Aldenham School A GSG School
- Aldenham School
Elstree
Borehamwood
Hertfordshire
WD6 3AJ - Head: Alex Hems
- T 01923 858122
- F 01923 854410
- E admissions@aldenham.com
- W www.aldenham.com
- A mainstream independent school for pupils aged from 11 to 18 with a linked junior school
- Read about the best schools in Hertfordshire
- Boarding: Yes
- Local authority: Hertfordshire
- Pupils: 673; sixth formers: 168
- Religion: Church of England
- Fees: Day: £28,042; Boarding: £46,322 pa (last updated on 14/11/2024)
- Open days: October
- Review: View The Good Schools Guide Review
- ISI report: View the ISI report
- Linked schools: Aldenham Prep School
What The Good Schools Guide says..
If music, drama and art shine, sport dazzles. It is integral to life at Aldenham and in a setting that needs to be seen to be believed. Teachers ‘easy to talk to’ and ‘down-to-earth’, say students – the rapport evident in the lessons we sat in on. ‘Jamie, you’ll know this’, ‘Yes, I remember that well!’ etc. ‘The teachers are also with them for things like football or DofE, so they know them in the round,’ explains head. Two enrichment afternoons a week, and most students belong to...
What the school says...
Established over 420 years ago, Aldenham School still occupies the same site of more than 110 acres of beautiful Hertfordshire countryside. Aldenham offers uninterrupted co-education for 3-18 year olds. Boarders (from age 11) and day pupils benefit from individual attention in small classes, with a personal tutor for each pupil.
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Other features
All-through school (for example 3-18 years). - An all-through school covers junior and senior education. It may start at 3 or 4, or later, and continue through to 16 or 18. Some all-through schools set exams at 11 or 13 that pupils must pass to move on.
What The Good Schools Guide says
Head of foundation
Since 2022, Alex Hems MA (Oxon), PGCE (Cantab), previously head of St George’s School in Edinburgh. Grew up in Northwood, where she attended St Helen’s – ‘It’s nice to be home,’ she says. Career path never in question, even as a tot – ‘I used to arrange my toys in ranks and award them effort prizes!’ Alas, no time for teaching these days, but says she gets to know students in breaks, assemblies, chapel and through ‘popping into’ boarding houses. Older ones say they see her a lot; younger ones less so. They describe her as ‘friendly’ and ‘firm but fair’.
Aims to raise the academic profile at Aldenham, perhaps inevitable given the heavyweights peppering her CV: Alleyn’s School, followed by St Paul’s Girls’, North London Collegiate and Francis Holland, plus four years as deputy head of Wycombe Abbey. ‘But we will never be a hothouse,’ she insists from her large and elegant office, decorated with copious student art: ‘Aldenham is about finding something you never thought you were capable of – whether Eton fives, drama or whatever it is – then converting that confidence and success to the classroom. I just want to see more focus on that last bit.’
Quiet and understated, she has an air of unruffled calm. Perceptive too – parents have the feeling she doesn’t miss a trick. Lives across the road with husband, William, a research chemist and teacher (not here), and their two teenage daughters (who are both here). A keen walker, she also enjoys cooking, and reading an eclectic mix of fiction and non-fiction, currently The Bone Chests: Unlocking the Secrets of the Anglo-Saxons by Cat Jarman.
Entrance
Four applicants for each of the 85 places at 11+, with nearly a quarter scooped up by children at the on-site prep, the rest from a 50/50 mix of state and local preps (over 130 in total). A further 20-25 join at year 9, when there are three applicants for every place – these students come from preps including Lochinver House, Orley Farm, St Martin’s, St John’s, York House, Lockers Park and further afield The Beacon, The Hall and Davenies. Exams in maths, English and reasoning at 11+, plus science and a language at 13+ – with hopefuls called back for interview (remember, they’re not just looking at academics). Occasional places pop up later, generally snapped up by those wanting to escape the pressure of other local schools – not necessarily because they’re falling behind but because they want a broader education. Around 30 join at sixth form, when five 6s at GCSE (including English and maths) are required (and 6s in the subjects to be studied at A level; 7s for maths and science). Some parents of existing hard-working students said the bar was slightly lowered for them (of which we approve), but school says this isn't the case.
