Westbrook Hay School

Since 2019, Mark Brain BA (Ed). As sparky and energetic as his charges, and with surely the best teacher surname ever. Attended Warwick School, followed by degree in education from Exeter. Caught teaching bug while still at school himself. ‘I

From 3+ into nursery, with other main entry points into reception and year 7. But many join in between (sometimes mid-year) including those who reach saturation point with the concrete playgrounds of London schools or from the state sector. Youngest

New senior school means the hope is for most or all pupils to now stay on through to the end of year 11 – and early signs are very promising. Previously, most girls left at 11+ and most boys at 13+, going onto the local big names (Berko, Bedford

The premise is simple – that happy children learn best. Nothing new there, except that they really mean it – making Westbrook Hay an arguably less stressful educational journey than some of the more polished local schools. ‘Softer round the edges,

Full-time SENCo and four part-time visiting specialists support the 19 per cent on the SEN register. Mostly dyslexia, dyspraxia, ADHD and autism; school also has experience of hearing impairments. No EHCPs. Small group and one-to-ones available –

Judging from the claps and cheers from pupils watching their peers perform monologues on the lawn behind the head’s office, there's no shortage of dramatic talent – no doubt helped by the popularity of LAMDA (all but one child we met put their hand

Inclusive and lots of it. ‘One of the draws for us,’ said several parents. In earlier years, it’s about ‘sport for all’ – so every child represents the school, and they all have a go at the main sports of football, cricket, netball and rugby (all

Pastorally outstanding, and a reason many choose the school. ‘Nurturing but not overprotective,’ said one. Tons of tales of shy children coming out of their shell and becoming confident for the first time ever, and usually within a matter of weeks.

A clear mobile phone policy is a really important part of modern schooling. This school has provided us with their policy.

Families mostly from a 20-minute radius, some considerably further. St Albans, Harpenden, Berkhamsted, Tring, Watford, Kings Langley, Chesham, Chipperfield, Bovingdon, Felden, Hemel Hempstead and Aylesbury all feature. They welcome the easy access to

Means-tested bursaries available in certain circumstances. Scholarships in year 7 for academic, art, drama, music and performing arts – worth up to 25 per cent of fees.

For youngsters who strive to do their best and love getting outside, it’s hard to imagine a more exciting environment – all underpinned by warm relationships between staff and pupils. Now extended to senior school, making it the only co-ed,