education & childcare in and around Hitchin, Hertfordshire - Open Days

Below you will find details of local nursery, primary, secondary, sixth form and independent school open days over the coming months. These are listed in alphabetical order. If you have missed any of the open days or in cases where no public open day has been organised by the school we would suggest contacting the school directly to arrange a visit.

If you know of open days that aren't listed, then please let me know as it's a lot to keep on top of, so it would be much appreciated!

I do my best to ensure dates, timings and details are accurate. However from time to time details change. To avoid unnecessary disappointment we recommend contacting the school/nursery or checking their website to double check the details and confirm attendance before setting off.

You can access all the information you need about the state school applications process on the Herts County Council website (there are some Bedfordshire schools listed too, but please note If you live in Bedfordshire, you must apply to your own council. That's even if you're applying for Hertfordshire schools.)

Independent schools will run their own admissions processes and you should visit the school websites for further details.

Jump to:
Nursery Schools (Local Authority)
Nurseries (Independent)
Primary Schools
Secondary Schools
Sixth Form
University Technical Colleges (for entry in Y10 & Y12)
Independent Schools (Pre-prep, Prep, Senior & Sixth Form)
Further Education (16+)
Special Educational Needs Schools

Local Authority Nursery Schools Open Days (alphabetical order)

Unlike schools, applying for a Local Authority Nursery School place is not a centralised process run by Herts County Council. You must apply directly to each school. Not all of the nursery schools run dedicated open days. Those who do will hold them during Spring term. Others will be happy to arrange a visit for you.

Most of the schools are now offering up to 30 hours of childcare in some form and this will be free for those eligible for the Government's 30 hours free childcare scheme. The format of the offering and number of places available varies by school and each has it's own eligibility criteria so you should discuss this option with each school.

For 2024/25 admissions, each school is running its own process with varying start and end dates. I have included these below where I have them, but this is for guidance only. Please double-check with the school website to ensure you return your forms on time - I will not be held responsible if you rely on dates provided here.

Highbury Infant School & Nursery, Hitchin
Thurs 2nd Nov 9.30am, Mon 6th Nov 1.30pm, Thurs 9th Nov 9.30am, Thurs 16th Nov 9.30am, Mon 20th Nov 1.30pm, Tues 21st Nov 9.30am, Tues 28th Nov 9.30am, Thurs 30th Nov 1.30pm
https://www.highbury.herts.sch.uk/

Highover JMI & Nursery School, Hitchin
https://www.highover.herts.sch.uk/home

Offley Endowed Primary School and Nursery, Offley, Hitchin
https://www.offley.herts.sch.uk/

Oughton Primary and Nursery School, Hitchin
http://www.oughton.herts.sch.uk/

Purwell Primary School
https://purwell.herts.sch.uk/

St Andrew's C of E VA Primary School & Nursery
https://www.standrews.herts.sch.uk/

Strathmore Infant and Nursery School
https://www.strathmore.herts.sch.uk/

York Road Nursery School & Pre-School, Hitchin
Friday October 6th 2023 4-5pm
https://yorkroad.herts.sch.uk/

Independent Pre-School and Nursery Open Days (alphabetical order)

Breachwood Green Pre-school, Breachwood Green, Hitchin
https://bwgpreschool.co.uk/

Early Days Pre-School, Hitchin
https://earlydays-hitchin.wixsite.com/earlydays-hitchin

Goslings Playgroup, Hitchin
https://www.goslingsplaygroup.co.uk/

Highbury Lodge, Hitchin
https://childbasepartnership.com/nursery/highbury-lodge-day-nursery/

Hitchin House, Hitchin
https://hitchinhousedaynursery.com/

Kiddi Caru, Hitchin
Saturday 7th October 2023, 9am to 4pm
https://www.grandiruk.com/nurseries/hitchin/kiddi-caru-hitchin

Kingshott School, Hitchin
Whole School Open Morning: Thursday 12th October 2023, from 9:30am to 11:30am
https://www.kingshottschool.com/176/joining-our-nursery

Millennium First Steps Nursery, Hitchin
https://millenniumfirststeps.com/

Monkey Puzzle, Astwick, Hitchin
https://monkeypuzzleastwick.co.uk/

Pippin Pre-School, Hitchin
https://pippinpreschool.co.uk/

Pirton Pre-School, Pirton, Hitchin
http://pirtonpreschool.co.uk/

Preston Nursery School, Preston, Hitchin
https://www.prestonnurseryschool.com/

Playbox Pre-School, Hitchin
https://playboxhitchin.com/

Smarty's Day Nursery, Hitchin
http://www.smartysdaynursery.co.uk/

Strathmore Pre-School, Hitchin
https://www.strathmore-preschool.com/

St Francis' College Nursery
https://www.st-francis.herts.sch.uk/pre-prep.aspx.html

St Paul's Walden Pre-School Nursery, St Paul's Walden, Hitchin
Thursday 9th November - AM and Wednesday 15th November
https://www.whitwellnursery.co.uk/

Tilehouse Street Preschool and Nursery, Hitchin
https://thpsn.org.uk/

Toad Hall, Hitchin
https://www.toadhall-nursery.co.uk/hitchin

Primary Schools Open Days (alphabetical order)

Most Primary Schools now hold formal open events during school hours for prospective parents, typically in late Autumn term and early Winter term. Booking your place is usually required as the schools can only accommodate a limited number of parents at each event. Where no dates have been specified schools are usually happy to arrange a visit for you.