Word has it that admissions department is not as responsive as prospective parents would like. 'Be prepared to send a lot of emails,’ said one. A very friendly experience once you’ve finally got through, though, judging from the boy and his mother who arrived for an interview on the day of our visit.
Exit
Around a quarter leave post-GCSEs, usually for vocational courses or state schools. Sixth formers to universities far and wide, a third to Russell Group. Bath Liverpool, Loughborough and Nottingham recently popular – occasionally to Oxbridge. Around a third study STEM, with two medics in 2024. Three overseas in 2024. School not afraid of promoting alternatives to university, plus degree apprenticeships – ‘I’m a huge fan of the applied structure for the right student,’ says head, though there’s been slow take-up as yet. Usually a couple each year to art schools (including Central St Martins) and to top drama schools.
Latest results
In 2024, 48 per cent 9-7 at I/GCSE; 25 per cent A*/A at A level (59 per cent A*-B).
Teaching and learning
Tiger parents and single-minded scholars, turn away. Not that the academics are second-rate – in fact, all agree they’re on the up and up, eg greater focus on rewarding effort and celebrating achievements in the classroom, a wider range of house competitions (linguistics, maths, English etc) and an extended university programme (now starts in year 9 and no longer just for the Oxbridge and medics wannabes, though they cater for those too). But in the north London bubble of academic powerhouses (Habs, Merchant Taylors’, North London Collegiate etc), Aldenham stands out for its wider ability cohort (though less mixed than before) and less pressurised vibe. ‘It’s a less stressful educational journey, both for the student and for the parent,’ said one parent, whose son got into Merchant Taylors’ but they chose Aldenham instead (a growing breed). Another told us, ‘Aldenham gives the child the confidence to grow – not all schools get that.’ Bottom line is it’s the journey that defines Aldenham rather than the destination.
Maximum of 22 per class, 12 in sixth form. Teachers ‘easy to talk to’ and ‘down to earth’, say students – the rapport evident in the lessons we sat in on. ‘Jamie, you’ll know this’, ‘Yes, I remember that well!’ etc. ‘The teachers are also with them for things like football or DofE, so they know them in the round,’ explains head. Refreshing to see heads of department taking bottom set maths in year 7 to give them the best start (there’s also setting in sciences and English from year 9). French and Spanish taught from year 7, with one continued from year 8, though a language is not compulsory at GCSE. Latin and classical civilisation in year 7, with the option to continue in year 8. A handful of the brightest also take ancient Greek. Ten GCSEs for most (11 if taking triple science), with the many creative options including textiles, DT and (very popular) drama. Dance recently added.
Sixth formers start with four A levels, most dropping to three by half-term – a model they approve of, several saying they ‘dropped the one I least expected’. One said she couldn’t choose between music or music tech ‘so tried both’. Media studies, government and politics, computing and sociology complement more trad options. Business, economics and psychology most popular; also English. Some parents would like to see BTECs – ‘surely an ideal fit for Aldenham’. EPQ taken by around a third – recently AI in dentistry and engineering and building a go-kart from scratch.
All have a Surface device, in use in most lessons we visited; plenty of dialogue and handwriting too. Parents and pupils appreciate extra revision sessions leading up to exams. Homework ‘could be lighter’, felt some students, especially the many who don’t get home until gone 7pm.
Learning support and SEN
Hitherto what Aldenham was famous for. In reality, the school can only cope with the mild to moderate dyslexia (most common), ADHD, autism etc that most mainstream schools can, although the 22 per cent on the SEN register (higher than national average) signals its commitment to such students. Not that many need extra support, points out the SENCo (also a maths teacher, supported by a learning support teacher who doubles up as English teacher) – though one-to-ones, if needed, are included in fees. Parents like that SENCo will meet families as early as at the admissions process (‘and they’ll offer advice about better schools if necessary’). No TAs, which bothers some, ‘but they really are on the ball – my son went in with very poor maths and English and he’s really crept up’. By GCSEs, outcomes for those with or without SEN virtually indistinguishable. Strong links with pastoral heads, and school has good awareness of masking. Two EHCPs when we visited.
