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Open Events and Visits

Abbot’s Hill is an independent co-educational day school in Hemel Hempstead, Hertfordshire, educating children from age 3 to 16.

Named The Sunday Times Parent Power Independent 11–16 School of the Year 2026, we are proud of everything that happens each day in our classrooms, across our 76-acre campus, and through our extensive co-curricular programme — and we’d love to show you.

There are several ways to visit us. Whatever you choose, you’ll receive a genuine, unhurried welcome — and the chance to see for yourself why so many families choose Abbot’s Hill.

Ways to Visit

Saturday Open Day – Saturday 19 September 2026 .9:30am-12:00pm

Our whole-school Open Day is the perfect introduction to Abbot’s Hill for families who are just beginning their search. During the morning you will:

  • Hear from our Head, Sharon Schanschiefff, and some of our pupils
  • Explore all subject areas and visit classrooms across the school
  • Tour our 76-acre campus guided by our pupils — from Pre-School through to Year 11
  • Meet staff, current parents and pupils throughout the site
  • Enjoy refreshments from our Catering Team

Open Days give you a broad, unhurried overview of the whole school. They are suitable for families with children of any age, from Pre School upwards. Please note that the tours of the Nursery are not available on Open Day – please see below.

Reserve your spot by completing this form

School in Action Mornings – Wednesday 14 October 10:00am-12:00pm

Our School in Action Mornings offer something different: the chance to see Abbot’s Hill exactly as it is on a normal school day, buzzing with everyday learning and activity.

During the morning you will:

  • Join a relaxed, guided tour of the school while lessons are taking place
  • Drop in on classes across the age range (ages 3–16) and see teaching in action
  • Chat with pupils and staff to hear first-hand what life here is really like
  • Explore our facilities, grounds and outdoor spaces
  • Hear from our Head and key members of staff, with time for questions
  • Meet other visiting families over refreshments

School in Action Mornings are ideal for families who want to see the school at its most authentic, and for those who are further along in their thinking and want a more detailed picture of day-to-day life. They are suitable for families with children of any age and for parents who may like to visit without their child in the first instance.

Private Tours

For families who would prefer a more personal visit, we are delighted to offer private tours throughout the school term — on a date and time that suits you.

A private tour typically lasts around 60–90 minutes and is led by a member of either our Admissions or Senior Leadership team. During your visit you will:

  • Tour the school at your own pace, with time to explore the areas most relevant to your child’s age group
  • See the school in action during a normal school day
  • Meet our Head, Sharon Schanschieff, for an individual conversation about your child and your family’s priorities
  • Ask any questions — about the curriculum, pastoral care, assessments, fees, transport or anything else on your mind

Private tours are available for families with children of all ages, from Nursery through to Year 10 entry. They are particularly popular with families who are seriously considering applying and would like a more in-depth conversation before doing so. Your child is very welcome to join you.

To arrange a private tour, contact our Admissions team directly:

📞 01442 240333
✉️ admissions@abbotshill.herts.sch.uk

Or complete our online enquiry form and we will be in touch to arrange a convenient time.

Nursery Visits

Families interested in our Nursery or Pre-School are warmly invited to arrange a dedicated Nursery visit, which gives you the opportunity to meet our Nursery team, see the children at play and learning, and ask any questions specific to our youngest age group.

To arrange a Nursery visit, please contact us on 01442 240333 or visit our Nursery Enquiries page.

What to Expect When You Visit

We know that visiting an independent school for the first time can feel like a big step. We want to make it as relaxed and useful as possible.

  • Do I need to bring my child? It is totally up to you!  Children are very welcome at our Open Events, although it is absolutely fine to leave them at home too! Our site is large and quite spread out, so very small children may find it tough going! Children are very welcome to join private tours, and we certainly encourage it for families thinking about Prep and Senior School entry
  • How long will it take? Open Days run for approximately two and a half hours. School in Action Mornings last around two hours. Private tours typically last 60–90 minutes.
  • Will I be given a hard sell? No. Our aim is to give you an honest picture of the school so you can make the right decision for your family — whatever that turns out to be.
  • What should I wear? Come as you are. There is no dress code for visitors.
  • Can I ask about fees during the visit? Absolutely. All aspects of admissions — including fees, scholarships, bursaries and the application process — are fair game. Our Admissions team is happy to discuss anything in confidence.

