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Schools Group Overview

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Schools Group Overview


A family of leading independent schools based in Hertfordshire and Buckinghamshire, offering high quality education and care for boys and girls aged 5 months to 18 years


Welcome to Berkhamsted Schools Group, where we provide high quality education and care for boys and girls to help them develop into remarkable people. Our Schools Group is spread across six sites in the desirable towns of Berkhamsted and Amersham, and tailored to each stage of your child’s journey. We operate a ‘diamond structure’ at Berkhamsted: at Pre-Prep and Prep, boys and girls are taught together in a co-educational environment. At the age of 11, they are separated into the tailored environments Berkhamsted Boys and Berkhamsted Girls, but still enjoy co-curricular opportunities together. At Sixth form, boys and girls reunite at the new Zaha Hadid Sixth Form centre, an environment purpose-built to support students as they transition into life beyond School. Meanwhile, Heatherton, our satellite prep School in Amersham, provides a co-educational nursery class (3-4) and single-sex education for girls aged 4 to 11. While predominately a day School, Berkhamsted also offers boarding options from Year 7. Our varied educational journey allows children to grow through the School without ever feeling that it has outgrown them. It also allows children to benefit from a consistent foundational set of values and school ethos, which allows them to flourish in their education and far beyond. At Berkhamsted, we develop remarkable people, helping children not just to earn a living, but to enjoy lives worth living. A Berkhamsted education equips every pupil with the skills and experience they will need to succeed in the future. Our pupils leave us as resilient and ambitious young adults who have a sense of purpose, compassion, and the motivation to flourish in the next stage of their lives. Pupils succeed because of our dedicated Schooling environments. In the classroom, we encourage pupils to be intellectually inquisitive, challenging them both academically and pastorally. Our research-backed curriculum teaches students not just to study, but how to study, building learners for life. We teach our pupils to do their best in their exams, yet we also understand the importance of every child developing a wide range of passions beyond the core curriculum. Whether on the sports pitch or the stage, we harness the enthusiasm of our pupils by offering a range of opportunities with a combination of rigour, high expectations and support through our House system. Our pupils leave Berkhamsted independent, confident and resourceful, equipped with the skills and strategies they will need to enter the next stage of their lives as leaders.

berkhamstedschool

@berkhamstedschool

@ berkhamstedschools


Day Nursery - Co-Educational (5 months plus) Berkhamsted Day Nursery is an environment for young children aged 5 months and up to take their very first steps into the wider world. Our fully qualified team have the skills and expertise to provide the very best start for your baby, but more than that, they are passionate about early years education and development. They are committed to ensuring our children are not only cared for, but have access to the activities and learning that will prepare them for the transition from baby to toddler, and then on to School. In acknowledgement of the research that tells us how important secure relationships are for early child development and early attachment; we believe in ensuring that every child has a strong sense of belonging and a feeling of being part of our family. We prioritise the development of positive relationships from a child’s first day in our nursery, so that each child feels loved and cared for, thereby enabling them to grow into confident and independent toddlers. Our children settle very quickly as our practitioners connect with each child during their settling sessions and then continue to grow and develop those relationships throughout their time with us. Our nursery is based at our Haresfoot campus alongside our Pre-Prep School, and provides an exceptional setting which many parents have described as a magical place. The rolling green spaces, woods and variety of facilities make each day different for the children, providing a wonderful start to their educational journey. Our partnership with our colleagues in the Pre-Prep enables us to plan for and support each child through these first years and in readiness for school nursery and Reception. We encourage parents to enquire early due to the level of interest in nursery places.

