From April 2026, St Martin’s School – an independent prep school in Northwood – joins Haberdashers’ Elstree Schools (Haberdashers’ Boys’ School and Haberdashers’ Girls’ School and Lochinvar House School).
Haberdashers’ Elstree Schools was proudly crowned Independent School of the Year 2025 for outstanding educational partnerships and overall Independent School of the Year 2025. These awards are not just a celebration of academic excellence — they recognise a school actively using its resources, people, and purpose to drive social mobility and create a positive legacy beyond its campus.
St Martin’s is a vibrant, forward-thinking prep school with around 400 boys aged 3–13. At this challenging time for the sector, working together will further enhance educational opportunities, strengthen financial sustainability and ensure shared, long-term success.
Both schools are in strong positions, and the merger between St Martin’s and Habs is a strategic decision which brings together schools with strong traditions, reputations for academic excellence, and a shared commitment to the holistic development of young people. This merger reflects the profound respect these schools have for one another and outstanding reputations enjoyed by them, both locally and nationally.
A large number of St Martin’s pupils already move on to Habs for secondary school, and welcoming St Martin’s into the Habs family feels like a natural and exciting next step. It allows increase of scale whilst retaining the highest levels of selectivity and academic standards in this catchment area. This is an enormously exciting move for pupils and families.
Gus Lock, Executive Principal, Haberdashers’ Elstree Schools:
“We are truly delighted to announce the joining of these two outstanding schools who share a common ethos and commitment to excellence, whether it be in academic studies or in pastoral care. I am enormously excited by the prospect of strengthening our relationship with St Martin’s in the coming months and years.”
Simon Dunn, Headmaster, St. Martin’s School:
“This is a significant and welcome development—bringing together two outstanding schools with a shared commitment to excellence. Joining the Haberdashers’ family of schools presents an exciting opportunity to build on our strengths, enhance our provision, and continue offering exceptional opportunities within the supportive context of a larger educational family.”
James Penney, Chair of Haberdashers’ Education Committee:
“On behalf of the Company I am delighted to welcome St Martin’s into the Habs family. A significant amount of work has been done by all concerned throughout this process and it is a pleasure to see the project completed successfully. We look forward to collaborating further over the coming months.”
Author: Avril Tooley, Director of Marketing, Communications and Admissions
