Croham Hurst School
Encyclopedia
Croham Hurst School was a day independent school
for both junior and senior girls located in South Croydon
, England
. It was established by Kathleen Ellis in 1899. The second founder of the school, Theodora Clark, of the Clarks
' family, joined Miss Ellis in 1901. During the Second World War, the school was evacuated to Bridge House, Somerset - where the staff and girls enjoyed the countryside to such an extent that when the Croham Hurst
in Croydon
reopened in 1942, they didn't want to return. Eventually, in 1945, the two schools had to become one again. Shortly after this, a Junior School was established, later known as 'The Limes'.
girls of its history; as it contained of a list of Headmistresses and of Head Girls, as well as a plaque commemorating Kathleen Ellis and Theodora Clark, and a stained-glass window of St. Ursula, constructed by a former pupil - given to the school in 1948. Ascending the hill from the Main Building is the Garden Wing, built in 1973 - which housed an English Room, a Drama Room and a room for Mathematics (two of which were also form rooms). On the left of the Garden Wing was the room for Religious Studies, which also acted as a form room; and next to it a path up the hill (which was commonly known as the 'Covered Way') lead up to the Main Assembly Hall and later on the Centenary Centre for Design and Technology (constructed to celebrate the School's centenary). On the left of this building were the Science Blocks; most of which were constructed in 1969, and further on was the Doreen Seward Centre which included a Music Room and Gymnasium. It is in this Centre, that Choir Practices took place; the Music Department played a significant role in the school. On the left hand side of the Doreen Seward Centre was the Sixth Form Centre, which was once known as 'The Vineyard'. Originally it was a house, which was bought in 1957. It then acquired the name of 'The Vineyard', after the parable in the Bible
in which Ahab
desires Naboth
's Vineyard to such an extent that his wife, Jezebel
, kills the owner, in order to obtain it. (Although to these lengths Croham Hurst did not go understandably, in order to obtain 'The Vineyard'). Outside this building is a playing field that was shared between the senior girls and the girls from the Limes' building.
The most successful departments to exist in Croham Hurst were the Music, History and Classics departments, which far outdid others of often average qualities found in most schools of today.
In 2007 23 Croham Hurst girls sat A Level examinations and all attained grades A-E, 58% of these grades were A or B. In the same year 96% of the 51 Year 11 girls achieved 5 or more A*-C grades at GCSE, including English and Mathematics. The school's examination performance was frequently well above the national average.
would be in control of the school from September 2008 onwards. The senior girls from Croham Hurst, along with their staff, moved to Old Palace School
. The site of the senior school became the junior school of Old Palace at the convenience of the Whitgift Foundation, the Croham Hurst site as a primary school; with The Limes' grounds being used as a nursery. The Main Building of the school has been refurbished.
Independent school
An independent school is a school that is independent in its finances and governance; it is not dependent upon national or local government for financing its operations, nor reliant on taxpayer contributions, and is instead funded by a combination of tuition charges, gifts, and in some cases the...
for both junior and senior girls located in South Croydon
South Croydon
South Croydon is a locality in Greater London, the area surrounding the valley south of central Croydon about 1 km in radius, centred on the Red Deer public house on the Brighton Road. It is part of the South Croydon post town and in the London Borough of Croydon...
, England
England
England is a country that is part of the United Kingdom. It shares land borders with Scotland to the north and Wales to the west; the Irish Sea is to the north west, the Celtic Sea to the south west, with the North Sea to the east and the English Channel to the south separating it from continental...
. It was established by Kathleen Ellis in 1899. The second founder of the school, Theodora Clark, of the Clarks
Clarks
Clarks is the name of a number of places in the United States:*Clarks, Louisiana*Clarks, NebraskaThere is also:*Clarks Hill, Indiana*Clarks Hill, South Carolina*Clarks Green, Pennsylvania*Clarks Grove, Minnesota*Clarks Summit, Pennsylvania...
' family, joined Miss Ellis in 1901. During the Second World War, the school was evacuated to Bridge House, Somerset - where the staff and girls enjoyed the countryside to such an extent that when the Croham Hurst
Croham Hurst
Croham Hurst is a 33.6 hectare biological and geological Site of Special Scientific Interest and a Site of Metropolitan Importance for Nature Conservation in South Croydon in the London Borough of Croydon...
in Croydon
Croydon
Croydon is a town in South London, England, located within the London Borough of Croydon to which it gives its name. It is situated south of Charing Cross...
reopened in 1942, they didn't want to return. Eventually, in 1945, the two schools had to become one again. Shortly after this, a Junior School was established, later known as 'The Limes'.
