St Christopher School (Prep)
Letchworth Garden City, Hertfordshire
St Chris School in Letchworth is a day and boarding school for girls and boys aged 3–18. We pride ourselves on doing things differently, providing an education suited to your child as an individual. Your child isn’t average, and their education shouldn’t be either.
Curiosity over conformity
What do we mean by ‘doing things differently’? We celebrate the benefits of an informal approach to education. Everyone is addressed by their first name, and the absence of a school uniform fosters individuality and encourages students to express themselves. This supportive environment helps students feel relaxed enough to achieve their true potential while working hard and consistently achieving strong results across academic and creative subjects.
Our convenient Hertfordshire location means we are in close proximity to London, Cambridge and have a bus route reaching many local areas.
| Gender | Co-ed (Prep) |
| Boarding/Day | Day |
| Age Range | 3 – 11 |
| Entrance Exam | No |
At St Chris, we are committed to creating a respectful, supportive, high achieving, and happy community, and to providing education that is practically and emotionally relevant to the world around us.
In our learning we are willing to give children something of which they are often deprived – time. Children do not all progress at the same age or at the same speed. Our students produce phenomenal academic results because we help them to, not force them to.
Outside the classroom we want our students to explore everything the human experience has to offer. Our co-curricular activities build confidence in the self and make children excited to try something new now, and throughout their lives.
There are no unnecessary barriers to being yourself at St Chris. You will see us for who we really are; dressed in our own clothes and not all made ‘uniform’. You will hear us for who we really are; with first names used between staff and students to build openness and trust.
These things may seem small – they may even seem unusual – but they matter for what they mean. We’re in this together.
At St Chris you can dive into anything safe in the knowledge that you’ll never ‘hit the bottom’. You’ll know someone is watching, you’ll know you’re safe, you’ll know you’ll always come back to the surface. When children have this security, they can have a true zest for life.
So welcome to St Chris – I hope to meet you soon and show you our outstanding school.
Rich Jones
Head
Annual Fees
Boarding is not available ahead of year 7.
For Early Years students, the following are included in the fees:
- Lunch from Monday to Friday during term time. Morning and afternoon snacks.
- Wraparound Care is included from 08:00 to 08:30 and from 15:30 to 16:30. Additional Wraparound Care is available before school from 7:30 and after school from 16:30 to 18:30, and is charged in addition.
- Weekly music, swimming, French and Forest School sessions.
- Clubs and after-school activities. Exceptions, where there is an additional charge, are clearly communicated with full costs in advance
- Termly trips and visits
For Junior School students, the following are included in the fees:
- In Years 1 and 2, lunch is included within the fees from Monday to Friday during term time.
- Wraparound Care from 08:00 to 08:30. Additional Wraparound Care is available before school from 7:30am and after school from 15:30 to 18:30, and is charged in addition.
- All curriculum activities e.g. music, swimming, French and Forest School sessions,
- Clubs and after-school activities. Exceptions, where there is an additional charge, are clearly communicated with full costs in advance
- Termly trips and visits
Tax-Free Childcare Scheme
St Chris is registered with the Government’s Tax-Free Childcare scheme, designed to help working families with the cost of childcare. Through the scheme, eligible parents can receive up to £500 every three months, per child.
The scheme is available for children aged up to 11 years of age (until the September after their 11th birthday) and can be used for:
- Elements not included in compulsory education, and
- Childcare provided outside school hours (such as wraparound care).
To find out more, including full eligibility details and how to register, please visit: www.gov.uk/tax-free-childcare (https://www.gov.uk/tax-free-childcare)
All fees shown are annual and are inclusive of VAT.
Strengths at St Christopher School (Prep)
Choosing the right prep school means finding a place where your child will feel supported to learn, think and grow their own way. At St Chris, we celebrate curiosity over conformity, nurturing every child as an individual.
From forest school to phonics, swimming to French lessons, each educational experience is designed to help children build confidence, creativity and independence in an environment where they can flourish both in and beyond the classroom.
Values Based Education
At St Chris, we believe every child should feel valued, supported and inspired to achieve their very best. Our values-led approach encourages curiosity, kindness, courage and integrity, helping pupils grow academically and personally. Through individualised learning, a strong sense of community and a progressive outlook, we nurture confident, compassionate young people with the skills and resilience to thrive in school and beyond.
Forest School
At St Chris, learning extends far beyond the classroom walls. Our Forest School invites students to explore, question, and create within the natural world. Outdoor learning nurtures curiosity, imagination, and a sense of belonging — helping students understand both the environment around them and their place within it.
Swimming
Swimming is an important part of life at St Christopher School, Letchworth. Our Junior School swimming lessons form a key element of our physical education programme, helping every child to develop confidence, coordination and an essential life skill. All lessons take place in our on-site 25-metre, four-lane heated indoor swimming pool, providing a safe and supportive environment for students to learn, practise and thrive in the water.
Nursery
Our Early Years setting gives children the best possible start in school life. From Nursery through to Reception, every child is known as an individual and supported to grow in confidence, curiosity and independence. With small class sizes, specialist teaching in swimming, Forest School, music and French, and a balance of structured learning and play-based exploration, children develop strong foundations for future success in a warm, nurturing environment where they feel happy, secure and ready to thrive.
Outstanding Location
We are primely located between Cambridge and London, based in the historic town of Letchworth Garden City in Hertfordshire, which boasts excellent trainline connections and is within proximity to major UK airports including Heathrow, Stansted, Luton and Gatwick. The School also runs several bus routes to popular Hertfordshire towns and villages including Hitchin, Harpenden, St Albans, Stevenage, Hadley Wood, and North London.
Environmental & Sustainability Focus
We're proud that our school has achieved Eco-Schools Green Flag award with distinction. This achievement recognises the passion and hard work that our pupils and staff put into making sustainability an important part of life at St Chris. Our Junior School have their very own Eco Council, a dedicated group of students committed to promoting environmental awareness and sustainability within our primary school community. Led by passionate students and supported by staff, the council works tirelessly to implement eco-friendly initiatives, raise awareness about environmental issues, and inspire positive change.
Affiliated Schools
St Christopher School
As a through school, St Chris is for children from ages 3-18. Embarking on the journey from the Junior School to the Senior School marks a pivotal moment in every student's life - a transition filled with excitement, new friendships, and a myriad of novel experiences. At St Chris, we recognise the significance of this shift, ensuring that your journey is not only smooth but also enriched with support, understanding, and a welcoming environment. We understand that starting Senior School can be a blend of exhilaration and trepidation, and we want our students to know that every member of our community has walked in their shoes. Our dedicated team is committed to providing that reassuring word or helping hand precisely when our students need it. To facilitate a seamless transition, St Chris organises a full programme of events and activities, creating opportunities for students (and parents!) to feel comfortable and get to know the Senior School and forge connections with their peers and teachers.
Latest events and open days
Nursery and Junior School Open Morning
Nursery and Junior School Open Morning
Nursery and Junior School Open Morning
Nursery and Junior School Open Morning
Location
Barrington Road
Letchworth Garden City
SG6 3JZ
Nearest Airports
- London Luton8.7 miles (14.0km)
- London Stansted20.5 miles (33.0km)
- London City34.2 miles (55.0km)
- London Heathrow35.4 miles (57.0km)
- London Gatwick56.5 miles (91.0km)
Lucy Coddington
Admissions Registrar (Junior School)
St Christopher School (Prep)
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