Berkhamsted School
Berkhamsted School is a renowned independent day school located in Hertfordshire, England, with a storied history that dates back to 1541. Over the years, it has developed into a prominent educational institution, distinguished by its innovative diamond structure that blends co-educational and single-gender teaching. Committed to academic excellence, pastoral support, and a wide range of extracurricular activities, Berkhamsted provides a comprehensive education for students aged 3 to 18.
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Berkhamsted School Overview
Berkhamsted School is located in the historic market town of Berkhamsted, Hertfordshire. Established in 1541 by John Incent, Dean of St Paul’s Cathedral, it boasts a rich tradition of academic achievement and character development. Upholding its values—Aim High with Integrity, Be Adventurous, and Serve Others—the school promotes leadership, resilience, and a strong sense of community.
Renowned for its academic excellence, structured house system, and extensive co-curricular opportunities, the school also provides dedicated pastoral care. This nurturing environment has helped students achieve remarkable success, with 83% gaining admission to their first-choice universities, while many others have received upgraded offers due to exceptional results.
Diamond Structure
Berkhamsted School uses a unique diamond structure, blending co-educational and single-gender teaching for optimal learning and development:
・Early Years & Prep (Ages 3-11): Boys and girls learn together in a co-educational setting, fostering collaboration and foundational skills. A girls-only prep school with a co-educational nursery is also available in Amersham, Buckinghamshire.
・Senior Years (Ages 11-16): Students are taught in single-gender classes while sharing facilities and extracurricular activities, balancing academic focus with social interaction.
・Sixth Form (Ages 16-18): Students return to a fully co-educational environment, promoting teamwork, independence, and confidence, with a new state-of-the-art Sixth Form Centre supporting university and career preparation.
This system combines the social benefits of co-education with the academic focus of single-gender teaching, nurturing both personal and academic growth.
Berkhamsted School Courses And Programmes
Berkhamsted School offers a comprehensive curriculum and progressive learning
experience for students aged 3 to 18.
Pre-Prep (Ages 3-7):
The Early Years Foundation Stage focuses on seven key areas: Personal, Social, and Emotional Development; Communication and Language; Physical Development; Literacy; Mathematics; Understanding the World; and Expressive Arts and Design, enriched by specialist instruction in Drama, French, Music, and Physical Development.
In Key Stage One (Years 1-2), the curriculum follows the National Curriculum, enhanced by specialist teaching in Art, Drama, IT, French, Music, and Physical Education.
Prep (Ages 7-11):
Prep School combines academics with social, emotional, and physical development. It focuses on life skills, critical thinking, and tech/media fluency, using neuroscience and metacognition to foster self-aware, proactive learners.
Senior School (Ages 11-16):
Berkhamsted Senior School uses a “diamond structure,” teaching boys and girls separately from ages 11 to 16, while other stages are co-educational. The core curriculum includes English, Maths, and six GCSE options, with at least one science required. Students are encouraged to balance their choices with a language, a humanities subject, and a creative discipline, with options to take all three sciences or advanced maths.
Sixth Form (Ages 16-18):
Sixth Form students typically take three A-Levels (optionally four), choosing from 26 subjects, including Art, Biology, Business, Chemistry, Computer Science, Drama and Theatre Studies, Economics, English Literature, French, Geography, History, Mathematics, Music, Physical Education, Physics, Politics, Psychology, Religious Studies – Philosophy & Ethics, Sociology, and Spanish.
EPQ
Students may also pursue an EPQ (worth half an A-Level) to deeply explore a personal interest.
Berkhamsted School Courses And Programmes
Berkhamsted’s boarding program offers more than accommodation—it fosters a vibrant, inclusive community where students build lasting friendships and enjoy a balanced school experience.
For male boarders, the program seamlessly extends their daily school life, providing a home away from home while maintaining strong connections with day students. Spacious boarding houses, located near campus, ensure comfort and convenience. Weekends feature activities such as ice skating, cinema trips, and social gatherings, keeping life engaging.
Female boarders develop independence within a supportive setting. With flexible boarding options available from an early age, they experience both structure and community. Their ensuite-equipped houses combine comfort with modern amenities, while shared cooking spaces, common areas, and weekend excursions foster a dynamic living environment.
All boarders benefit from excellent facilities, structured routines, and weekend trips to London. Beyond academics, Berkhamsted’s boarding life cultivates independence, new experiences, and lifelong memories.
Berkhamsted School Pastoral Care
Berkhamsted School places pastoral care at the core of its educational philosophy, providing comprehensive support to ensure each student’s academic and personal development. Through a well-established framework, the institution cultivates a secure and nurturing environment that promotes student welfare, resilience, and individual growth.
House System and Individual Support
Berkhamsted School’s dual house system integrates each student into both day and boarding communities, ensuring personalized oversight. A dedicated team of housemasters, tutors and pastoral specialists provides comprehensive academic and emotional support, maintaining regular communication with students and parents through systematic individual meetings to monitor progress and wellbeing.
