We’ve selected some top schools from in and around Hertfordshire offering top notch education for its students

1. Bishop’s Stortford College

10 Maze Green Road, Bishop’s Stortford CM23 2PJ | 01279 838575

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Bishop’s Stortford College is a top 20 UK independent co-educational day and boarding school. In its March 2017 inspection, the college received the ISI headline judgements ‘excellent’ in all four sections.

As three schools in one, the college is large enough to provide an exceptional range of opportunities, whilst small enough for pupils to be known and valued. The infectious enthusiasm, imagination and dedication of college staff enables pupils to grow into happy, well-rounded, skilful and caring young people equipped and ready for life.

Breadth of experience is woven into daily life. Pupils can, and do, pursue high academic standards whilst enjoying and succeeding in many other interests. Every pupil is encouraged, taught and challenged to fulfil his or her true potential. Teachers strive to allow time and space for academic work to be balanced by sport, music, drama, and a diverse choice of other activities. The school’s tagline is ‘We Build Confidence for Life’.

Click here for more information on open mornings taking place October 13 and November 10.

Great British Life: KingshottKingshott (Image: Archant)

2. Kingshott School

Kingshott School, Stevenage Road, Hitchin SG4 7JX | 01462 432009

Kingshott School is set on the outskirts of Hitchin, Hertfordshire, and provides an outstanding co-educational learning experience for children aged three to 13.

At Kingshott, learning is more than simply an accumulation of information and facts. If that were so, school would be boring and life at Kingshott is anything but boring! It is exciting, it is varied and it is fun. It wants its children to be happy and achieve their potential; to be the best they can be.

Since 2004, Kingshott has made major improvements to the facilities, embracing the idea that innovation and tradition go hand in hand. Most recently, it opened a multimillion-pound sports and drama hall. This huge multipurpose space has tiered seating for up to 400 people and a purpose built audio-visual suite along with an additional studio space.

Senior schools compliment Kingshott on pupils’ fine work ethic, outstanding manners, desire to achieve their best and excellent academic foundations.

Great British Life: Tring Park School for the Performing ArtsTring Park School for the Performing Arts (Image: Archant)

3. Tring Park School for the Performing Arts

Tring HP23 5LX | 01442 824255

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A fantastic opportunity for boys! Is your son interested in the performing arts? Does he want to go where like-minded boys study?

We currently have two alumni sharing the lead role in Matthew Bourne’s Swan Lake and another who has just joined the cast of Hamilton.

Life in a Day for Boys offers two free opportunities to spend a day with Tring Park male students in class. Participants can observed a master class; find out how this unique performing arts and academic school works and hear from senior staff. To find out more and to book your places (parents are welcome) go to the website:

9 November: Life in a Day for Boys – Acting, Musical Theatre & Commercial Music. 7 December: Life in a Day for Boys – Dance. Auditions take place from November 2018 – February 2019. Apply to be screened at www.tringpark.com/applying

4. St Francis’ College

Broadway, Letchworth Garden City SG6 3PJ | 01462 670511

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In 1933 a group of Sisters of Charity of Jesus and Mary from Ghent came to Letchworth Garden City to open St. Francis’ College. They would be delighted to know that the college continues to thrive and is celebrating its 85th anniversary this month.

There have been physical improvements and additions to the building and teaching in the 21st century bears no resemblance to what took place in the early days. The sisters continued to run the college until 1983 when the management of the college was handed over to St. Francis’ College Trust. The college became and still is a multi-denominational Christian community that welcomes pupils of all or no faith.

In 2018 St. Francis’ College can be proud of its achievements over the last 85 years. It is a happy, successful school where pupils thrive in an environment that recognises the unique qualities of each individual.

Great British Life: LittlegarthLittlegarth (Image: Archant)

5. Littlegarth

Horkesley Park, Nayland, Colchester Essex CO6 4JR

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Children, staff and parents of Littlegarth have been enjoying an exciting academic year following the school’s outstanding all-round performance in the recent ISI inspection. Another highlight of 2017-18 has been the completion of a substantial new building development incorporating six classrooms, library, learning support, IT, art, DT, drama and music facilities which has enhanced the all-round learning experience of our children.

Littlegarth has always been proud of its warm and caring ethos where all the children are respected as individuals. Its academic record is excellent and this year has been no exception with over 50% of children gaining scholarship awards and 25% gaining places at the highly selective grammar schools. Littlegarth is also extremely successful at sport and a wide range of artistic activities including music and drama.

It provides a broad, balanced and exciting curriculum with outstanding specialist expertise. Children work hard to support each other and take great pride in the many achievements of their peers. The excellent pastoral provision serves to ensure that each child feels safe and cared for.

The inspection reports highlight the outstanding qualities of Littlegarth School and it hopes that you will consider visiting to witness these qualities yourselves in the near future.

Great British Life: St Margaret's Prep SchoolSt Margaret's Prep School (Image: Copyright © 2016 Deborah Pendell)

6. St Margaret’s Prep School

Gosfield Hall Park, Gosfield, Halstead, Essex CO9 1SE | 01787 472134

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When reading any information about an independent school you would expect to see the words ‘unique’, ‘small class sizes’, ‘bringing the best out in each child’, ‘excellent academic results’ and so forth. St. Margaret’s offers all of those, but you would expect that from any good Preparatory School. So what makes it different? Why would it encourage you to put your trust in the school? Parents who send their children to St Margaret’s know they can trust it to make education fun and stimulating. Having been established since 1946, they know its reputation for developing exceptionally well-rounded pupils with a love of learning.

They know the academic results speak for themselves, with excellence in scholarships, including sport and the arts, especially music. It ensures that every child reaches age 11 well prepared to join the senior school that is just right for them. But what makes St Margaret’s so special for parents is the warm and nurturing heart at its core, with every child valued and treated as an individual to bring out the very best in them.

Quite simply it is a family, with traditional caring family values. You’ll feel it as soon as you see the school in its beautiful parkland setting and step inside the warm and welcoming entrance; you’ll feel it when you see the dedicated team helping every child to flourish, celebrating their achievements and recognising their strengths; most of all you’ll feel it when you meet the children themselves – delightful, happy, thriving and full of life. They are the greatest achievement and the school is so proud to be a part of their lives.

St Margaret’s would love to welcome you to visit, either on one of the open mornings, or on a private tour, and to show you just why it is so proud.