Admissions Enquiries: 01992 414109
General Enquiries: 01992 414100

Welcome to Duncombe School

Duncombe School is an Independent Day School and Pre-School, nestled in the beautiful town of Hertford, for children aged 2-11 years.

As a school we pride ourselves in nurturing our children’s minds through an inspiring educational journey and we encourage every child to dream big!

We believe success and happiness are not simply defined by outstanding academic results, but by being treated and celebrated as an individual, who is encouraged to develop strength of character and explore fully their personal potential.

Visit Team Duncombe and discover a Duncombe education.

The heart of...

ENRICHMENT

At Duncombe, we believe that children's learning is not confined to the four walls of a classroom or only the pages of a textbook. Instead, our talented and dedicated teachers create individualised lessons that are designed to inspire and engage our children through real-life experiences.

The heart of...

OPPORTUNITY

From the School Council and buddying to prefects and co-curricular activities, there is an abundance of opportunities to develop the skills of empathy and responsibility in every child. These skills are invaluable to a child’s character development, wellbeing and sense of self.

The heart of...

SCHOOL SPIRIT

Duncombe is a home from home for our children. A culture of kindness can be felt as soon as you enter our school - a sense of community, friendship and warmth. Our mantra is Team Duncombe, as a school we recognise we are part of something truly special.

Hello from Team Duncombe

Welcome to Duncombe School. We are so proud to say that our school has achieved numerous accreditations and been awarded the highest grading across multiple inspections, including ‘Excellent in All Areas’ in our June 2022 ISI inspection. Find out more about what makes Duncombe so special.

"We each share a clear vision of what an excellent Prep school looks like; I believe it can be defined as the willingness to explore the new, along with the confidence to stand on the established. "

- Jeremy Phelan, Headmaster

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Our children are happy to go into school every day and have developed a real sense of learning and exploration of the world around them.

 – Voice of the Parent, 2023

Awards & Accreditations

Duncombe are delighted to have been recognised and endorsed by numerous regulatory bodies for our commitment to…

NACE

As an accredited NACE school, we have been recognised to provide a high-quality education that challenges and engages all learners. Our teachers foster collaboration, cultivate good learning habits, and support individual growth. We value each student's unique talents, creating an inclusive environment where strengths are celebrated and developed further.

Most Innovative Technology Led Teaching

We believe technology enhances learning and we've seen first-hand its positive impact on our children's engagement and preparation for the future. This Muddy Stilettos award is a testament to our children who have fully embraced the benefits of digital learning and our incredible teaching staff, who've worked tirelessly to incorporate technology-led practices.

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Pupil Safety

We are extremely proud to have been endorsed by Millie’s Mark, acknowledging that all our Early Years staff are paediatric first aid trained. All other members of staff are first aid trained ensuring we are confident, ready and capable.

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Wellbeing & environmental issues

Through an ambitious eco-plan, designed and led by our pupil Eco Council to help tackle ongoing environmental issues, Duncombe has been awarded the Eco-School Green Flag Award. This award acknowledges our continued commitment and our Eco-School flag flies proudly in the school grounds.

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Food for Life

Our catering team, Thomas Franks, works closely with the school to ensure all of Team Duncombe enjoy fresh, tasty and wholesome food, whatever their dietary needs. This commitment has been recognised through endorsements from both ‘Food for Life’ and Coeliac UK.

FACILITIES & LOCATION

Palladian-style mansion with acres of stunning woodland

Situated at the edge of Hertford town, in leafy Bengeo, Duncombe School benefits from a beautiful rural setting while being part of a vibrant and historic small town. Our Palladian-style mansion dates back to the 1860s and is surrounded by four and a half acres of stunning woodland and grounds.

Duncombe’s enriching facilities include a secluded Forest School, a multi-purpose covered Astro, a bright and vibrant library, and dedicated Parisian Style Art Loft and Science Laboratory. These facilities provide a stimulating and motivating learning environment for our children.

Inspection Report

Celebrating Excellence in Education!

“Pupils are enthusiastic, committed learners from an early age due to the creative and imaginative lessons.”
-ISI Report 2022.

We are thrilled to share that Duncombe School and Treetops Pre-School have been awarded "EXCELLENT IN ALL AREAS" by the Independent Schools Inspectorate, as highlighted in our recent report. This is just one of the many findings that celebrate our commitment to enriching children's learning and providing them with exciting experiences and opportunities to thrive.

Discover the full report to learn more about our exceptional educational journey and how we nurture young minds for a successful future.

Begin an unforgettable adventure.

Duncombe School cultivates a love for learning, laying a strong foundation for future success. Our school is divided into three stages: Early Years (ages 2-5), which includes pre-school and Reception, Lower School (ages 5-8), and Upper School (ages 8-11). 
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3 - 4 yrs old

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4 - 5 yrs old

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5 - 8 yrs old

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8 - 11 yrs old

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Duncombe School

Admissions Enquiries: 01992 414109

General Enquiries: 01992 414100