March 2025
Berkhamsted School opened its new Sixth Form named the Zaha Hadid Building, designed to foster independence and collaboration and tailored to Sixth Form students' needs as they transition to adulthood.
All-through school
Berkhamsted School
Berkhamsted School caters for all ages from Day Nursery to Sixth Form with day and boarding options.
Day fees
£12,694 – £32,532
Entry
Interview + Taster DaySelective
Next deadline
Fri 23 Oct 2026Scholarship deadline
Updated 4 months agosource
At a glance
Key facts
Head
Nick Cale
Principal
Gender
Co-ed
Pupils
1,439
Location
Berkhamsted, Hertfordshire
Suburban setting
Day or boarding
Day and boarding
Age range
0 to 18
Religious ethos
Anglican/Christian
Founded
1541
Entry points
4+, 7+, 11+, 13+, 16+
ISI inspection
Excellent
School buses
Yes
Wraparound care
Available
Show 4 more factsShow fewer facts
Bursaries
Available
Scholarships
Sport, Drama, Art +2
A-level A*–A
57%
2025
GCSE 9–7
53%
2025
Overview
About Berkhamsted School
Berkhamsted School offers education from nursery age (0) through to Sixth Form (18), with co-educational provision across all stages. The school includes Day Nursery, Pre-Prep, Prep, Heatherton Nursery and Prep for girls, Boys and Girls Senior Schools, and Sixth Form. Boarding and day options are available for senior pupils. The school maintains a strong bursary and scholarship programme to support talented pupils from diverse backgrounds.
Houseroom EditorialOur take
Houseroom Editorial
Our take
Independent co-ed all-through school in Hertfordshire, day or boarding. Selective entry.
Best for
- Families wanting one school across the whole journey rather than separate prep + senior.
- Families who prefer a co-educational setting over single-sex.
- Families weighing day vs boarding — both are offered.
- Children who can demonstrate strong academics at entry assessment — this is a selective school.
Watch-outs
- Selective entry — assume some form of assessment at the relevant entry point. Plan tutoring or familiarisation early if needed.
AdmissionsApplication timeline
Admissions
Application timeline
- TBCOpen dayTo be confirmedJune of year preceding entry (Year 5)Experience Days for Prospective Pupils
Not yet published: registration opens, registration closes, bursary deadline, assessment, interview, offers, acceptance deadline.
UpcomingOpen events
Upcoming
Open events
Private tours by arrangement with admissions.
Fees & costFees
Fees & cost
Fees
£12,694 – £32,532per year · Day · 2026-27 · est. (3 x term)
Extras: registration, deposit, uniform, lunches, trips, music lessons, exam fees.
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Questions about Berkhamsted School?
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Quick answers about Berkhamsted School
Answered only from Berkhamsted School's verified details on Houseroom, with sources. For anything else, ask admissions.
Financial supportBursaries & Scholarships
Financial support
Bursaries & Scholarships
Beyond the classroomActivities & co-curricular
Beyond the classroom
Activities & co-curricular
sport
LacrosseNetballSports TeamsFootballRugbySportHockeyCricket
music
Music EnsemblesNational Youth Music Theatre (external)
drama
National Youth Theatre (external)DramaSHREK the Musical
academic club
Leadership SocietiesDebatingINK student magazineSalter's Chemistry FestivalIntermediate Mathematics ChallengeDebating Society
service
Senior Citizens Tea PartyDuke of Edinburgh Award
On campusFacilities
On campus
Facilities
sports
Sports Centre with 25m Swimming Pool and Astro Pitch
arts
Theatre with 500 Seats
academic
Outdoor Centre with High Ropes (off-site)Old HallNew Sixth Form Centre
OutcomesLatest exam results
Outcomes
Latest exam results
57%
A-level A*–A
53%
GCSE 9–7
DestinationsWhere leavers go
Destinations
Where leavers go
3%
to Oxbridge (2025)
75%
to Russell Group
| 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Cohort | 205 | 214 | 215 | 195 | 170 |
| Oxbridge | 6 | 8 | 5 | 3 | 5 |
| Russell Group | 154 | 143 | 112 | 143 | 120 |
| US Ivy | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Medicine | 2 | 1 | 1 | 5 | 3 |
Top universities (2025)
University of Birmingham22
Durham University20
University of Nottingham16
University of Exeter14
University of Bristol10
University of Warwick9
University of Leeds7
Newcastle University7
CurriculumQualifications offered
Curriculum
Qualifications offered
GCSEA-level
In the newsRecent coverage
In the news
Recent coverage
August 2024
Berkhamsted School reported that 70.6% of the 2024 GCSE cohort achieved grades 7 to 9, with 21.3% attaining grade 9.
AlumniNotable alumni
Alumni
Notable alumni
Sir David Jason (actor)Sir Peter Bottomley (politician)Sir John Mortimer (barrister and author)Sir Richard Jolly (development economist)Sir Tim Rice (lyricist)Sir John Gielgud (actor)Sir Michael Havers (Attorney General)Sir John Houghton (climate scientist)
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Fit for your child
Is Berkhamsted School right for your child?
Score it on travel, academics, support and budget.
Check fit for my childCommunityHouse system
Community
House system
Pupils belong to houses.
Pastoral careWellbeing
Pastoral care
Wellbeing
Berkhamsted School operates a house system supporting pastoral care and pupil welfare, with students actively participating in house activities and leadership roles such as House Captains to foster community and wellbeing.
RegulationInspection
Regulation
Inspection
ISI inspection, date TBC
Excellent
CalendarTerm dates 2026/27
Calendar
Term dates 2026/27
Autumn9 Sept 2026 → 11 Dec 2026Half-term 26 Oct 2026–6 Nov 2026
Spring4 Jan 2027 → 25 Mar 2027Half-term 15 Feb 2027–19 Feb 2027
Summer12 Apr 2027 → 9 Jul 2027Half-term 31 May 2027–4 Jun 2027
PathwaysFeeder schools
Pathways
Feeder schools
1 offer
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Also consider
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FAQQuestions parents ask
FAQ
Questions parents ask
What kind of child is Berkhamsted School best for?+
Berkhamsted School suits: Families wanting one school across the whole journey rather than separate prep + senior; Families who prefer a co-educational setting over single-sex; Families weighing day vs boarding — both are offered; Children who can demonstrate strong academics at entry assessment — this is a selective school.
How much are the fees at Berkhamsted School?+
Day fees at Berkhamsted School are £4,231 to £10,844 a term in 2026-27 (£12,694 to £32,532 a year). Boarding fees are £18,558 a term in 2026-27 (£55,674 a year). Extras such as lunches, uniform and trips are on top.
When is the next open day at Berkhamsted School?+
The next open day at Berkhamsted School is on 14 October 2026. Booking is usually required.
How does admissions work?+
Berkhamsted School is selective. Expect an entrance assessment at each entry point.
Does Berkhamsted School support SEND?+
Berkhamsted School offers some SEND support. Ask admissions which needs it can meet.
What ages does Berkhamsted School take?+
Berkhamsted School takes pupils from age 0 to 18.
Is Berkhamsted School a day or boarding school?+
Berkhamsted School offers both day and boarding places.
Is Berkhamsted School co-educational or single-sex?+
Berkhamsted School is co-educational, taking both boys and girls.
Where is Berkhamsted School?+
Berkhamsted School is in Hertfordshire, HP4 2DJ.
How do I contact admissions at Berkhamsted School?+
Contact Berkhamsted School by email at enquiries@berkhamsted.com or phone on 01442358000.
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