Basic Information & Location
Founded as a traditional boarding school in 1597, Aldenham School today offers both Day, Boarding and Flexi-Boarding options for girls and boys on the same original glorious site with easy access to central London and all that the capital offers. Pupils are able to enjoy the best of both worlds; the wide open spaces allow room to breathe, without any feeling of isolation. It really is an ideal location where both boys and girls can enjoy continuity of education from 3-18 years all on the same site.
Within this caring and well-disciplined community, set in over 110 acres of Hertfordshire countryside within the M25 yet only 13 miles from central London, it is the school’s aim that each pupil should be known as an individual and encouraged to develop their all-round gifts to the full.
School Motto
In God Is All Our Trust
Academic Development
The academic programme at Aldenham seeks to offer its pupils a breadth and diversity that allows them to develop in interesting ways.
The pupils at Aldenham will expect to be developed in a whole range of stimulating ways. Whilst the staff do of course provide excellent teaching in all the core areas of the national curriculum, they are equally delighted to be able to offer more than the bare bones of what is prescribed. The wide range of courses will enable students to gain skills and interests which they may not have had the opportunity to acquire elsewhere.
Each pupil will also have the support of a personal Tutor who will look after every aspect of their life at school, in consultation with their Housemaster / Housemistress and other House staff.
Pastoral Care & Boarding
Pastoral care influences the tone of the whole school. It is crucial in creating an atmosphere in which young people feel secure and valued as individuals, and are encouraged in their learning, growth and social development.
Aldenham is a diverse mix of boarding, flexi-boarding and day pupils. There is no stigma attached to being a Day Pupil or Boarder. The sense of Aldenham Community is so strong that loyalty to School and House outweighs any such divisions and during the School day it would be difficult to know the difference between pupils of different status. This is a real strength of the school.
At heart, Aldenham is a boarding school. This means the school focuses on educating the whole child and developing all areas of their experience, not just their academic skills. There are two dedicated Day Houses – Riding’s (Girls) and Leeman’s (Boys), but day pupils also find their homes in all boarding Houses too, and in all cases they have physical spaces to call their own, with work and recreational facilities, personal tutors, and a Housemaster or Housemistress leading the pastoral team.
Extra-curricular & Personal Development
Pupils can learn a new skill or develop an existing one from the school’s extensive activities programme of more than 50 options; often something that would not usually be included within the curriculum.
There is something for everyone, whether sporting, artistic, musical or academic. For those in Years 10 and above undertaking the Duke of Edinburgh programme, many of the activities fulfil the skills, physical and volunteering sections. Pupils may opt for activities on a termly basis although the school also encourages the development of skills over a longer period of time as well as offering the chance to experience a variety of new pursuits and challenges. Rehearsals for the school drama and dance productions take place in activity time, as do choir and orchestra rehearsals.
Sporting activities include Fives, climbing, squash, gym, sailing and golf as well as pre-season training for team players. Sixth Formers can also volunteer for community service such as helping in the Prep school or a charity shop.