berkhamsted.com/day-nursery


Berkhamsted Pre-Prep - Co-Educational (3 – 7 years) Pre-Prep provides the stimulus for every child to experience active learning, curiosity and engagement. A myriad of wider opportunities make each day a busy one and provide variety and challenge, building a firm foundation towards a successful future. We keep up to date with the latest research in child development, from birth to seven years, to constantly develop our learning opportunities and provisions. With research suggesting that the quality of a child’s education at 3 can impact their GCSE and A Level grades, we have a deep understanding of the importance of nurturing and developing each little person during the most important and formative years of a child’s life. From here, our through journey from 3 - 18 years maximises personal and academic potential with sustained high-quality education, a consistent School ethos and support. With six school sites, each carefully tailored to a child’s development stage, every pupil is supported, stretched and encouraged to succeed. The six term journey through Stepping Stones and Reception develops our children into independent and resilient children who are ready to embrace the challenges and breadth of Key Stage One. We aim to make learning fun, relevant and topical to enable each child to make links between different experiences. Their enthusiasm for learning and curiosity about the world around them is harnessed and encouraged as they explore new learning experiences, and is where we seek to enhance not only their knowledge but the skills and aptitudes of being a learner. Beyond the core curriculum, children engage in specialist lessons that deepen and extend their learning experience. From Stepping Stones Nursery upwards, children enjoy specialist lessons in French, Music and PE, and in Key Stage One, Art, Swimming and Tennis are also introduced. Such are the quality of these early opportunities that by Year 2, children are ready to be taught to play the violin, providing an excellent foundation for both music and other instruments. Creatively, children are encouraged to embrace their imagination, and build the confidence to lead assemblies and participate in performances. Whether as an actor, a musician or dancer, at Berkhamsted, the life skills of public speaking, creativity and much more start from 3 years old!

berkhamsted.com/pre-prep

@berkopreprep


Berkhamsted Prep - Co-Educational (7 – 11 years) Berkhamsted Prep School is part of a supportive, family community which fosters a strong sense of belonging. Everyone is treated as an individual and our child-centred approach to education ensures they develop a natural curiosity, motivation and thirst for learning enabling every pupil to achieve their best. Within our classrooms you will see a mix of tradition and innovation. Creative subjects of Sport, Art, Music and Drama enhance our academic curriculum to develop fully-rounded and adventurous people. An education at Berkhamsted Prep provides our pupils with the academic skills and qualifications they will need to meet their future aspirations, combined with the opportunity to gain the life skills and experiences they will need for a successful, happy future. We teach our pupils to do their best academically, yet we also encourage them to discover and develop interests outside of their academic subjects with our extensive extra-curricular activities and after-school clubs. We encourage every pupil to stretch themselves, challenging their own expectations of what they can achieve, both academically and pastorally. The exemplary pastoral care from our dedicated team of staff means your child will feel happy, secure and well cared for. In every year group, the learning experiences include a combination of teaching approaches led by the child’s class teacher or by inspirational subject specialists in modern and well equipped facilities. Whatever your child’s interests or abilities may be, they are encouraged to believe that anything is possible through diligence and perseverance. Opportunities abound here, whether academic, creative, spiritual, social, physical or otherwise. These experiences help our pupils to develop the courage to discover themselves and most importantly, to be the best they can. The positive relationship between your child, the school and home is vital. In partnership together, we enable all of our children to possess the independence, skills and knowledge required to equip them for life at Senior School. Our children leave us ambitious, confident and resilient, with the desire to succeed in everything they do in the future.

berkhamsted.com/prep

@berkhamstedprep


Heatherton Nursery - Co-Educational (2 - 4 years) Prep School - Single Sex (11 - 16 years) Heatherton is a satellite Prep school within the Berkhamsted Schools Group, located in the heart of Amersham, Buckinghamshire. Heatherton is a forward-thinking, innovative School with the role to inspire, nurture and support a love of learning. We retain a nurturing ethos and small-school feel, while also benefitting from the facilities, resources and teaching expertise of the Berkhamsted Schools Group. At Heatherton Co-Ed Nursery, it is our aim that every girl and boy develops a lively, enquiring mind and feels happy, safe and secure. We ensure that every child fulfils their potential in all aspects of their progress and growth in a nurturing and inspiring environment. We also work in close partnership with parents to ensure that we give every child the highest quality of care and education, according to their individual needs. Our core-curriculum is varied, and with specialist teachers and facilities, including a food technology classroom and science lab, we ensure that every girl is prepared to succeed. Extensive opportunities are available for pupils with special talents in Sport, Drama, Art or Music, and we champion oracy with a core LAMDA programme. With consistently strong results in the 11+, many of our pupils go on to their first choice of secondary School, including Berkhamsted Girls and local grammars. We are a proudly single-sex environment for girls aged 4-11. Research has repeatedly shown how girls’ schools can foster self-confidence, empowerment and emotional intelligence, not to mention they often outperform their co-educational counterparts. At Heatherton, we make a particularly dedicated effort to promote opportunities in STEM and other male-dominated fields, dispelling gender stereotypes and allowing our girls to become trailblazers in whatever career they may choose. Our strong pastoral system helps children to feel happy and supported at School. With a dedicated form tutor and House system, we build an environment of cooperation and support. The education the girls receive at Heatherton encourages them to be ambitious yet compassionate, nurturing them to develop into remarkable people.

