Hinchingbrooke School

Hinchingbrooke School is a large secondary school situated on the outskirts of Huntingdon in Cambridgeshire. Originally all of the surrounding land—including what is now Huntingdon Town—comprised the grounds of Hinchingbrooke House. In fact, the Town was given the name "Huntingdon" as the owners of the house were known for hosting magnificent hunting parties. There is still an avenue of trees leading from the start of Hinchingbrooke House towards the town, which was the old entranceway through the grounds. It is now an academy.

History

Hinchingbrooke School was founded as Huntingdon Grammar School in 1565.^[1][2] Among its pupils in its early history were Oliver Cromwell^[1] and Samuel Pepys.^[3]

On 1 September 1939 it opened in a new building on Brampton Road—the same day that war broke out. The girls from Highbury Hill High School in London were evacuated for safety and attended the premises from 1939 - 1943. In 1970 the school began to take pupils of all abilities and soon became fully comprehensive. At the same time the school changed its name and above moved to new premises in Hinchingbrooke Park and the renovated Hinchingbrooke House.^[4]

In 2006 Hinchingbrooke School became a Specialist Sports College.^[2] It is now an academy.

The Performing Arts Centre

Hinchingbrooke Sixth Form

The sixth form is located in the historic Hinchingbrooke House itself, with most classrooms and student areas within the grade 1 listed building. It attracts a high number of applications and often runs with around 400 pupils.

Hinchingbrooke House

Hinchingbrooke Main School

"The quality of teaching is not good enough because it is too variable. Some teachers do not challenge students at the appropriate level, mark work regularly enough or make clear what students need to do to improve. Students make less progress than they should in some subjects as a result." - Ofsted 2014^[5]

Hinchingbrooke School offers a wide variety of subject departments. Including; art, business studies, design technology,modern foreign languages, physical education, music, dance, ICT and textiles. As well as the standard academic subjects, maths, English and science. Hinchingbrooke also offers 'able, gifted and talented'. Students are nominated for exceptional talent, showing commitment to school subjects and development in their ability. Notable alumni include premiership footballer Darren Bent, as well as ex-World Conker Champion Joseph Emery and professional eater Daniel Haggett.

Hinchingbrooke provides a wide range of extra curricular activities for students of all talents and enthusiasm. Some of the clubs consist of; hockey, netball, volleyball, HBK TV (a group of students creating our very own news team and programme), orchestra, dance and many, many more.

Last of all; of course, at secondary school, examinations are crucial. Staff are very supportive of students and provide guidance, to ensure they can achieve the best of their ability. Results for both GCSE and A-LEVEL are significantly satisfactory.

KS4 EXAM RESULTS 2011:

All Pupils                            Low Attainers         Middle Attainers          High Attainers

Percentage achieving

5+ A*-C GCSEs (or               63%                                     0%                   48%                          94%

equivalent) including maths and English

Percentage achieving 64% 4% 50% 94% A*-C in English and maths GCSEs

Percentage achieving all 19% 0% 7% 38% English Baccalaureate subjects

Number entered all English 81 1 21 58 Baccalaureate subjects

Percentage entered all 27% 4% 15% 48% English Baccalaureate subjects

References