Berkhamsted Collegiate is an extremely old school based on the classic boarding model. However, of late it has become predominately a day school with a local catchment area. Parents tend to be professionals from the Home Counties. The Castle Campus boasts the original Tudor Hall and a cloistered quadrangle, along with the school chapel, at which services are held weekly, interspersed with more modern buildings and state-of-the-art facilities. In 1996 the Berkhamsted School, founded in 1541, merged with the Berkhamsted Girls' School, founded in 1888, to create the Collegiate, which also includes a co-educational prep school. The two senior schools, for ages 11-16, are single sex and based at separate campuses in the town. Sixth form pupils are taught together using facilities at both campuses.
This school is in the enviable position of being the only private senior day school within a half hour driving radius of Berkhamsted. There are two boarding houses, offering flexi, weekly or full-boarding. Both have been recently renovated to a high standard. Resident housemistress, matron, tutor and chaplain ensure excellent pastoral care. Along the lines of traditional boarding schools, each day pupil is part of one of the 21 houses, which operate as the first port of call in communications between parents and school and forms a valuable part of each pupil's school day. With 40 acres of playing fields all the major sports are offered, rugby and lacrosse are particularly strong, with boys and girls respectively being chosen to represent England on a regular basis. Tennis, squash, Eton fives, fencing, golf, shooting, cricket and hockey amongst others are also available. In 2004 a very impressive sports centre was opened with a 25-metre swimming pool and fitness centre included. Music, drama and art are well covered both in class and as extracurricular activities.
Academically Berkhamsted has very solid results available, showing boys' and girls' A-level scores separately. It is pleasing to see that boys at least match and quite often outperform the girls. It's important to consider this when assessing co-educational schools that were formally boys-only institutions. Whilst not in the top leagues of Oxbridge entrants the majority of pupils do go on to good universities. It is hoped that the new headmaster, an Oxford graduate and former master at Radley before taking up his last position at Kelly's, will raise the bar for the Collegiate. This is a popular local school, turning out bright and confident young people. If you aren't keen on full-boarding and live within driving distance then Berkhamsted Collegiate should be on your list of schools to visit.
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Extract taken from Cradles of success: Britain's traditional Public Schools by Mario Di Monaco |
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