Aldenham School, Hertfordshire
Founded 1552
Motto In God is all our Trust Richard Platt (1525–1600), a philanthropic brewer and Sheriff of London, founded the school (and almshouses) as a free grammar school in his home village of Aldenham where pupils would benefit from ‘learning, knowledge and virtue’—legend has it that he also made provision in his will for the boys to have free beer, as it was safer to drink than water. Today, the school is co-ed (about one-third girls), with day, flexi and full boarding pupils aged 11–18 (about 40 stay for weekends). The main school building is Victorian; the chapel is the second largest consecrated building in the county after St Alban’s Cathedral.
Alumni Alfred Gilbert, sculptor of Eros; broadcasters Jack de Manio and Dale Winton; MP David Mitchell; artist Daniel Chatto
Fees £13,547 per term (boarding); £6,717– £8,758 (day)
Open morning October 7
www.aldenham.com
Bedford School, Bedfordshire
Founded 1552
Motto Floreat Schola Bedfordiensis (May Bedford School Flourish)
The town looks somewhat different to when the school was founded during the reign of Edward VI, thanks to a charitable gift from Sir William and Dame Alice Harpur, but it is still a green oasis, with grounds that run down to the river. Transport to London is undoubtedly faster, too—35 minutes to St Pancras. This is a high-achieving boys’ boarding and day school (with strong links to Bedford Girls’), with 1,000-plus pupils. Facilities include a superb theatre built on the site of a former church and an observatory and planetarium. Planning permission has been granted for a new academic building, which will significantly alter the school landscape.
Alumni Writers John Fowles and H. H. Munro (Saki); director of Sir John Soane’s Museum Will Gompertz; politician Paddy Ashdown; England cricket captain Alastair Cook; comedian Al Murray
Open morning September 30
Fees From £9,410 (boarding), £5,286 (day)
www.bedfordschool.org.uk
Christ’s Hospital, West Sussex
1552 Honour All Men, Love the Brotherhood, Fear God, Honour the King Surely one of the most distinctive uniforms, the long, belted blue coat, knee breeches (girls wear skirts) and yellow socks is little unchanged since Tudor times, although the first pupils wouldn’t have teamed it with Doc Martens. The buttons feature the head of
