The boarding school was founded in 1565 as a a boarding school for “sons of noble and other honest men”. It was a male-only boarding school until 1960 for day-students and since 1985 for the students attending the boarding school.
The students wear uniforms. There are special uniforms for Half Galla and Full Galla.
Over the years the prefect rule has been modified due to criticism. Older students spoke of a very strict ruleset being controlled by the prefects. Also the sleeping quaters has been the focus of the authorities. On several occasions students have been charged with rape. Only in one case was a student convicted. Numerous cases of bullying has been reported to the media and there have been produced a number of documentaries about the boarding school. The student body is for a large part been put together by children of the most wealthy families in Denmark. Lately even the Royal House of Denmark has sent students to the school but in wake of the revelations of the alleged abuse the Royal house of Denmark cut their ties with the school
Being victim of bullying and in some case attempted rape makes it safe to conclude that it not always can be fun to be there as a student.
Sources:
- Vold, grov mobning og seksuelle krænkelser – nu står flere Herlufsholm-elever frem (TV2 Nyhederne – in Danish language)
- Mary Fonden kalder krænkelser på Herlufsholm for “chokerende” (TV2 Nyhederne – in Danish language)
- Rystende detaljer: ‘Normalt’ med finger i numsen (Ekstra-Bladet)
- Wild Revelations About Herlufsholm: ‘It Is Almost A Sadistic Culture’ (Shkmgmcnuh)
- Prince Christian set to attend tough boarding school (MSN)
- Psychologist Deeply Shaken By Herlufsholm Documentary: ‘It’s All Out In The Hemp’ (Shkmgmcnuh)
- Crown Princess Mary and Crown Prince Frederik remove son Prince Christian from school amid bullying scandal (Honey)