Post Visit Information

• When was Abbot’s Hill founded?

Abbot’s Hill was founded in 1912 by the Baird Sisters.  Read more about the heritage and history of the school here. 

In 1912 three incredible women – Alice, Katrine, and Mary Baird – opened a boarding school for girls in an old family home called ‘Abbot’s Hill’.  The Scottish roots of the Baird sisters are reflected in the Black Watch Tartan of our uniform and in our Clan system. Clan events, such as our annual Clan Music Competitions are hotly contested.

• How many students attend the School?

There are around 350 students in the school currently.

• How big is the school site?

Abbot’s Hill occupies a 76 acre parkland site, between Hemel Hempstead and Kings Langley.  The site incorporates extensive sports facilities, woodland and of course, our famous lawns!

• What do you say is a strength of the school?

Abbot’s Hill is a school that empowers and supports its students to aim high, to be kind and curious, and to take advantage of the very many opportunities on offer.  Our strength is in how we combine all of this to develop compassionate, empathetic young people of character who move towards their futures with confidence, resilience and a genuine care for others.

• What are the facilities like at Abbot’s Hill?

Our students and staff are able to take advantage of excellent facilities for sport and the arts, including our theatre, sports hall, swimming pool dedicated art and photography studios.  And all of this within our beautiful parkland site.

• What is the food like?

The food is fabulous, and lunchtime is a highlight for many!  Our wonderful Catering Team serve up tasty and nutritious meals to all staff and students every day.  Allergies and dietary preferences can be catered for and our Catering Manager is always happy to talk to parents about their child’s dietary needs.

• Can I visit the School again?

Of course!  There are many ways that you can visit Abbot’s Hill, including our School in Action Mornings and you can book an Personal Visit at a mutually convenient time. However you visit, you can be sure of a warm Abbot’s Hill welcome!

• At what age can my child join the School?

Our main entry points are in Nursery, Reception, Year 3, Year 7 and Year 9, although ad hoc places may also be available in other years.  Children are admitted to our Nursery on a first come first served basis, and, other than in exceptional cases, will then be offered a place in Reception.  We gently assess pupils for Reception entry.  11+ entry into Year 7 is via the ISEB Common Pre-Test, which is sat at Abbot’s Hill in the November preceding a September entry.  Assessment for entry into other year groups is via bespoke Taster Days, during which prospective pupils will sit age-appropriate tests to determine suitability for a place at Abbot’s Hill

• Does my child need to join the School in September, or can they join part way through the year?

Whilst it is preferable for your child to join us at the start of the academic year, we understand that relocations don’t always align with these dates and can work with families to ensure a smooth transition at other times of the year.

• How do I register my child?

Registering for a place at Abbot’s Hill easy!  Click here to create an account.

When do I need to register my child?

For Reception and Year 7, We recommend that you register for a place for your child around a year before they are due to start.  4+ and 11+ assessments take place in the November preceding entry to the School in September.  Where we have spaces in other year groups, we can usually turn around ad hoc admissions much more quickly than this.

• Do you offer scholarships and bursaries?

Yes,  we offer a range of scholarships – academic (English and/or STEM), music, drama, art & design, and sports – for entry into Year 7.  Candidates are invited to apply for these following the ISEB Pre Test.  Academic scholarships are by invitation only, again based on performance in the ISEB.  You can find more information here.  

Bursaries are means-tested – please click here for more information.

• Do you offer support to pupils with learning difficulties?

Our experienced team of dedicated Learning Support teachers support students from Reception to Year 11 who may need a little extra support with their studies.  We welcome the opportunity to discuss with parents how the School might be able to support for your child and identify any challenges they may face. Please do ensure that you share with us any learning difficulties your child may have at time of enquiry, and send us copies of any assessments and reports.

• Is there any school transport?

Yes.  We offer an extensive network of school buses covering the local area including Harpenden, St Albans, Radlett, Tring, Berkhamsted, Hemel Hempstead, Apsley, Redbourn, Chorleywood, Sarratt, Chipperfield, Bovingdon and Leverstock Green.

• Where can I buy school uniform?

School Uniform is available from our uniform supplier, schoolblazer.com and our Parents’ Association also operates a Pre Loved Uniform Shop, which is open regularly in term time, and on set dates in the school holidays.

• What is the average class size?

Class sizes vary depending on subject and year group.  In the prep school, classes vary from 10 to around 20 children, and in the senior school the average is around 16.

• What languages do you offer?

We currently offer French and Spanish; all pupils in the Prep School learn French, and Spanish is added from Year 7.

• Are you a very academic school?

