Berkhamsted School A GSG School
- Berkhamsted School
Overton House
131 High Street
Berkhamsted
Hertfordshire
HP4 2DJ - Head: Mr Richard Backhouse
- T 01442 358001
- F 01442 358040
- E [email protected]
- W www.berkhamstedschool.org
- A mainstream independent school for pupils aged from 11 to 18 with a linked junior school
- Boarding: Yes
- Local authority: Hertfordshire
- Pupils: 1218; 61 full, 1 weekly, 14 flexi boarders; sixth formers: 404
- Religion: Christian
- Fees: Day: £17,265 - £20,640; Boarding + £5,025 - £13,950 pa
- Open days: Late September/ early October
- Review: View The Good Schools Guide Review
- Ofsted report: View the Ofsted report
- ISI report: View the ISI report
- Linked schools: Berkhamsted Pre-Prep and Prep School, Heatherton House School
What The Good Schools Guide says..
Diamond structure appears to be a winning formula as boys and girls are free to concentrate on their educations ‘without distractions’ (their words) until sixth form and yet have sufficient exposure to the opposite sex to forge good social skills via extracurricular activities, trips, etc. Parents and pupils applaud vertical house system which brings all year groups together on a regular basis, with parents of girls in particular reporting...
What the school says...
Berkhamsted's academic success is skilfully balanced by an all-round education encouraging pupils' talents in sport, music, drama and the arts and offering Duke of Edinburgh's Awards at all levels and a well-supported Combined Cadet Force. The successful mix of single-sex teaching and co-education, together with flexible boarding arrangements, suits the needs of modern families. Inspectors commended the 'relaxed, happy yet purposeful working environment creating a positive attitude.' ...Read more
What the parents say...
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Other features
All-through school (for example 3-18 years). - An all-through school covers junior and senior education. It may start at 3 or 4, or later, and continue through to 16 or 18. Some all-through schools set exams at 11 or 13 that pupils must pass to move on.
Sports
Rowing
Shooting
What The Good Schools Guide says
Principal
Since January 2016, Richard Backhouse, educated at Cheam and Marlborough followed by Selwyn College Cambridge, where he read economics. From there, took a gap year teaching sailing in Dorset and skiing in the Alps, and was promptly bitten by the teaching bug: ‘I was fizzing after my first morning with the feeling you get when you take a child from "I can’t" to "I just did".’ Decided at that point to teach ‘just for a year or two’, which led to six years at Oundle teaching economics and ultimately becoming head of year 9, followed by a stint at Bradfield as head of economics and politics, director of pastoral and extracurricular and head of a ‘difficult’ boarding house which, under his watch, became oversubscribed. From there he moved as principal to Monkton Combe School...
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Overall school performance (for comparison or review only)
Results by exam and subject
Subject results
Entry/Exit
Special Education Needs
The school provides for pupils with specific learning difficulties through individual support lessons, some in class support and a "whole school" awareness of an individual's needs. The Learning Support department can offer lessons with specialist tutors who will follow an Individual Education Plan for each pupil. The department also offers specialist advice to teachers within the school and parents on the most effective methods of supporting their children. Pupils are closely monitored and assessed by the Learning Support Department and referral to external specialists may be suggested for further advice and recommendations. A specialist teacher supports pupils with English as a second language through individual lessons and in class support if necessary. The school will ensure that access arrangements for public examinations are in place at the appropriate times.
| Condition | Provision for in school |
|---|---|
| ASD - Autistic Spectrum Disorder | |
| Aspergers | |
| Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorders | Y |
| CReSTeD registered for Dyslexia | |
| Dyscalculia | |
| Dysgraphia | |
| Dyslexia | |
| Dyspraxia | |
| English as an additional language (EAL) | |
| Genetic | |
| Has an entry in the Autism Services Directory | |
| Has SEN unit or class | |
| HI - Hearing Impairment | |
| Hospital School | |
| Mental health | |
| MLD - Moderate Learning Difficulty | |
| MSI - Multi-Sensory Impairment | |
| Natspec Specialist Colleges | |
| OTH - Other Difficulty/Disability | |
| Other SpLD - Specific Learning Difficulty | |
| PD - Physical Disability | |
| PMLD - Profound and Multiple Learning Difficulty | |
| SEMH - Social, Emotional and Mental Health | |
| SLCN - Speech, Language and Communication | |
| SLD - Severe Learning Difficulty | |
| Special facilities for Visually Impaired | |
| SpLD - Specific Learning Difficulty | |
| VI - Visual Impairment |
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Who came from where
| School | Year | Places | Scholarships | Description |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Aldwickbury School | 2017 to 2018 | 11 | 4 | Art Scholarship; Sport Scholarship; Drama Scholarship (2) |
| Beechwood Park School | 2018 | 13 | 3 | Academic Scholarship; Drama Exhibition (2) |
| Berkhamsted Pre-Prep and Prep School | 2017 to 2018 | Majority to the senior school; Majority to the senior school | ||
| Edge Grove Preparatory School | 2016 to 2018 | 4 | ||
| Gayhurst School | 2017 | 6 | 2 | Academic Scholarship; Art Scholarship |
| Godstowe Preparatory School | 2017 to 2018 | 2 | 1 | Sport Scholarship |
| Lochinver House School | 2016 | 1 | ||
| Lockers Park School | 2018 | 3 | ||
| Maltman's Green School | 2015 to 2018 | 14 | 7 | Academic Scholarship ; Academic Scholarship (2); Academic Scholarship |
| Merchant Taylors’ Prep | 2017 | 1 | ||
| North Bridge House Preparatory School | 2018 | 1 |
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