The History of Duncombe School

Inspiring our children's minds since 1939

Founded in 1939 by local teacher Lily Taylor, Duncombe opened with just eight children on roll in Hertford on Pegs Lane. As its reputation for excellence grew, pupil numbers expanded, requiring numerous premises. In 1951, Duncombe School moved to our current extensive grounds in Bengeo, just outside Hertford.

In 1973, a potential sale of the site to property developers threatened the closure of the school. The decision enraged parents, including Sir Peter Davis, who raised the large sum needed to buy the site and formed a body of trustees to run the school.

Under their leadership, Duncombe School continued to thrive for a further 33 years before being sold to Cognita Schools Group in 2006.

To this day, Duncombe School maintains its foundation established in 1939 while incorporating new ideas and practices to maintain the excellence of a Duncombe education.

Duncombe School was founded over 80 years ago by local teacher Lily Taylor, who opened with just eight pupils.

The school quickly outgrew its premises in Pegs Lane, Hertford, and moved to a larger building in Westfield Road, Bengeo. In 1951, we moved to our present Palladian-style mansion and extensive grounds in Bengeo, just outside Hertford.

The then-owners decided to close the school and sell the valuable site to property developers. The decision enraged parents – among them Sir Peter Davis. Led by Reg Davies, who became chairman of governors, they raised the large sum needed to buy the site and ran the school themselves.

The trustees relinquished control and sold the school to the leading schools group Cognita. “These glowing reports for both the Prep School and Duncombe Treetops have vindicated that decision and are a tribute to Cognita and Jeremy Phelan, the Headmaster,” Reg Davis says.

The History of Duncombe School

Inspiring our children's minds since 1939

To this day, Duncombe School maintains its foundation established in 1939 while incorporating new ideas and practices to maintain the excellence of a Duncombe education.

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