Welcome to the Prep School

The Prep School at Abbot’s Hill is home to Years 3 to 6 — children aged 7 to 11 — and sits at the heart of our school community in Hemel Hempstead, Hertfordshire. It is a place where academic ambition and genuine enjoyment of learning go hand in hand, where every child is known as an individual, and where the foundations for a confident, capable future are firmly laid.

Here at Abbot’s Hill, we are a community that cares deeply about and respects one another. Our pupils thrive in a supportive and safe environment where their achievements — whatever form they take — are recognised and celebrated. As children move through the Prep School, our skilled and dedicated staff are exceptional role models, equipping every learner with the confidence, curiosity and character to stride out into their lives.

We are looking for all members of our community to embody our values:

Being ourselves — confident in who they are
Being kind — to each other and to the world around them
Being curious — asking questions and seeking to understand
Being challengers — pushing beyond their comfort zone
Being involved — in the life of the school and wider community

At Abbot’s Hill, we want to spark curiosity and enable pupils to think for themselves. We pride ourselves on an approach that inspires our learners to be active thinkers. Pupils here are taught by both their class teachers and specialists within a broad curriculum. As your child moves through the Prep School, we prepare them for their transition into the Senior School.

Our pupils also have the opportunity to engage in many different co-curricular activities at Abbot’s Hill. These are very much part of our offer and enrich the day-to-day experiences. Sport, coding or eco-awareness all feature in our extensive array of activities.

We want our pupils in the Nursery and Prep School to stride out into the world knowing themselves, embracing the diversity of the world around them and with the skills and desire to make a difference in their futures and in the lives of others.

Academic Life

Academic life in the Prep School is vibrant, purposeful and genuinely enjoyable. We aim for the highest standards — not through pressure, but through curiosity, creativity, enthusiasm and resourcefulness. Walk into any classroom and you will find curious minds at work, enthusiastic teachers and a shared belief that high expectations and a love of learning are not opposites. They go hand in hand.

Pupils in Years 3 to 6 are taught by both their class teachers and subject specialists across a broad and stimulating curriculum that includes English, Mathematics, Science, History, Geography, Religious Studies, PSHE, Art, Drama and Computing. From Year 3, children benefit from specialist teaching in French, Music and Physical Education, bringing expertise and energy to these key areas of the curriculum.

Class sizes in the Prep School average 16 pupils, ensuring that every child receives genuine individual attention. Our teachers know their pupils well — their learning styles, their passions, and exactly when they need encouragement or challenge.

As pupils move through Years 3 to 6, the curriculum broadens and deepens, building confidently on the foundations laid in Pre-Prep and preparing each child for a smooth and well-supported transition into the Senior School at Year 7.

Read more about the Prep School Curriculum

Pastoral Care

As a parent, you want to know that your child is not just achieving — but genuinely thriving. At Abbot’s Hill Prep, the wellbeing of every pupil is something we take deeply seriously.

Ours is a warm, nurturing community where no child is ever just a face in the crowd. Every pupil belongs to a Clan — a cross-year pastoral group rooted in the school’s founding Scottish heritage — which gives children a strong sense of belonging and a network of support that stretches across the school. Each Clan is led by a dedicated member of staff who monitors the academic progress, happiness and personal development of every child in their care.

Small class sizes mean our staff genuinely know every pupil — their strengths, their challenges, and what makes them tick. We actively equip our pupils with emotional resilience, effective coping strategies and the self-awareness they need to handle whatever life brings, inside school and beyond. We work closely with families throughout a child’s time with us, and our Learning Support team is on hand to provide tailored assistance for pupils with a range of learning differences, including dyslexia, dyscalculia and ADHD.

Read more about Pastoral Care in the Prep School

Co Curricular and Sport

Life at Abbot’s Hill Prep extends far beyond the classroom — and that is exactly how we like it. Our pupils are curious, passionate and full of energy, and our extensive programme of clubs, activities and trips is designed to match every interest, nurture every talent, and introduce children to passions they never knew they had.

We offer over 30 clubs and activities each week across sport, the arts, academic enrichment and outdoor learning. Whatever a child’s interest, there is something here for them — and we actively encourage every pupil to dive in, have a go and discover what lights them up.

Sport is central to Prep School life. Our main sports include netball, football, cricket, cross country, athletics and swimming, and we compete regularly against other schools at local level. The school’s 76-acre site provides exceptional outdoor space, including playing fields, a sports hall, and a swimming pool , giving pupils the room and the facilities to develop their skills and compete with confidence.

Beyond sport, pupils can take part in music ensembles, drama productions, coding club, eco club, art and a wide range of other activities. Our Outdoor Learning programme, which makes full use of the school’s 76 acre grounds, gives children regular opportunities to learn beyond the classroom — developing teamwork, problem-solving and a genuine connection with the natural world.

Prep School pupils also enjoy educational trips and visits throughout the year, bringing the curriculum to life and broadening horizons beyond the school gates.

Explore Co-Curricular Opportunies in the Prep School

Wraparound Care

We understand the practical demands of family life. To support busy parents, we offer high-quality wraparound care for all Prep School pupils. Children can enjoy a relaxed breakfast club from 7.45am and stay for After School Care until 6.00pm, with supervised activities and a nurturing environment throughout.

Moving on to Senior School

The Prep School is designed as a confident stepping stone to the Senior School. As pupils approach the end of Year 6, we prepare them carefully for the transition to Year 7 — academically, pastorally and socially. The vast majority of our Prep pupils progress naturally into the Abbot’s Hill Senior School, where they build on the strong foundations laid during their Prep years within a community they already know and love.

Read moire about the transition to Senior School

Come and Visit Us!

Websites can only go so far. The best way to experience Abbot’s Hill Prep is to come and see it for yourself — meet our staff and pupils, explore the 76-acre site, and get a real feel for what makes this community so special.

We offer Open Events throughout the year as well as private tours during the school day. Whichever you choose, you can be sure of a warm welcome.

Come and Visit

“At her previous school, our daughter was just one of thirty children in a classroom. Here, the teachers know her — really know her. They understand how she learns, what makes her tick, and exactly when she needs a gentle push or a word of encouragement. The difference that makes to her confidence is immeasurable.”

Abbot's Hill Parent

Come and Visit Us

Come and visit us to get a taste of what Abbot's Hill can offer your child! We run Open Events throughout the year, and also welcome families into school throughout term time for private tours and meetings with the Head. Get in touch with our Admissions Team to book your chosen visit.

Book Your Place