Berkhamsted Society
A thriving community of people with a connection to the Berkhamsted family of schools
The Berkhamsted Society provides a means of unifying interactions with key groups associated with the school including:
- Pupils
- Parents
- Alumni
- Parents of alumni
- Neighbours
- Local friends
By running events and meetings for each group, the Berkhamsted Society aims to assist the Berkhamsted Schools Group to achieve its aim of being beneficial to the community and closely connected to all its constituencies.
The Society aims to provide a means of providing and strengthening relationships between people, building local and social capital. In so doing, it is anticipated that it will enhance provision for each of the groups above.
Richard Thompson, who will take responsibility for the strategy and operations of the Berkhamsted Society, will ensure that the Society strengthens ties between the school and recent former pupils.
Richard will regularly visit universities each term with the purpose of learning from former students’ their views about their university, their chosen course and how they prepared for university whilst they were at Berkhamsted.
Reunions for those just entering the workplace will help the school understand the answers to similar questions about the opportunities and demands of the lives for which the school is preparing its students.
As the Berkhamsted Society develops it will:
- Run a schedule of local activities, which enhances the work already being done by the Society.
- By drawing on those who might attend from all the overlapping communities within the school, the Society intends to provide events of political, cultural and social interest for the local communities, with access to pupils from the maintained sector schools with whom we have established relationships
- Our hope is that this will make it easier for people to move into Berkhamsted and forge connections in and around the school and town, acting as a bridge between local communities. The Berkhamsted Society will also seek to offer greater business networking opportunities to alumni, parents and others
- Enable the school to participate fully in local life, building and maintaining relationships with local groups including the Chamber of Commerce, Rotary and Berkhamsted Events Group, so that opportunities for the school’s resources and volunteering may be used for local events and activities
- Ensure that the school’s external face is fully reflective of its values – to aim high with integrity, be adventurous and serve others – through full integration into the local community.
Thursday 19 May | An Audience with Paula Radcliffe | Centenary Theatre | SOLD OUT
Paula Radcliffe, former world champion in the marathon, half marathon and cross country, is considered one of the greatest British athletes of the modern era. She was previously the fastest female marathon runner of all time, holding the world record for 16 years. She is a three-time winner of the London Marathon, three-time winner of the New York Marathon and, in 2005, won gold at the World Championships. Paula also represented Great Britain at the Olympics in four consecutive games, and has won gold in the European Championships over 10,000m and the Commonwealth Games over 5000m.
Her running has earned her a number of accolades including the BBC Sports Personality of the Year, IAAF World Athlete of the Year and AIMS World Athlete of the Year (three times). In 2010, Paula was inducted into the England Athletics Hall of Fame.
Sign up now to find out how to book your tickets to future Society events.
Sign up to join the Berkhamsted Society
Previous events at Centenary Theatre:
Ben Fogle joined Berkhamsted Society on Monday 17th January for a fantastic sell-out event. We were thrilled to be able to welcome this modern day explorer to Berkhamsted, who provided an unforgettable evening of storytelling and adventure. Ben shared his tales from swimming with crocodiles to conquering Mount Everest. From crossing Antarctica to rowing the Atlantic Ocean. From the animal’s of Longleat to New Lives in The Wild. From a year Castaway on an island in the Outer Hebrides to the world stinging nettle eating championships. The much-loved TV adventurer recounted, with warmth and honesty, his thrilling tales. We were delighted to have been able to host Ben and look forward to our next event.
Mr Richard Thompson
Richard Thompson, Assistant Vice Principal – External Relations, was previously Headteacher of Berkhamsted Boys (2013 – 2018). His early years were spent in Stratford-upon-Avon where he attended King Edward VI School. After graduating in Sports Science at Cardiff, he completed his PGCE at the University of Birmingham before taking up a scholarship at the University of Victoria, British Columbia. His teaching career began in Queen Elizabeth’s School, Barnet. Richard has worked at Berkhamsted School since September 1998 and, since then, has been a Head of Department, a Head of House and Deputy Head of Boys before becoming Headteacher . He is married to Laura who teaches at Berkhamsted Pre-Prep and has a son who attends Berkhamsted Boys. As well as having a career in education, Richard has played rugby for Moseley, Ebbw Vale and Saracens, and maintains a keen interest in sport.
We are proud of the commitment of our community in helping us provide the funds for both development projects and Bursaries. In 2018 we launched our ‘Anniversary Fund’ with the target of providing 60 bursary places at Berkhamsted by 2041
Find out more about the Anniversary Fund
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The Friends
Learn moreAll parents whose children are pupils at one of our Schools are automatically members of The Friends
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South Africa Link
Learn moreIn August 2004, Link Community Development brought together Sandi Senior Secondary School and Berkhamsted School
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