heatherton.com

@heathertonschool


Berkhamsted Girls - Single-Sex (11 – 16 years) 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 are just as important for the development of our young people. In our ‘diamond’ teaching structure, girls are taught in singlesex academic lessons – which we believe enables girls to flourish academically in the classroom environment with a focused approach to learning. Girls participate in numerous co-educational activities, events and trips with pupils from Berkhamsted Boys allowing them to enjoy the social benefits of interacting with one another as well as learning how to collaborate and work together effectively. Those who move on to Berkhamsted Sixth will reunite with boys in a coeducational environment that more closely mirrors life beyond School. At Berkhamsted Girls we encourage our girls to be adventurous, innovative and confident in their academic studies, empowering them to aim high with integrity – both academically and personally. We do this by combining exceptionally high-quality teaching and state-of-the-art facilities with a personalised education encompassing a deep understanding of the girls and their individual needs. The nurturing and aspirational environment that we cultivate at Berkhamsted Girls aims to inspire the girls to follow their passions and whet their appetite for learning. Every girl is placed into a House, with regular communication with their Head of House and year-group tutor allowing for both curricular and pastoral wellbeing to be closely monitored and supported. With pupils across years sharing a House space, our pastoral system also allows girls of all ages to connect, form friendships and learn from each other. We offer an extensive extra-curricular programme as we believe the skills and abilities pupils develop beyond the classroom are as important as academic achievements. It is the moments of fun and excitement which will make ordinary days extraordinary! Our approach supports our pupils’ development into adventurous, confident and resilient young women ready to embrace the opportunities and challenges that lie before them.

berkhamsted.com/girls

@berkhamstedgirls


Berkhamsted Boys - Single-Sex (11 – 16 years) Berkhamsted Boys is a close-knit community within the larger family of Berkhamsted Schools. We are able to harness a boy’s enthusiasm fostered by a breadth of opportunity and combine it with rigour, high expectations and support through our House system. Through regular contact and communication with their Head of House and year-group tutor each boy is known as an individual allowing for their academic and extracurricular progress and pastoral wellbeing to be nurtured and monitored closely. In our ‘diamond’ teaching structure, boys are taught in single-sex academic lessons from Years 7 – 11, which allows for a more precisely adapted and focused approach to teaching. However, whilst the boys’ and girls’ lessons take place separately they often come together through the extensive range of extra-curricular activities, trips and house events. After GCSEs, many pupils continue their studies at Berkhamsted Sixth, where girls and boys reunite in a co-educational environment. This change in social setting, alongside the open-plan office style of the Zaha Hadid Sixth Form building, helps prepare students for the future beyond School. The boys’ learning experiences within and beyond the classroom are founded on a commitment not just to achieving mastery of subject content but a love and understanding of learning itself and to developing dispositions which equip them for life beyond school. The higher education and employment landscape they will enter will require curiosity, creative-thinking and adaptability as well as technical skills or knowledge: our approach focuses on nurturing these qualities so that their Berkhamsted education serves them throughout their lives and is not just for the purpose of sitting examinations. It is central to our vision that every boy finds their skill, talent or passion and flourishes in both character and confidence as a result. There is so much by which they can be motivated and inspired: excellent teaching; thriving drama and music departments; outstanding sports facilities and coaching and an array of Outdoor Education activities We teach boys at Berkhamsted to be ambitious yet compassionate, courteous and honourable. Our aim is to nurture our pupils, developing them into remarkable people with the motivation to succeed in the future.

