Hereford Cathedral School
Hereford Cathedral School is a co-educational independent day and boarding school in Hereford, England, serving approximately 750 pupils aged 3-18 across Nursery, Junior, Senior and Sixth Form stages, with a 7th-century heritage and international franchise operations in China and Rwanda.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded-
- HeadquartersCathedral, United States
- Headcount51–100
- GTM typeB2C
- OfferingServices
What Hereford Cathedral School does
Hereford Cathedral School is a co-educational independent day and boarding school located in Hereford, England, serving approximately 750 pupils aged 3 to 18 across four stages: Nursery (3+), Junior School (4-11), Senior School (11-16), and Sixth Form (16-18). Founded in the 7th century, it presents itself as one of the oldest schools in the United Kingdom and operates from a Senior School and Sixth Form campus at the Old Deanery in Cathedral Close alongside a Nursery and Junior School at 28 Castle Street. The school is a registered charity; revenue derives primarily from termly tuition fees paid by UK and international families, supplemented by trading income from a wholly-owned subsidiary.
The educational offering combines a traditional academic curriculum with several proprietary components: the HCS Diploma, a University of Buckingham-accredited two-year qualification intended to develop character and life skills; a Digital Strategy delivering BYOD personal-device integration with Microsoft OneNote from Year 6; and a Futures Department using the Unifrog platform for university and career planning. Reported A-Level outcomes include 22.7% of grades at A*, 47.5% at A*-A, 70% at A*-B, and 85.6% at A*-C. The wider programme includes the Cantabile Girls' Choir (BBC Songs of Praise School Choir of the Year and Children's Choir of the World), a Combined Cadet Force, Duke of Edinburgh Award, and a sports portfolio spanning rugby, hockey, rowing and others.
Commercial activity extends beyond domestic tuition through Hereford International Schools Ltd (HISL), a wholly-owned trading subsidiary established in 2019 to franchise the HCS brand overseas. Active partnerships include cooperation agreements with Yiqingtang Educational Group and We Enjoy Learning Ltd to deliver international A-Level programmes at Nanjing No. 29 High School and Nanjing No. 1 High School in Jiangsu Province, China, and the launch of Hereford International School Kigali — the first British-franchised school in Rwanda — in partnership with Savannah Creek Development. UK admissions are direct, with an International Agent Zone portal serving overseas families. The school is run by a Head (Jo Williamson, retiring in 2024 after 13 years) and a Senior Leadership Team, with a reported staff headcount of 51-100.
Hereford Cathedral School firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- Hereford Cathedral School
- Legal name
- Hereford Cathedral School
- Website
- https://herefordcs.com
- Company type
- Private
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 51–100 employees
- Short description
- Hereford Cathedral School is a co-educational independent day and boarding school in Hereford, England, serving approximately 750 pupils aged 3-18 across Nursery, Junior, Senior and Sixth Form stages, with a 7th-century heritage and international franchise operations in China and Rwanda.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
Hereford Cathedral School industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Independent Education / Private School
- NAICS
- Elementary and Secondary Schools (611110), Elementary and Secondary Schools (61111)
- SIC
- Services-Educational Services (8200)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Nonsectarian Independent Day Schools (EDAJABAA)
- akta.pro secondary industries
- Nonsectarian Independent Boarding Schools (EDAJABAB), International/Global Curriculum Schools (IB, Cambridge, etc.) (EDAJABAG)
Keywords
Where Hereford Cathedral School is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Cathedral
- HQ country
- United States
- HQ region
- North America
Offices4 records
Markets served
Hereford Cathedral School business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2C
- Offering type
- Services
- Cost components
- Personnel, Operations, Infrastructure, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D, Others
Revenue model
- Tuition Fees: Co-educational independent day and boarding school serving Nursery (3+), Junior (4-11), Senior (11-16), and Sixth Form (16-18) pupils. Revenue generated through termly tuition fees for day and boarding pupils. The school also generates revenue through venue hire services.
