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The Haberdashers' Boys' School

The Haberdashers' Boys' School is a leading independent day school for boys aged 4 to 18, offering a broad and balanced curriculum with excellent academic results and extensive co-curricular opportunities.

Day fees
£26,223 – £32,487
Entry
Adaptive Assessment + InterviewSelective
Next deadline
Fri 6 Nov 202613+ registration closes
Updated 4 months agosource
At a glance

Key facts

Head
Mr. James Handscombe
Headteacher
Gender
Boys
Pupils
1,429
Location
Hertfordshire, Hertsmere
Rural setting
Day or boarding
Day
Age range
4 to 18
Religious ethos
Multi-faith
Founded
1690
Entry points
4+, 7+, 11+, 13+, 16+
ISI inspection
Inspected 2025
School buses
Yes
Bursaries
Up to 100% of fees
Show 3 more factsShow fewer facts
Scholarships
Music, Sport, Drama +2
A-level A*–A
75%
2024
GCSE 9–7
99%
2024
Overview

About The Haberdashers' Boys' School

The Haberdashers' Boys' School is an independent day school for boys aged 4 to 18 located in Elstree, Hertfordshire. The school offers education from Reception through Sixth Form, with entry points at 4+, 7+, 11+, 13+, and 16+. It is known for its strong academic performance, wide-ranging extracurricular activities including music, sport, drama, and outdoor education, and a supportive pastoral care system. The school prepares boys for GCSEs and A Levels, with a focus on developing well-rounded individuals.

Our take

Independent boys all-through school in Hertsmere for ages 4–18. Selective entry, top-tier fees.

Best for
  • Families wanting one school across the whole journey (ages 4–18) rather than separate prep + senior.
  • Parents who want a single-sex environment for their son.
  • Children who can demonstrate strong academics at entry assessment — this is a selective school.
  • Families comfortable with top-tier independent fees in exchange for the level of provision.
Watch-outs
  • Fees sit at the top of the independent market. Factor in extras (uniform, trips, lunches, music tuition) before committing.
  • Selective entry — assume some form of assessment at the relevant entry point. Plan tutoring or familiarisation early if needed.
  • Single-sex (boys). Comfortable for some children, less so for others — worth a visit on a normal teaching day rather than only an open-day showcase.
AI-generated guidance

Application timeline

  1. May14
    Open dayPassed
    4+ Open Event

Not yet published: registration opens, registration closes, bursary deadline, assessment, interview, offers, acceptance deadline.

Open events

Exam5 weeks away
16+ Entrance Assessment
Interview
16+ Interviews
Exam
11+ First Round Assessment

Private tours by arrangement with admissions.

Fees

£26,223 – £32,487per year · Day · 2026-27
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Quick answers about The Haberdashers' Boys' School

Answered only from The Haberdashers' Boys' School's verified details on Houseroom, with sources. For anything else, ask admissions.

Bursaries & Scholarships

Max award
100%
Means-tested
Yes
Scholarships
11
Scholarships→Bursaries→

Distinctive features

★

single-sex boys' education

★

shared co-educational campus with Habs Girls

★

extensive co-curricular offer

★

100-acre campus

Activities & co-curricular

sport

BasketballCricketFootballHockeyRowingRugbySportTennis

music

ChoirGroup Aural/Theory LessonsGroup Music LessonsHabs Fest – Habs Elstree Schools Music FestivalIndividual Music LessonsJazz BandMusicMusic EnsemblesOrchestraYear 3 Instrumental Scheme (orchestral instrument, school-funded for 1 year)

drama

DramaPerformance Drama

academic club

Chess ClubCoding ClubDebatingScience Club

service

Combined Cadet Force (CCF)Community ServiceDuke of EdinburghOutdoor Education

other

Clubs and ActivitiesCo-curricular clubs (before/after school childcare clubs exempt from VAT)Summer Fair (Boys' and Girls' School Parent Guilds, alternating host)Trips

