Aldenham School

Age: 11–18 years.

Aldenham Boarding School was founded in 1597. The first stone of the school foundation was laid with the personal permission and blessing of Queen Elizabeth I. In 1997, the school celebrated its 400th anniversary on a grand scale, which was personally visited by Princess Anne, sister of Elizabeth II.

Aldenham school is located on an area of ​​44 hectares in the village of Aldenham, in the beautiful Hertfordshire countryside, just 20 kilometers from central London. Thanks to its core values ​​– drive, collaboration, courage, curiosity, independence and respect – The school strives to create a caring, community where students are self-motivated and encouraged to achieve.

The school has about 700 students.

Director (for 2024)

Andy Williams, Education – Loughborough University, BA; University of Chichester, Master's degree in Educational Administration; University of Manchester, postgraduate certificate with the right to conduct teaching.

Famous school graduates

• Al-Sultan Abdullah, sixth king of Malaysia
• Sir Martin Sweeting, Director of Surrey Space Center and Chief Executive Officer of Surrey Satellite Technology Ltd
• William Hammersley, journalist, athlete, co-founder of Australian Rules Football
• Sir Robert Edis, architect
• Frank Cowper, yachtsman, writer and illustrator
• Sir Alfred Gilbert, sculptor and goldsmith
• Arnold McNair, legal scholar, judge of the International Court of Justice and first President of the European Court of Human Rights
• Sir Wallace Akers, chemist
• Arthur Jacques, cricketer
• Leo Reed, cricketer
• Sir Kenneth Pickthorne, historian, politician and President of Corpus Christi College, Cambridge
• James Mardall, first-class cricketer and British Army officer
• Thomas Rice Henn, literary critic and writer
• Lawrence P. Williams, production designer
• Geoffrey Longfield, first-class cricketer and Royal Air Force officer
• Jack DeManio, radio host
• John Debenham Taylor, Secret Intelligence Service officer
• Mike Raven, writer, actor and artist
• Sir Kenneth Warren, politician
• Dale Winton, broadcaster, BBC Radio 2 presenter
• Baroness Karren Brady, Managing Director of West Ham United Football Club
• Leo Green, British musician and television presenter
• Matt Wallace, professional golfer
• Charlie Patino, football player

Key factors

• Graduates enter top universities; every year 20% of graduates enter Russell Group universities.
• Small class sizes: usually 22 students, and in high schools – 11 students each.
• Teacher to student ratio – 1:8.
• The school has very strong football. It has been the main sport at the school since its inception, and the school played an important role in developing the original rules of the game!
• Aldenham school combines specialist teaching and small class sizes with a broad curriculum, with 20 GCSE subjects and 27 A-level subjects to choose from.

Equipment

School sports facilities:

• full size sports center which includes a fitness room, dance studio and martial arts studio;
• flooded, newly renovated all-season field with artificial turf for hockey, football and tennis;
• newly renovated outdoor tennis and netball courts;
• nine full-size football fields and three training grounds;
• cricket fields;
• three mini-basketball courts and one full-size court;
• five all-weather golf courses.
• own sailing club consisting of eight boats.

The school's art department is well equipped, including three studios. There is a dedicated area for high school students with individual work areas, excellent natural light and beautiful exhibition space.

The school has an excellent music department. Children study in a beautiful converted chapel. There are rehearsal rooms, a well-equipped soundproof studio, two classrooms (one with an iMac), a music library and a 90-seat concert hall with a foyer and balcony overlooking the beautiful school grounds.

Program

GCSE

Two-year program to obtain a certificate of general secondary education. 6 subjects are compulsory, 4 subjects are optional.

A-level

Two-year program to prepare for entering the university. Students choose 4 or 5 subjects for in-depth study.

Accommodation and accommodation

Accommodation in a residence on the school grounds. Each student is assigned to one of the boarding houses. This system creates a strong sense of community. The school has 2 houses for younger students and 6 houses for older students. Boys and girls live in different houses. Children live in rooms for up to 5 people, high school students – in single rooms. The residences have spacious common rooms for relaxation and socializing, billiard tables and their own small kitchen.

Sport

Sports – an integral part of school life. Success in sports requires dedication, practice, the ability to work in a team and follow instructions, a desire to improve and a healthy respect for others. These are good qualities, and the school encourages their development.

Main sports – football, netball, cricket, hockey. These are competitive sports that involve matches and special coaching programs. They  are aimed not only at leading school teams to victory, but also at finding, supporting and developing future professional athletes.

At school you can practice sailing, basketball, tennis, athletics, and volleyball. There are two golf teams that compete in school competitions. The school also runs an academy for golfers, where lessons are taught by professional coaches. Dancing is popular among boys and girls, and the annual dance show is a highlight of school life.

Additional activities

Twice a week, interest clubs are held. The school has over 50 activities: film club, art, chess, archery, sailing and skiing. The Combined Cadet Force (CCF) and Duke of Edinburgh Prize program are popular.< /p>

The school has a strong art department. The teachers have the breadth and depth of experience and skills to provide students with an excellent art education. Students practice ceramics, painting, conceptual art techniques, media and glass fusion, and learn Photoshop. Popular classes include textiles, design and technology, sculpture.

Children regularly go to exhibitions and museums, and also attend practical master classes by invited artists. This way children can expand their understanding of the world of art and form their own style. Throughout the year, children participate in competitions, and outstanding works are often recognized at the national level and receive awards and prizes. For example, last year a school student won the prestigious Painter-Stainers Award. 

The school employs 20 teachers of strings, wind, brass and percussion instruments, as well as harp, organ, piano, saxophone and guitar. Rehearsals and performances of various orchestras and the school choir take place regularly. Musical theater is popular. Throughout the year, children participate in performances, both at larger events in front of the whole school and guests, and at less formal events such as Friday concerts, Tuesday lunchtime concerts and weekly school assemblies.

There are many famous creative personalities among the students’ parents, and this is not without reason. Students consider the theater department “incredible, perhaps the best in the school.” Most schoolchildren are involved in theater life in one way or another. Performances are held annually, a large dance show is staged in the spring, and in the summer – performance for younger schoolchildren. The quality of the productions is very high! The school has a purpose-built 150-seat theater, with many performances taking place at various school venues.

Children can not only perform on stage, but also work as part of a stage team on staging light, sound and stage design. Pupils attend performances in London's West End, which enhances the pupils' knowledge and understanding of plays, acting and design styles, and production in general. Several pupils from the school are part of the National Youth Theater and some go on to LAMDA (London Academy of Music and theater), exams can be taken at school. One of the recent graduates got a role in the play Everybody's Talking About Jamie, and then entered drama school. D

Cost, 2023-2024

£13,547 per semester.
There are 3 semesters in the academic year.

Included in price

• Training
• Accommodation and meals

Additional charge

• Registration fee - £150
• Deposit - cost of 1 semester
• Air travel
• Transfers to/from/airport
• Visa
• Educational company services
• Selection of a guardian, which is a mandatory requirement of a British school

Paradise Education London services and fees 

How to choose a school