berkhamsted.com/boys

@berkhamstedboys


Berkhamsted Sixth - Co-Educational (16 – 18 years) Berkhamsted Sixth is a dynamic and diverse community that offers a stimulating and supportive transition between school and university or the world of work. We support our students to develop into independent, motivated and self-disciplined young adults, who thrive at Berkhamsted and beyond. Our new Zaha Hadid Sixth form centre, opened in March 2025, is a forward-facing, purpose-built space designed to reflect how young people learn, work and collaborate in the modern world. The open-plan design of the building imitates modern offices, with extensive space for both collaboration and independent study, allowing students to work flexibly in a shared environment. Teaching spaces are built intentionally around the Harkness model, with boardroom style tables bringing discussion, collaboration and student voice to the forefront of learning. We encourage every student to take advantage of the many opportunities available to them, from their studies and extra-curricular activities to the chance to serve others in charitable roles. We encourage our students to follow their passions, benefitting from a sense of purpose, pride and fulfilment. We look to challenge them to try their hardest and to aim high with integrity. Our students leave us as happy, healthy, young adults who appreciate the opportunities they have, developing into successful and fulfilled adults who will use the advantages of their education not just to aim high, but also to help others. We believe our system maximises our students’ chances of achieving their potential of the highest grades at A Level, enabling them to secure a place at their chosen university or on a respected apprenticeship scheme. The majority of our students earn a place at their first choice of university, taking up places at the top institutions in the UK including Oxford, Cambridge and the Russell Group universities. We also provide substantial individual careers advice for those who are interested in choosing a professional pathway immediately after Sixth Form. Supported by our dedicated staff who enable students to develop a love of learning that will stay with them for life and help them to develop important transferable skills, every pupil at Berkhamsted Sixth develops responsibility, direction, self-discipline, organisation and independence so that they can make a successful transition to Higher Education or the world of work.

berkhamsted.com/sixth

@berkhamstedsixth


Academic Results 2026 A Level results (includes EPQ results) Grade Total RAW% Cumulative %

A* 180 23.7 23.7

A 266.5 35.2 58.9

B 188.5 24.9 83.8

C 94 12.4 96.2

D and below 29 3.8 100.0

8 404 22.4 56.5

7 346 19.2 75.7

6 223 12.4 88.1

5 109 6.0 94.1

2026 GCSE results Grade Total RAW% Cumulative %

9 616 34.1 34.1

4 & below 106 5.9 100.0

Beyond Berkhamsted

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When the journey at Berkhamsted School comes to an end … it is just the beginning as life as an Old Berkhamstedian. Our students leave Berkhamsted as innovative and resilient people who are motivated by their next adventurous step. There are many avenues open to our alumni, all of which are fully supported and encouraged as they pursue their chosen direction during their time at Berkhamsted Sixth.

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University Ranking - Top 20 Universities - Times University Guide 2026

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22 3

9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 7

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Apprenticeships x Department of Energy x Taylor Wesson Law Firm x Other Career Paths x Pilot School x Army x Art College x Drama School x Norland Nannies x International Universities x AGH University, Krakow x Eindhoven University of Technology x Thomas College, Maine x Trinity College, Dublin x University of Toronto x


Character and Leadership Development At Berkhamsted we work to ensure that every child will flourish. Flourishing involves being able to fulfil your potential, having a deep sense of purpose in your life and having positive relationships with others. A ‘remarkable person’ is someone who develops their own flourishing, and the flourishing of those around them. Great outcomes (fruits) are underpinned by strong learning behaviours (shoots) and robust character (roots). We develop all three of these aspects through tutor-led coaching and reflective practice. A wide range of leadership opportunities are on offer at each stage of the school journey to foster the self-belief and skills required for each student to thrive into early adult life. Our approach is informed by the latest research from institutions such as the Association for Character Education, the Human Flourishing Programme at Harvard University and the Jubilee Centre for Character and Virtue at Birmingham University.

character strength SELECT Which do you want to improve?

REFLECT How did it go? What next?

THE FLOURISHING CYCLE

FLEX

Find a challenge to grow that character strength.

berkhamsted.com


Smartphone-fee school Pro Tech - Pro Boundaries In 2023, Berkhamsted first introduced Yondr: lockable pouches that sealed pupil’s phones from access during the school day. After further discussions with leading neuroscientist Dr Sarah Jayne Blakemore, parent focus groups and research, we have made the decision to become a smartphone-free school. In September 2024 we launched smartphone-free to our Prep school. In September 2025, we introduced our first smartphone-free cohort for Year 7s. We use the Yondr phone pouch system for all pupils in Years 7 to 11. Year 7 and Year 8 will both be smartphone-free from 2026.

Why Berkhamsted has made the change •

2024 Policy Exchange saw that children at smartphone-free schools get GCSE results 1-2 grades higher. Our 2025 and 2026 cohort examination results were record-breaking.

•

Building Digital Resilience: Recognise the importance of a healthy balance between pro tech and pro boundaries.

•

Character Education: Building social skills for pupils, beyond smartphones.

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Enabling high participation levels in Sport.

