We are delighted to announce, that after careful consultation with our current parents, Hall Grove is developing firm plans for a new senior school for children in Years 9-11, allowing pupils to complete their GCSEs within our familiar and supportive environment. This decision has been driven by the continued success of our prep school and our commitment to meet the evolving needs of our families.

Why?

We fully appreciate that the recent changes to VAT regulations have significantly altered the landscape for all independent schools, making it increasingly challenging for many parents to finance a full private education for their children. We recognise that families seek a safe, familiar and academically strong environment for the senior years, yet the choices available have been greatly narrowed by these external pressures. We believe we can get on the front foot here and create something unique and new. In doing so we wish to honour the memory of David and Rosemary Graham who had the courage to start a new school nearly 70 years ago with what was, for those days, an entirely modern and forward-looking approach to preparatory school education. Hall Grove has continued to prosper in the years that have followed, to the point that we are now widely recognised as being one of the leading prep schools in the country.

What?

Our offering will focus on providing a strong academic education with a broad range of subjects. Initially, the co-curricular programme will be designed to enrich children's skills in service and support. Physical education will still feature on the curriculum, but, in the early days, more advanced sporting development will have to be undertaken privately through the many excellent local clubs available rather than through a full in-house school programme. Senior school pupils will be given supporting roles in enhancing our prep school theatrical productions. We will be delighted to draw upon their skills and passions while developing their abilities to lead and help craft public performances. They will also be given full opportunity to perform in their own small-scale events and pursue their performance and artistic interests at GCSE level.

Our primary focus will be to support Hall Grove families, but we will warmly welcome other children to join the new senior school in Year 9 subject to a successful outcome in a 13+ entrance assessment.

While we are excited to expand our provision in the way described, we remain dedicated to maintaining the importance and independence of our prep school structure with its rigorous preparation for 13+ Common Entrance and scholarship exams. There is no intention of expanding the current prep school and we are committed to maintain the existing favourable teacher:pupil ratio. We are equally determined to preserve the leadership and developmental activities which we consider essential to this age group. For the great majority of Hall Grove pupils therefore, there will be no change to the existing school. Our commitment to preparing children for entry into other senior schools, having completed Year 8 at Hall Grove, remains steadfast, ensuring that families continue to have a range of high-quality options for their child's senior years education in addition to those offered at Hall Grove.

Where?

The extended provision will begin on our current campus in a dedicated purpose-built unit, with an option to move to a distanced site in the future.

When?

From September 2025, as requested by a number of Year 8 parents, albeit we expect a more developed Senior School to be in place for September 2027.

Given that the staff and resources we need are already in place to make such a start, and the children are well known to us, we will be delighted to serve a small initial cohort while new building gets underway. The majority of this small contingent for entry in September 2025 are expected to come from the current Year 8 cohort, but we will be pleased to consider admitting a few additional pupils who may apply from other local schools.

Who?

We are delighted to announce that the new senior school will be led by James Webb, who now joins Hall Grove’s Senior Leadership Team. An Oxford graduate (Oriel College, MA, first-class), James joined the Hall Grove staff in 2023, and we are already benefitting from his experience as a former Head of Department at Harrow School where he taught European languages to GCSE and A Level. He holds three further master's degrees: MSc International Marketing Management, MEd E-Learning and MLitt Cultural Studies. Between Harrow and Hall Grove he served ten years as Deputy Head Academic at a large boarding and day prep school in Dorset, a period that included four months as Interim Headmaster. James has considerable organisational ability and is an inspiring teacher. We are so fortunate to have him heading up our new school.

Fee level?

It is intended that the fees for this extended provision will remain the same as those charged for Years 5–8, though there will be optional additional charges for some activities and for individual/small group support or tuition.

Conclusion

If you are interested in finding out more about what we can offer, for entry at 11 or 13 to continue through to 16, please contact Lindsay Vetch.