Breachwood Green JMI School, Breachwood Green, Hitchin
https://breachwoodgreen.herts.sch.uk/

Graveley C of E School, Graveley, Hitchin
https://graveley.herts.sch.uk/

Highover JMI School and Nursery, Hitchin
https://www.highover.herts.sch.uk/

Ickleford Primary School, Ickleford, Hitchin
Wednesday 15th November 2023, starting at 1:30 - 3.00 pm
Wednesday 29th November 2023, starting at 10.00 - 11:30 am
Wednesday 10th January 2024, starting at 1:30 - 3 pm
https://www.ickleford.herts.sch.uk/

Mary Exton Primary School, Hitchin
Thursday 19th October 2023 1:30pm
Thursday 30th November 2023 9:30am
Thursday 14th December 2023 1:30pm
Wednesday 10th January 2023 9:30am
https://www.maryexton.herts.sch.uk/

Oughton Primary and Nursery School, Hitchin
http://www.oughton.herts.sch.uk/

Our Lady Catholic Primary School, Hitchin
https://www.ourladys.herts.sch.uk/

Preston Primary School, Preston, Hitchin
Thursday October 19th 2023 9:30am
https://www.prestonjmi.herts.sch.uk/

Purwell Primary School, Hitchin
https://purwell.herts.sch.uk/

Samuel Lucas JMI School, Hitchin
https://samlucas.herts.sch.uk/

St Ippolyts C.E. Primary School, St Ippolyts, Hitchin
https://www.stipps.herts.sch.uk/

St. Andrew's Church of England (VA) Primary School and Nursery, Hitchin
https://www.standrews.herts.sch.uk/

Whitehill Junior School, Hitchin
https://www.whitehill.herts.sch.uk/

William Ransom Primary School, Hitchin
https://www.wransom.co.uk/

Wilshere-Dacre Junior Academy, Hitchin
https://www.wilshere.herts.sch.uk/

Wymondley JMI School, Little Wymondley, Hitchin
Wednesday October 4th 9:15am
https://www.wymondley.herts.sch.uk/

Secondary School Open Evenings (alphabetical order)

Senior School open evenings take place in September/October, with informal tours available in autumn. Booking is not usually required for the main Open Evenings, unless stated, but Headteachers' talks will often be ticketed on a first-come-first-serve basis on the night, and booking is likely to be required for additional tours. Visit the school websites for more information.

Etonbury Academy, Stotfold
Thursday October 5th
https://www.etonbury.org.uk/home

Fearnhill School, Letchworth
September 18th-21st
https://fearnhill.herts.sch.uk/

Hitchin Boys' School, Hitchin
Wednesday September 20th 6-8pm
Friday September 22nd 9:15-11:30am
Monday September 25th 9:15-11:30am
https://www.hbs.herts.sch.uk/

Hitchin Girls' School, Hitchin
Tuesday September 26th 9am-12pm
Thursday September 28th 9am-12pm
https://www.hgs.herts.sch.uk/

The Academy of Central Bedfordshire, Stotfold
https://www.acb.beds.sch.uk/

The Highfield School, Letchworth
Thursday September 28th 2023 - 6-8:30pm
Guided tours: Monday 2nd and 9th, Wednesday 4th and 11th, Friday 6th and 13th 2023 9:45am
https://www.highfield.herts.sch.uk/

The Priory School, Hitchin
Virtual Open Evening - Thursday 5th October in 4 sessions running from 5.30pm to 8.30pm
Live tours: Tuesday 10th October to Wednesday 18th October from 9am to 11am each day
https://www.priory.herts.sch.uk/admissions/

Sixth Form Open Events (alphabetical order)

Sixth Form Open Events take place any time from October to January and can be in the form of Open Mornings, Tours and Information Evenings. Booking is often required so please check the websites for more information. Where no open event is listed it may be possible to arrange an individual tour with the school. Applications are made to each Sixth Form individually and deadlines differ so check with each school you are interested in to ensure you get your application in on time.