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Better focus, more sleep and engaged individuals

•

At Berkhamsted, lunchtimes are now spent talking to friends, playing sport, and exploring passions in new extracurriculars options.

berkhamsted.com/our-approach-to-technology/


Our Location

Our Location Cambridge 2 hours by car

A5

STANSTED

LUTON Aylesbury A41

BERKHAMSTED

Hemel Hempstead

OXFORD 1 hours 15mins by car

M1

M25 M40

Our location allows Senior pupils to travel on a direct train from Central London in under 30 minutes with just a 5 minute walk to campus or to use our wide-reaching network of daily school coach routes.

Euston HEATHROW CENTRAL LONDON M4

Leeds Liverpool

Manchester

GREATER LONDON

Leicester

Birmingham

Cambridge

BERKHAMSTED Oxford

London

GATWICK

30 mins from London Euston

40 mins from London Heathrow


Getting here 14 dedicated late coach routes for Senior and Chaperoned routes for our younger pupils.

Travel to Berkhamsted is easy with dedicated coach routes including late services for senior pupils that are participating in extra-curricular activities after school. We also offer two chaperoned coach routes for pupils in Year 3 and up on our morning and evening services.

PrePrep/Prep

From Year 3, pupils can join one of our chaperoned bus routes to and from School. Pupils in Year 5 and Year 6 may join older siblings on the other routes within our network upon gaining Home to School Coach Routes permission from the Prep Headteacher. G

L Aston Abbots

Stewkley

Wing

Edlesborough

Northall

Studham

Holywell

Luton

Dagnall

Luton

Luton

Luton

Luton

Luton

Luton

Luton

Luton

Luton

Luton

Luton

Luton

Caddington Little Gaddesden Markyate

C

F

Cheverells Green

Princes Risborough

Princes Risborough

Monks Risborough

Askett

Butlers Cross

Wendover

Hemel Hempstead

Halton

Redbourn

Harpenden

Harpenden

Hatching Green

Tring

J Penn Street

Holmer Green

South Heath

Great Missenden

Hazelmere

Lee Common

Ballinger

PM Route

AMRoute

Great Kingshill

Penn

Northwood

Chalfont St Giles

Beaconsfield

Beaconsfield

Northwood Hills

Eastcote

Pinner

Farnham Common

Egypt

Old Beaconsfield

Route A Gerrards Cross & Stoke Poges Route B

Stoke Poges

Stoke Poges

Gerrards Cross

Ruislip

M Chorleywood

Little Chalfont

Chesham

Amersham

Lye Green

Late 1

Gerrards Cross

Ruislip

Late 2

Harpenden & St Albans

Route C Princes Risborough

Late 3

Beaconsfield

Late 4

Ruislip

Route D Beaconsfield

Little Kingshill

Route E

Little Kingshill & Great Missenden

Route F

Harpenden

Route G Stewkley

Chesham

Route H Penn

K

Route I

Chalfont St Peter

Harpenden

Amersham

Chalfont St Peter

Chalfont St Peter

Amersham

Redbourn

Ruislip

Key to Routes

Seer Green

A E

Ruislip Manor

I Farnham Royal

Amersham

B

Rickmansworth

D

Little Kingshill

Late Coach Routes

Radlett

London Colney

Chesham

Chartridge

Beaconsfield

Beaconsfield

H

St Albans

N

Prestwood

Penn

Leverstock Green

Hemel Hempstead

Chesham Bois

Amersham

Route J

Gerrards Cross

Chalfont St Peter

Harpenden

Gerrards Cross St Albans

St Albans

Chalfont St Giles, Seer Green & Farnham Royal Radlett & St Albans

Route K

Chalftont St Peter

Route L

Luton

Route M Chorleywood Route N Beaconsfield

St Albans St Albans

Chesham

Chesham

Little Chalfont

Chalfont St Giles

Chorleywood

Rickmansworth

Northwood

Pinner

Seer Green

Eastcote

Beaconsfield

Please refer to the travel section of Parent Portal for more information. Including the current timetable, location maps, pictures of stop locations and details of pupil travel options. schoolcoaches@berkhamsted.com

Ruislip Manor

01442 358039

www.berkhamsted.com

Home to School Routes MichaelmasTerm26 © Berkhamsted Schools Group

berkhamsted.com/travel – for the most up to date information Coach routes are kept under review and are subject to change. Where sufficient demand exists, we are always willing to consider additional routes: please contact our Transport Manager on schoolcoaches@berkhamsted.com with suggestions.


Developing remarkable people

If you have any questions, would like to know more about the Group or would like to visit any one of our Schools please contact the Admissions Team who will be happy to help.

01442 358001

admissions@berkhamsted.com

berkhamsted.com Updated September 2026


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