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

Updated for 2026.

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 I 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 I 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
Open day dates tbc.
Virtual tours and Headteacher's talks for prospective parents can be accessed here
https://www.highbury.herts.sch.uk/statutory-information/admssions

Highover JMI & Nursery School, Hitchin
Open day dates tbc.
https://www.highover.herts.sch.uk/admissions

Offley Endowed Primary School and Nursery, Offley, Hitchin
Please give us a call (01462 768392). If you prefer, e-mail our admissions team at [email protected].
https://www.offley.herts.sch.uk/page/?title=Admissions&pid=38

Oughton Primary and Nursery School, Hitchin
Open day dates unknown.
https://www.oughton.herts.sch.uk/nursery-admissions.html

St Andrew's C of E VA Primary School & Nursery
Open day dates unknown.
https://www.standrews.herts.sch.uk/Admissions/Community-Nursery/

The Earlybird Pre-School CIC
Contact directly.
https://earlybirdpreschool.co.uk/

York Road Nursery School & Pre-School, Hitchin
Fri 16th October 2026 - 4.15 pm. No need to book.
https://yorkroad.herts.sch.uk/admissions/

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

Breachwood Green Pre-school, Breachwood Green, Hitchin
Children can attend Breachwood Green Pre school at anytime once they have turned 2 years of age. To enrol your child or if you would like more information please get in contact – email: [email protected] or call 01438 831099.
https://bwgpreschool.co.uk/

Early Days Pre-School, Hitchin
Please call 01462 437643 or email [email protected] to check any availability.
https://earlydays-hitchin.wixsite.com/earlydays-hitchin

Goslings Playgroup, Hitchin
To apply for a place for your child at Goslings Playgroup, please visit our Contact Us page. There are a number of ways you may contact us to arrange a convenient time to visit.
https://www.goslingsplaygroup.co.uk/contact-us

Highbury Lodge, Hitchin
Enquire directly to book a tour.
https://childbasepartnership.com/nursery/highbury-lodge-day-nursery/

Hitchin House, Hitchin
Please contact us to book a visit and to find out more about the childcare we provide at Hitchin House Day Nursery.
https://hitchinhousedaynursery.com/

Kiddi Caru, Hitchin
2nd or 3rd October 2026
https://www.grandiruk.com/events/nursery-open-days/

Kingshott School, Hitchin
Kingshott Totts - Weds 30th September 9am - 10am
https://www.kingshottschool.com/admissions/open-days-and-visits

Millennium First Steps Nursery, Hitchin
Various dates available- book a slot on the website.
https://millenniumfirststeps.com/book-a-tour/

Monkey Puzzle, Astwick, Hitchin
Please complete the enquiry form on the website with as much information as possible. Once you have submitted the form, one of our nursery team will be in touch to discuss your childcare needs in more detail and offer you a personal tour of our wonderful nursery in Astwick.
https://monkeypuzzleastwick.co.uk/enquire-now/

Pippin Pre-School, Hitchin
Please contact the office at [email protected] to receive a registration link to our parent portal. Once your registration has been accepted, you will be invited to attend Open Mornings throughout the year prior to your child starting with us. We hold Open Mornings in October, May and July for you and your family to view the pre-school and meet the staff.
https://pippinpreschool.co.uk/parents/admissions

Sherrardswood School, Welwyn
Whole School Open Day - Saturday 3rd October 2026 - 9:30am to 12:00pm.
https://www.sherrardswood.co.uk/open-days-events/

Pirton Pre-School, Pirton, Hitchin
Parents are always welcome to make a preliminary visit to see Pre-School in action.
http://pirtonpreschool.co.uk/admissions/

Smarty's Day Nursery, Hitchin
We have a waiting list until 2027. You are still very welcome to make an enquiry to be added to the waiting list, by completing the enquiry form and returning to [email protected].
http://www.smartysdaynursery.co.uk/admissions.php

