Aldwickbury School
Harpenden, Hertfordshire, East of England · AL5 1AD
Founded in 1948, Aldwickbury School is a small independent prep in Harpenden, Hertfordshire, taking pupils from ages 4 to 13 with the option of boarding. With 388 children on roll, it keeps a close-knit feel, and the Independent Schools Inspectorate awarded it its top grade of 'excellent' for both education and personal development, with all compliance requirements met. A notable feature is the firm no-mobile-phones policy, which the school links to better face-to-face friendships and everyday wellbeing. Around one in five pupils receives some form of SEN support, suggesting a willingness to work with a range of learning needs.
388
Pupils
excellent
ISI
£25,020
Day fees / yr
Free month · No card needed · Cancel anytime
Schools nearby
Open in Google Maps ↗Overview & data
- Gender
- Mixed
- Type
- independent (fee-paying) school
- Age range
- 4-13
- Pupils
- 388
- Location
- Harpenden, Hertfordshire, East of England
- Website
- https://www.aldwickbury.org.uk/
- Telephone
- 01582 713022
Headteacher
Headmaster Paul Symes
Want your child to win a place at Aldwickbury School?
Passmate builds a personalised practice plan from your target schools' exact 11+ topics - so every session moves your child closer to a place.
- Practice matched to Aldwickbury School's 11+ format
- See precisely where your child stands, topic by topic
- A profile of how they think - not just scores
Free month · No card needed
Teaching & academics
The ISI's 'excellent' rating points to consistently strong teaching and outcomes across the prep years. Academic scholarships are available, sitting alongside awards for drama, music, sport and tennis, which gives able pupils something concrete to aim for. The breadth of scholarship routes reflects a school that values achievement well beyond the classroom.
Learning support & SEN
- SEN support
- 20.11%
- EHC plans
- 0.54%
Arts & extracurricular
Scholarships
Beyond the classroom
Provision for drama, music and sport is signalled by the dedicated scholarships on offer, with tennis singled out for its own award. The phone-free environment is designed to free up time for conversation, friendships and day-to-day engagement.
Ethos & heritage
- Founded
- 1948
- Boarding
- Yes
Mobile phone policy
No mobile phones. School policy emphasises greater focus on talking face-to-face and building friendships, with significant benefits on pupils' general wellbeing and day to day performance
Money matters
- Day fees (per year)
- £18,779 - £25,020
Means-tested bursaries available
Inspection reports
- ISI rating
- excellent
- ISI personal development
- excellent
- Last inspected
- 3 June 2025
The last word
A small, top-rated prep that prizes real-world focus over screens. Means-tested bursaries help widen access to a place with genuine scholarship opportunities.
The Passmate verdict
Have you considered?
St Albans High School for Girls Prep
Wheathampstead, East of England
East Hall School
Hitchin, East of England
Bury Park Educational Institute (Al - Hikmah Secondary School)
LUTON, East of England
Mehria Primary School
East of England
Jamiatul Uloom Al - Islamia
Luton, East of England
Radlett Lodge School
Radlett, East of England
Aldwickbury School 11+: frequently asked questions
Where is Aldwickbury School located?
Aldwickbury School is located at Wheathampstead Road, Harpenden, Harpenden, AL5 1AD.
What type of school is Aldwickbury School?
Aldwickbury School is an independent (fee-paying) school in East of England.
How many pupils attend Aldwickbury School?
Aldwickbury School has approximately 388 pupils on roll.
What is Aldwickbury School's inspection rating?
Aldwickbury School is inspected by the ISI and was judged "excellent" at its inspection on 3 June 2025.
Compiled from public data. Last checked June 2026.