YEAR 9 BOOKLET - 2025/2026
Welcome to the Upper School
Dear
Parents, Guardians and Year 9 students,
It gives me great pleasure to welcome you and your family to Habs Boys School.
It is an enormous privilege to be a part of this wonderful school community and we are looking forward to you becoming a part of it.
Students in the Upper School are ambitious and determined to achieve their potential. They are courageous, pushing themselves out of their comfort zone and thriving within a strong community where they develop teamwork and leadership skills, making life-long friendships along the way. Their curiosity is ignited at Habs. They are encouraged to delve into whatever inspires them with sporting, dramatic, musical, cultural or academic interests.
Together with my colleagues, we will work to help you settle into life in the Upper School at Habs. It is an energetic place to learn and grow and I am very excited to play a part in your journey
with us. The expectation is that all students immerse themselves in the rich experiences available to them.
I hope you will be very happy here and proud to call yourself a Haberdasher.
I look forward to meeting you soon.
MR ADAM LAWRENCE HEAD OF UPPER SCHOOL
Habs Boys Senior School
About the Senior School
There are approximately 1,100 students aged 11 to 18 in the Senior School.
Whenever children join, whether it be from the Prep, in Year 7, 9 or Lower Sixth, there is a broad and challenging curriculum for them to relish. As a school we believe in lessons that have both pace and rigour as defining characteristics. We believe that academic excellence is a product of our approach to active and independent learning, with practical tasks and problem solving enabling our students to develop their understanding in the deepest sense. Enthusiasm and excitement are key, as is providing the stimulus for discussion and debate.
Students love to be challenged and have an insatiable curiosity about the world around them. Parents are welcomed into the school to support the curriculum. There are Curriculum Evenings for parents to learn about our approach to particular subject areas and how they can best support their children at home; we firmly believe that children do best when school and home are working in true partnership.
Upper School Aims
In the Upper School we want the students to reflect the school values, but we also want them to develop intellectually and personally.
We want the students to be kind, inclusive and make good choices and we hope they will develop these skills and more during their time in the Upper School; as such we are delighted to share with you our Upper School Aims.
AN UPPER SCHOOL STUDENT STRIVES TO BE
Upper School students have a strong moral compass and are role models to others. They are energised towards success with an optimistic and enquiring mind. They lead with compassion, self-awareness and have a positive impact on others.
Determined
To stand up for what is right, always growing from their strengths and weaknesses, constantly developing a thirst for knowledge.
Empowered
To make good decisions as a digital leader, within a wider global perspective and always with high standards of personal conduct.
3
Well-read
To develop empathy learning about the lives and journeys of others through the magic of literature and the world around us.
4
Committed
To be the best they can be, being present and enjoying the here and now, developing friendships and pursuing their lifelong passions.
5
Kind
To themselves and others, with their words and their actions and always celebrating the successes of their peers and beyond.
We will make the most of opportunities to develop resilience, teamwork and leadership. To grow, we must embrace challenge, intellectual risk and learn from mistakes. We will become independent learners with integrity.
Our values
Our brand values are what we hold dear as a school, the core beliefs that we stand for.
They should drive all decisions and actions.
Ambition
We are bold and ambitious – for ourselves, but also for others and for the world. This is underpinned by our altruistic and philanthropic foundation, which drives our values and behaviours. We expect everyone to give their best, to stretch boundaries, and to challenge the status quo. We believe that ambition can be limitless. When combined with courage, curiosity and community, ambition can be a selfless and powerful lever for change.
Curiosity
We create and use every opportunity to engage with the world around us; we ask questions, challenge assumptions, and express our ideas. Alongside our academic interests and skills, we also love to exercise our imaginations, creativity and spirituality. Our broad and carefully curated curriculum leads us into experiences of awe and wonder – bringing a sense of magic and excitement to learning.