Getting to Abbot’s Hill

Abbot’s Hill is located at Bunkers Lane, Hemel Hempstead, Hertfordshire, HP3 8RP, set within 76 acres between Hemel Hempstead and Kings Langley.

  • By car: The school is approximately 10 minutes] from Junction 8 of the M1 and 5 minutes from the A41. Free parking is available on site.
  • By train: The nearest station is Kings Langley. The school is 5 minutes by taxi or 20 minutes on foot from here

We are within easy reach of St Albans, Berkhamsted, Harpenden, Tring, Watford and Kings Langley. School bus routes serve many of these areas for pupils — see our Transport page for details.

Get directions on Google Maps

Not Ready to Visit Yet?

That’s absolutely fine. There are other ways to get to know us first:

We are always happy to talk through your questions before you commit to a visit. Call us on 01442 240333 or email admissions@abbotshill.herts.sch.uk — we’re here to help.

@abbotshillschool

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World Challenge: Borneo 2026!

Over the summer holidays, 12 of our students from Years 9 to 11 travelled to Borneo for an unforgettable World Challenge expedition, accompanied by Miss Knatchbull, Miss Bliss and their World Challenge leader, Violette.

Across 16 days, the students immersed themselves in the culture, communities and incredible landscapes of Sarawak. From exploring Kuching and local markets, to trekking through the rainforest, staying in remote communities, learning traditional skills and eating plenty of delicious Malaysian pineapple!

The students also took part in a community initiative with an Iban community, helping with the construction of a new longhouse, sieving sand, picking pepper, planting trees and learning about traditional cooking, crafts and ways of life. They trekked to the river, cooked lunch over an open fire and shared wonderful experiences with members of the local community.

There were plenty of adventures along the way too, from seeing an orangutan at the Semenggoh Wildlife Centre, to exploring caves, learning to cook local dishes, enjoying cultural performances and experiencing the Kuching Food Festival.

Perhaps most importantly, the students developed independence, resilience, teamwork and confidence. They took responsibility for managing money, time, food and group organisation, tackled challenges far outside their comfort zones and supported one another throughout.

From bucket showers and mosquito nets to rainforest treks, tropical storms, new friendships and unforgettable sunsets, this was certainly a trip they will never forget.

A huge thank you to Miss Knatchbull and Miss Bliss for giving so much of their time, energy and care to the trip, supporting the students through every challenge and helping to make this experience so special. Thank you also to Violette and all of the wonderful local guides and communities who made the journey possible.

We are incredibly proud of everything our students achieved and the way they embraced every challenge, experience and opportunity along the way.

What an adventure!

#AbbotsHillSchool #WorldChallenge #Borneo #GlobalLearning #StudentAdventure

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Open post by abbotshillschool with ID 18462129691141949
World Challenge: Borneo 2026! Over the summer holidays, 12 of our students from Years 9 to 11 travelled to Borneo for an unforgettable World Challenge expedition, accompanied by Miss Knatchbull, Miss Bliss and their World Challenge leader, Violette. Across 16 days, the students immersed themselves in the culture, communities and incredible landscapes of Sarawak. From exploring Kuching and local markets, to trekking through the rainforest, staying in remote communities, learning traditional skills and eating plenty of delicious Malaysian pineapple! The students also took part in a community initiative with an Iban community, helping with the construction of a new longhouse, sieving sand, picking pepper, planting trees and learning about traditional cooking, crafts and ways of life. They trekked to the river, cooked lunch over an open fire and shared wonderful experiences with members of the local community. There were plenty of adventures along the way too, from seeing an orangutan at the Semenggoh Wildlife Centre, to exploring caves, learning to cook local dishes, enjoying cultural performances and experiencing the Kuching Food Festival. Perhaps most importantly, the students developed independence, resilience, teamwork and confidence. They took responsibility for managing money, time, food and group organisation, tackled challenges far outside their comfort zones and supported one another throughout. From bucket showers and mosquito nets to rainforest treks, tropical storms, new friendships and unforgettable sunsets, this was certainly a trip they will never forget. A huge thank you to Miss Knatchbull and Miss Bliss for giving so much of their time, energy and care to the trip, supporting the students through every challenge and helping to make this experience so special. Thank you also to Violette and all of the wonderful local guides and communities who made the journey possible. We are incredibly proud of everything our students achieved and the way they embraced every challenge, experience and opportunity along the way. What an adventure! #AbbotsHillSchool #WorldChallenge #Borneo #GlobalLearning #StudentAdventure

Good luck, Class of 2024!
 