History
The first building to make up Croham Hurst was known as the 'Main Building'. (Although Croham Hurst girls and staff only located to there in 1907). Later this housed rooms which act as form rooms including a History Room, a Geography Room, rooms for Modern Foreign Languages, a Classics' Room; as well as a Library dedicated to Elizabeth Wagstaff (a sibling of a former pupil, who lost her life in the Second World War), a Sixth Form Library, the Headmistress's office and the Small Hall. The Small Hall informed Croham HurstCroham Hurst
Croham Hurst is a 33.6 hectare biological and geological Site of Special Scientific Interest and a Site of Metropolitan Importance for Nature Conservation in South Croydon in the London Borough of Croydon...
girls of its history; as it contained of a list of Headmistresses and of Head Girls, as well as a plaque commemorating Kathleen Ellis and Theodora Clark, and a stained-glass window of St. Ursula, constructed by a former pupil - given to the school in 1948. Ascending the hill from the Main Building is the Garden Wing, built in 1973 - which housed an English Room, a Drama Room and a room for Mathematics (two of which were also form rooms). On the left of the Garden Wing was the room for Religious Studies, which also acted as a form room; and next to it a path up the hill (which was commonly known as the 'Covered Way') lead up to the Main Assembly Hall and later on the Centenary Centre for Design and Technology (constructed to celebrate the School's centenary). On the left of this building were the Science Blocks; most of which were constructed in 1969, and further on was the Doreen Seward Centre which included a Music Room and Gymnasium. It is in this Centre, that Choir Practices took place; the Music Department played a significant role in the school. On the left hand side of the Doreen Seward Centre was the Sixth Form Centre, which was once known as 'The Vineyard'. Originally it was a house, which was bought in 1957. It then acquired the name of 'The Vineyard', after the parable in the Bible
Bible
The Bible refers to any one of the collections of the primary religious texts of Judaism and Christianity. There is no common version of the Bible, as the individual books , their contents and their order vary among denominations...
in which Ahab
Ahab
Ahab or Ach'av or Achab in Douay-Rheims was king of Israel and the son and successor of Omri according to the Hebrew Bible. His wife was Jezebel....
desires Naboth
Naboth
Naboth "the Jezreelite," is the central figure of a story from the Old Testament. According to the story, Naboth was the owner of a plot on the eastern slope of the hill of Jezreel...
's Vineyard to such an extent that his wife, Jezebel
Jezebel
Jezebel may refer to:* Jezebel, wife of King Ahab*Jezebel, in the Book of Revelation 2:20 a prophetess in the church of Thyatira* Jezebel , starring Bette Davis and Henry Fonda* Jezebel , a blog aimed at women...
, kills the owner, in order to obtain it. (Although to these lengths Croham Hurst did not go understandably, in order to obtain 'The Vineyard'). Outside this building is a playing field that was shared between the senior girls and the girls from the Limes' building.
The most successful departments to exist in Croham Hurst were the Music, History and Classics departments, which far outdid others of often average qualities found in most schools of today.
In 2007 23 Croham Hurst girls sat A Level examinations and all attained grades A-E, 58% of these grades were A or B. In the same year 96% of the 51 Year 11 girls achieved 5 or more A*-C grades at GCSE, including English and Mathematics. The school's examination performance was frequently well above the national average.
List of Headmistresses
- Miss Kathleen Ellis, 1899–1921
- Miss Theodora Clark, 1921–1927
- Miss Berta Humphrey (later Mrs Berta Bywater), 1927–1951
- Miss Florence Ross, 1951–1952
- Miss Stella Wickham (later Mrs Stella Chamberlain), 1952–1959
- Miss Molly Ayre, 1959–1970
- Miss Doreen Seaward, 1970–1986
- Miss Joan Shelmerdine, 1986–1994
- Miss Sue Budgen, 1994–2005
- Mrs Jane Abbotts, 2005–2008
Absorption into Old Palace School
In September 2007 it was announced that the Whitgift FoundationWhitgift Foundation
The Whitgift Foundation is a charity based in Croydon, South London, England, established in 1596 by John Whitgift, Archbishop of Canterbury, who lived at Croydon Palace. The purpose of the charity is to provide education for the young and care for the elderly...
would be in control of the school from September 2008 onwards. The senior girls from Croham Hurst, along with their staff, moved to Old Palace School
Old Palace School
The Old Palace of John Whitgift School is an independent school for girls in Surrey, England, founded in 1889. The "Old Palace" itself was for 500 years the summer residence of the Archbishops of Canterbury.In the 19th century the Archbishops ended their residence at Croydon Palace and used...
. The site of the senior school became the junior school of Old Palace at the convenience of the Whitgift Foundation, the Croham Hurst site as a primary school; with The Limes' grounds being used as a nursery. The Main Building of the school has been refurbished.
Notable former pupils
- Ellinor Hinks, one of the visionary physical educationists of the 20th century
- Sue PerkinsSue PerkinsSue Perkins is an English comedienne, broadcaster, actress, and writer.-Education:Perkins was educated at Croham Hurst School, an independent school for girls in Croydon in South London, at the same time as the BBC Breakfast News presenter Susanna Reid...
, comedienne and broadcaster - Susanna ReidSusanna ReidSusanna Reid is an English journalist and presenter, best known for presenting BBC Breakfast.-Early life:The youngest of three children, Reid was born in Croydon, London to an English father who worked as a management consultant, of Scottish ancestry, and an English mother who worked as a nurse...
, newsreader - Georgina MaceGeorgina MaceProfessor Georgina Mace, CBE, FRS is Professor of Conservation Science and Director of the Natural Environment Research Council Centre for Population Biology, Imperial College London.She was the winner of the 2007 International Cosmos Prize...
, Conservation Scientist