The arts and extracurricular
Two enrichment afternoons a week, and most students belong to after-school clubs. The vast array of options include film club, art, fives, Warhammer, chess, archery, sailing and skiing. CCF (army and RAF, both joint with Queen’s School) popular, as is DofE. Upshot is long days ending around 5.30pm – ‘requires stamina’ and ‘won’t be for everyone’, warn parents, though for the right child, ‘a dream’.
Lots of high-profile creative types in the parent body, and you can see why they choose Aldenham. Drama reckoned by students to be ‘an incredible department – easily the best in the school’. ‘Most of us get involved one way or another.’ Annual performance ‘next level’, say parents – most recently Guys and Dolls. Spring brings a big, foot-tapping dance show and in summer there’s a junior play – High School Musical up next. Purpose-built 150-seat theatre in regular use (a dark monologue when we visited), with other performances in the grounds. A handful of students are members of the National Youth Theatre, and some go off to LAMDA (also on offer here). Great excitement over one recent leaver having landed a named part in Everybody’s Talking About Jamie, with a place at drama college secured afterwards.
Lashings of music. Students appreciate the mix of classical and contemporary, and lap up the music tech. All year 7s are offered a term’s free music lessons in an instrument of their choice, with many continuing it, often along with one or even two besides. Orchestra complemented by ensembles and choirs. House music a school calendar highlight, as is Aldfest, a rock music festival. Musical theatre popular.
Art everywhere – canvases, ceramics, installations galore. Spacious department comprises three studios plus a cabin for the bulging numbers pursuing A level. Textiles popular – one of our guides was making an ‘identity’ themed skirt, with writing all over it. Younger students were examining the concept of sculpture – ‘We are trying to get them to use the language of analysis earlier on,’ whispered an art teacher (they are all practising artists). DT also a hive of activity.
Aldenham is synonymous with trips – we couldn’t jot them down fast enough. Cricket to Dubai, geography to Iceland, drama to New York (oh and business too), football to Spain, computer science to Japan and a three-week charity volunteering trip to Malawi – the list goes on.
Sport
If music, drama and art shine, sport dazzles. It is integral to life at Aldenham and in a setting that needs to be seen to be believed – over 110 acres encompassing woodland, playing fields, two full-sized Astros, tennis courts, dance studio, weights room, sports hall and cricket pitch that lies at the heart of the school. All that’s missing is a pool, although they still manage a swim team. Football (the school’s forte – they are regular national champions), hockey and cricket are the mainstays for the boys (note no rugby); netball, hockey and cricket for the girls. ‘Girls’ sport has had a massive push,’ students were keen for us to know, ‘including football and more netball awards.’ A few students train with top academies, but you’re by no means a nobody otherwise: ‘I’m not massively sporty but it doesn’t matter, I still enjoy it,’ said one. Many felt they’d ‘improved massively since being here’. Zumba, mindfulness walks, table tennis, archery, sailing, athletics, judo and climbing among the long list of extras. ‘And if you want to add something, they’ll always listen,’ said a student – most recently, basketball.
Boarders
Just under a third board (vast majority boys), usually staying two or three nights a week. Just the ticket for London families and those who commute, with others living very locally and simply boarding ‘for the fun of it’.
Everyone belongs to a house, boarder or not, removing any feel of ‘us and them’. Two junior houses (one day, one boarding), plus six senior ones (four boys’, two girls’ – one each for day students only, the rest with a mix). Up to five a dorm for younger years (fewer for girls); own rooms by upper sixth. Not the most luxurious accommodation we’ve seen, but there’s a rolling renovation programme and students are happy, appreciating their spacious common rooms with ample seating, pool tables, fruit on tap (‘actually, nobody ever eats them,’ admitted a student) and kitchens where toasties are clearly a favourite. ‘No way!’ said one of our male guides upon seeing one girls’ single dorm with steps going up to a desk area – ‘I’m not having that!’ he bantered. No set policy on trans boarders – ‘We deal with it on a case-by-case basis,’ says head.
Evening activities range from crêpe making to use of gym or library – in summer, they scatter around the grounds, a sight to behold. On Tuesdays and Thursdays, sixth formers get access to the bar (‘carefully supervised and with parental permission,’ says school) and pizza.
