We believe a New Hall education can give the best start in life.  We know that your experience in your school days is a powerful influence on future success, in your chosen career and in your personal relationships.

The School’s Catholic ethos and diamond model structure make New Hall a unique proposition, offering a distinctive education of real quality.

At New Hall we operate a highly successful ‘diamond model’ structure: co-education in the Preparatory Divisions (ages 1-11), single-sex education in the Girls’ Division and Boys’ Division (11-16) and co-education in the Sixth Form (16-19). In this way, New Hall provides the best of both worlds: the benefits of a co-educational environment together with the advantages of girls and boys being taught separately at Key Stages 3 and 4.

We believe that, in their formative years, girls and boys are best educated separately in the classroom. This enables them to grow in confidence, whilst enjoying an education that is specifically tailored and recognises the differences in the way in which girls and boys learn. The pastoral needs of boys and girls are different and they mature at different rates. An education system that is built around this reality is more likely to ensure that your son’s or daughter’s needs are best met.

No. New Hall has a Roman Catholic foundation and welcomes all those who support its ethos. Students of different faiths and traditions belong to our community and we believe that everyone benefits from the values of trust and respect that are central to our school life. There is an emphasis on service to others, especially those in need. Chapel assembly is a regular feature during the week and prayers form an integral part of daily life. On Sunday evenings boarders, of many different faiths, come together for Mass in the beautiful School Chapel.  This is a special time for everyone and boarders are involved with organising this, as readers and as servers.

We have a number of coaches, minibuses and lift shares in operation. We have a minibus collection and drop-off at Chelmsford Station (direct from London Liverpool Street, approximately 35 minutes). Transport to and from airports (London Stansted 30 minutes away) is arranged by the School.

Click here to find out more about our Coach Services.

What boarding options are there at New Hall?

Boarding is available to all students from age 7-19. We offer flexi, weekly and full boarding, depending on the child’s age.  Please see our boarding section for more details or contact the registrar to arrange a visit.

The School fees provide for teaching and curriculum costs, including an iPad for school and home learning.  There are a few exceptions such as public examination entries and school trips.  In the Senior Divisions, there is an extended School day (with provision from 8.00am – 6.00pm) and an extensive extra-curricular programme of clubs and activities*, a New Hall study journal, membership of the Independent Schools’ Careers Organisation and the School Sports Centre (including tennis courts and the indoor swimming pool which parents and siblings may also join at a subsidised rate).

In the Preparatory Divisions there is an extensive co-curricular programme of clubs and activities* and After School Care (provision till 5.00pm) are all included.  All pupils are provided with an iPad from Year 3.

The School offers a variety of freshly prepared lunches for students to purchase.  All boarders’ meals are included within the fee.  For details of English as an Additional Language charges for international students studying in the Sixth Form please contact Dr Paul Tiffen, Vice Principal via [email protected]

New Hall School Nursery offers a standard day between 8.00am – 6.00pm, with extended provision* available from 7.30am – 6.30pm.  All meals and snacks are freshly prepared and included with the fee.

Fees are quoted exclusive of any government levies or taxes due, such as, but not limited to, VAT.

* Some co-curricular clubs and extended activities may incur an additional charge.

There are waiting lists at New Hall, so it is best to register your child at the earliest opportunity. Some parents choose to register their child from birth. Students who are placed on a waiting list will be considered in accordance with our admissions policy.

The size of New Hall brings huge advantages to students, as you will see when you look at our excellent facilities and outstanding gardens and grounds.  At New Hall, children have room to grow.  At New Hall we pride ourselves on our family atmosphere and values.  All our staff, and their families, are dedicated to ensuring every student feels part of the New Hall family – a feeling that will stay with them for the rest of their lives.

The curriculum in the Preparatory Division is designed to ensure that all pupils realise their potential.  Pupils are constantly challenged by teachers’ high expectations and ambitious targets and therefore those children who are of the appropriate ability to sit the 11+ Examination are well prepared for the academic challenge which the examination offers.  In addition, pupils start verbal reasoning classes in Year 3 and there are scholarship classes in English and Mathematics which are available to Year 5 pupils before and after school; these classes offer further support and challenge for those pupils wishing to sit the 11+ Examination or the New Hall Scholarship Examination.

Around one third of those who join at 11+ come from New Hall Preparatory Division. The majority come from other preparatory schools (located primarily in Southern England) and local primary schools.  An increasing number of our younger students are coming from other parts of the UK and choosing us because of our outstanding boarding reputation. At 13+, entrants are usually boarders from preparatory schools throughout England, with a small number from overseas. At 16+, entrants are usually boarders and join us from locations throughout the UK and abroad.

In the Senior Divisions, students are set according to ability in a range of subjects including: English, Mathematics, Science, French and Spanish. In the Preparatory Division, setting takes place in Mathematics and English from Year 3 and there is setting in English for Years 5 & 6. The school has a Most Able & Talented Co-ordinator who, together with the staff of the Learning Development Department, leads the provision of a programme to stretch the most able students across the Preparatory and Senior Divisions. A Most Able or Talented student may be offered accelerated learning in subjects where the learning matches the student’s potential and capabilities and, where appropriate, a student may take GCSE or A Level subjects early. Most Able and Talented students are provided with differentiated work in all subjects where they show high level potential. Differentiated work challenges the Most Able and Talented, promoting a higher level of thinking. There are also a number of extension and enrichment activities outside the curriculum, including: residential courses, master classes, academic mentoring and national competitions such as the UK Maths Challenge.

New Hall recognises the importance of a careers programme that can motivate students at key stages of their education, particularly when considering GCSE, A Level and university options. All students become members of the Independent Schools’ Careers Organisation (ISCO) and receive expert guidance from the Careers Department. New Hall encourages able students to apply for leading universities, including Oxford and Cambridge. There is an Oxbridge programme that commences in Year 10. The school has a strong track record of students winning Oxbridge places in a wide range of subjects, including arts, sciences, humanities and languages.

Our students generally go to their first choice university and read a diverse range of degree courses including classics, law, engineering, medicine, humanities, theology, architecture and languages. Some of our Sixth Form students undertake a Gap Year before university, which usually involves travelling and working abroad.  In the last few years students have progressed to Oxford and Cambridge Universities, University of Durham, University of Exeter, Imperial College London, University of Leeds, University of Manchester, Royal Holloway, University of Nottingham, University of East Anglia and the University of Sheffield.