Henderson was born at Bexhill-on-Sea in March 1926. After attending St Edward's School, Oxford, he went up to Trinity College, Oxford. He made his debut in first-class cricket for Oxford University in 1949 against Lancashire at Fenner's. He played first-class cricket for the university until 1950, making a total of eleven appearances. Primarily a medium-fast bowler, Henderson took 30 wickets for the university at an average of 25.90, with best figures of 4/39. While at Oxford, he won a Blue in cricket. He also made four appearances in first-class cricket for the Free Foresters from 1951–1954, with all four matches coming ''against'' Oxford University.
After graduating from Trinity College, Henderson began a career in teaching. He and Hugh Watts purchased the Moor Park Estate in Shropshire in 1964, where they founded the Moor Park School. Henderson was its headmaster until he retired in 1988. He lived near Oxford after he retired. His son, Steve Henderson, also played first-class cricket.