Courage
Exploring beyond our comfort zones enables us to become more self-aware, adventurous, resilient and independent. We aim high, following our dreams, but we cope well if we don’t always succeed. We understand how to balance humility and boldness when speaking out on behalf of ourselves and others. And we are unflinching problem-solvers, continually seeking to change the world for the better.
Community
Habs is one caring, respectful community on one fabulous campus. Our focus is on belonging and inclusivity: celebrating our differences, not in spite of our differences. Beyond our students and staff, this sense of collaborative togetherness extends to our families, alumni, partner schools, and even the world. We’re helping to learn from and empower wider communities – locally, nationally and globally. We bring the world to our door, but we also step through that door into the wider world.
13+ Induction Day
Friday 5 September 2025
8.30am To 2.30pm
Induction Day takes place the day before term officially starts for all students. On Induction Day, your child will be given their timetable, have their photograph taken, get to know their way around the school and learn how to use their lockers.
Staff will be in the coach and car park to welcome your child and guide them to the Bourne Hall. Please arrive between 8.20am and 8.30am. Induction Day will end at around 2.30pm and they will be shown back to the coach or car park.
WE ASK THAT YOUR CHILD:
- Attends in school uniform. Hair-styles need to be moderate, a natural colour, lie off the collar and be evenly cut. Very short or long on top cuts are inappropriate. No hairbands are permitted
- Bring their own school bag and a fully stocked pencil case with your name marked clearly on the front
- Bring a packed lunch if they are not using the school canteen
- They will not need any sports kit on this day. They can bring a mobile phone but it needs to be switched off when they arrive at school
INDUCTION DAY COACH SERVICE FOR ALL
Any pupil can use the coaches on Induction Day, whether or not they are registered as a regular user for the service. There is no charge, but you will need to book a ticket in advance to reserve a seat for your child. Information on how to reserve a seat on this service will be sent to you by the Transport Manager during the summer break.
A bespoke coach timetable will be in operation for Induction Day covering the popular stops on our usual home-to-school service. The timetable for this service will be published in the
transport newsletter which will be sent to all parents. The return service will depart from school at approximately 2.45pm and follow the bespoke published timetable.
We do encourage everyone to use the Induction Day coach service to give students the experience of arriving and departing school from the coach park and the opportunity to meet some of our expert home to school coach drivers. From Monday 9 September they will become part of a 1,700 pupil strong coach community and the orientation provided on Induction Day together with the information in the Home to School Coach Terms of Services will ensure your child is equipped for their journey.
STUDENTS TRAVELLING TO SCHOOL BY CAR
If you are driving your child to school on Induction Day, please enter via the main gate on Butterfly Lane. You will be directed round the one-way system where your child can be dropped off. A prefect will meet your child and show them to the Bourne Hall. Please arrive by 8.30am. At the end of the day, parents should enter the main gate on Butterfly Lane. You will be directed to park in the Pitch 5 car park to collect your child.
Sections and Houses
The Senior School is formed of three sections. Each is looked after by a Head and Deputy. These sections are:
MIDDLE SCHOOL
YEARS 7 TO 8
Your child will be allocated a House and they will remain in this House for the duration of their time at Habs. They will receive a House tie that incorporates their House colour, allowing them to easily identify their House peers. These Houses are all named after previous Headmasters.
Buddies
Your child will be paired with another student in Year 9 who will be their Buddy. This Buddy will help your child settle in and show them around school as they learn more about our campus. They will also attend Buddy socials, where they will meet at breaktime for soft drinks and cookies. These are great ways for your child to meet others in their Houses and their year group.
UPPER SCHOOL
YEARS 9 TO 11
Throughout the year, students will participate in a variety of Inter House competitions. These can range from sport to drama, debating to quizzes and so much more!
