Whitgift School

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Whitgift School is an independent day school educating 1,200 boys aged 10 to 18 in South Croydon, London in a 45-acre parkland site. It was founded in 1596 by the Archbishop of Canterbury John Whitgift and is part of the Whitgift Foundation along with Trinity School of John Whitgift and Old Palace School. In 1931 the school moved to its current site, Haling Park, which was once home to Lord Howard of Effingham, the Lord High Admiral of the Fleet sent against the Spanish Armada. The ship (a model of HMS Ark Royal) that features prominently on the top of 'Big School' (the school hall) is a reminder of the history of the site. Additions since the 400th anniversary of the school have been a maze in the founder's garden, an aviary, an enclosure for red squirrels, lakes and a multi-million pound sports complex.

In 2005, Whitgift has also begun to offer International Baccalaureate to the sixth form as an optional alternative to A-Levels; joining a growing list of exclusive schools to offer the assessment.

Whitgift is famed in the local area for its wide variety of animals, most notably the peacocks which have graced the grounds since the 1930s. In 2005 Sir David Attenborough visited the school to open the lakes, the enclosure of which also houses two albino wallabies (a gift from the Queen), and various waterfowl. The school plans to continue to increase its collection in the future, although it already holds the world record for the largest number of domesticated animals at an educational institution. The most recent addition is a small flock of flamingos in the lake area.

In recent years it has played host to one first-class game and one one-day game played by Surrey County Cricket Club. The cricket ground can cope with up to 5,000 spectators. By the end of 2005, Surrey had played seven one-day and three first-class matches at the ground. Former Surrey favourite, David Ward is now cricket coach at the school, while former Richmond rugby professional Robert McGrath is Head of Classics.

Whilst Whitgift School has one the finest academic results in the country, it also pays substantial importance to co-curricular activities within the school life. This is reflected in the outstanding sporting facilities and former Olympic medal winner Kate Allenby and triple Commonwealth fencing medalist Dudley Tredger teaching Economics. There are also a huge array of musical activities headed by John Cullen. The school also has highly developed Design Technology and Art suites, more than 6 computer rooms, as well as two libraries.

[edit] Senior Staff

Headmaster Christopher A. Barnett D.Phil.

Second Master Dr J Cox (until January 2007, to be replaced by Mr J Pitt)

Deputy Headmaster Mr P Yeo

Proctor Mr D Elvin

Senior Master Mr S Cook

Senior Mistress Miss M Guest

Head of Upper School Mrs E Gray

Head of Lower School Mrs D Watts

[edit] Notable Alumni

Former pupils are known as Old Whitgiftians.

[edit] External links

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