Well-being and Mental Health
Berkhamsted prioritizes student well-being through a comprehensive support system. The school implements mental health initiatives including professional counseling, peer mentoring, and educational workshops covering stress management and mindfulness techniques. A specially designated Well-being Center offers students private access to support services in a tranquil environment.
Developing Character and Life Skills
Berkhamsted’s pastoral program extends beyond academic support to cultivate essential life skills. The school fosters personal growth through structured leadership initiatives, character development curricula, and a values-based community ethos. This holistic approach develops students’ self-assurance, autonomy, and interpersonal competencies while instilling social responsibility and ethical principles.
A Culture of Inclusivity and Respect
Berkhamsted cultivates an inclusive learning environment that celebrates diversity and encourages authentic self-expression. The school implements robust safeguarding measures, including comprehensive anti-bullying protocols, digital citizenship education, and peer-led support systems, to maintain a safe and nurturing community for all students.
Berkhamsted School Admissions
Berkhamsted Girls and Berkhamsted Boys Senior School
Berkhamsted School accepts international student applications for weekly/full boarding programs starting from Year 9 (age 13+). Availability is limited – prospective families should contact the International Admissions Office at internationaladmissions@berkhamsted.com for current enrollment information.
Berkhamsted Sixth Form
Berkhamsted School invites applications from international students seeking weekly or full boarding placements in Year 12 (ages 16-18). Limited spaces are available. For current admission details, please contact our International Admissions Office at internationaladmissions@berkhamsted.com.
Berkhamsted School Extracurricular Activities
Berkhamsted offers an extensive co-curricular programme designed to cultivate leadership, teamwork, and resilience through diverse activities across multiple disciplines.
Sport
Students participate in a wide range of curricular and extra-curricular sports, including rugby, basketball, swimming, squash, football, and netball. Regular inter-house competitions and school fixtures provide competitive opportunities, with teams frequently representing the school in regional and national events.
Music
The school boasts a vibrant musical culture, with choirs, orchestras, and ensembles performing in concerts, recitals, and large-scale productions. Instrumental and vocal tuition is available, alongside specialist-led programmes. Highlights include the acclaimed ‘Big Band’ and the annual Young Berkhamsted Musician of the Year competition, judged by industry professionals.
Drama
Facilities include a 500-seat theatre and studio spaces, supported by full-time technical staff. Students engage in productions ranging from in-house performances to appearances at the Edinburgh Fringe Festival under Greene Shoots Theatre, often earning critical acclaim. LAMDA qualifications (up to Grade 8) are available, enhancing UCAS applications.
Art & Photography
The department fosters creativity through varied media, open studios, and competitions. The Kings Campus Art Studio features modern facilities for traditional and digital art, alongside structured workshops and residential trips.
Outdoor Education
Adventure-based learning includes climbing, bushcraft, scuba diving, and high ropes. Students pursue Duke of Edinburgh Awards (Bronze to Gold), while the Combined Cadet Force (CCF) develops leadership through military-style training and expeditions.
This holistic programme ensures students gain skills beyond the classroom, preparing them for future success.
Berkhamsted School Reviews
Isaac, Incents (Boys) Boarder
“Berkhamsted provides an outstanding academic environment while offering exceptional extracurricular opportunities to maximize every student’s potential. The supportive boarding community creates an ideal atmosphere for focused study. For those seeking a first-class British education, I wholeheartedly recommend Berkhamsted.”
Kate, St John’s (Girls) Boarder
“Attending Berkhamsted stands as one of my most pivotal life decisions. I consider it a privilege to have been part of this close-knit academic community that fostered such familial bonds. The school’s profound impact continues to reveal itself, with many invaluable lessons gaining deeper significance as time progresses.”
Ms Chan, current Incents Boarder parent
“Berkhamsted offers an exceptional educational environment that combines safety with academic excellence. Its unique dual-house system provides day students with gradual boarding integration, creating a supportive transition into residential life.
The diamond structure model – with gender-specific learning during senior years transitioning to co-educational sixth form – demonstrates thoughtful pedagogical design that optimally supports students’ developmental needs at each stage.
We are profoundly grateful for the joyful and transformative boarding experience Berkhamsted has provided our son, marking the beginning of an enriching new life chapter.”
Berkhamsted School Contact Information
- Official website: https://www.berkhamsted.com/
- Location: Overton House 133, High Street, Berkhamsted, Hertfordshire HP4
2DJ - Email address: internationaladmissions@berkhamsted.com
- Phone: +44(0)1442358001
Frequently Asked Questions
When is the application deadline for boarding students?
Applications must be submitted by September of the year before the intended start date.
What co-curricular activities are available at Berkhamsted School?
The school offers a wide range of activities, including sports, music, drama, art, and outdoor education. Students can participate in competitive sports, join musical ensembles, take part in theatre productions, explore creative arts, and engage in leadership opportunities like the Duke of Edinburgh Award and the Combined Cadet Force (CCF).
What is Berkhamsted School's "Diamond Structure" about?
Berkhamsted School follows a diamond structure, where students are taught co-educationally in the Pre-Prep, Prep, and Sixth Form stages but are taught separately by gender between the ages of 11 and 16. This approach balances the benefits of both single-sex and co-educational learning.
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