The King's School, Harpenden Review 2026: Faith & Character

Set within the peaceful, leafy grounds of the Highfield Oval, The King's School offers a distinct educational proposition in Harpenden: a small, independent, Christian school for children aged 4 to 16. With just over 200 pupils, it feels less like an institution and more like an extended family. The school was founded in 1982 by parents seeking an education centred on biblical values, and that founding spirit remains the bedrock of daily life.

Classes are deliberately small, ensuring no child drifts through the system unnoticed. While many independent schools race towards expansion, The King's School has retained a scale that allows staff to know every pupil, not just by name, but by character. The atmosphere is calm, relational, and purposeful, driven by a conviction that character formation is as vital as academic success.

The setting is unique. The school occupies the historic Highfield Oval, a site with a rich heritage of Christian ministry. The main building, a Grade II listed structure, provides a sense of permanence, while the surrounding green space offers ample room for play and sport.

Mr Andy Reeves has led the school since 2017. His leadership is characterised by a clear vision for "education with a higher purpose". Parents describe the environment as gentle but robust; there is a tangible sense of shared values between home and school. Unlike many independent schools where the ethos can feel historic or nominal, here the Christian faith is living and integrated. Assemblies, known as "worship times", are central to the week, and the school motto, In Christ We Flourish, is a practical description of the school's aim rather than just a slogan on a blazer.

The small size—typically one form entry—creates a vertical integration rarely found elsewhere. Reception children mix naturally with GCSE students at lunch or during whole-school events. This fosters a protective, sibling-like dynamic where older students actively look out for the younger ones.

Despite being non-selective, the school achieves academic outcomes that sit comfortably above national averages. In 2024, the school ranked 709th in England and 4th in Harpenden for GCSE outcomes (FindMySchool ranking). This performance places it in the "strong" band, sitting above the England average and within the top 25% of schools in England.

Detailed metrics from 2024 show that 37% of GCSE grades awarded were 9-7 (A*-A), a solid achievement for a mixed-ability cohort. The school credits this to small class sizes and focused teaching that targets individual potential rather than just league table position.

In the primary phase (Reception to Year 6), the focus is on securing strong foundations in reading, writing, and mathematics without the high-pressure testing culture found in some prep schools. While the school does not publish KS2 SATs data in the same format as state schools, internal tracking and secondary transfer data suggest pupils are well-prepared for the demands of the senior curriculum.

The curriculum is broad but traditional. In the Junior School (Reception to Year 6), the approach combines rigorous grounding in core subjects with creative topic work. The "Highfield Humanities" curriculum allows younger children to explore history and geography through immersive themes, often utilizing the extensive grounds for outdoor learning.

In the Senior School (Years 7-11), the academic pace increases. Class sizes typically range from 12 to 20, allowing for significant teacher-pupil interaction. Specialist teaching is introduced early, with subject experts delivering science, languages, and music. The curriculum includes Christian Perspectives, a core subject that encourages students to think critically about faith, culture, and ethics.

Learning support is a strength. The school’s size allows for early identification of needs, and the Learning Support Department works closely with teachers to implement strategies in the classroom. This is not a "remedial" bolt-on but an integrated part of the teaching strategy, ensuring that pupils with dyslexia or mild processing differences can access the full curriculum.

As an all-through school ending at Year 11, the post-16 transition is a significant milestone. The school has no sixth form, meaning all students leave after GCSEs. This necessity to move on is viewed as a positive launchpad, encouraging independence.

Leavers typically progress to high-performing local state sixth forms or colleges. Popular destinations include St George's School, Sir John Lawes School, and Roundwood Park School, all of which are academically strong Harpenden state schools. Some students opt for Oaklands College for vocational courses, or move to other independent sixth forms in St Albans or Berkhamsted. The school provides dedicated guidance in Year 10 and 11 to help families navigate these applications, and the strong GCSE results generally ensure students secure their first-choice destinations.

Admissions are handled directly by the school. The main entry point is Reception (4+), but occasional vacancies arise in other year groups.