Facilities

sports

Sports pitches and grounds

arts

Music facilitiesPerformance Drama facilities

academic

100-acre co-educational campus shared with Habs GirlsHabs Innovation CentreSchool CampusThe Habs Innovation Centre

Latest exam results

75%
A-level A*–A
99%
GCSE 9–7

Data from 2024 results

Where leavers go

9%
to Oxbridge (2025)
50%
to Russell Group
20252024202320222021
Cohort160120120120120
Oxbridge1516171215
Russell Group8080808080
US Ivy00000
Medicine————26

Qualifications offered

GCSEA-level

Notable alumni

Daniel Radcliffe (actor)Sir Tim Rice (lyricist)Mark Ronson (music producer)Sir Michael Balcon (film producer)Sir John Ritblat (property developer)Sir David Brewer (businessman)Sir Michael Lyons (public servant)
Recommended next step

Registration closes 6 Nov 2026 (11+)

Add it to your plan and book a visit before you apply.

Fit for your child

Is The Haberdashers' Boys' School right for your child?

Score it on travel, academics, support and budget.

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Wellbeing

CounsellingMental health support

The school provides pastoral care through a robust system including houses, counselling, and mental health support to ensure pupil welfare and wellbeing across all years.

Inspection

ISI inspection, 11 Feb 2025

Met
Read full ISI report →

Term dates 2026/27

Autumn7 Sept 2026 → 16 Dec 2026Half-term 19 Oct 2026–30 Oct 2026
Spring7 Jan 2027 → 24 Mar 2027Half-term 15 Feb 2027–19 Feb 2027
Summer13 Apr 2027 → 7 Jul 2027Half-term 31 May 2027–4 Jun 2027

The Haberdashers' Boys' School term dates and holidays →

Feeder schools

Schools like The Haberdashers' Boys' School

69%

Sherborne School

Dorset · Ages 13–18
£36,525 – £47,250
69%

Berkhamsted School

Hertfordshire · All-through · Ages 0–18
£12,694 – £32,532
69%

Tower House School

Richmond upon Thames · Prep · Ages 4–13
£20,871 – £23,667
69%

Aldenham School

Hertsmere · Senior · Ages 11–18
£32,061
68%

Mount House School

Barnet · All-through · Ages 11–18
£26,247
68%

Hafs Academy

Newham · All-through · Ages 7–16
Fees TBC

Questions parents ask

What kind of child is The Haberdashers' Boys' School best for?+

The Haberdashers' Boys' School suits: Families wanting one school across the whole journey (ages 4–18) rather than separate prep + senior; Parents who want a single-sex environment for their son; Children who can demonstrate strong academics at entry assessment — this is a selective school; Families comfortable with top-tier independent fees in exchange for the level of provision.

How much are the fees at The Haberdashers' Boys' School?+

Day fees at The Haberdashers' Boys' School are £8,741 to £10,829 a term in 2026-27 (£26,223 to £32,487 a year). Extras such as lunches, uniform and trips are on top.

When is the next open day at The Haberdashers' Boys' School?+

No dates are listed yet. Save The Haberdashers' Boys' School and we'll email you when booking opens.

How does admissions work?+

The Haberdashers' Boys' School is selective. Expect an entrance assessment at each entry point.

Does The Haberdashers' Boys' School support SEND?+

The Haberdashers' Boys' School offers some SEND support. Ask admissions which needs it can meet.

What ages does The Haberdashers' Boys' School take?+

The Haberdashers' Boys' School takes pupils from age 4 to 18.

Is The Haberdashers' Boys' School a day or boarding school?+

The Haberdashers' Boys' School is a day school.

Is The Haberdashers' Boys' School co-educational or single-sex?+

The Haberdashers' Boys' School is a boys' school.

Where is The Haberdashers' Boys' School?+

The Haberdashers' Boys' School is in Hertsmere, WD6 3AF.

How do I contact admissions at The Haberdashers' Boys' School?+

Contact The Haberdashers' Boys' School by phone on 02082661700.

Updated 11 May 2026. Sources: school website, Good Schools Guide, Tatler, Sunday Times Parent Power and Wikipedia.