Selective indies in hertfordshire

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we have just moved to hertfordshire, and starting to look round for selective independent senior schools. We are particularly looking for one with boarding as an option as ds has expressed interest in this for a while, so far the local indies do not have boarding and the ones that do e.g haileybury college,, aldenham dont seem to be academic enough. We would prefer no more than than 50 mins to an hour's drive max from saint albans. Does anyone know of any good ones ?

Bump

I went to Berkhamsted collegiate school before it combined.

How long ago was that if you dont mind being asked ? Do you know anything about it now ? Im looking for very recent experience of it, it may have changed a lot.

Although I would agree that Aldenham is not so academic would disagree about haileybury. From friends/acquaintances who have sent sons there I would say high flyers do extremely well there. Berkhamsted School also does well for high flyers. However I would say that it is a day school as the boarding element is dominated by Chinese/Nigerian so your son would not get such a good experience. Harrow would fit your criteria well, and is only just south of the M25. Bedford have the boys school - not so much experience of them to be honest although good reputation. St Albans has an excellent reputation - not sure about boarding element.

St Georges , harpenden?
Edge grove aldenham?

Would second that St george's worth considering. This is a unique school, whereby it is a non-fee paying school with paid-for boarding attached if wanted. It is notoriously difficult to get into if you live outside harpenden and has a strong faith ( c of e ) element to entry. The children I have known to be offered places from outside of the catchment are what I would describe as academically gifted. If you're looking for non-boarding as follows: aldwickbury and St Albans Boys school (stabs most academic), also consider sherrardwood, co-ed and noted for making children their best-selves. St columba's school (catholic) very popular and would mean that making friends locally, rather than from across north London. Good luck.

Oundle

Unfortunately STABs and dont do boarding, ive heard some good things about oundle but ive just checked the distance and its one and half hrs drive! I would have loved an oundle type school but nearer.

I looked up edgegrove and aldwickbury and they are most certainly preps ?

STAB's is the most academic. But it is day only.

Have you considered Bedford, if you want boarding? It has quite a wide intake but is really very good. They do weekly and termly boarding and you can get there on the train from St Albans or straight up the M1.

Aldwickbury and Edgegrove are preps.

We used to live in St Albans,

Most of DS1's old classmates from his prep are going to Bedford, a few of the more academic ones are going to STAB's.

I looked at both, and prefered Bedford. However, we now live up north so he is going to school up here

Is STABs more academic than bedford and haileybury or are they all on par ? Thank you ladies.

Well if you didn't want boarding then most certainly habs. However I would say Haileybury is the best out of the boarding