Tomorrow is A-Level Results Day, and we’ll be thinking of all our wonderful Class of 2024 students as they receive their results.
 
Whatever tomorrow brings, know that we are incredibly proud of you and all that you have achieved. We can’t wait to hear about all your successes and the exciting adventures that lie ahead.
 
Good luck, we’ll be cheering you on every step of the way!
 
#ALevelResultsDay #ClassOf2024 #OnceAbbotsHillAlwaysAbbotsHill #GoodLuck #AbbotsHill

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Open post by abbotshillschool with ID 17941205643336799
Good luck, Class of 2024!   Tomorrow is A-Level Results Day, and we’ll be thinking of all our wonderful Class of 2024 students as they receive their results.   Whatever tomorrow brings, know that we are incredibly proud of you and all that you have achieved. We can’t wait to hear about all your successes and the exciting adventures that lie ahead.   Good luck, we’ll be cheering you on every step of the way!   #ALevelResultsDay #ClassOf2024 #OnceAbbotsHillAlwaysAbbotsHill #GoodLuck #AbbotsHill

What a wonderful way to round off the school year! Our Senior School Commemoration Day was a celebration of achievement, talent and the many memorable moments that have made this year so special.
 
We were delighted to welcome our guest speaker, Musharaf Asghar, who shared his inspiring story of overcoming challenges and encouraged our pupils to believe in themselves, embrace resilience and never give up on their ambitions. We also enjoyed a beautiful performance from our choir and a brilliant snippet from this year’s fantastic production of The Addams Family.
 
The presentation of cups, plates and certificates celebrated the many achievements of our pupils, while the passing of leadership roles to our new Head Girl and Deputy Head Girl marked an exciting moment for the year ahead. We also said a fond farewell to our Class of 2026, with each leaver receiving their very own Abbot’s Hill bear, a special keepsake to remind them that they will always be part of our community as they embark on their next adventures.
 
A huge thank you to everyone who worked tirelessly behind the scenes to make the day such a success, from our Grounds, Music, Drama and Catering teams to all the staff and pupils who helped create such a memorable occasion.
 
Congratulations to all of our award winners, and to the Class of 2026, we wish you every success and happiness for the future. Once an Abbot’s Hill pupil, always part of the Abbot’s Hill family. 
 
#AbbotsHillSchool #CommemorationDay #ClassOf2025 #SchoolLife #EndOfTerm

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Open post by abbotshillschool with ID 18087537983549047
What a wonderful way to round off the school year! Our Senior School Commemoration Day was a celebration of achievement, talent and the many memorable moments that have made this year so special.   We were delighted to welcome our guest speaker, Musharaf Asghar, who shared his inspiring story of overcoming challenges and encouraged our pupils to believe in themselves, embrace resilience and never give up on their ambitions. We also enjoyed a beautiful performance from our choir and a brilliant snippet from this year’s fantastic production of The Addams Family.   The presentation of cups, plates and certificates celebrated the many achievements of our pupils, while the passing of leadership roles to our new Head Girl and Deputy Head Girl marked an exciting moment for the year ahead. We also said a fond farewell to our Class of 2026, with each leaver receiving their very own Abbot’s Hill bear, a special keepsake to remind them that they will always be part of our community as they embark on their next adventures.   A huge thank you to everyone who worked tirelessly behind the scenes to make the day such a success, from our Grounds, Music, Drama and Catering teams to all the staff and pupils who helped create such a memorable occasion.   Congratulations to all of our award winners, and to the Class of 2026, we wish you every success and happiness for the future. Once an Abbot’s Hill pupil, always part of the Abbot’s Hill family.    #AbbotsHillSchool #CommemorationDay #ClassOf2025 #SchoolLife #EndOfTerm