Boarding houses & houseparents HARSNETT’S takes its name from the Founder of the school, Archbishop Samuel Harsnett, Archbishop of York and Master of Pembroke College, Cambridge, who founded the school in 1629. He purchased the house (built in the late 16th century) in 1627, two years before he began his school. Although it is an historic building, Harsnett’s was fully refurbished by the school in 2010
and so provides comfortable up-to-date accommodation for modern students. The house is run by Neil and Michelle Saunders. Neil teaches Mathematics, and has been the school’s Director of Studies since 2002. Michelle is a language teacher who specialises in EAL (English as an Additional Language for students from overseas). They have three children, aged twelve, seven and five. HAINAULT HOUSE has existed on this site since 1086, when it was mentioned in the Domesday Record. In 1874 the old house was completely rebuilt in a grand Victorian Gothic style, and it was purchased for Chigwell School in 1917. Hainault House is run by Sue and Andy McKenzie, and it has been home to them and their family for 18 years. Sue and Andy met while they were both students at Oxford University: Sue teaches Mathematics and Andy is the school’s Head of Physics. They have three children, the eldest of whom have now left Chigwell School for university. Growing up in Hainault House was a wonderful experience, they say: “We loved meeting girls from all over the world!” In 2007 the whole family visited China, bringing a group of local Chigwell students, who were fascinated to be shown around by former Hainault House residents.
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