Private schools | Hatfield

Recommended Private Schools In Hatfield

Private schools also known as Independent Schools charge fees to attend. This is unlike other schools that are funded by the government. Students do not have to follow the national curriculum. All the private schools in Hertfordshire and the UK must be registered with the government and are inspected regularly. All independent schools in Hertfordshire and the UK are overseen by The Independent Schools Council. They bring together associations of independent schools, their heads, bursars and governors. They represent not only all the private schools in Hertfordshire but represent over 1,300 independent schools in the UK and overseas.

The independent schools are ranked among the best in the world and Hertfordshire has some of the very best. Common Entrance is the name for examinations taken by both boys and girls for entrance to senior independent schools in Hertfordshire at 11+ or 13+. The papers and syllabuses are devised and set by examiners appointed by the Board. The candidates’ answers are then marked by the senior school for which a candidate is entered. The examinations are more often than not taken in the candidate's current school. The 11+ candidates will sit examinations in Maths, English, and Science. Candidates take the examinations when they are in Year 6, usually for girls' schools. 13+ candidates also sit examinations in Maths, English and Science, alongside papers selected from a wide range of languages, humanities, and classical subjects. The 11+ examinations are usually taken in the spring term of Year 6 prior to entry to senior school the following September. The 13+ examinations are usually taken in the spring or summer term of Year 8, again prior to entry to senior school the following September. Senior schools decide at which stage in the year the examinations are to be taken. 

Applying to private schools in Hertfordshire. Firstly, decide how old your child will be when they start in their school. Common starting ages are 2,3,4,5,7,11,13 and 16 in the September of the year they begin in Hertfordshire and the whole of the UK. Secondly, decide if you are interested in a boarding school or not. Many private schools in Hertfordshire offer boarding. Then by obtaining a list of suitable private schools in Hertfordshire look up their admission dates and processes on their websites. It is important to visit the schools in Hertfordshire as some offer outstanding facilities. It is also advisable to apply to several schools, especially if the schools are academically selective. The facilities of many of the private schools in Hertfordshire are often impressive by the sheer size and quality of the buildings and the beautifully kept grounds. The sense of space contributes to the atmosphere of civility and unpressured purposefulness the school’s communities strive for. Often the facilities are first-class and are continuously modified and improved to respond to the demands of today’s education. Some independent schools in Hertfordshire have hundreds of acres of magnificent playing fields. Outstanding sports facilities are likely to include cricket nets, heated indoor swimming pool, floodlit all-weather hockey pitches, lakes for sailing and windsurfing, grass and hard tennis courts, squash and fives court, a fencing piste and athletics track. These schools will promote teams in rugby, hockey, cricket, basketball, athletics, golf, soccer, shooting, swimming, and tennis.

The values of these independent schools in Hertfordshire will be that the pupil is at the heart of the school. The students are treated courteously. The school’s aim will be to encourage students to enjoy realising their natural talents without undue pressure. They will not try and mould the pupils but instead let each one discovers their personal gifts and talents, so that they have the knowledge, passions, and skills, on leaving school. These values will allow the student to become the person he wants to be. The private schools in Hertfordshire aim to support and to nurture the student’s natural talents. For them it is important that every child has the potential to excel. There are often as many as 20+ subjects at I/GCSE level and more at A Level. Pupils are not encouraged to accumulate qualifications for the sake of it. Most take 9 or 10 subjects at I/GCSE and 3 or 4 A levels. There are also usually Extended Project Qualification. The Arts and Drama provide many opportunities for the younger students and there is a major production each term. Musicians are extremely well catered for. There are often Junior Choirs, Junior Orchestras or Junior Swing and Dixieland Jazz Bands, Brass Bands, Wind Bands and Chamber Orchestras. Concerts are many, sometimes culminating in Music Weeks at the end of each year. The choice of private and independent schools is extensive. They start at all ages and offer exceptional learning tuition within sublime facilities. We hope you find the right private school for your child.

Happy exploring the Hertfordshire Online team.