- International Schools Franchising: Hereford International Schools Ltd (HISL), a trading subsidiary established in 2019, franchises the Hereford Cathedral School name and marks to overseas partners, generating licensing revenue from partnerships in China (Jiangsu) and Rwanda (Kigali).
Pricing tiers
| Model | Billing | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Subscription | Annual | Nursery, Junior, Senior, and Sixth Form fee structures |
Go-to-market motion1 record
Distribution channels4 records
Marketing channels8 records
Hereford Cathedral School product offering
Product offeringCore offering
Hereford Cathedral School is a co-educational independent day and boarding school providing primary and secondary education for approximately 750 pupils aged 3-18 across Nursery, Junior School, Senior School and Sixth Form. The school delivers GCSEs, A-Levels and BTECs, complemented by the HCS Diploma (a two-year qualification accredited by the University of Buckingham), a BYOD Digital Strategy programme, and the Futures Department for university and careers guidance. It also operates boarding for domestic and international pupils and extends its brand internationally through franchised Hereford International Schools.
Product overview
Hereford Cathedral School is a co-educational independent school serving 750 pupils aged 3-18. The school offers a comprehensive educational program across four stages: Nursery (3+), Junior School (4-11), Senior School (11-16), and Sixth Form (16-18). The educational offering is enhanced by the HCS Diploma (a university-accredited qualification), Digital Strategy (technology integration program), and Futures Department (career guidance). The school provides extensive extracurricular activities including sports programs, Combined Cadet Force, Duke of Edinburgh Award, Music Makers Programme, Cantabile Girls' Choir, and various clubs. Boarding facilities are also available for domestic and international students.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Brands
- Hereford International Schools Ltd: Trading subsidiary of Hereford Cathedral School established in 2019 with exclusive rights to franchise the school's names and marks overseas.
- HCS Diploma
- Futures Department
- Music Makers
- Old Herefordians
Products and services
- Nursery Early childhood education programme for children aged 3+ at Hereford Cathedral School, providing interactive learning experiences guided by nurturing teachers to build a foundation for lifelong learning.
- Junior School Primary education programme for children aged 4-11, delivering a rich and engaging curriculum with tailored instruction within a caring and familial atmosphere.
- Senior School Secondary education programme for pupils aged 11-16, offering GCSE preparation with outstanding academic results and lifelong skills development.
- Sixth Form Advanced education for students aged 16-18 offering A-Level and BTEC qualifications, university preparation, careers guidance and the HCS Diploma within a dynamic academic and personal development environment.
- Boarding Boarding facilities for domestic and international pupils, providing pastoral care and a supportive living environment within the school community.
- HCS Diploma University-accredited two-year qualification, accredited by the University of Buckingham, that sits alongside A-Level studies to develop character and real-world skills including interview techniques, financial literacy and community service.
- Digital Strategy Technology integration programme using personal devices for classwork and independent study, developing advanced digital literacy, critical thinking, and preparation for universities and workplaces.
- Futures Department Careers guidance department offering comprehensive support for university applications, apprenticeships and career pathways with one-to-one coaching and alumni networking via Unifrog and the Digital Futures Library.
- Hereford International School Kigali British-franchised international day school in Kigali, Rwanda, for girls and boys aged 5-18, delivering international GCSEs and international A-Levels under the Hereford Cathedral School brand.
- Sports Programme Comprehensive sports programme including rugby, hockey, football, netball, rowing, cricket and various activities during Games afternoons such as Pilates, gym and badminton.
- Combined Cadet Force (CCF) Military-style cadet programme offering leadership development opportunities with positions such as Cadet Warrant Officer and Cadet Senior Non-Commissioned Officer.
- Duke of Edinburgh Award Award programme where students achieve Silver and Gold Duke of Edinburgh awards through challenging expeditions, volunteering, skills development and physical activities.
