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Duncombe School, Hertford SG14

4 Warren Park Road, Bengeo, Hertford SG14 3JA

10 reasons to choose Duncombe School

Top line

Duncombe School has a Schoolsmith Score® of 85. It is one of the best independent prep schools in and around Hertford and one of the 3 best primary schools for 1.5 miles.

School fundamentals

Duncombe School is an independent prep day school for boys and girls (50%/50%) between the ages of 2 and 11 years. It is a Church of England school, open to all faiths and none. The school has a non-selective admissions policy. It is a standalone prep school, not tied to any one senior school, and is a member of the Cognita Schools group. Duncombe School fees range from £5,249 (Rec) to £7,182 per term (2025/26). Fees include VAT but exclude lunches.

Average class size

Duncombe School has two classes per year and an average class size of 15 pupils.

Leavers' destinations

Destinations for most Duncombe School leavers are one of 15 independent and maintained schools, the most popular being St Edmund’s College, Haileybury, St Albans School, St Albans High and Bishop’s Stortford College.

The Duncombe School curriculum

School curriculum is based on the National Curriculum with some additions and variations. It also includes PSHE, reasoning, French, Spanish, Mandarin. Accredited Gifted & Talented programme. The Duncombe Diploma encourages engagement in the broad curriculum and reflects the school’s core values of determination, excellence, respect, inspiration and courage. The school offers each pupil between 5 and 10 different extra-curricular academic activities or hobby clubs.

More on the curriculum

There are regular educational trips for all year groups, visiting speakers, Forest School for early Years, school sleepover in Year 2 and residential trips from Year 3.

Specialist teaching

Specialist teachers for music, art, languages, computing, sport and science throughout.

Sport at Duncombe School

School offers over 15 different sports through the year, through both the curriculum and extra-curriculum. Competitive teams in major sports from Year 3. In recent years the school has enjoyed national success in football.

The Arts at Duncombe School

Art, music and drama are taught as discrete curricular subjects to all pupils. All pupils learn an instrument in class and about one third take extra-curricular instrument lessons from Year 3. Two choirs, orchestra and several instrument ensembles. Creative Arts Week every May. The school offers each pupil over 5 different extra-curricular creative and performing arts clubs.

Wraparound care

Wraparound care from 7.30am to 6.30pm.

Find another school near Duncombe School

Independent Prep Schools

St Joseph’s in the Park (1.6 miles); Heath Mount School (5.4 miles); Sherrardswood Preparatory School (8.6 miles).

State Primary Schools

Abel Smith School (1 mile); St Joseph’s Catholic Primary School, Hertford (1 mile); Wheatcroft Primary School (1.6 miles).

Independent Senior Schools

Haileybury (4.7 miles); Sherrardswood School (8.6 miles); St Edmund’s College, Ware (8.7 miles).

State Senior Schools

The Chauncy School (3 miles); Presdales School (3.3 miles); The Broxbourne School (6.5 miles).

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If you want to know more about the school, how it compares with others, or you need help prioritising what’s important for you and your child, we offer an advisory service (see here). Please get in touch.

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