St Chris School, Letchworth
See the school in action at one of their open events.
Nursery & Junior School:
17th November
21st January
20th April
To book your space or book a private tour, visit the link below.
Alternatively, please email the team at [email protected].
https://www.stchris.co.uk/upcoming-open-events

St Francis' College Nursery
Saturday 3rd October 2026 10am - 12:30pm
https://www.st-francis.herts.sch.uk/nursery-boys-and-girls-3-months-to-4-years/nursery/

St Paul's Walden Pre-School Nursery, St Paul's Walden, Hitchin
Open dates unknown.
https://www.whitwellnursery.co.uk/

Tilehouse Street Preschool and Nursery, Hitchin
Parents are welcome to make a preliminary visit to see Pre-School and Nursery, to view the setting in practice and to gain an understanding of what Tilehouse Street Pre-School and Nursery can provide for you and your child. We recommend bringing your child to see how they interact with the setting and staff. We want this to be a positive first impression for your child. Most do not want to leave and are excited about returning to their ‘new’ school.
https://thpsn.org.uk/admissions/

Toad Hall, Hitchin
Open dates unknown.
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
Parents are welcome to make a preliminary visit to see Pre-School and Nursery, to view the setting in practice and to gain an understanding of what Tilehouse Street Pre-School and Nursery can provide for you and your child. We recommend bringing your child to see how they interact with the setting and staff. We want this to be a positive first impression for your child. Most do not want to leave and are excited about returning to their ‘new’ school.
https://breachwoodgreen.herts.sch.uk/

Graveley C of E School, Graveley, Hitchin
In November each year we hold an Open Morning or Afternoon, where you are invited to come and visit the school and find out more about us. Please contact the school office for further information.
https://graveley.herts.sch.uk/admission-arrangements/

Highbury Infant School & Nursery, Hitchin
Open dates unknown - virtual tour available on website.
https://www.highbury.herts.sch.uk/statutory-information/admssions

Highover JMI School and Nursery, Hitchin
Open dates unknown - virtual tour available on website.
https://www.highover.herts.sch.uk/admissions

Ickleford Primary School, Ickleford, Hitchin
Open dates unknown.
https://www.ickleford.herts.sch.uk/

Mary Exton Primary School, Hitchin
Open dates unknown.
https://www.maryexton.herts.sch.uk/

Oughton Primary and Nursery School, Hitchin
Open dates unknown.
https://www.oughton.herts.sch.uk/admissions.html

Our Lady Catholic Primary School, Hitchin
Open morning - Saturday October 17th 10am - 12pm.
Admission evening - Thursday November 12th at 6:30pm.
https://www.ourladys.herts.sch.uk/149/reception

Preston Primary School, Preston, Hitchin
If you want to arrange a tour of the school, please contact the School Office on 01462 451734 or email: [email protected]
https://www.prestonjmi.herts.sch.uk/reception-admissions/

Purwell Primary School, Hitchin
Open dates unknown.
https://purwell.herts.sch.uk/our-school/admissions/

Samuel Lucas JMI School, Hitchin
Open dates unknown - virtual tour on website.
https://samlucas.herts.sch.uk/

St. Ippolyts C.E. Primary School, St Ippolyts, Hitchin
Parents who are considering applying for a place for their child are invited to make an appointment to view the school.
https://www.stipps.herts.sch.uk/admissions/

St. Andrew's Church of England (VA) Primary School and Nursery, Hitchin
Monday 2nd Nov 9am and Tuesday 17th Nov 9am.
https://www.standrews.herts.sch.uk/Admissions/Main-School-Reception/

Strathmore Infant and Nursery School
If you would like to visit our school, please telephone the school office to make an appointment.
https://strathmore.herts.sch.uk/

Whitehill Junior School, Hitchin
We would love to show you around our school, although you can take a virtual tour at your convenience. We hold several planned tours in the second half of the autumn term each year and details of these can be obtained by calling the school office. In addition to these, we are also more than happy to arrange a seprate tour outside of the planned dates if it is more convenient. Again, please contact the school office and have a chat with us.
https://www.whitehill.herts.sch.uk/