- Music Makers Programme Music education programme offering opportunities in conducting, composition, improvisation, instrumental arrangement, recording and sound engineering for children and adults.
- Cantabile Girls' Choir Award-winning girls' choir performing at major venues, winner of BBC Songs of Praise School Choir of the Year and the first English choir to win Children's Choir of the World.
- HCS Recording Studio Dedicated school recording studio opened by Justin Hawkins in 2024, supporting music composition, recording, sound engineering and pupil-led release projects such as a 2025 Christmas single.
- Clubs and Activities Diverse range of extracurricular clubs including Animal Care Club, Book Club, Chess Club, Debating Society, Biomedical Society, Drama Club, Christian Union and various sports clubs.
- International Schools Franchising (via HISL) Franchising of the Hereford Cathedral School name, marks and educational programmes to overseas partners in China (Jiangsu Province) and Rwanda (Kigali), generating licensing/royalty revenue.
- Parent Portal Secure online portal providing parents with access to their child's timetable, school reports, clubs, activities and essential school information.
- Venue Hire Venue hire services offering the school's historic Cathedral Close facilities for external events and functions.
Quantifiable outcome
- 22.7% of all grades A*
- +5 more outcomes
Companies that use Hereford Cathedral School
Customer profileNamed customers6 records
Segments6 records
Ideal customer profiles2 records
Hereford Cathedral School technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed No
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Integration1 record
Feature3 records
Hereford Cathedral School partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
Ten partnerships are on record, tiered core, flagship and minor.
- Hereford International Schools Ltd (HISL)coreTrading subsidiary of Hereford Cathedral School established in 2019 with exclusive rights to franchise the names and marks of the school overseas. Operates partnerships in China (Jiangsu) and Rwanda (Kigali), representing the school's international expansion strategy.
- The Little Princess TrustflagshipCharity founded at Hereford Cathedral School in 2006 by parents of Junior School student Hannah Tarplee. Provides real-hair wigs to sick children across the UK and Ireland. The school continues to support this cause with recent donation of £3,300 from a fashion show.
- Yiqingtang Educational GroupcoreChinese educational company partnering with Hereford Cathedral School for educational services in Jiangsu Province. Enables use of the Hereford Cathedral School name and marks with reference to their international A-Level programmes. Dr Michael Gray signed the agreement in Nanjing, China.
- We Enjoy Learning LtdcoreUK-based Chinese educational company collaborating with Hereford Cathedral School on international education programmes. Brings experience and expertise in British and Chinese education to optimise mutual benefit of the partnership.
- Savannah Creek DevelopmentminorProperty development company in Kigali, Rwanda providing the location for Hereford International School Kigali in the Savannah Creek Development, Kagondo, Kigali.
- ReptomaniaminorAnimal experience provider that visited Hereford Cathedral School for Sir David Attenborough's 100th birthday celebrations, providing hands-on animal experiences with scorpions, tarantula, bearded dragon, geckos and snakes for pupils across the school.
- Nanjing No. 29 High SchoolcorePartner school in Jiangsu Province, China for international A-Level programmes as part of the Hereford Cathedral School educational partnership.
- Nanjing No. 1 High SchoolcorePartner school in Jiangsu Province, China for international A-Level programmes.
- Taizhou High School, JiangsucorePartner school in Jiangsu Province, China for international A-Level programmes.
- University of BuckinghamcoreUniversity that accredits the HCS Diploma, a two-year formally recognised qualification that forms part of the 'drop down' menu for students to include in UCAS applications.
Scale indicators4 records
Recent moves9 records
Expansion highlights5 records
Hereford Cathedral School competitors and assessment
Company assessmentBroad incumbents
- Nord Anglia Education: Large global operator of premium international schools. Comparable as a broader incumbent in the premium British-curriculum international school space that HCS's franchise arm competes within.