Fearnhill School, Letchworth
https://fearnhill.herts.sch.uk/sixth-form/admission-to-the-sixth-form/

Hitchin Boys' School, Hitchin
https://www.hbs.herts.sch.uk/sixth_form

Hitchin Girls' School, Hitchin
Tuesday November 14th 2023
https://www.hgs.herts.sch.uk/page/?title=Admissions&pid=131

St Francis' College, Letchworth
Wednesday October 11th 2023 6-8:30pm
https://www.mumsguideto.co.uk/hitchin/event.php?eventid=3268&event=St-Francis-College-Sixth-Form-Open-Evening

The Highfield School, Letchworth
https://www.highfield.herts.sch.uk/sixth-form-admissions

The Priory School, Hitchin
https://www.priory.herts.sch.uk/sixth-form/studying-with-us-admissions/

University Technical Colleges Information Events (for entry into Y10 and Y12)

Elstree Screen Arts, Borehamwood
esaacademy.org

London Design and Engineering UTC (LDEUTC), London
http://www.ldeutc.co.uk/

Mulberry UTC - Digital technology Healthcare and medical services, London
Thursday October 19th 4:30-6:30pm
http://www.mulberryutc.co.uk/

South Bank Engineering UTC - South Bank Engineering UTC, London
Monday October 9th 2023 and Wednesday December 7th
http://www.southbank-utc.co.uk/

BMAT STEM Academy - Computing, Science, Engineering
Year 10 Admissions: Thursday October 12th 2023 6-9pm
http://www.btmatstem.org

Independent Schools Open Days (alphabetical order)

This section includes open days for Nurseries, Pre-Prep, Prep Senior and Sixth Form offered by Independent Schools. Independent schools typically hold a number of Open Days throughout the year and many will be happy to arrange individual visits. Open events usually require you to register your attendance in advance.

Kingshott School, Hitchin
See inside our Senior School evening: Thursday 28th September 2023, from 6pm to 7pm
Whole School Open Morning: Thursday 12th October 2023, from 9:30am to 11:30am
https://www.kingshottschool.com/176/joining-our-nursery

St Christopher School, Letchworth
Junior School
Wednesday 4 October 2023 [SOLD OUT]
Wednesday 15 November 2023
Wednesday 27 March 2024
Senior School and Sixth Form
Tuesday 26 September 2023 [SOLD OUT]
Tuesday 10 October 2023
https://www.stchris.co.uk/admissions/open-days

St Francis, College, Letchworth
Open Mornings
Saturday October 7th 2023
Friday October 13th 2023
Sixth Form Open evening: Wednesday October 11th 2023 6-8:30pm
https://www.st-francis.herts.sch.uk/open-days.html

Further Education 16+ (Not Sixth Form)

Cambridge Regional College, Cambridge
Wednesday October 18th 2023 4:30-7:30pm
Saturday November 11th 227th 2023 9:30am - 12:30pm
Thursday November 16th 2023 6-7:30pm (Apprenticeship Information Evening)
Saturday January 2024 10am - 12:30pm
Tuesday March 5th 2024 4-6pm CRC Apprenticeship Jobs and Careers Fair
Thursday April 25th 2024 4:30 - 7pm
Tuesday July 2nd 2024 4:30-7pm
https://www.camre.ac.uk/about/events/open-days-2/

Cambridge Regional College, Huntingdon
Thursday October 12th 2023 5-7pm
Saturday November 4th 9:30am - 12:30pm
Tuesday November 21st 2023 6-7:30pm Apprenticeship information Evening
Thursday March 7th 2024 4-6pm CRC Apprenticeship Jobs and Careers Fair
Saturday June 15th 2024 10:30am - 1pm
https://www.camre.ac.uk/about/events/open-days-2/

North Hertfordshire College, Hitchin
November - dates tbc
https://www.nhc.ac.uk/openevents/

North Hertfordshire College, Stevenage
November - dates tbc
https://www.nhc.ac.uk/openevents/

Barnfield College, Luton
Saturday November 4th 2023 9:30am - 12:30pm
https://www.barnfield.ac.uk/whats-on/events

Herts Regional College, Broxbourne and Ware
Tuesday 26th September 2023 - 17:30 to 20:00
Tuesday 21st November 2023 - 17:30 to 20:00
Tuesday 6th February 2024 -17:30 to 20:00
Thursday 25th April 2024 - 17:30 to 20:00
https://www.hrc.ac.uk/open-events

Oaklands College, St Albans Campus
Saturday November 4th 2023 10am - 3pm
https://www.oaklands.ac.uk/news-events/events-archive/open-events/

Oaklands College, Welwyn Campus
Saturday November 11th 2023 10am - 3pm
https://www.oaklands.ac.uk/news-events/events-archive/open-events/

West Herts College, Watford and Hemel Hempstead
https://www.westherts.ac.uk/

Special Education Needs Schools Open Days

Brandles School, Baldock (Boys 11-16)
https://www.brandles.herts.sch.uk/

Greenside School, Stevenage (3-19 years)
https://www.greenside.herts.sch.uk/

Larwood School, Stevenage (4-11 years)
https://www.larwood.herts.sch.uk/

Lonsdale School, Stevenage (3-18 years)
https://www.lonsdale.herts.sch.uk/

Woolgrove School, Special Needs Academy, Letchworth (4-11 years)
https://woolgrove.herts.sch.uk/