Highly ambitious • Ever inspiring • Big hearted

Welcome to Abbot’s Hill School

Thank you for your interest in Abbot’s Hill School.  We are a school rooted in history. founded over 100 years ago by the Baird sisters who sought to provide an ‘education of character’ for young women.  This desire, and the accompanying motto ‘vie et virtute’  or ‘through strength and valour’, to us encapsulates the courageous, caring and ambitious young women that make up our community today at Abbot’s Hill School. From September 2025 our School will be co-educational in Nursery through to Year 6 (*) and an all-girls setting from Year 7-11.

Set within 76-acres of stunning school grounds on the outskirts of Hemel Hempstead, Abbot’s Hill offers our students the space to be inspired, to be authentic, and to achieve their academic aspirations. Our exceptional facilities include a Forest School, swimming pool, sports hall, science labs, theatre, and so much more. We take pride in nurturing both academic excellence and personal growth in a healthy, supportive, and positive environment.

In an area blessed with many excellent schools, what makes Abbot’s Hill stand out?

A Happy, Healthy Learning Environment

Our goal is to foster a lifelong love of learning in every pupil. We challenge the most able and support those who need it most, ensuring that each student reaches their full academic potential.

Our dedicated staff take pride in nurturing each child’s academic strengths, delivering an education that both challenges and inspires, regardless of ability.

Despite being a smaller school, we offer an impressive selection of GCSE subjects, and our results consistently reflect strong academic achievement. While exam performance is only one aspect of a school’s success, we are rightly proud of what our students accomplish.

Beyond excellent exam outcomes, our students achieve outstanding ‘Value Added’ scores—demonstrating significant academic progress from starting points in Year 7 and GCSE when compared to peers nationally.

Each year, our Year 11 students consistently secure places at their first-choice Sixth Forms, a testament to the strength of our academic programme and support.

Wellbeing First

At Abbot’s Hill, just like you, we want your child to thrive—both academically and personally. Above all, we believe that happiness is the foundation of success. That’s why our school places a strong emphasis on pastoral care and nurtures a whole-school ethos centred around wellbeing and mental health.

In everyday life, this translates into a vibrant, positive school culture where pupils are encouraged to embrace healthy lifestyles, stay active, learn how to relax, and develop practical strategies for managing stress—particularly during exam periods. Wellbeing is a regular focus at Student Council meetings, where pupils are empowered to share their views, voice concerns, and contribute ideas. We also conduct regular surveys to monitor students’ mood and confidence, ensuring every voice is heard.

For those who need additional support, our strong Tutor system, led by our Heads of School, allows us to respond swiftly and personally. Tailored support plans are put in place to meet the unique needs of each pupil, ensuring they feel understood, valued, and guided.

At Abbot’s Hill, you can be assured that your child will be known as an individual. They will be supported, encouraged, and inspired to exceed their own expectations—both in the classroom and beyond.

Tailored Support

At Abbot’s Hill, we are dedicated to helping every child reach their full potential. Our diverse and inclusive curriculum is carefully designed to be accessible, engaging, and challenging—ensuring all pupils are inspired to achieve their best.

We understand that every child is unique. That’s why our Learning Support Department provides personalised assistance, adapting to each pupil’s individual needs and learning style. Personal development is at the heart of everything we do, and every member of staff is committed to nurturing the progress and wellbeing of each student.

You can be confident that your child will be supported, valued, and encouraged every step of the way.

Broad Co Curricular Offering

While academic learning is at the heart of school life, at Abbot’s Hill we believe that education extends far beyond the classroom. The experiences pupils gain outside of lessons are just as important in preparing them for life—building confidence, resilience, and a wide range of skills.

That’s why we offer a rich and varied co-curricular programme, designed to inspire curiosity, creativity, and personal growth. Lunchtime and after school essions ensure that every pupil has the opportunity to take part in something they enjoy—whether it’s outdoor adventure, hands-on creativity, intellectual exploration, or trying something completely new.

From art, music, dance, and drama to an inclusive and dynamic sports programme, there’s something for everyone. Our commitment to enrichment means pupils are encouraged to pursue their passions, develop new talents, and make lasting memories.

Click here to discover more about Sport, Performing Arts, Fine Art, our extra-curricular clubs and activities, school trips, and opportunities for learning in the great outdoors.