William Ransom Primary School, Hitchin
Open dates unknown.
https://www.wransom.herts.sch.uk/school-information/admissions

Wilshere-Dacre Junior Academy, Hitchin
Open dates unknown- virtual tour avaiable on the website.
https://www.wilshere.herts.sch.uk/new-parents-information/

Wymondley JMI School, Little Wymondley, Hitchin
Open Morning Tours available for prospective 27/28 parents and carers on Friday 16th October.
Please email [email protected] to book your place.
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
Complete the form on the website to book a tour
https://www.etonbury.org.uk/parents-area/prospective-parents

Fearnhill School, Letchworth
No booking required.
Open Evening: Wednesday 30th September, 6pm-8pm.
Open Mornings: Monday 5 October and Tuesday 6 October, 9am-10am. Please arrive at 9am for the tour.
https://fearnhill.herts.sch.uk/

Hitchin Boys' School, Hitchin
Wednesday 15th September Open Evening 2026 6.00pm - 8.30pm
Friday 18h September Open Morning 2026 9.30am - 11.00am
Monday 21st September Open Morning 2026 9.30am - 11.00am
https://www.hitchinboys.co.uk/join-us/open-days

Hitchin Girls' School, Hitchin
Our Open Mornings, which are exclusively for current Year 6 families, will take place on Tuesday 22, Thursday 24 and Wednesday 30 September. Booking is essential - please click below to find out full details and book.
https://www.hgs.herts.sch.uk/

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

The Highfield School, Letchworth
Open dates unknown.
https://www.highfield.herts.sch.uk/96/admissions

The Knight's Templar, Baldock
Open dates unknown.
https://www.kts.school/Admissions/

The Priory School, Hitchin
Open evening: Thursday 1st October 2026, 5.30–8.30pm, with headteacher presentations at 6pm, 6.50pm and 7.40pm. No need to book.
Guided tours during the school day: From Tuesday 6th October to Friday 9th October 2026. Please order one ticket per family, not one per person.
If you have any questions in the meantime, please contact [email protected].
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
If you have any questions about entry to the Sixth Form, please contact [email protected].
https://fearnhill.herts.sch.uk/sixth-form/admission-to-the-sixth-form/

Hitchin Boys' School, Hitchin
If you would like to join us, and are not currently a HBS student there is a Google Form you will need to fill out. This form will register your interest. Following the closing date of the form you will be contacted regarding the next step of the process.
https://www.hitchinboys.co.uk/sixth-form/how-to-apply

Hitchin Girls' School, Hitchin
Open dates unknown.
https://www.hgs.herts.sch.uk/page/?title=Admissions&pid=131

Sherrardswood School, Welwyn
Sixth Form Information Evening - Tuesday 6th October 2026 - 6:00pm.
Sixth Form Experience Day - Friday 9th October 2026 - Time to be confirmed.
https://www.sherrardswood.co.uk/open-days-events/

St Chris School, Letchworth
See the school in action at one of their open events.
Senior School & Sixth Form:
27th April (main Open Morning)
Meet the Head Senior events
4th November
10th November
27th November
16th March
To book your space or book a private tour, visit the link below.
Alternatively, please email the team at [email protected].
https://www.stchris.co.uk/upcoming-open-events

St Francis' College, Letchworth
Sixth Form Information Evening - Tuesday 13th October 2026 6-9pm
Sixth Form Taster Day - Thursday 5th November 2026 8:30am - 4pm
Sixth Form Taster Day - Thursday 12th November 2026 8:30am - 4pm
https://www.st-francis.herts.sch.uk/admissions/visit-us/

The Highfield School, Letchworth
Open dates unknown.
https://www.highfield.herts.sch.uk/97/sixth-form-admissions