Around 20 boarders (who tend to be the older international students) stay at weekends. Best bits? Sunday brunch and trips to the likes of London, Peak District, Edinburgh etc, we were told. One student raved about going to a recent QPR game.
Ethos and heritage
Back in 1597, Queen Elizabeth I gave permission to local brewer, Richard Platt, to build and control a free grammar school for elementary children. Links with the Brewers’ Company remain strong, although the original Tudor buildings are long gone. School now occupies a country campus in the heart of the green-belt, on the edge of the chocolate-box village of Aldenham.
The main school building is Victorian Gothic, complete with gables, tower and turrets. Further additions have been added over the decades, some more aesthetic than others. The most modern is the sixth form centre, with sliding glass doors offering panoramic view of cricket pitch and its own café. Just over the (quiet) road is the chapel, the largest consecrated building in Hertfordshire after St Albans Abbey. Despite the school’s diverse religions (about 60 per cent Christian, 20 per cent Jewish and all other main religions represented), all attend chapel twice weekly for that all-important community feel.
Traditional dining hall, where food is said to be ‘okay’ but ‘a bit repetitive’. Breakfasts and dinner better than lunches, apparently, though we enjoyed the salad bar. Library is large, oak panelled and well stocked, with an open classroom, sound-proofed working pods, a mezzanine level, spiral staircase and view of cricket pitch and miniature replica statue of old boy Alfred Gilbert’s Eros. There’s an annual run on the last day of term for those brave enough, from Eros in Piccadilly to the school’s statue, one of the many traditions that pupils say are ‘a huge part of the school’. Currently one-third girls, though numbers are edging up in lower years.
Pastoral care, inclusivity and discipline
Pastoral care has always been at the core – it wouldn’t be Aldenham without it. ‘There’s always someone to talk to,’ say students, though surprisingly few said they’d turn to the dedicated safeguarding staff members whose photos appear in every classroom. Houseparents invariably more popular: ‘You see them every day, so they know you best.’ No wellbeing hub, but houses and lack of pressure deem it unnecessary, think students – that, and the school’s proactive take on mental health issues, including talks on everything from respect to drugs (although external speakers fell away a bit after Covid – back on track soon, promises school). Good teamwork between health centre, counsellor, chaplain and safeguarding team mean few things get missed, say parents. Over half of staff have mental health first aid training. The school is good on awards, say parents, although it’s felt the ‘same old kids’ always get celebrated.
Aldenham has never been an uptight school and in the main, there seems little need to transgress thanks to students getting sufficient freedom to spread their wings. Still, the current head has cracked the whip around uniform, jewellery, makeup, haircuts lateness, chapel attendance etc. ‘I prefer it – we know where we stand now,’ said a student earnestly, although some parents consider it ‘a bit OTT’ – ‘Aldenham always understood that it’s important for children to express who they are.’ Blues (demerits) handed out for minor transgressions, detentions for more serious ones. A handful of suspensions a year, exclusions almost unheard of. School alert to sex, drugs and rock ’n’ roll but generally no dramas in this regard.
Diversity is celebrated, eccentricity valued and current affairs regularly debated – a real credit to the school. Societies and discussion groups for eg LGBTQ+, neurodiversity and Black Lives Matter. Curriculum regularly reviewed too – Black history is more than just a month here.
Pupils and parents
Students are relaxed, sociable and unflashy. None of the smooth talking and practised polish we see at some independents. Upbeat too – among the happiest bunch we’ve met. ‘I went home from open day thinking, “Yup, I want one like that”,’ said a parent. Families mainly from affluent local villages including Radlett and Sarratt, London suburbs such as Edgware and Stanmore and increasingly north London. School coaches cover a wide range of routes though not wide enough, say some. International students mainly from Spain and Germany, a few from China, Hong Kong, Ghana, Nigeria etc.
Parents a real mix – heavy on the creatives, entrepreneurs and sporting pros. ‘It feels quite a rich school and we were a bit concerned as we’re not multimillionaires, but it doesn’t seem to effect the children massively,’ said one. Full-on social scene (quizzes, balls, house events etc) for parents who want it; many don’t. Some parent gripes around school comms (‘could be more streamlined’) and lost property (‘it’s well known that if you lose something at Aldenham, it’s gone forever’). Several said they felt anxious about ‘the growth in student numbers’ but school assures us numbers have remained stable for the past three years and that they’re ‘almost where we want to be’.
