Francis Holland School

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Francis Holland School is the name of two independent day schools for girls in central London governed by the Francis Holland (Church of England) Schools Trust. The schools are located at Clarence Gate (near Baker Street NW1) and at Graham Terrace (near Sloane Square SW1).

The Graham Terrace School has 451 girls aged between 4 and 18 and the Clarence Gate School 425 girls aged between 11 and 18.

The motto of the Trust is: "That our daughters may be as the polished corners of the Temple"

1 History
2 Notable Alumnae
3 Clarence Gate School
4 Graham Terrace School
5 External links

[edit] History

The schools were founded in the 1870s by Canon Francis James Holland for the education of girls in London. He was born in London on 20th January 1828 and educated at Eton and Trinity College, Cambridge. The Clarence Gate school is the elder of the two schools but no longer has a Junior Department. Both schools are currently in a phase of expansion.

The Graham Terrace School was opened with 13 pupils on 1 March 1881 at 80 Coleshill Street, Belgravia, later renamed as 28 Eaton Terrace. Within a year, another property opposite was also being used and, as this arrangement was very awkward, Canon Holland purchased a site on the corner of Graham Street, now Graham Terrace, and a new school building was constructed ready for occupation in October 1884. Francis Holland Clarence Gate used to accept boys as primary school pupils but they would leave as the girls moved on to secondary education.

[edit] Notable Alumnae

Eleanor Burbidge, astronomer
Jackie Collins, author
Joan Collins, actress
Chloe Delevingne, socialite
Joyce Grenfell, comedian
Hermione Hammond, artist
Jemima Khan, socialite
Vanessa-Mae, violinist
Maggie Noach, literary agent
Elizabeth Pakenham, Countess of Longford, biographer
Patricia Roc, actress
Veronica Wadley, editor of the Evening Standard
Tamara Ecclestone, TV presenter
Amber Agar, actress

[edit] Clarence Gate School

The current Headmistress (since 2004) is Vivienne M. Durham. The Bursar is Christopher W. Martinson. There are presently 424 pupils on roll. Most of their sports etc. take place in Regent's Park and Paddington Recreational Grounds.

[edit] Graham Terrace School

The current Headmistress (since 1997) is Stephanie J Pattenden. The Bursar is Christopher W. Martinson. There are presently 442 pupils on roll, 161 of whom are in the Junior School aged between 4 and 11