Ages 
A busy, buzzing, highly successful school with huge self-belief, energy and high expectations. Confident, self-motivated, serial joiners-in with matching aspirations will be in their element. Fruit flies, required to make the ultimate sacrifice, might want to think twice.
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Overview & data
- Pupil numbers
- 920 ·
- Sixth form numbers
- 360 ·
- Offers boarding
- Yes ·
- Religion
- C of E
- Fees
- Day £27,315 - £41,100; Boarding £36,030 - £56,796 pa
- Local authority
- Hertfordshire County Council
- Area guides
Headteacher
Master
Eugene du Toit
Since September 2024, Eugene du Toit, previously head of Wellington School. He has also been senior deputy head at Trinity School, Croydon and undermaster at St Paul’s School. Educated in South Africa, he studied business economics at the University
Entrance
‘If your child is confident, good at sport and academics and you wish to push them forward then [this is] the right school for them,’ says parent. ‘It’s not just about the intellect,’ confirms another. ‘The school takes your child’s personality and
- Open days
- Please see website for details
Exit
Vast majority (90 per cent) stay into sixth form. In 2025, eight to Oxbridge and five to study medicine. Top subjects included law, business, economics, engineering, politics and sciences. UK top universities: Exeter, King’s College London,
Latest results
In 2025, 82 per cent 9-7 at GCSE; 52 per cent A*/A at A level (83 per cent A*-B). IB average score 37.
A level - Average points score (2024)
What is this?
These figures tell you the average grade and average points that pupils achieved in their academic qualifications. A maximum of 60 points are available for a grade A* at A level.
Teaching & learning
Parents overwhelmingly positive about the teaching and even ISI inspectors were – almost – gushing.
Requires commitment. ‘There’s a very different vibe [now],’ says a parent. ‘The school has pushed academics – but at a price… it’s tougher than it
- Qualifications taken in 2024
- A level
- GCSE
- IB
Learning support & SEN
‘Wouldn’t rule [the school] out if child had some form of neurodiversity,’ says a parent. ‘But the child would need to be highly motivated and want to learn. If they struggle with anxiety and are nervous [would not suggest it].’
All new pupils
Arts & extracurricular
Though surprisingly few take music, drama and art at A level, there is plenty of high-level inspiration about, including just-glimpsed artist in residence. Vivid creations (art and DT) range from consequences-style pictures (toad head, tree bark
Sport
Outstanding sporting reputation remains intact. It’s just that other aspects of school life have grown up round it. Gorgeous facilities include numerous grass pitches recently augmented with brightly coloured AstroTurf versions; a vast sports hall
Boarders
Twelve centrally located senior houses (six girls’, six boys’) plus one for lower school pupils. Civilised feel, with pupils checking in during the day, grabbing a snack or changing books so not weighed down by a full day’s supply.
Two thirds of
Ethos & heritage
Founded as a boys’ boarding school in the 1860s on the site of the former East India Company training college, which closed in 1858. As the school history is unsurprisingly keen to stress, ‘This new Haileybury had no connection to the old College and
Pastoral care, inclusivity & discipline
While not an exceptionally strict school, expectations are unambiguous (parent and pupil handbook stretches to 60 densely worded pages), with every eventuality apparently catered for, from the usual temptations to local pub visits (prefects only, if
Mobile phone policy
A clear mobile phone policy is a really important part of modern schooling. This school has provided us with their policy.
Mobile phone policy
Provided by the school and not part of our review Australia University of Sydney - 1. Hong Kong Chinese University of Hong Kong - 1. Belgium KU Leuven - 2. France Instituto Marangoni - 1. University of London Institute in Paris - 1. ESSEC - 1. EDHEC - 1. Germany Buccerius - 1. WHU - 1. HMU - 1. EBS Universitat - 1 TU Munich - 1. Witten/Herdecke University - 1. Italy Bocconi - 3. San Raffaele - 1. LUISS.- 1. Humanitas - 1. IUAV - 1. Spain IE - 2. ESCP - 2. The Netherlands TU Delft - 1. University College Utrecht - 1. USA Adelphi - 1. Columbia )Sciences Po Dual Degree) - 1. Marist - 1. NYU - 2. Trinity University - 1. University of California San Diego - 1. University of California Davis - 1.
Pupils & parents
A warm, welcoming community, liked by locals – children are ‘disciplined, polite, happy’ families, said our taxi driver – a big fan. Active parents’ association and numerous events cater for parents, working and otherwise. ‘We didn’t need new friends
Money matters
There have been chunky increases in fees over recent years, though the parents we spoke to didn’t flag this as an issue. Bursaries up to 110 per cent. Academic, music and sports scholarships worth up to 10 per cent at 11+ and 13+/16+ (when art and DT
- Fee information
- Day £27,315 - £41,100; Boarding £36,030 - £56,796 pa
The last word
A busy, buzzing, highly successful school with huge self-belief, energy and high expectations. Confident, self-motivated, serial joiners-in with matching aspirations will be in their element. Fruit flies, required to make the ultimate sacrifice,
