- Location
- Elstree
- Recorded age range
- 3–19
- Education
- British
About Aldenham School
Founded over 400 years ago. Rich history, impressive historical architecture combined with modern facilities. Welcoming international atmosphere.
School background from the saved source · 2026-05-31
Aldenham School was founded in 1597 by Richard Platt, a Tudor brewer and Master of the Worshipful Company of Brewers, as a Tudor grammar school in the Hertfordshire village of Aldenham. The school is trusteed by the Worshipful Company of Brewers, one of the twelve Great Livery Companies of London, which has governed the school for 429 years. The school sits today on a 110-acre rural campus at Elstree, Hertfordshire, in the north-west London commuter belt. The Headmaster is Jeremy Gibbs.
Aldenham became co-educational in 2008 and today educates around 841 pupils with a substantial boarding population. The school is a member of the HMC and the Boarding Schools Association. The campus is shared with the neighbouring Haberdashers' Boys' School (which has a separate 70-acre site on the same Elstree-Aldenham road), making this corner of north-west London one of the more concentrated independent-school landscapes in the country.
The school's academic profile is mid-tier Hertfordshire independent — solid A-Level results, broad-access tuition fees, and a strong family/local-community ethos. The school operates a substantial bursary programme via the Worshipful Company of Brewers, intended to preserve the founder's Tudor charitable intent of providing educational access for Hertfordshire families regardless of family means.
School life and areas of focus
- Boarding experience
- Founded 1597 by Richard Platt — 429-year history
- Trusteed by the Worshipful Company of Brewers (the founder's livery company)
- Co-educational since 2008
- ≈841 pupils with substantial boarding population
- Set on a 110-acre rural campus at Elstree, Hertfordshire
- HMC and BSA member
- Substantial bursary programme via the Worshipful Company of Brewers
- Founded 1597 — 429 year tradition
- 841-pupil community
- Day and boarding places available
- Church of England foundation
- Strong in Drama, Sport, Outdoor
- Strong Oxbridge progression
Education and school life
Explore the curriculum and subjects below. Our team can help you find out about subject choices, year groups and programme availability.
- Programme type
- Boarding school
- Curriculum
- British
- Teaching language
- English
- Campus setting
- rural
Subject areas
- Sciences
- Mathematics
- Modern languages
- Drama
- Music
- Sport (rugby, cricket, hockey)
- Sport
- Outdoor
Listed memberships and accreditations
- HMC (Headmasters' and Headmistresses' Conference)
- BSA (Boarding Schools Association)
- Worshipful Company of Brewers (livery-company trustees)
- ISI (Independent Schools Inspectorate)
Study and progression pathways
- Humanities
- Oxbridge
- Russell Group (Cambridge, Imperial, UCL, Edinburgh)
- Medical schools
- Sandhurst
- International universities
Academic profile in the catalogue
No review date is recorded for these catalogue figures.
The legacy catalogue contains estimated academic figures without a measurement source. Ask our team about current class sizes and progression results.
Campus, boarding and student community
Catalogue profile
- Founded
- 1597
- Campus setting
- rural
- Boarding
- Listed in the catalogue
- Co-education
- Listed as co-educational
School-wide directory record
Schoolscout · Source record dated 2026-05-17
- School stages
- Nursery, Pre-Prep, Prep, Senior, Sixth Form
- Directory age range
- 3-19
- Student intake
- Co-educational
- Attendance
- Day and boarding
- Religious ethos
- Church of England
- Headteacher in source record
- Mrs Alex Hems
- Inspectorate
- ISI
- Total pupils
- 841
- Boys · number / share
- 568 · 67.54%
- Girls · number / share
- 273 · 32.46%
- Pupils receiving SEN support · number / share
- 163 · 19.38%
- Pupils with an EHC plan · number / share
- 6 · 0.71%
Directory and catalogue figures are shown separately because their age groups or record dates may differ.
Recorded examination results
Schoolscout · Source record dated 2026-05-17
- Qualification
- A-level
- Results year
- 2025
- Average grade
- C+
- Progress score
- -0.12 (Average)
- AAB or higher
- 10.30%
Results are for the year shown, separately from the estimated catalogue indicators.
Tuition and costs
Recorded GBP school fees
Schoolscout · Source record dated 2026-05-17
| Attendance | Recorded range |
|---|---|
| Day fees | £6,136.80 – £10,376.40 |
| Boarding fees | £11,706.00 – £16,500.00 |
These historical directory amounts are not a confirmed school quotation. The billing period, VAT, academic year and included costs need confirmation from the school.
Catalogue USD figures
Estimated catalogue fees · USD
Catalogue figures are shown in US dollars (USD). The fee period and academic year are not specified in this record. UK institutions generally publish their own fees in pounds sterling (GBP); check the current fee schedule rather than treating this range as a GBP price.