The process begins with a visit, usually during an Open Morning or a private tour. For Reception entry, the school is non-selective academically but looks for a family's alignment with the school's Christian ethos. Parents are interviewed to ensure they support the school's values and educational approach.

For entry into the Senior School (Year 7), candidates typically sit an assessment in English and Mathematics to gauge ability and identify support needs. This is not a pass/fail entrance exam in the grammar school sense but is used to ensure the student can access the curriculum. A reference from the current school and a pupil interview are also key components. The school is popular with local families and those moving from London, so early registration is recommended.

Pastoral care is arguably the school's defining feature. The structure is built on the "shepherding" model, where staff view their role as nurturing the whole child. Form tutors are the primary point of contact, but the small size means that almost every staff member knows every child.

The school operates a House system—judging by the noise at House Sport events, loyalty runs deep. These vertical groups provide another layer of belonging and opportunities for leadership.

Safeguarding is robust. The February 2024 ISI inspection confirmed that the school met all required standards, praising the quality of pastoral support. The culture of "telling" is encouraged; students feel safe to raise concerns. Mental health support is available, but the primary strategy is preventative: building resilience and community so that children do not feel isolated.

For a small school, the extracurricular offer is surprisingly varied. Sport plays a major role, with fixtures against other local independent and state schools. The Highfield Oval grounds provide space for football, netball, athletics, and rounders. While the school may not field ten teams per year group like the large public schools, the A and B teams are competitive and coached with enthusiasm.

Music and drama are central pillars of school life. The annual school production is a highlight, often involving a large portion of the Senior School cast and crew. Private music tuition is available for a range of instruments, and there are various ensembles including choirs and a worship band.

The school's Christian ethos drives a strong focus on service. Students are encouraged to look outwards. Fundraising for local charities and partner schools abroad is regular and student-led. Older students often participate in mission trips or community service projects, reinforcing the idea that education is for the benefit of others, not just self-advancement.

Fees are significantly lower than many local independent schools, reflecting the school's mission to remain accessible. Termly fees range from £2,312 in Reception to £3,376 in the Senior School (exclusive of VAT). This equates to an annual cost of approximately £6,936 to £10,128.

As a registered charity, the school works hard to keep fees manageable. While bursaries for new pupils are rare, limited means-tested financial assistance is available for existing families who encounter unexpected financial hardship. A discount is also offered to families with siblings in the school.

Parents should check the school website for the most current fee schedule, particularly regarding the application of VAT from 2025.

The school day runs from 8:40 am to 3:30 pm for Juniors and 3:45 pm for Seniors. Wraparound care is available: a Breakfast Club runs from 7:45 am, and After School Care is available until 5:30 pm (6:00 pm by arrangement), supporting working parents.

Lunch is a family-style affair. Pupils sit in mixed-age groups, often with staff, encouraging conversation and table manners. The food is cooked on-site and is generally praised by the students.

Transport is largely parental drop-off, but the school encourages walking and cycling where possible. The location on the Highfield Oval is accessible, though parking can be busy at peak times.

No Sixth Form. The school ends at 16. While this avoids the "top-heavy" feel of some all-through schools, it does mean a transition is guaranteed after GCSEs. Families should be comfortable with the idea of moving institutions for A-levels.

Christian Ethos. The faith basis is explicit and central. While the school welcomes families of all faiths and none who are sympathetic to its aims, the education is distinctly Christian. Families uncomfortable with biblical teaching or regular worship may find the environment misaligned with their home values.

Small Cohort. With roughly one class per year group, the social circle is fixed. This creates deep friendships but offers less variety than a large secondary school. If a child falls out with a peer, there are fewer places to go, though the school manages relational dynamics closely.

The King's School offers a compelling alternative to the large, high-pressure independent schools and the hustle of the state sector. It is a place where childhood is preserved a little longer, and where academic ambition is balanced with genuine care for character. Best suited to families who value the Christian foundation and want a nurturing, small-scale environment where their child will be truly known. The main challenge is the transition at 16, but for many, the solid foundation built in the preceding years makes this a price worth paying.