from Wren Academy Finchley, offering a programme of complimentary activities ranging from scavenger hunts to visits to Berkhamsted Castle. In addition, the pupils took part in a variety of activities led by our Outdoor Education Team.

Berkhamsted is one of a small number of independent schools to sponsor or co sponsor a multi academy trust (MAT) and continues to support Wren students through access to facilities and enrichment opportunities, including the Duke of Edinburgh’s Award and Activities Week with over 300 pupils involved in each.

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ASHLYNS SCHOOL Rotary Humanitarian Day Year 12 students from Berkhamsted School and Ashlyns School learned how they could respond in the event of a global humanitarian disaster. Organised by Berkhamsted Rotary Club (BRC), around 170 Sixth Form students attended this event in July 2025.

Rotary Humanitarian Disaster Relief Briefing Day Tuesday 1st July 2025 Two identical Sessions 0900-1100 & 1120-1320 Venue: Main Hall, Ashlyns School

Participants: Year 12 students, Ashlyns & Berkhamsted Schools What happens when earthquakes occur, vulcanoes erupt, tsunamis arise, rivers flood, typhoons land, bushfires blaze, droughts persist, locusts plague or human conflicts explode? The horrors of Gaza, Ukraine and Sudan are current examples.

The short answer is that ordinary peoples’ lives and livelihoods are upended.

This Briefing will introduce participants to the humanitarian sector and its response, with disciplines ranging from medicine to logistics; statistics, detailed planning; communications; engineering; mapping; mental well being and much more.

This is an opportunity to interact with a range of experts with global experience as they draw on work in the field.

These Briefings will combine presentations with interactive sessions , a chance to meet and question the experts. The speakers have been asked to outline their own route into their involvement in the humanitarian sector and their career choices.

Contributors – Check them out!

RedR www.redr.org.uk Herts Welcomes Refugees www.hwsf.org.uk Shelterbox ShelterBox

Humanitarian crises have given rise to a large number of international, national and local government AND non governmental organisations with specialised experience in response.

Berkhamsted Rotary have compiled details of some 50+ of these which you can access in a separate file.

OTHER PARTNERSHIPS HAVE INCLUDED: The Adeyfield Academy Bridgewater School Hawridge and Cholesbury CE School Greenway Primary and Nursery School

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The Impact of Bursaries Berkhamsted School bursaries transform the lives of young people whose abilities may be constrained by the circumstances of their birth and upbringing. Central to the programme is a commitment from bursary recipients not only to benefit from the opportunities offered, but also to give back – working to support their communities and raise aspirations among others from similar backgrounds or cultures.

The bursary scheme also enriches the wider School community.

Fee paying pupils gain first hand experience of the level of competition they may encounter beyond school, learning alongside pupils whose limited opportunities foster a strong hunger for education and success. This dynamic helps counter a narrow focus on the Berkhamsted community alone, mitigating the insulation of privilege and any associated sense of entitlement. Together, pupils experience the meritocracy they will all enter after leaving school.

This approach is deeply rooted in the heritage, ethos and values of the School. It ensures that Berkhamsted continues to thrive as a diverse and inclusive community, preventing exclusivity based solely on economic advantage and preserving the strength that diversity brings.

Pupils are identified through established partnerships with external organisations, including the Chiltern Learning Trust, Hertfordshire Virtual School and the Royal National Children’s SpringBoard Foundation.

Life Changing Bursary pupils receive comprehensive support throughout their time at Berkhamsted. Each is supported by a dedicated mentor, ensuring both pupils and their families feel

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confident and well informed when engaging with school life. This includes clear pre event briefings, guidance and ongoing pastoral support. Pupils also benefit from structured assistance with work experience and internships, facilitated through Berkhamsted’s wider network, providing opportunities that many others may take for granted. Additional support is offered for university applications, drawing on the knowledge and experience of Berkhamsted alumni currently studying at university.

THE RICHARD BACKHOUSE BURSARY FUND Funds will be distributed over the coming years to support the School’s bursary pupils in the following ways: • Tuition Support – helping one or more Sixth Form pupils access the academic and co curricular opportunities that should be open to those with ability and potential; or • The Full Experience – ensuring bursary pupils can participate fully in school life by supporting essential costs such as uniform, travel, educational visits and other enriching opportunities.

ANNIVERSARY FUND All of our pupils will go out into a meritocratic world: our responsibility is to prepare them for the energy and competition they will face in their lives beyond school.

Since 2017, Berkhamsted’s Anniversary Fund has funded over 70 pupils who have either gone through the School or are currently studying at it. These include Afghan evacuees, Ukrainian children, pupils from our partner Multi-Academy Trust in Luton, those who come to us through the national Royal Springboard charity, those placed here by Hertfordshire Virtual Schools (in care or fostered children), and through a trust supporting aspirant sportsmen and women from an Afro-Caribbean background. For all these young people, the opportunity to study at Berkhamsted has been life changing.

The Anniversary Fund | Berkhamsted Private Schools

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Partnerships with Local Groups, Charities and Businesses

WILDLIFE TRUST PARTNERSHIP www.hertswildlifetrust.org.uk The vision of the Berkhamsted School Biodiversity Enhancement Strategy is to guide the transformation of the School’s Estate into an increasingly biodiverse environment, where wildlife heritage is central to decision making and used to engage and inspire pupils and local partners.

The Strategy has been developed by Hertfordshire and Middlesex Wildlife Trust in close collaboration with Berkhamsted School and applies across the entire Estate, recognising that every site has the potential to support wildlife. Through modest but cumulative improvements, the Strategy aims to make Berkhamsted a more wildlife friendly place while raising awareness of local biodiversity and the challenges it faces.

By adopting this Strategy, the School provides meaningful opportunities for pupil engagement and exploration. Pupils are encouraged to learn through hands on involvement in design, creation, monitoring, evaluation and long term management, developing an appreciation of the role other species play in supporting human wellbeing. The Strategy promotes rigour in understanding ecological requirements, helping organisms to thrive, and deepens insight into how natural systems manage resources such as water, nutrients, energy and waste.

Ultimately, the Strategy seeks to make environmental issues immediate and tangible, fostering a lasting connection with the natural world and inspiring a lifelong interest in nature.

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THE SWAN YOUTH PROJECT www.theswanyouthproject.co.uk The Swan Youth Project is a registered charity based in Berkhamsted, Hertfordshire, providing a safe, inclusive space for young people aged 11 to 16+ years.

Guided by the ethos “Somewhere to Go, Something to Do, and Someone to Listen”, the Project offers free drop-in sessions, creative activities, emotional support, and early interventions that help young people build resilience and feel a true sense of belonging. Their programme planning is based around the NHS 5 ways of wellbeing and, therefore, aids the holistic development of their members to make a lasting positive impact.

“aids the holistic development of their members to make a lasting positive impact.”

The centre is equipped with games, music, chill-out spaces, a fully functional kitchen where members can learn to cook, pool tables, basketball, a garden area, board games, a PS5, and regular arts & crafts sessions – creating a relaxed, welcoming environment. This is a space that young people can visit and socialise.

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The Berkhamsted Society has developed a close working partnership with the Swan Youth Project, keen to support the work that it is doing for young people. Two years ago, Richard Thompson (Assistant Vice Principal) and Richard Backhouse (Former Principal), asked Parul Dix, the Swan Youth Project Manager, what would make the biggest difference to the Project. Parul’s answer was a clear one… ‘A minibus’.

An action plan was set in motion and we are delighted to say that, on 29 April, Berkhamsted School, through the help of Julian Anthony, Nick Saunders and Alan Gillman was able to make ‘the dream come true’ and donate one of the School’s minibuses to the Swan Youth Project.

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WRAP https://wrapwatfordscrap.wixsite.com/wrap WRAP (Watford Recycling Art Project) is a registered charity which collects clean, end-ofline offcuts and scrap from local industries, like fabric, stationery, foam and cardboard, etc. and makes it available for creative use, rather than be disposed of in landfill. WRAP is community focused and the scrap store is used by schools, community centres, fashion & art students and families who are able to collect items for use in their own artistic projects.

This year, Berkhamsted School donated approximately 1,400 ponchos. These will be used by local community groups, students and families for various projects. Some might be used creatively, in art projects, whilst others might be used as rain ponchos!

WRAP is entirely volunteer-led and self-funded.

BERKHAMSTED CITIZENS ASSOCIATION Home - Berkhamsted Citizens In September 1980, the BCA committee decided that, in order to stimulate interest in the local environment, an annual award should be made for the work which is considered to have contributed most to the enhancement of Berkhamsted or Northchurch. ‘Work’ can mean a new building, extension, renovation or landscaping; large or small, anything from a building complex to a garden.

The Citizens’ Environment Award was set up to try to foster public awareness on the good additions or changes to the built environment during the year. If possible, a plaque would be awarded to the project that makes an outstanding contribution to the town and other developments would receive commendations as appropriate.

This year Berkhamsted School’s Zaha Hadid Sixth Form Building won this award. Assistant Vice Principal, Richard Thompson, said “We are delighted to receive this award, presented to the School

by The Berkhamsted Citizens Association, and to recognise and celebrate the community relationships that have developed directly through the work of the Berkhamsted Society.”