SIXTH FORM
YEARS 12 TO 13
CALVERTS
HEAD OF HOUSE
MS KATIE BARRON (kbarron@habselstree.org.uk)
HENDERSONS
HEAD OF HOUSE
MR TOM JONES (tjones@habselstree.org.uk)
JOBLINGS
HEAD OF HOUSE
DR GEORGINA CHAPMAN (gchapman@habselstree.org.uk)
MEADOWS
HEAD OF HOUSE
MR DAN TABERNER (dtaberner@habselstree.org.uk)
RUSSELLS
HEAD OF HOUSE
MR MIKE BROADWITH (mbroadwith@habselstree.org.uk)
STROUTS
HEAD OF HOUSE
MR ALASTAIR METCALFE (ametcalfe@habselstree.org.uk)
Habs Boys Senior School
Wellbeing and PSHE
Your child will receive weekly PSHE education (Personal, Social, Health and Economic Education) lessons with their Form tutors during morning tutor time.
This will continue from Year 7 to Year 11 and consists of combining secondary modules and resources for themed weeks or special topics.
Workshops with specialist speakers are organised for all year groups at different times through the year, focusing on age-appropriate issues such as e-safety, physical health, mental health and relationships. Talks and/or workshops are also delivered to parents.
Our school is a ‘Tooled Up Education’ school. This means, in addition to all that we do at school to help pupils, we also care about supporting parents and families. Please use the link to register your free account and gain access to the digital hub of evidence-based resources covering: mental health, digital life, aspiration, learning, family life and relationships.
Medical Centre information
The school’s Medical Centre is situated in Aldenham House and is open during term time from 8am to 5.30pm, Monday to Friday. For home sports fixtures on Saturdays, we have external medical cover.
COLLECTION OF UNWELL CHILDREN FROM SCHOOL
It is important that a parent or guardian must always available to collect their unwell/injured child from the Medical Centre. Please let the Medical Centre know as soon as possible if you will be unavailable for collection and provide an alternative contact number for a suitable guardian who can act on your behalf in case of an emergency.
REQUEST FOR SCHOOL TO DISPENSE PRESCRIPTION MEDICINES
If your child requires any prescription medicine to be taken at school then please complete the ‘Request for School to Dispense Prescription Medicines’ form on the Habs App. You or your child will need to bring the completed form to the Medical Centre along with the medication to be dispensed. It is your child’s responsibility to attend the Medical Centre to be given their medication.
GENERAL HEALTH INFORMATION
Please keep us updated, via the Habs App, of any changes to your child’s wellbeing such as hospital admissions, illnesses, or new medication. We are always happy to talk about any existing medical conditions that your child might have and how this could influence our care of your child in school, e.g., food allergies/diabetes/asthma/ any severe reactions you have had which require use of an AAI (Adrenaline Auto Injector). Any relevant information will be shared with the appropriate staff members if it is essential to your child’s wellbeing. If your child develops any contagious disease such as chicken pox, measles, etc. then please inform the Medical Centre as soon as possible.
If your child is unwell with a raised temperature, please ensure their temperature has returned to normal before they return to school. If they have episodes of diarrhoea or
vomiting, please ensure that they wait 48 hours after the symptoms have stopped before they return to school.
We also ask that you inform us of any significant events such as divorce or bereavement which may affect your child.
PHONE NUMBER 020 8266 1790
EMAIL ADDRESS schoolnurseboys@habselstree.org.uk
MEDICAL CENTRE STAFF
GILL MCGRATH Senior School Nurse
MARTINA MCGRATH School Nurse
EMILIE RICHARDSON School Nurse
BRENDAN GRUFFERTY School Counsellor
Assemblies
Throughout the week, we have various assemblies that last approximately 20 minutes.
On Fridays, we offer a variety of religious assemblies and we actively encourage pupils to attend different ones throughout the year. We also have the Headmaster’s assembly for those not wishing to attend a faith assembly. Our available religious assemblies are:
BUDDHIST
CHRISTIAN
HINDU
HUMANIST
JAIN
JEWISH
MUSLIM
SIKH
Student Council
The Student Council is comprised of two pupils from each year group, elected by their peers.
The Council is overseen by Senior School staff and we have eight Sixth Form directors who manage the day-to-day operations. The Student Council plays an important role in life at Habs, providing development opportunities for all students.