As a school, academic study is naturally a priority, and teaching staff are committed to ensuring that our students achieve their best.  That said, we are also advocates for a holistic, all-round education, and we place great emphasis on opportunities beyond the classroom.  What we are NOT is an academic hothouse.  If a prospective student is keen to learn and eager to embrace opportunities, we believe they will thrive at Abbot’s Hill.

• Do you have a pass mark for entry?

Prospective Year 7 pupils sit the ISEB Common Pre Test.  We do not have a pass / fail mark and each year offer places to students in a wide ability bracket. . Each candidate is considered on their individual merits, although we do need to be confident that each studentswill be able to cope with the pace of the academic curriculum.  That said, we do not simply cream off the top-performing students.

• What subjects do you offer at GCSE?

You can view our GCSE subjects here:  GCSE Options | Independent School Hemel Hempstead | Abbot’s Hill School

• What are your GCSE results like?

Abbot’s Hill students consistently outperform national averages and also other local independent schools.  In 2025, 65% of our GCSE grades were 9-7, with 22% at grade 9.  As important as the top line results is our Value Add score that measures the progress students make between starting at the school and their final GCSE results.  In 2025, our average VA score was 1.4, meaning that on average our students achieved 1.4 grades higher per subject than they might have been predicted to do from their baseline assessments

• How many lessons are there each day, and what is the duration of each lesson?

Lesson number and length vary between the Prep School and Senior School.

In the Prep School, lessons are 30 minutes long, although pupils frequently have a double lesson.  There are two lessons  (8.35 – 9.05am and 9.05 to 9.35am) before break, and then 2 hour long lessons before lunch.  In the afternoon, there are two double lessons from 1.10 – 2.10om then from 2.15 to 3.20pm.

In the Senior School, form time is from 8.15 – 8.25am, then there are two hour long lessons before break at 10.30am, then a further two lessons before lunch.  Afternoon Form Time is from 1.55 – 2.10pm then there are two more lessons, with the school day finishing at 4.20pm (other than on Wednesdays when the school day finishes at 4.05pm)

• How do you stretch your more able students?

• Who takes care of pupils at Abbot’s Hill?

Your child’s Form Teacher is primarily responsible for their care, but each Form Teacher belongs to a support network that every pupil can tap into when needed.  This includes Heads of Year, our Assistant Head – Pastoral, Mrs King, the School Nurses and School Counsellor.  Reda more about Pastoral Care here

• How do you help new pupils to settle in?

Starting a new school can be difficult, but we have in place a network of support to ensure that every new student quickly finds their feet.  Depending on the age of the pupil, we may use a “buddy” and whatever the age, Form Teachers and Heads of Year (senior school) will check in with new pupils to check they are happy.  For Year 7, we have a more comprehensive transition, overseen by our Head of Year 7, Mrs Ventham.

• Who can my child speak to if they have a problem?

As above, the first port of call should be your child’s form teacher, but in their absence, pupils may choose to talk to another member of staff.

• What happens if my child is ill?

Our School Medical Centre is staffed by a nurse and assistant and this is open throughout the school day.  Additionally, we have a large team of first aiders on the staff.

• What is your policy on bullying?

Abbot’s Hill has zero tolerance when it comes to bullying of any kind.  Please read our Anti Bullying Policy here: Abbots-Hill-Anti-bullying-Policy-October-2024.pdf

• Can my child have music lessons?

Yes!  We offer music lessons taught by peripatetic teachers in a number of different instruments.

• What sports do you offer at Abbot’s Hill?

Our main school sports at Abbot’s Hill are netball, lacrosse, swimming, cricket and athletics.  Other sports are also on the timetable, such as trampolining, gymnastics, tennis, badminton, football and rounders.  As boys join our Senior Department, we will increase the number of sports available.

• What sort of trips do you offer?

Day trips start in our Pre Prep Department, and residential trips from Year 3. As your child progresses through the school, these trips increase in length and distance from home.  Recent trips have included a choir tour to Amsterdam, a Geography trip to Iceland and a sports tour to Barbados.

• How do Abbot’s Hill pupils engage with the local community and take part in charitable work?

• Where do pupils move onto after GCSEs?

Each year our Year 11 students leave us for a wide range of local and national schools, both independent and state, day and boarding, as well as colleges and performing arts schools. For recent Destinations of Leavers, click here: Leaver’s Destinations | Independent School Hemel Hempstead | Abbot’s Hill School

• Do you have an alumni organisation?

Yes!  AHOGA (Abbot’s Hill Old Girls’ Association) is a thriving network of former students and staff, which meets annually – with plenty of smaller, informal meet ups too!  The School likes to maintain close links with its leavers, who in turn happily return to school to share stories and advice about university and careers – we are always delighted to welcome them back to School!