The Priory School, Hitchin
Please visit the Sixth Form Admissions page.
https://www.priory.herts.sch.uk/sixth-form/studying-with-us-admissions/

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

BMAT STEM Academy
Open Evening - Thursday 5th October 5-8pm
https://www.bmatstemacademy.org/

Cambridge Academy for Science and Technology
Website currently unavailable.
https://www.cambridgeshire.gov.uk/residents/children-and-families/schools-learning/apply-for-a-school-place/cambridge-academy-for-science-and-technology

Elstree Screen Arts, Borehamwood
Wednesday, 7 October 2026 5-8pm
https://academy.elstreescreenarts.com/open-events/esa-open-evening-2026

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

Mulberry UTC - Digital technology Healthcare and medical services, London
Open dates unknown.
http://www.mulberryutc.co.uk/

Silverstone UTC
Open dates unknown.
https://www.utc-silverstone.co.uk/

South Bank Engineering UTC - South Bank Engineering UTC, London
Open dates unknown.
https://www.sbusixth.ac.uk/opendays/

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
Whole School Open Morning - Thurs 1st October 2026 9am - 11am
Or book a private tour with the Head.
https://www.kingshottschool.com/admissions/open-days-and-visits

Sherrardswood School, Welwyn
Whole School Open Day - Saturday 3rd October 2026 - 9:30am to 12:00pm.
https://www.sherrardswood.co.uk/open-days-events/

St Chris School, Letchworth
See the school in action at one of their open events.
Nursery & Junior School:
17th November
21st January
20th April
Senior School & Sixth Form:
27th April (main Open Morning)
Meet the Head Senior events:
4th November
10th November
27th November
16th March
To book your space or book a private tour, visit the link below.
Alternatively, please email the team at [email protected].
https://www.stchris.co.uk/upcoming-open-events

St Columba's College, St Albans
Whole School Open Morning – Saturday 26th September, 9.00am – 1.00pm
Sixth Form Open Evening – Thursday 15th October, 5.30pm – 8.00pm
To book a private tour in our Prep School, please contact Mrs Masters, at [email protected] or call 01727 892097
Or to book a private tour for our Senior and Sixth Form please contact Mrs Pope, at [email protected] or call 01727 892040
https://stcolumbascollege.org/visit-us/

St Francis, College, Letchworth
Open Morning – Sat 3 Oct 2026 10-12.30
Meet the head – Thurs 26 Nov 2026 9-11am
Meet the head – Fri 29 Jan 2027 9-11am
Working Open morning - Thurs 8 Oct 2026 9-11am
Working Open morning - Fri 5 March 2027 9-11am
https://www.st-francis.herts.sch.uk/admissions/visit-us/

Further Education 16+ (Not Sixth Form)

Barnfield College, Luton
Open dates unknown.
https://www.barnfield.ac.uk/whats-on/events

Cambridge Regional College, Cambridge
Open dates unknown.
https://www.camre.ac.uk/about/events/open-days-2/

Herts Regional College, Broxbourne and Ware
Open dates unknown.
https://www.hrc.ac.uk/open-events

North Hertfordshire College, Hitchin and Stevenage
10th – 11th November 2026
3rd March 2027
28th April 2027
9th June 2027
Please check back for further information on these events, including which courses will be on which date, how they will be delivered and how to book.
If you can’t make it to any of our open events but want to know more about what it’s like to study at NHC, be sure to check out our virtual campus tours and get in touch either through our online form, emailing us at [email protected], or giving us a call on 01462 424242.
https://www.nhc.ac.uk/openevents/

Oaklands College, St Albans Campus
Saturday 17th October 2026 - 10am-3pm .
https://www.oaklands.ac.uk/news-events/events-archive/open-events/

Oaklands College, Welwyn Campus
Saturday 10th October 2026 | 10am-3pm.
https://www.oaklands.ac.uk/news-events/events-archive/open-events/

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

Special Education Needs Schools Open Days

Contact the below schools directly to arrange a viewing/information on admissions.

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/admissions/