Wanstead High School

Wanstead High School (WHS), formerly Wanstead County High School, is a co-educational, non-denominational, comprehensive secondary school in Wanstead, London, United Kingdom.

Wanstead High School
Address
Redbridge Lane West

Wanstead
,
Greater London
,
E11 2JZ

England
Coordinates51°34′32″N 0°02′10″E
Information
TypeCommunity school
Motto"Abeunt Studia in Mores"
Established1924[1]
Local authorityRedbridge
Department for Education URN102851 Tables
OfstedReports
Head teacherEmma Hillman[2]
Age11 to 19
Enrolment1532
Websitehttp://www.wansteadhigh.co.uk/
Wanstead High School in 2015

Admissions

It specialises in the performing arts and has 1532 pupils aged 11 to 19. Its local education authority is Redbridge.[3][4][5] It is situated just west of the A12 junction with the North Circular Road (A406).

Traditions

Its motto is "Abeunt Studia in Mores" which translates literally as "studies become habits"[6] or "practices zealously pursued pass into habits".[7] It can be taken to mean "Studies build one's character".[8]

Its symbol is the heron, a bird traditionally associated with the area.[9] Its alumni are known as "Old Heronians".[10]

Its uniform colour is burgundy, having previously been black,[11] and the school uniform must be worn by all pupils except the sixth form, where students are required to dress formally.[12]

History

Wanstead County High school opened in 1924 as a mixed Grammar school. It was one of the first co-educational secondary schools in England.[13] The site had previously been a rectory.[14]

During the Second World War, the school was evacuated to Newent.[1] On 15 February 1957, over 150 pupils suffered food poisoning. Until 1965 it was administered by the Essex Education Committee. In the 1960s, the school had around 800 boys and girls, with 250 in the sixth form.

The school buildings were extended in 1964[1] and again in 1974 when the science and humanities block was built.[11]

In 2013, the school received a "Requires Improvement" rating from Ofsted.[15] The report stated that 'Achievement is not yet good. Students are not making good enough progress in a number of subjects including modern foreign languages, business studies and geography.'[16]

Performing arts facilities

Performing arts facilities at the school include a theatre, drama and dance studios and music technology suites. In addition to allowing pupils to study these areas specifically, performance elements are also being introduced into other areas of the wider curriculum. Ian Sweet and Rebecca Grace are the current heads of performing arts at the school.[17]

Notable former pupils

Wanstead County High School

Notable former teachers
  • Wilf Paish (physical education teacher in the 60s. Coach of many athletes, including Olympic gold medal winner Tessa Sanderson)
  • Ron Pickering (left in 1961 when he became athletics coach for Wales and the West of England)

See also

References
  1. Wanstead: Education and charities, A History of the County of Essex: Volume 6 (1973) pp. 336–337. Date. Retrieved 25 January 2009.
  2. "Headteacher's Welcome". www.wansteadhigh.co.uk/. Wanstead High School.
  3. "Ofsted – Wanstead High School". Government of the United Kingdom.
  4. "Headteacher's Welcome".
  5. "Redbridge Education and Learning".
  6. Online: abeunt studia in mores
  7. "Abeunt studia in mores – Definition and More from the Free Merriam-Webster Dictionary". merriam-webster.com.
  8. Mulgrave School
  9. "The Carroll Herald – Google News Archive Search". Google.
  10. "Old Heronians".
  11. "Wanstead History".
  12. "Redbridge School Information".
  13. "Obituary: Mary Shute". The Guardian.
  14. Wanstead: Religious history, A History of the County of Essex: Volume 6 (1973) pp. 332–336. Date. Retrieved 25 January 2009
  15. enquiries@ofsted.gov.uk, Ofsted Communications Team (1 September 2022). "Find an inspection report and registered childcare". reports.ofsted.gov.uk. Retrieved 21 August 2023.
  16. enquiries@ofsted.gov.uk, Ofsted Communications Team (1 September 2022). "Find an inspection report and registered childcare". reports.ofsted.gov.uk. Retrieved 21 August 2023.
  17. "Wanstead High School - Curriculum Team Leaders". www.wansteadhigh.co.uk. Retrieved 12 June 2021.
  18. "Richard Wisker". Internet Movie Database.
  19. Geoff Elliott at Sports Reference
  20. "Heritage Collections – Library". University of Exeter.

Sources
  • The Times, 12 January 1996
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