In the last couple of years, our Student Council has achieved Silver Eco-School status, led a highly successful Christmas foodbank appeal and has been awarded the UNICEF UK OutRight Certificate.
Mobile phone usage
Click here for our mobile phone guidance.
Academic support
Academic support at Habs is available to all of our Senior School pupils. Click here for more information.
Communication
We are always happy to answer any questions that you have, big or small.
You can call Reception on 020 8266 1700, who will direct you to the relevant member of staff. The School Nurse can also be contacted through Reception.
If you have any pastoral or academic concerns please contact staff in the following order:
- Your child’s Form Tutor via the Parent Portal
- Head of House
- Head of Upper School
– Mr Adam Lawrence (alawrence@habselstree.org.uk)
- Deputy Head of Upper School
- Mr James Lee (jlee@habselstree.org.uk)
- Deputy Head Pastoral, Designated Safeguarding Lead - Mrs Claire Shooter (cshooter@habselstree.org.uk)
LETTERS
We upload parent information letters to the Habs App every Friday.
EMAILS
We encourage an open dialogue but also we politely request that teachers are given time to respond. In an emergency please contact Mr Lawrence and he will respond as quickly as he can.
PARENTS’ EVENING
Parents’ Consultation Evenings are held in the Spring Term. You will have the opportunity to meet your child’s teachers and discuss their progress. There is an evening in the Autumn Term to meet with the pastoral team to discuss general issues.
We send home reports at the end of the Summer Term. If you have any questions during the school year, please do not hesitate to contact your child’s Form Tutor.
PROGRESS GRADES
Students are given progress grades according to the schedule that will be published at the beginning of the Autumn Term. You can access these via the Habs App. These grades allow Form Tutors to track students’ progress. Progress grades report an ‘Approach to Learning grade’ and an ‘Attainment grade’ so you we can review both effort in the classroom and academic progress. These are given as ‘exceeding’, ‘as expected’, ‘inconsistent’ and ‘unsatisfactory’.
INDIVIDUAL NEEDS
The aim of our Individual Needs Policy is to ensure that every child at Habs enjoys personal and academic success. We prioritise sustaining a close
partnership with parents and providing appropriate support. The Head of Academic Support co-ordinates a team consisting of specialist teachers, senior academic and senior pastoral staff.
Support is delivered through various staff and programmes e.g. the Form Tutor, Head of House, Deputy Head of House, subject teachers, study support sessions and learning skills programmes. Our Individual Needs policy is available on the school website.
It is important to make us aware if your child has any identified specific learning needs (e.g. dyslexia, dyspraxia, ADHD, hypermobility, visual impairments and hearing impairments) so we can provide the best support for them.
HOMEWORK
If you have questions about the time your child spends on homework (either too little or too much), please get in touch with their Form Tutor. We do not want them to spend all evening working, as it is important they should have time to relax.
Important websites
Students will be given an email account which teachers can email them on.
They will receive login details and further information once they start at Habs.
Students will also have a Microsoft Teams account.
Habs App:
The Habs App contains a host of important information and is where your parents or guardians can email the school or form tutors regarding absences or any other matter. The portal holds all school reports, progress grades, letters, school timetable, school calendar, school blog, and coach service bookings.
Parent Pay: WWW.PARENTPAY.COM
This website is where you pay for your child’s school lunch. Once you have set up your login, you will be able to view what they eat every day and how much they have spent.
SOCS: SOCSCMS.COM/LOGIN/129
This is the website where students sign up for co-curricular clubs.
Sports fixture website: SPORTS.HABSELSTREE.ORG.UK
This website is where you will find out about upcoming sports fixtures, times and locations.
Evolve: EVENT BOOKINGS
This website is used for all event bookings, for parents to give consent for trips and to pay for events
Tooled Up parent resource TOOLEDUPEDUCATION.COM
Our school is a ‘ Tooled Up Education’ school. This means, in addition to all that we do at school to help pupils, we also care about supporting parents and families.