Money matters
Scholarships at 11+ in music, drama, sport and academic and 13+ in all those plus art and DT. Worth up to 15 per cent fee remission. Means-tested bursaries available.
The last word
No longer your backup, Aldenham is increasingly a first choice for children of all abilities, including those at the top of the tree. Parents are attracted to the unpressured environment, community spirit and flexible boarding, along with the commitment to all-roundedness that beats the socks off other local schools. We found it a bit more liberal too. ‘It’s just a bit cool, Aldenham,’ as one parent put it. Requires high energy levels for the long days.
Overall school performance (for comparison or review only)
Results by exam and subject
Subject results
Entry/Exit
Special Education Needs
We have an extremely good SEN Department. However, pupils do need to be able to cope in the normal classroom situation; they are not taught separately, but have extra individual tuition as and when necessary with qualified SEN teachers. Study skills support is provided in small groups. 10-09
Condition | Provision for in school |
---|---|
ASD - Autistic Spectrum Disorder
Might cover/be referred to as;
ASD - Autistic Spectrum Disorder, Aspergers, Autism, High functioning autism, Neurodivergent, Neurodiversity, Pathological Demand Avoidance (PDA), PDA , Social skills, Sensory processing disorder |
Y |
HI - Hearing Impairment
Might cover/be referred to as;
Hearing Impairment, HI - Hearing Impairment |
|
MLD - Moderate Learning Difficulty
Might cover/be referred to as;
Learning needs, MLD - Moderate Learning Difficulty |
|
MSI - Multi-Sensory Impairment
Might cover/be referred to as;
MSI - Multi-Sensory Impairment, Sensory processing |
|
OTH - Other Difficulty/Disability
Might cover/be referred to as;
Downs Syndrome, Epilepsy, Genetic , OTH - Other Difficulty/Disability, Tics, Tourettes |
|
PD - Physical Disability
Might cover/be referred to as;
PD - Physical Disability |
|
PMLD - Profound and Multiple Learning Difficulty
Might cover/be referred to as;
Complex needs, Global delay, Global developmental delay, PMLD - Profound and Multiple Learning Difficulty |
|
SEMH - Social, Emotional and Mental Health
Might cover/be referred to as;
Anxiety , Complex needs, Emotionally based school avoidance (EBSA), Mental Health, SEMH - Social, Emotional and Mental Health, Trauma |
|
SLCN - Speech, Language and Communication
Might cover/be referred to as;
DLD - Developmental Language Disorder, Selective mutism, SLCN - Speech, Language and Communication |
|
SLD - Severe Learning Difficulty
Might cover/be referred to as;
Complex needs, SLD - Severe Learning Difficulty, Cerebral Palsy (CP) |
|
SpLD - Specific Learning Difficulty
Might cover/be referred to as;
ADHD, Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD), Auditory Processing, DCD, Developmental Co-ordination Difficulties (DCD), Dyscalculia, Dysgraphia, Dyslexia, Dyspraxia, Handwriting, Other specific learning difficulty, SpLD - Specific Learning Difficulty, Oppositional Defiant Disorder (ODD) |
Y |
VI - Visual Impairment
Might cover/be referred to as;
Special facilities for Visually Impaired, VI - Visual Impairment |
Who came from where
School | Year | Places | Scholarships | Description |
---|---|---|---|---|
Keble Prep School | 2024 | 1 | ||
Lochinver House School | 2024 | 4 | 1 | 1 Sports Scholarship |
Radlett Preparatory School | 2024 | 3 | ||
St Hilda's Preparatory School for Girls | 2024 | 1 | ||
St John's School | 2024 | 1 | ||
St Martin's School | 2024 | 1 | ||
St Mary's School, Hampstead | 2024 | 1 | ||
The Beacon School | 2024 | 1 | 1 | Sports Scholarship |
Westbrook Hay Prep School | 2024 | 1 | 1 | Sports Scholarship |
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