A Warm and Welcoming Community

It may be a familiar phrase, but Abbot’s Hill genuinely has a warm, family feel. Our close-knit and welcoming community is something we’re deeply proud of. We recognise that when a child joins our school, their whole family becomes part of the community too.

We value the strong partnership between parents and staff, working together to create a supportive, enjoyable environment for everyone. AHSPA, our vibrant PTA is a key part of this, and all parents are warmly invited to get involved. Whether helping to organise events or simply attending them, your participation plays an important role in enriching school life—and offers a wonderful way to connect with other families.

A Seamless Journey: From First Steps to Future Ready

We understand that the first days of school are the foundation of a lifelong love of learning. Our Nursery and Reception teams work hand-in-hand to ensure a warm, consistent and joyful transition into formal schooling. Children move from familiar faces and routines into Reception with confidence, already feeling part of the school community.  Through shared learning environments and regular interaction with Reception staff, our youngest pupils flourish with a sense of belonging and curiosity.

The move from Year 6 to Year 7 isn’t a leap into the unknown — it’s a carefully supported step forward in a journey that’s already well underway. We believe that a truly exceptional education doesn’t just prepare children for the next stage — it connects each stage seamlessly. That’s why our transition from Prep to Senior School is designed to feel natural, exciting and empowering for every pupil.

By the time our pupils reach the end of Year 6, they are already confident members of the wider school community. They know the grounds, the teachers and the expectations. They’ve taken part in whole-school events, used, and been gradually introduced to the rhythms of senior school life. Rather than starting over in a new and unfamiliar environment, our pupils move into Year 7 with a sense of belonging — ready to embrace new challenges in a place that already feels like home.

We recognise that the transition to senior school can bring big questions — for both pupils and parents. That’s why our dedicated transition programme begins long before the first day of Year 7. From taster days and bridging activities to meeting future teachers and older pupil mentors, we ensure that every child feels prepared, supported and excited.  Small form groups, a exceptionally strong pastoral care system, and close communication with families mean that no pupil is overlooked. We don’t just help them settle in — we help them thrive.

When parents choose Abbot’s Hill  we know that you are not just choosing a school for today — you are choosing a place where your child can grow, flourish and be known across every stage of their education. With a shared ethos running from Nursery to Year 11, Abbot’s Hill pupils benefit from a consistent approach to learning, values and care that builds confidence for life.

Simplifying Life for Busy Families

At Abbot’s Hill, we understand that every family’s needs are different. That’s why we offer a flexible and supportive approach to the school day, designed to make life easier for both pupils and parents.

Our wraparound care options provide a helping hand for busy families. Prep School children can be dropped off from 8:00am, and pupils in Year 5 and above have the option to stay until 6:00pm—giving parents peace of mind and a little more breathing room in their day.

To support families who live further afield, we also operate a network of school bus routes. These are regularly reviewed to ensure they meet the needs of our community. Full details can be found on our School Transport page.

“Abbot’s Hill is the antithesis of a pushy school and prides itself on not putting unnecessary pressure on the girls. The upshot?

Excellent GCSE results.”

Muddy Stilettos

Register Your Interest

Join us for a tour and discover what Abbot’s Hill has to offer your child. please provide your details below.

We look forward to hearing from you.

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“Pupils develop strong technological, inference and debating skills. Emphasis is placed on making learning fun, developing pupils’ awareness of their next steps and making the process of learning meaningful.”

Independent Schools Inspectorate November 2023

Mission, Vision and Values

Mission
To foster a community in which all individuals are happy and inspired to live purposeful and fulfilling lives while remaining true to our founding values of strength and character.

Vision
A first choice school with outstanding environments in which to work, learn and play. We embrace diversity and provide an education fit for the modern world by challenging everyone in our community to be confident in who they are, develop strength of character and to become active, compassionate citizens who make significant and lasting contributions to others throughout their lives.

Values
We have developed our beliefs and behaviours as a whole community into a set of values and actions that guide our Prep and Senior Schools. Each year, these values are reviewed as a collective community of children and staff to ensure that they reflect our ethos and vision.

Contact Us

If you would like to book onto our next Open Day or arrange a Private Tour and meeting with the Head, please email our Admissions team or call us on 01442 240333.

We look forward to welcoming you at Abbots Hill School.

 

 

* Subject to DfE Approval