- Cognita Schools: International group operating multiple premium schools across multiple geographies with British curriculum offerings. Comparable as a broader incumbent operating in the same premium school segment as HCS's franchise network.
Direct peers
- Wellington College: UK independent co-educational school with Wellington College International operating schools in China and Thailand. Comparable independent school with international curriculum franchise operations.
- Malvern College: UK independent co-educational boarding school with an international franchise arm (Malvern College International) operating schools in China and Egypt. Closely comparable dual domestic/international franchise model to HCS.
- Harrow School: Elite UK independent school with Harrow International Schools network operating premium British-branded schools across Asia. Comparable heritage-driven brand monetised through international licensing.
- Oundle School: UK independent co-educational boarding and day school with strong STEM and co-curricular profile. Comparable to HCS as a full-continuum K-12 independent school with strong academic positioning.
- Marlborough College: Historic UK independent co-educational boarding school with international pupil intake. Comparable to HCS in serving full-age-range K-12 day/boarding pupils with cathedral/heritage positioning.
- Dulwich College: One of the most established UK independent schools with Dulwich College International (DCI) operating a network of premium schools across China, Singapore, and other Asian markets. Comparable heritage-led brand with extensive international franchise operations.
- Epsom College: UK independent co-educational school with developing international engagement. Comparable to HCS as a regional UK independent school with both day and boarding options serving K-12.
- Repton School: Historic UK independent school with Repton International Schools operating franchises in the UAE, China, and other markets. Comparable co-educational day/boarding model with parallel international licensing strategy.
Market position
Strengths4 records
Weaknesses4 records
Competitive moat5 records
Key risks5 records
Key highlights6 records
Customer concentration
Hereford Cathedral School social profiles
Digital presenceHereford Cathedral School compliance and trust
Trust signalCompliance2 records
Hereford Cathedral School financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
Hereford Cathedral School leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles7 records
Hereford Cathedral School subsidiaries and ownership
Company hierarchySubsidiaries1 record
Hereford Cathedral School funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds
Investors
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Hereford Cathedral School M&A and investment
M&A and investmentM&A
Investments
M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Frequently asked questions about Hereford Cathedral School
What does Hereford Cathedral School do?
Hereford Cathedral School is a co-educational independent day and boarding school providing primary and secondary education for approximately 750 pupils aged 3-18 across Nursery, Junior School, Senior School and Sixth Form. The school delivers GCSEs, A-Levels and BTECs, complemented by the HCS Diploma (a two-year qualification accredited by the University of Buckingham), a BYOD Digital Strategy programme, and the Futures Department for university and careers guidance. It also operates boarding for domestic and international pupils and extends its brand internationally through franchised Hereford International Schools.
Is Hereford Cathedral School a public or private company?
Hereford Cathedral School is a private company. It is classified as nonprofit foundation owned and is currently operating.
When was Hereford Cathedral School founded?
Hereford Cathedral School was founded in -1. It employs 51 to 100 people.
Where is Hereford Cathedral School based?
Hereford Cathedral School is headquartered in Cathedral, United States, in the North America region.
How does Hereford Cathedral School make money?
Two revenue lines are on record. Tuition Fees are the primary driver. The others are international Schools Franchising.
Who are Hereford Cathedral School's main competitors?
Broad incumbents on record are Nord Anglia Education and Cognita Schools. Direct peers are Wellington College, Malvern College, Harrow School, Oundle School, Marlborough College, Dulwich College, Epsom College and Repton School.
Does Hereford Cathedral School have an API?
No public API is recorded for Hereford Cathedral School.
What industry is Hereford Cathedral School in?
Hereford Cathedral School's product category is Independent Education / Private School. Its primary akta.pro industry code is EDAJABAA, Nonsectarian Independent Day Schools, with a secondary code of EDAJABAB, Nonsectarian Independent Boarding Schools. Its NAICS code is 611110 and its SIC code is 8200.