A Brief Introduction
pre-school-in-the-woods
What lesson is this?
St Joseph's In The Park is a single form, Independent, Co-educational, Preparatory School for girls and boys between the ages of 3 and 11.  It is set within Hertingfordbury Park on the outskirts of Hertford.  A description of the Park and the location of the original 17th Century House from 1773 gives an impression of the location that still holds true today:

"The situation of the Park House is on a gentle rise.  The whole ground is of an easy form enriched with plantations and beautified by the flowing Lea and Mimram rivers which partly bound this estate.  The prospects are particularly pleasing and the town of Hertford, softened by its distance, is a fine enrichment."

It is true today that, despite the changes at Hertingfordbury Park over the intervening centuries, our children can still enjoy the secluded, woodland environment provided by the plantations that were established more than 200 years ago.

As an educational establishment, St Joseph’s In The Park began life as St. Joseph's Catholic High School in St. John's Street Hertford and until 1983 the school was run by the Sisters of Mercy order of Nuns.  It moved to its present location in 1957 and eventually became known as St. Joseph's In The Park to avoid confusion with the Catholic primary school in Hertford, also St. Joseph's. 

There are 3 elements that create the ethos of St. Joseph's In The Park, for which the school is widely known:


Tradition in manners, behaviour and presentation.
Family values in understanding the emotional and learning needs of each child and its family.
Contemporary thinking in education to build on past success and look to latest developments.


We have always maintained that, no matter how good our promotional material, the best way to get to know us is to pay us a visit.  Walk through the school, meet the children, talk to the staff and feel for yourself what makes St. Joseph's In The Park so unique.