Berkhamsted School
School summary
Founded in 1541, Berkhamsted School educates girls from 11 with a co-educational sixth form, drawing on nearly five centuries of history in its Hertfordshire town. With around 410 pupils and boarding alongside day places, it sits in the larger band of independent schools and carries a Christian character. The Independent Schools Inspectorate rated the school excellent in 2025, including for pupils' personal development, and confirmed it met all compliance requirements. A notable feature is the school's partnership with Chiltern Hills Academy and its five linked schools, which sees 11+ leavers welcomed into the sixth form on full bursaries each year.
Where every mark matters.
Places are limited and demand is high, so exam performance is what sets candidates apart. Passmate turns the months ahead into ten focused minutes a day on the exact topics this school tests.
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Latest results
GCSE grade 9-7
75%
National average 23%
A-level A*-A
57%
National average 28%
A-level A*-B
82%
National average 55%
Inspection reports
- ISI rating
- excellent
- ISI personal development
- excellent
- Last inspected
- 11 February 2025
Teaching & academics
At A-level, 57% of grades reach A*-A and 82% reach A*-B, with Economics, Business Studies and Psychology among the most popular choices. At GCSE, three-quarters of grades fall in the 9-7 range, and the breadth of subjects is striking, taking in Latin, Classical Civilisation, Chinese and a range of creative and technical options. Roughly a quarter of pupils receive SEN support, suggesting a school willing to accommodate a range of learning needs.
Languages
GCSE subjects
Head · Jo Vila
Sixth form
- Sixth-form pupils
- 179
Popular A-level subjects
Qualifications offered
Beyond the classroom
Sport has a clear presence, with lacrosse, netball, cricket and football among the main offerings, and scholarships are available for sport, music, drama and academic strength. Music and the arts feature prominently across the curriculum and recognition routes.
Main sports
School life & ethos
- Founded
- 1541
- Religious character
- Christian
- Boarding
- Yes
- SEN support
- 24.67%
- EHC plans
- 0.14%
Mobile phone policy
Yondr pouches used during school day; Year 7 pupils not allowed smartphones on school sites since September 2025
Fees & bursaries
- Day fees (per year)
- £25,503 - £31,140
- Boarding fees (per year)
- £43,038 - £51,468
Means-tested bursaries available; school has links with Chiltern Hills Academy and its five schools, taking on 11+ leavers into sixth form on full bursaries every year
Schools nearby
Berkhamsted Pre-Prep and Prep School
Berkhamsted, East of England
Lockers Park School
Hemel Hempstead, East of England
Tring Park School for the Performing Arts
Tring, East of England
Beechwood Park School
St Albans, East of England
Abbot's Hill School
Hemel Hempstead, East of England
Royal Masonic School for Girls
Rickmansworth, East of England
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A historic girls' school with a co-ed sixth form and a genuine commitment to access through full bursaries. Families weighing day fees from around £25,500 against boarding costs up to £51,468 will find an academically broad, well-regarded option.
That’s where Passmate comes in. Tutoring is the most effective thing in a child’s preparation - a well-tutored child can outperform the vast majority of their peers. Passmate works alongside your tutor, not instead of them: it learns how your child thinks, finds the gaps, and shows the tutor exactly where to spend each session - so the limited time you have lands on what actually decides a place.
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Berkhamsted School 11+: frequently asked questions
Compiled from public data. Last checked 5 June 2026.