Girls (co-ed sixth)IndependentBoarding

Berkhamsted School

Berkhamsted, Hertfordshire, East of England · HP4 2DJ

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.

410

Pupils

excellent

ISI

£31,140

Day fees / yr

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Overview & data

Gender: Girls (co-ed sixth)
Type: independent (fee-paying) school
Age range: 11-18
Pupils: 410
Location: Berkhamsted, Hertfordshire, East of England
Website: www.berkhamsted.com
Telephone: 01442 358000

Entrance & admissions

Entry age: 11

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Headteacher

Head Jo Vila

Latest results

Attainment 8

12.2

National average 46.9

GCSE grade 5+ (English & Maths)

National average 47%

GCSE grade 9-7

75%

A-level A*-A

57%

A-level A*-B

82%

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.

Sixth form

Sixth-form pupils: 179

Popular A-level subjects

EconomicsBusiness StudiesPsychology

Qualifications offered

GCSEA-level

Learning support & SEN

SEN support: 24.67%
EHC plans: 0.14%

Arts & extracurricular

Scholarships

AcademicDramaMusicSports

Languages

FrenchSpanishChineseMandarin

Popular GCSE subjects

Physical Education/Sports StudiesMusicLatinDesign & TechnologyD&T Food TechnologyClassical CivilisationChineseArt & Design

Sport

Main sports

LacrosseNetballCricketFootball

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.

Ethos & heritage

Founded: 1541
Religious character: Christian
Boarding: Yes

Mobile phone policy

Yondr pouches used during school day; Year 7 pupils not allowed smartphones on school sites since September 2025

Money matters

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

Inspection reports

ISI rating: excellent
ISI personal development: excellent
Last inspected: 11 February 2025

Read the full inspection report ↗

The last word

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.

The Passmate verdict