Ask the UniCampus team about the fee period, entry year, boarding and additional costs.
Ask about current feesPlanning your application
Entry requirements depend on the school, age group and programme. Talk to the UniCampus team about school reports, language requirements, assessments and your application timeline.
- Catalogue application window
- Rolling
- Listed intake
- September 2026
These catalogue notes do not confirm an available place or a current deadline. MEC guidance can help you organise a shortlist and prepare questions for the school.
Support recorded in the catalogue
- Scholarships or bursaries
- Not specified in this record; ask the institution
- Visa application support
- Listed; confirm what assistance is provided
Source notes and alternative records
Dated background research is retained below; source descriptions may differ and have not been newly verified by UniCampus.
School background research · 2026-05-31
School background notes
Source record dated 2026-05-31 · Source text retained in English
Read this source's description in the school overview.
- Founded · source note
- 1597
- Campus setting · source note
- rural
- Religious ethos · source note
- Church of England
- School leadership · source note
- Jeremy Gibbs (Headmaster)
- Scholarships · source note
- Mentioned in saved research; confirm current terms
Additional subject and programme notes
- Sciences
- Mathematics
- Modern languages
- Drama
- Music
- Sport (rugby, cricket, hockey)
Listed education pathways
- Oxbridge
- Russell Group (Cambridge, Imperial, UCL, Edinburgh)
- Medical schools
- Sandhurst
Memberships and accreditations in the source
- HMC (Headmasters' and Headmistresses' Conference)
- BSA (Boarding Schools Association)
- Worshipful Company of Brewers (livery-company trustees)
- ISI (Independent Schools Inspectorate)
School-life notes
- Founded 1597 by Richard Platt — 429-year history
- Trusteed by the Worshipful Company of Brewers (the founder's livery company)
- Co-educational since 2008
- ≈841 pupils with substantial boarding population
- Set on a 110-acre rural campus at Elstree, Hertfordshire
- HMC and BSA member
- Substantial bursary programme via the Worshipful Company of Brewers
Notable alumni listed in the source
- Charles Penrose (singer — The Laughing Policeman, 1922)
- Old Aldenhamians active in UK professions and the arts
Additional school record · 2026-05-30
Additional saved school information
Source record dated 2026-05-30 · Source text retained in English
Our pupils have adapted well to the new routines that we have had to put in place to keep them and our staff safe, and it has been especially good to see our newest Year 7 pupils getting the spirit of Aldenham life very quickly.
It has been a genuine pleasure for us to be able to see all the pupils back in School. For the whole of last term the School was a quiet, calm, but remarkably subdued place, but from the start of term the buzz and energy of the School has returned and it is great to see.
One major change in the life of the School has been the official beginning of another Junior House, Woodrow’s for half of the children in Year 7 and Year 8. Even though lockdown has caused a short delay on the planned completion of the new Prep School building, they will still be able to look forward to moving into the Woodrow’s House building early in 2021.
- Founded · source note
- 1597
- Scholarships · source note
- Mentioned in saved research; confirm current terms
Additional subject and programme notes
- Drama
- Sport
- Outdoor
Listed education pathways
- Oxbridge
- International universities
School-life notes
- Founded 1597 — 429 year tradition
- 841-pupil community
- Day and boarding places available
- Church of England foundation
- Strong in Drama, Sport, Outdoor
- Strong Oxbridge progression
Schoolscout introduction
Aldenham School offers a rich educational experience that combines academic excellence with a strong emphasis on personal development. With a commitment to...
School location
Schoolscout · Source record dated 2026-05-17
- Recorded address
- Elstree, Hertfordshire, East of England, WD6 3AJ
- Postcode
- WD6 3AJ
Questions in the source record
Schoolscout · Source record dated 2026-05-17 · Original English answers
What type of school is Aldenham School?
Aldenham School is a co-educational independent mainstream school for pupils aged 3 to 19, located near Elstree in Hertfordshire. The school offers education from Nursery through to Sixth Form, with pathways leading to GCSEs and A Levels.
How do I apply to Aldenham School?
Applications typically begin 1–2 years in advance and may include registration, assessments and interviews. Families can explore the UK private school admissions timeline to understand key dates and entry points.
What are the fees at Aldenham School?
Fees for Aldenham School vary by year group, with typical termly costs around £6,136–£16,500.
Is Aldenham School a day or boarding school?
Aldenham School offers day and boarding options. Where boarding is available, this may include full, weekly or flexi arrangements.
Is Aldenham School selective?
Entry to Aldenham School is based on overall fit and, where relevant, academic assessment.
Contact our team for current dates, entry criteria and fees.
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