Welcome From The Principal

Hockerill offers a truly distinct setting for a world-class education. Nestled on a beautiful campus at the edge of Bishop’s Stortford in Hertfordshire, the school enjoys an ideal location within easy reach of London and Cambridge, and just ten minutes from Stansted Airport. Applications are welcomed for both day and boarding places from local, national, and international students holding a current UK passport or the right to reside in the UK.

At Hockerill, we take immense pride in inspiring our students to strive for excellence in everything they do—whether it’s academic achievement, a passion for the creative and performing arts, sporting excellence, or student leadership. Our broad and dynamic curriculum fosters critical thinking, problem-solving, and risk-taking, while also nurturing essential life skills such as resilience, empathy, and creativity. This is complemented by an extensive range of extra-curricular clubs, societies, activities, and trips, all designed to develop inquiring, knowledgeable and compassionate young people. Together, these elements prepare our students for their futures as global citizens, equipped with the skills and qualities they need to thrive in a rapidly changing world.

Our highly trained teaching and support staff are dedicated to ensuring all students achieve their potential academically, socially and emotionally so they leave Hockerill as confident, well-rounded individuals, ready to lead productive and purposeful lives. Our examination results are excellent and a number of our students leave Hockerill to continue their education in some of the very best universities in the UK and overseas.

We are a school that will never stand still, with an ethos of hard work and aspiration delivered through a culture of support, encouragement and excellence where students celebrate each other’s successes and build long lasting friendships formed through integrity, trust and respect for each other.

Our students achieve well because they are motivated, hardworking and focused.  However, it is the strong pastoral system, complemented by the opportunities to develop enduring friendships, which allows them to truly flourish during their time here. 

A truly international school where languages are genuinely embedded in the curriculum.

The Good Schools Guide

Our reputation as a school with a global outlook is enriched by the vibrant diversity of our students and staff, who bring a wealth of perspectives and cultural experiences to our community. Many of our boarding students return to homes overseas during the holidays, which highlights the truly international nature of our school. Our commitment to Modern Foreign Languages is reflected in the number of native speakers who contribute as teachers or assistants in the department. Across the campus, it is common to hear both students and staff conversing in languages other than English—a dynamic and distinctive reflection of our multicultural environment, which we consider one of our greatest strengths. 

Hockerill benefits greatly from positive relationship with parents, working together in our common aim to encourage and support our young people.

I am extremely proud to be the Principal of such a highly regarded and successful school.  Hockerill is a truly unique community where our staff and students learn, work and live in a happy, enriching and inspiring environment. 

I hope you will see that Hockerill is a place where your child can thrive and succeed. If you would like to learn more, I warmly invite you to visit and let our students show you what makes the College so special.

Alasdair Mackenzie, Principal