Aldenham School, Founded 1597

Key Facts

We hope that you will have caught a flavour of what Aldenham Prep School is like, from the nursery all the way to the end of Year 6, and that you will want to come and see us to find out more. However, on this page, you will find some of the basic statistics, should you need them.

Headmistress (Acting)                           Mrs S Galpin

Head of Aldenham Foundation        Mrs Alex Hems

Number on role: Currently with 171 from Nursery to Year 6.  89 boys and 82 girls.

Classification: IAPS Independent School for pupils age 3 - 11, part of The Aldenham Foundation.

Boarding: No, although the senior school (11+) does have boarding and flexi-boarding options.

Local Authority: Hertfordshire

Religious Affiliation: Church of England

Open Days: May, October

Governing Body

The Governing Body meets three times a year in the last week of each term. It is served by a number of committees which meet with the Headmaster and other senior staff on a termly basis. There are committees to consider the academic life of the School, the development of the School’s estate, the finance of the School, and St Hilda’s School. Matters of health and safety and public benefit, and safeguarding are considered by the Governing Body at each meeting with full reviews on an annual basis. Appointed members of the Governing Body take a specific interest in the development of the Prep School and St Hilda’s School.

Up to 8 members of the Governing Body are appointees of the Brewers’ Company which was the owner of the School’s land and buildings before gifting these to the Aldenham School Charity in 1995. Today the links between the School and the Brewers’ Company continue to celebrate the rich heritage that exists from the time of the foundation of the School with every pupil in Year 9 attending Brewers’ Hall to receive “beer money”, and two formal visits to the School by the court of the Brewers’ Company each year. Governors generally serve for a three year term with the possibility of being re-elected after that time.

The Governing Body are the trustees of the Aldenham Foundation and no member receives remuneration for their work with the School. They oversee the life and work of the School and plan for its future success, but the day-to-day running of the School is the responsibility of the Headmaster, Bursar and other senior staff. They receive a termly report from the Headmaster and aim to support a number of School events each term. The Governing Body are responsible for the appointment of the Headmaster and take an interest in other senior appointments at the School.

Click on the tabs to find out about each of our Governors.

  • Mrs S altman
  • Mr R Bryer
  • Mrs Cheryl Clifford
  • Mrs F Cuttell
  • Dr J Hawdon
  • Mr A Hunter
  • Mr J James-Crook
  • Cllr D Lambert
  • Mr A Phillips
  • Mr C Rees
  • Ms H Simmons
  • Mr Sligo-Young
  • Professor K Smart
  • Mrs H Thomas
  • Mr  D Tidmarsh
  • Commodore Nick Tindal
  • Mr  T Wells

Prof Katherine Smart is the Global Technical Director and Chief Scientist at Diageo. An associate lecturer at the University of Cambridge she holds a BSC in Biological Sciences, a PhD in Brewing Yeast and Fermentation and a Doctorate of Science in Brewing and Distilling. She is the Upper Warden and will be the first Lady Master of the Worshipful Company of Brewers in 2024.

Part of the
Aldenham Foundation