about us

Berkhampstead is a non-selective school that prides itself on providing children with a rich and varied curriculum. We have a reputation for being warm, nurturing and inclusive and yet there is a very real academic rigour here, driven by a hugely talented teaching staff and no better illustrated than by our outstanding 11+ and scholarship results.

From The Executive Head

Berkhampstead School is an independent day school for approximately 275 boys and girls aged 3 to 11 and is situated in leafy Pittville Circus, Cheltenham. We have been educating children since 1945 and are proud to have a happy and genuinely caring environment where all can excel.

Our school is a positive and purposeful place where pupils get real pleasure from their day. There is an excited ‘buzz’ of enthusiastic learning and our excellent results encompass the academic, music and sport. The most important ‘result’ of a Berkhampstead education however, is the resilient, ‘can-do’ children who emerge at age 11 ready for their next challenge.

We were pleased to have our outstanding pastoral care and our demanding and interesting curriculum endorsed by ISI in our most recent inspection. The report described our children as effective and competent learners and commented on their highly positive attitudes to their learning.

I would be delighted to show you around so that you can see the boys and girls in action and get a real sense of what we do at Berkhampstead.

Do explore the site to find out more - click on our magazine, the Berky Blazer for the highlights of last term or perhaps browse through our Instagram or our Twitter feed.


Meet The Executive Head

Mr Richard Cross joined Berkhampstead in September 2010. Prior to this he spent six years as Deputy Head at Blundell’s Prep School in Devon and 12 years as Deputy Head at Malvern College Prep. His considerable experience of preparatory schools includes his role as an Inspector for the Independent Schools Inspectorate (ISI).

Richard grew up and was educated in Malvern. He studied Computer Science at Manchester Metropolitan University from which he graduated with a BSc (Hons). He has two daughters, Molly and Maisie, who both enjoyed a happy education at Berkhampstead before moving on to Grammar School and Independent School. Richard has plenty of personal and professional experience of preparing children for the senior school that is right for them.

Richard is a keen Gloucester Rugby supporter, and loves cricket and cycling. He is proud of his achievement of cycling from John O’ Groats to Land’s End for charity in 2008. He is also a keen musician who enjoys playing the cornet and singing in local community choirs. Here at Berkhampstead, he coaches rugby, football and cricket, and teaches Computing. All the children in the School and Day Nursery know him well - he loves his regular storytime slots with our youngest pupils.



“My own family is very important to me, and I see the Berkhampstead community as an extension of this. This is a very special school and I am proud to be its Head of School”

— Michelle Bareham, Head of School