Independent Schools in Hertfordshire

Lochinver House School is an independent day preparatory school for pupils aged 3 to 13, situated in Potters Bar, Hertfordshire. Established in 1947 within a characterful house on the edge of North London, the school is currently transitioning to a fully co-educational model. Now part of the Haberdashers' Elstree Schools group, it emphasises a well-rounded education that balances academic rigour with personal development. The school's ethos focuses on nurturing global citizens, supported by a broad co-curricular programme and a significant, long-standing commitment to charitable work and community engagement.

St Albans School is an independent day school for boys aged 11 to 18, with a co-educational Sixth Form. Situated adjacent to St Albans Cathedral, it is one of the world’s oldest schools, tracing its history back to 948 AD. The school occupies a historic campus including the 14th-century Abbey Gateway. Its ethos emphasises academic rigour and holistic development. Facilities include the Woollams playing fields and a modern sports centre with a swimming pool, as well as dedicated buildings for science and music, supporting a curriculum that blends traditional scholarship with contemporary learning.

Haileybury is a co-educational independent day and boarding school for pupils aged 11 to 18, set within a 500-acre campus in Hertford Heath. Established in 1862 on the site of the former East India College, the school is home to historic architecture, including a chapel by Arthur Blomfield and one of the largest academic quadrangles in the UK. Academically, the school offers both A-levels and the International Baccalaureate Diploma. Facilities include a recently developed Science and Technology Centre, which supports an ethos focused on intellectual curiosity and global citizenship.

Heath Mount School is a co-educational day and boarding preparatory school for pupils aged 2 to 13, located within the 40-acre Woodhall Park Estate in Watton-at-Stone. Established in 1796, it is one of the UK’s oldest prep schools and has occupied its Grade I listed Georgian mansion since 1934. The school maintains a nurturing ethos, balancing academic rigour with a broad enrichment programme. Its extensive grounds include woodland for Forest School and a historic walled garden, providing a scenic setting for a curriculum that focuses on both individual wellbeing and outdoor learning.

Duncombe School is a co-educational independent day school and nursery for pupils aged 2 to 11, situated in Bengeo, Hertford. Established in 1939, the school occupies a 19th-century Palladian-style mansion set within four and a half acres of woodland. The curriculum covers academic, musical, and sporting development, with a significant emphasis on outdoor education. Facilities include "The Dell," an accredited Forest School site featuring a sunken garden, alongside a floodlit Astroturf pitch and specialised studios for art, science, and music.

Howe Green House School is a co-educational independent day school for pupils aged 2 to 11, set within 13 acres of rural grounds near Bishop’s Stortford. Founded in 1987, the school provides a nurturing environment that emphasises a broad curriculum with a creative focus. Facilities include the oak-framed Mulberry Lodge for Reception and Ladywell Field, which provides extensive space for sport and outdoor education. Specialist teaching in subjects such as music, art, and drama supports the school's ethos of fostering curiosity and preparing children for the transition to secondary education.

St Albans High School for Girls (STAHS) is an independent day school for pupils aged 4 to 18. Established in 1889, the school operates across two Hertfordshire sites: the Senior School in central St Albans and the Preparatory School set within 18 acres of parkland in Wheathampstead. Rooted in the Church of England tradition, the school follows a "Teach to 25" philosophy. Facilities include a performing arts centre, an indoor swimming pool, and extensive sports grounds for lacrosse and tennis, alongside a modern Sixth Form centre.

The Royal Masonic School for Girls is an independent day and boarding school for pupils aged 2 to 18, set within 315 acres of parkland in Rickmansworth, Hertfordshire. Founded in 1788 to provide for the daughters of Freemasons, the school relocated to its present site in 1934. The campus features a blend of historic architecture and modern facilities, including a planetarium, a dedicated performing arts centre, and extensive sports grounds. The school focuses on nurturing individual talent and potential, offering a broad curriculum alongside a diverse range of extracurricular activities.

Sherrardswood School is a co-educational day school for pupils aged 2 to 18, located in Welwyn, Hertfordshire. The school is housed in Lockleys, a Grade II listed Georgian mansion, and set within 25 acres of parkland and woodland. Founded in 1928, the school maintains small class sizes across its prep, senior, and sixth form departments. The curriculum aims to provide a broad education, supported by facilities including dedicated art studios, science laboratories, and extensive outdoor sports grounds, fostering individual development in a rural setting.

Kingshott School is a co-educational independent day school for pupils aged 3 to 16, situated on a 23-acre site on the outskirts of Hitchin. Founded in 1931, the school has recently expanded its provision to include a senior department for GCSE students. Facilities include a multi-purpose sports hall, an all-weather pitch, a salt-water swimming pool, and a dedicated performing arts centre. The school provides a broad curriculum with a focus on academic, sporting, and creative development. Its extensive grounds allow for a range of outdoor learning opportunities and diverse extracurricular activities within a supportive community.

Queenswood is an independent boarding and day school for girls aged 11 to 18, set within 120 acres of Hertfordshire countryside near Hatfield. Founded in 1894 with a Methodist affiliation, the school focuses on developing well-rounded, independent individuals through a progressive curriculum. The campus features notable facilities, including a 280-seat theatre and 27 tennis courts, supporting a strong reputation for sport and the performing arts. The main building, Sheepwell House, was rebuilt in its original style after a fire in 1936, maintaining the school's distinctive architectural character.

Hertford Prep, formerly known as St Joseph’s in the Park, is a co-educational independent day school for pupils aged 3 to 11. Set within the historic grounds of Hertingfordbury Park near Hertford, the school occupies a site with 17th-century origins and extensive woodland used for its Forest School. Founded in 1898, it emphasises a nurturing family ethos and a broad curriculum. The school features the Woodlands learning centre, which provides specialist support for pupils with dyslexia and dyscalculia, and has been part of the Mill Hill Education Group since 2021.

Radlett Preparatory School is a co-educational day school for pupils aged 4 to 11, located in Radlett, Hertfordshire. Housed in Kendal Hall, a Grade II listed Georgian building, the school is set within extensive grounds that include playing fields and ancient woodland. Founded in 1938, the school provides a nurturing environment with a focus on academic achievement and personal development. Facilities include a dedicated art and design studio and all-weather sports courts. The curriculum places a strong emphasis on the performing arts and sport, preparing children for their future senior school transition.

Manor Lodge School is a co-educational independent day school for pupils aged 3 to 11, located in Shenley, Hertfordshire. Set within 22 acres of countryside, the school is centred around a Grade II listed building and promotes a "classroom without walls" ethos that integrates outdoor and indoor learning. Facilities include the Basil Flashman building, which houses a 320-seat theatre and sports hall with a living roof, and "The Space," a contemporary STEAM-focused atrium. The curriculum emphasises academic breadth alongside a diverse range of sports, music, and dramatic arts.

Bishop’s Stortford College is a co-educational day and boarding school for pupils aged 3 to 18, situated on a 130-acre campus in Hertfordshire. Established in 1868 by Nonconformists, the school provides an all-through education that emphasises the values of scholarship and character. Architectural features include the 1922 Memorial Hall and the FS Young Library, which sit alongside modern facilities such as a 150-seat theatre and an indoor swimming pool. The college focuses on academic development alongside a broad programme in sport and the performing arts.