St. Hilda’s is a small, nurturing, family-centred independent school for girls in Harpenden, a few miles north of St Albans, Hertfordshire. We provide a holistic, well-rounded prep school education which seeks to foster confidence in our pupils.
Our aims are founded on six values which are intrinsically embedded in all we do to educate our pupils. Each half term, we focus on one value, seeking to apply its principles to our daily school life.
We have high standards of teaching and learning, and pupils follow a wide-ranging curriculum that ensures academic subjects are blended with creativity and sporting endeavour.
St Hilda’s School was founded in 1891 and since then has been at the centre of Harpenden life. The school is a tight-knit community and families are quickly made welcome. There is an active, fundraising parent group, The Friends of St Hilda’s, who organise events for pupils and parents throughout the year.
The premises include an adjacent field used for outdoor learning, sports and break times, a tennis court, a small swimming pool, and attractive play areas for all age groups. The building has been twice extended to add purpose built learning areas including a Hall, Nursery, Art Room, STEM Lab and sound-proofed Performing Arts Studio on the top floor.
St. Hilda’s is a member of the Girls’ Schools Association, the Independent Schools Association, and the Independent Schools Council.
St. Hilda’s School last underwent a full inspection by the Independent Schools Inspectorate (ISI) in February 2024, with the school being compliant in all areas. Previous inspections took place in October 2019 and November 2016, both of which were successfully passed in all areas. All reports can be viewed by clicking below:
