Walthamstow Hall Senior School
Walthamstow Hall
Org 1: GSA
Holly Bush Lane, Sevenoaks, Kent TN13 3UL
Telephone: 01732 451334
Age Range: Nursery, Pre-Prep/Infants, Prep/Junior to 11, Senior to 18
Day or Boarding: Day Only
Gender: Girls
Exams offered: A Level, Extended Project Qualification (EPQ), GCSE, IGCSE
Scholarships Tick: Academic, Art, Drama, Music, Sport
Bursaries and discounts: New entrant bursary, Existing pupil bursary/hardship award, Sibling discount
Scholarships and Bursaries – Further Details,cpc|Walthamstow Hall
www.walthamstow-hall.co.uk
Walthamstow Hall is an Independent girls’ day school founded in 1838 with a history of preparing academically-able individuals for stimulating, purposeful and happy lives. The belief that every pupil given the right opportunities, encouragement and inspiring teaching can develop an incredible range of skills and talents, is central to the everyday life of the School.
The School was judged as ‘Excellent’ in all categories by the ISI in 2019.
Facilities. Set in its own grounds within Sevenoaks, the original 1882 Arts and Crafts Senior School building is surrounded by the Swimming Pool and Sports complex, Music, Drama and 3DD rooms and The Ship Theatre. Recent developments include the expansion of Art studios, and a Sixth Form Centre with additional Science facilities opened in 2018.
Curriculum. Enriched, innovative and flexible, facilitating breadth and individual choice, without sacrificing depth of study, brought to life with inspirational teaching.
Pupils follow a curriculum of broad and balanced subjects, with a second language added in Year 8. They also receive lessons in 'Q', a mixture of practical skills and critical thinking.
Subjects include: Art, Biology, Business, Chemistry, Classical Civilisation, Computer Science, Textiles, Drama, Economics, English, Literature, EPQ, Food Preparation & Nutrition, French, History, Geography, German, Politics, Latin, Mathematics, Additional Mathematics, Further Mathematics, Music, PE, Photography, Physics, Psychology, Religious Studies, Sociology, Spanish and Three Dimensional Design.
Success in public examinations is excellent. In 2023, 84.2% of A Levels passed at grades A*–B; 72.5% of I/GCSEs passed at grades 9–7.
Religious Teaching. interdenominational.
Co-curricular. The high profile of Drama, Music, Sports, careers and study skills and personal development, together with an excellent pastoral system, provides opportunity and support for all.
A policy of ‘sport for all’ enables both team players and individuals to find the sporting activities that suit them best. Lacrosse, netball, swimming, athletics, cross country, badminton, hockey, cricket and tennis are on offer, with many teams and individuals achieving highly at all levels.
A high proportion participate in the DofE scheme, Enterprise, School choirs and orchestra, ABRSM and Trinity Drama.
Admission. Admission for Year 7 and deferred entry at Year 9 is through the ISEB Common Pre-Test in the Autumn Term prior to entry. Admission for Year 9 (unless deferred at Year 7) and Sixth Form is through the School’s own assessment criteria. Candidates attend an interview and provide a Head’s Report from their previous school. Open Mornings are usually in September and March.
Fees per term (2024–2025). £9,584, including VAT.
Scholarships. Academic scholarships are available for Year 7, 9 and Sixth Form.
Music and Sport scholarships are available for Year 7 and Year 9 entry. Drama and Art can also be applied for at Year 9 and Sixth Form.
A means-tested bursary scheme includes our Founders’ Bursary at nearly 100% of fees.
Charitable status. Registered Charity 1058439.
Governors & Staff:
Chair of Governors: Mrs J Adams, BA Joint Hons Durham
Headmistress: Ms L Chamberlain, BSc Hons Nottingham, PGCE Newcastle (Designated Safeguarding Lead)
Deputy Head: Mr N Castell, BMus Hons, PGCE Manchester (Deputy Designated Safeguarding Lead)
Director of Studies: Ms P Evernden, MA Cantab, PGCE Oxon
Head of Sixth Form: Mrs B Brown, BA Hons, PGCE Loughborough
Head of Key Stage 4: Mrs K Franzen, BA Hons Durham, MA, PGCE King's College
Head of Key Stage 3: Miss H Couch, BMus Hons Royal Holloway University of London, PGCE Canterbury Christ Church University
Department Heads:
Biology: Miss T Cheney, BSc Hons Durham, MSc LSHTM, QTS
Careers: Mrs L Hayes, MA Canterbury, BCom Hons Cape Town, QCG, RCDP
Classics: Mr N Buckingham, BA Hons, MA Reading, PGCE London
Computer Science: Mr J Smith, BA Hons Canterbury Christ Church, GTP
Creative Art & Textiles: Mrs A Norman, BA Hons, MA Wales, PGCE Worcester
Drama: Mrs V Bower-Morris, BA Hons Surrey, PGCE Goldsmiths
Duke of Edinburgh Manager: Mr N Ramsden, BA Maidstone, MA Canterbury, PGCE Brighton
Economics & Business: Mr R Dewey, BA Hons Heriot-Watt, PGCE Kent & Medway
English: Miss S Mehaffey, MA, PGCE Edinburgh
EPQ Coordinator: Mrs L Thomas, BA Hons Wales, MA Open, PGCE Bristol
Geography: Mr C Sullivan, HNC, BA Hons Sussex, NPQL
History & Politics: Ms O Windle, MA, BA Hons Edgewood College, USA
Learning Support: Mr K Williams, APC PATOSS, MA CCCU, BA Hons DeMontfort, PGCE Kent
Mathematics: Mr T Dakin, BSc Hons Bristol, PGCE Sussex
Modern Foreign Languages: Mrs R Hunt, BA Hons Exeter, PGCE King’s College
Music: Mr N Castell, BMus Hons, PGCE Manchester
Physics: Mr R Stewart, MEng Bath, PGCE King's College
Science & Chemistry: Dr E Doyle, BA Hons Cambridge, MSc Cambridge, MA Cambridge, PhD Cambridge, QTS
Sociology: Mr S Wilson, BA Hons Sunderland, PGCE London
Sport: Miss R Leggett, BA Hons, QTS Brighton
Theology & Philosophy: Mr D Pollen, BA Hons Bristol, MA UWE
Three Dimensional Design & Food Preparation & Nutrition: Mrs C Evans, BA Hons Greenwich, QTS
Bursar and Clerk to the Governors: Mrs E Walsh, MA Oxon, MBA
Admissions Registrar: Mrs A Knight