Duncombe School
School summary
A small independent prep in Hertford, Duncombe School educates around 231 boys and girls from age two through to eleven. The Independent Schools Inspectorate awarded the school its highest grade of 'excellent', both for the quality of pupils' education and for their personal development, while compliance requirements were met in full. With a modest roll and a wide age span, the school offers a close-knit setting in which children can be known well as they progress from the nursery to the top of the school. The school is led by headteacher Mr Jeremy Phelan.
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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Inspection reports
- ISI rating
- excellent
- ISI personal development
- excellent
- Last inspected
- 1 July 2025
Teaching & academics
An 'excellent' ISI judgement places Duncombe among the more highly regarded prep schools, reflecting strong achievement across the primary years. Around 6.6 per cent of pupils receive SEN support, suggesting the school accommodates a range of learning needs alongside its academic provision. The small size allows teaching to remain personal as children prepare for the move on at eleven.
Head · Mr Jeremy Phelan
School life & ethos
- Boarding
- No
- SEN support
- 6.64%
- EHC plans
- 0.37%
Mobile phone policy
Only year 6 can have a phone but they are handed in and kept in the school office during the day, not allowed to keep them with them.
Fees & bursaries
- Day fees (per year)
- £13,365 - £17,955
Schools nearby
Hertford Prep
Hertford, East of England
St John's Preparatory and Senior School
Potters Bar, Greater London
St Albans High School for Girls Prep
Wheathampstead, East of England
East Hall School
Hitchin, East of England
Freshsteps Independent school
Brimsdown, Greater London
Aldwickbury School
Harpenden, East of England
Watch Passmate decide how to teach.
Answer as a child would. Left: what they see. Right: what it learns about them.
A small, high-performing prep where children can be known individually from nursery to eleven, backed by an 'excellent' inspection across the board.
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.
Works alongside your child’s tutor - not instead of them.
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Duncombe School 11+: frequently asked questions
Compiled from public data. Last checked 5 June 2026.