Halliford School

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Halliford School
220px
Motto "Via firma ad firmora" ("A firm path to firmer things")
Established 1921
Type Independent school
Headteacher Mr S G Wilson BSc LRAM
Chair Mr Ken Woodward
Location Russell Road
Shepperton
England UK
TW17 9HX
 England
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Local authority Surrey
DfE URN 125411
Gender Boys
Ages 11–19
Houses Wadham
Russell
Greville
Desborough
Colours Red, Green, Blue and Yellow                 
Website www.hallifordschool.co.uk

Halliford School is a selective and independent school for boys and which also admits girls into its sixth form, in Lower Halliford, Shepperton, Surrey, England. The school's sixth-form become co-educational in its own right from 2007. Simon Wilson is the headmaster since 2015.

History

The school was founded in 1921 as an independent grammar school on the present site. The building closest to its road is the oldest, a tall-storied Georgian House set in 10 acres (4.0 ha) beside the River Thames that was once home to Emma Hart (later Emma, Lady Hamilton) when she lived with Charles Francis Greville before she married and then became Lord Nelson's mistress. The school has seen expansion since the year 2000 including the following buildings:

  • Professional theatre and separate dining hall
  • Arts and technology building
  • Sixth form centre and library
  • Multi-purpose sports hall, separate gymnasium and classrooms

The fourth house was also added during this time, and additional sports fields were purchased. Following a consortium with a defunct girls' school in another settlement the school admits girls in its own right from the age of 16, since 2007.[1]

Amenities and curriculum

Sports and athletics are significant throughout the year groups. Boys from the school have played sports such as rugby, cricket and basketball to the highest level. A major portion of alumni play for teams in or compete as individuals in rugby, cricket, football, badminton, rowing, athletics and/or golf at university, local or workplace clubs. The inspectorate reports students are known by the staff who all provide major support outside of the school timetable. A broad extra-curricular programme runs and ambitious, frequent overseas trips: academic, charity project based or sporting.[1][2]

In early years the curriculum is broad with pupils exposed to a wide range of subject to help them acquire a sound foundation of basic skills.[1] At GCSE students unless exceptional requirements merit different options study English language, English Literature, Mathematics, the three Sciences, a modern language and ICT. AS and A-level courses can be taken in 25 non-vocational subjects: in the arts, languages, technologies and sciences.[1] Numerous extra-curricular and student-organised clubs and societies include:a current affairs circle, a reading circle to encourage creative writing and a stage production technicians' group. Competitions and performances are led by staff and sixth form pupils annually in junior and senior virtual investment trading, theatre and music. External distinguished speakers give talks and presentations.[1]

Motto and houses

The school motto is "Via firma ad firmora", which means "A firm path to firmer things". The school logo represents the bend in the Thames on the opposite side of the road facing the school's main entrance. The school is divided up into 4 houses:

The house colours are red, green, blue and yellow respectively, reflected in school ties and inter-house sports kit.[1]

Financial support in the form of bursaries is provided for around an eighth of the school’s pupils.[2]

Assessment

The school is among the approximately 50% of independent schools inspected by the ISI rather than Ofsted.[5] Inspections are carried out under Section 162A(1)(b) of the Education Act 2002 as amended by the Education Act 2005 under which the Secretary of State accredits the ISI as a qualified inspectorate body.[2]

Considerable attention has been given to providing more support for pupils with learning difficulties or disabilities and for potential high achievers.[2]

Students' achievements and the quality of their learning are good, as was apparent from their written work, in lessons and from public examination results. No differences in attainment relative to ability were noted between different groups of pupils, so that the progress over time made by those of all abilities is good.[2]

Percentage of students achieving 5+ A*-C GCSEs (or equivalent)
including English and maths		 2011 2012 2013[6]
School 97% 92% 95%
Local Authority 63.5% 64.2% 67.5%
England 59.0% 59.4% 59.2%

Alumni

Former pupils of the school are known as Old Hallifordians or OHs.

Notable alumni include actor Mark Lester and Olympic Gold medalist Stephen/Steve Trapmore.

Notes and references

Notes
  1. ↑ /ˈwɒdəm/ Rev. J.F. (William) Russell of Shepperton is listed as a member of the Oxford Architectural Society also known as the Oxford Society for the Promoting of Gothic Architecture in 1849-1856, a graduate of Wadham College, Oxford[3]
  2. ↑ Rev. William Russell, rector of Shepperton 1817-70, lived at The Rectory and took an active part in local affairs, including the levelling and straightening of the riverside road, thereafter named Russell Road. It was afterwards contrasted by a local topographer that when he started his work among the parishioners they had 'by all accounts had for some time been living in great darkness...' [4]
  3. ↑ Named after Charles Francis Greville see History.
  4. ↑ William Grenfell, created Lord Desborough obtained funding for and planned Desborough Island opposite the school and commissioned other major engineering projects on the River Thames, President of the Thames Conservancy, who lived at Taplow Court in Buckinghamshire, he was an athlete, sportsman, public servant and politician.
References
  1. ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 1.3 1.4 1.5 Prospectus Halliford School website. Accessed 2014-01-24
  2. ↑ 2.0 2.1 2.2 2.3 2.4 Second cycle report 2009 Independent Schools Inspectorate Accessed 2014-01-24
  3. ↑ Reports of the Oxford Architectural Society c.1845-1860
  4. ↑ A History of the County of Middlesex: Volume 3. The hundred of Spelthorne: Shepperton Susan Reynolds (Editor), Victoria County Histories, made available by the Institute of Historical Research founded by the University of Portsmouth 1962 (updated edition). Accessed 24 January 2014
  5. ↑ Types of Schools Ofsted Inspects - Ofsted. Accesssed 2014-01-24
  6. ↑ Performance table Department for Education. Accessed 2014-01-24
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