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BERKHAMSTED CHAMBER OF COMMERCE

Networking Breakfast In November 2025, Richard Thompson and Julian Anthony (Chief Operating Officer) talked about Berkhamsted School’s ‘Thoughts for the Future’, outlining plans for development in conjunction with further community partnership work. www.berkhamsted-chamber.co.uk

BerkoBeerFest 11-12 July 2025 was the BerkoBeerFest, held at the School’s Kitcheners Field.

The festival is supported by the Berkhamsted Chamber of Commerce and the Berkhamsted Society. The festival relies on support and is always looking for sponsors.

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OTHER PARTNERSHIPS HAVE INCLUDED: Local Heritage: Rectory Lane Cemetery

Fantastic Gadget

The Diamond Trust

Berkhamsted Sports

A Class Tailoring

M Street Bagels

Carmenta Life

My Fit Pod

The Kings Arms

Bay Yoga

Herts Pasta

Salt

Zero Sushi

Champneys

Pizza Napoletana

A1 Taxis

Szen

S&T Autos

Fred and Ginger

Ross and Andy’s Soccer Camps

Dower House

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Our Support of Charities At Berkhamsted, we believe that charitable giving is an essential part of school life. From the Pre-Prep through to the Senior School and Sixth Form, pupils are actively involved in a wide range of charitable initiatives that help them develop valuable life skills while making a positive contribution to the world around them.

Our younger pupils take part in a variety of events throughout the year, including cake sales and Christmas Jumper Days. These activities not only raise funds for important causes but also help pupils understand the importance of generosity, teamwork and supporting their local and wider communities.

As pupils progress into the Senior School and Sixth Form, they assume greater responsibility for charitable giving, often through House based initiatives. Each House has dedicated charity representatives who work enthusiastically to organise events and encourage participation.

Pupils are able to take part in a number of meaningful challenges, such as the DENS Sleep Out and the Berkhamsted Fun Run, which offer both rewarding and thought provoking experiences. In the Sixth Form, whole school initiatives, including the Movember appeal, further promote collective engagement in charitable causes. In addition, regular ‘Comfy Clothes for Charity’ days are held each term, supporting a wide range of local and international charities.

“we believe that charitable giving is an essential part Participation in these charitable activities plays an role in developing pupils’ empathy, resilience of school life.” important and wider interpersonal skills. By giving their time and

thoughts to those in need, Berkhamsted pupils grow into compassionate, socially responsible individuals who are well prepared to engage thoughtfully with the wider community.

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Community Volunteering Service Day: July 2025 During Activities Week each year, all Senior School pupils take part in community volunteering activities with their Houses.

Activities undertaken: Adders

Setting up and running a Senior Citizen’s Tea Party and helping with laundry in the boarding house

Bartrum

Chilterns Chalk Stream Project, maintaining the River Bulbourne. This has led to an ongoing project in which Bartrum boys will be carrying out monthly river fly testing of the stretch of water behind Newcroft, the results of which are submitted to the Environment Agency as part of a national monitoring scheme.

Bees

Walked along the canal to the Sunnyside Rural Trust at Northchurch where vulnerable adults and those with Learning Disabilities are given training and opportunities to grow vegetables, plants and flowers. The boys spent their time pulling weeds and preparing beds, proving that many hands do indeed make light work.

Coxs

Spent the day at the Pony Sanctuary in Northchurch.

Frys

Ran a sports day/ carousel of games for the year 1s in Pre-Prep.

Greenes

Talk from The Canal Trust.

Loxwood and New Stede

Both Houses took part in a life-saving session in the pool, where they developed a wide range of survival skills and techniques for assisting others in emergencies.

Through practical activities and teamwork, they learnt how to stay safe and support others, building confidence and a strong sense of responsibility within the community.

Swifts

Swifts House voluntary work was with the team at Rectory Lane Cemetery, where the boys worked with the site team to clear boundaries and overgrown areas, and plant up graves and boxes with plants.

Tilman

Helped the Estates Team around various sites.

Holme

Treasure Hunt and quiz at Haresfoot.

Old Stede

Sports Day for Victoria Primary School.

Russell

Washed cars at Haslam field for staff. The Girls worked well together cleaning and drying the vehicles.

St David’s

Donated painted flowerpots. Pupils decorated flowerpots and planted them with flowers. Some were delivered to Berkhamsted support staff, while the remaining pots were donated to local charity shops in Berkhamsted town.

Stephenson

Afternoon tea for the local Residential Homes; students hosted cheery conversations at the tables, whilst others performed musical numbers or a round of Bingo for everyone to enjoy.

Wolstenholme

Visited Haresfoot to read to the Pre-Prep pupils.

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SOCIETY

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