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Moving on to Senior School

At Abbot’s Hill, the move from Prep School into the Senior School is one of the most natural transitions in education. Our Prep School children in Year 6 (age 10–11) progress automatically into Year 7 of the Senior School — there is no re-application, no separate entrance examination, and no starting from scratch. They simply take the next confident step in a community they already know and love, in buildings they already know, alongside friends they have already made.

The Abbot’s Hill Senior School, which named The Sunday Times Parent Power Independent 11–16 School of the Year 2026, educates pupils in Years 7 to 11 (ages 11–16) on the same 76-acre campus in Hemel Hempstead, Hertfordshire. For our Prep pupils, the step into Senior School is not a leap into the unknown. It is a graduation into something they have been preparing for – academically, socially and emotionally – throughout their time in the Prep School.

What Awaits in the Senior School

Senior School opens up a broader, deeper and more ambitious world of learning and opportunity. In the Senior School, pupils experience:

  • A wider curriculum taught entirely by subject specialists — including sciences as separate disciplines (Biology, Chemistry and Physics), a broader range of humanities, languages (French and Spanish), creative arts (Art, Product Design and Photography), performing arts (Music, Drama and Dance) and Food Technology
  • GCSE options are chosen in Year 9, with pupils selecting a programme of subjects that reflects their individual strengths and interests
  • An expanded co-curricular programme — including Duke of Edinburgh’s Award from Year 9, leadership roles, a Senior Sports programme and Activities Week
  • New responsibilities and leadership opportunities — as prefects, Clan leaders, and ultimately Head Student and Deputy Head Student
  • A more independent approach to learning, building the study skills and self-management that will serve them well beyond Abbot’s Hill

And through it all — the same Clan, the same site, the same community. The thread of belonging that has run through their time at Abbot’s Hill Prep continues, unbroken, into the Senior School.

The Transition Programme

We take the Year 6 to Year 7 transition seriously — and we make it genuinely exciting. The process begins well before the end of Year 6 and unfolds across several carefully planned stages, including parent meetings with Senior School staff, presentations, taster lessons and more.

This carefully sequenced programme means that by the time pupils walk into their first Year 7 lesson, they are ready — settled, confident and genuinely excited about what comes next.

A Note on Co-Education

From September 2026, the Abbot’s Hill Senior School is fully co-educational, welcoming boys into Year 7 for the first time. For our Prep School cohort moving up from Year 6, this means joining a Year 7 that includes both boys and girls — a positive and well-prepared change that reflects the school’s broader vision for the years ahead. The transition programme has been designed with this in mind, ensuring that all new Year 7 pupils — regardless of their background — feel equally expected, welcomed and part of the community from day one.

Automatic Senior School Places

All Abbot’s Hill Prep pupils are automatically offered a Senior School place. There is no separate application, no re-registration fee, and no additional entrance examination.  If a family wishes their child to be considered for an Academic Scholarship, the school may ask the pupil to sit the assessment to ensure benchmarking against external candidates. The admissions process for internal pupils is managed directly by our Admissions team, who will guide you through any paperwork during the Autumn Term of Year 6.

If you have any questions about the Year 6 to Year 7 transition — for your current Prep child or for a child you are considering joining us at Year 7 from another school — please contact our Admissions team directly

Admissions and Transition

All pupils are automatically entered for a Senior School place. The transition to Senior School begins in the Spring Term of Year 5 when the pupils spend a day in the Senior School, trying out subjects and meeting pupils and teachers. In the Summer Term, parents are invited to discuss the next stage in their child’s education with the Head of Prep. Pupil and parent interviews take place in the Autumn Term.

We offer a seamless transition from Year 6 to Year 7. A formal Induction Day and a Welcome Evening for parents are followed by a family picnic in July and a programme of events just prior to the start of term in September, including an overnight camp-out in the school grounds.

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.
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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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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