Attendance
The school must be informed of absence for any reason, either planned or unplanned. Please refer to the ‘Get in Touch’ page of the Habs App. If your child is absent for any reason, work will not be provided.
When your child is ill or will be absent from school, please follow this procedure:
- Contact their Form Tutor and Absences (AbsencesBoys@ habselstree.org.uk) on the day your child is ill as soon as possible. You can do this via the Habs App or you can call the Senior School switchboard (020 8266 1700)
- If your child arrives late or leaves early, they must sign in or out of Aldenham House reception
- If you wish to request absence for religious observance please write to us, giving at least seven days’ notice
- If possible, doctor and dental appointments should be made during the holidays. If this is not possible, please write to your child’s Form Tutor, asking permission for them to be absent. This is known as an ‘exeat’
- If the planned absence is for more than half a day, please write to Mr Lawrence at alawrence@habselstree.org. uk . If the planned absence is for more than one day, please write to the Headmaster at hmboys@ habselstree.org.uk
- We request that absences are kept to a minimum
SPORTS FIXTURE ATTENDANCE
If your child is unable to attend a fixture then please let the Sports Centre Administrator (sportsadminboys@habselstree. org.uk) know giving at least seven days’ notice. If your child is ill on the day of the game parents should email the Director of Sport or the team coach directly. You are warmly invited to watch as many fixtures as possible.
Term dates
All our dates have been agreed and co-ordinated with the Girls’ School.
Click here to view term dates on our website.
Curriculum
In Year 9, your child will study a full range of subjects including English, Mathematics, Geography, History, Theology and Philosophy, Biology, Chemistry, Physics, Computer Science, Art, Design and Technology, Music, PE, Latin and Games.
Your child will also study two languages from French, German, Russian and Spanish. They will be issued with a personal timetable at the start of the academic year.
We also complement our academic approach and develop your child’s understanding of the skills that will be required of them when they enter the workplace. We hold a number of events and initiatives to support them; for more information and how to contribute, read here.
The school day
The school day runs from 8am to 4pm each day, with the grounds opening from 8am and shutting at 5.15pm. Only students attending a supervised activity may stay after 4pm.
At the end of the day, coaches depart at 4.15 and 5.30pm. After school activities finish at 5.15pm leaving plenty of time for students to get the last coach of the day. It is important for you to know that the 4.15pm and 5.30pm coach routes often differ and may not include your usual stop.
If you intend to collect your child, please pick them up from Pitch 5 car park which is next to the AstroTurf pitches.
Please ensure your child is ‘car aware’ in all circumstances. This includes not using listening devices when walking on the pavement. During the winter months, we would also recommend putting reflective strips on your child’s bags and coats.
Homework expectations
Homework set at Habs is purposeful, with a view to supporting the educational development of our students; it is not set to tick a box.
We define purposeful homework as appropriate tasks which consolidate student learning, prepare students for future learning, or extend student learning beyond the specification. This approach enables teachers in departments to set tasks in a flexible and responsive manner, but this flexibility is monitored to ensure students do not become overwhelmed.
Details of homework arrangements will be confirmed at the start of term. Year 9 students will not have holiday homework.
School timetable
Timetable
REGISTRATION 8.35AM TO 8.45AM
PERIOD 0 8.45AM TO 9.15
PERIOD 1 9.15AM TO 10.15AM
BREAK 10.15AM TO 10.35AM
PERIOD 2 10.35AM TO 11.35AM
TRAVEL TIME 11.35AM TO 11.40AM
PERIOD 3 11.40AM TO 12.40PM
LUNCH 12.40PM TO 1.55PM
PERIOD 4 1.55PM TO 2.55PM
TRAVEL TIME 2.55PM TO 3PM
PERIOD 5 3PM TO 4PM
PERIOD 6 (CO-CURRICULAR) 4.15PM TO 5.15PM
Commendations
Merits are handed out for a series of good pieces of work or for showing consistent effort.
Students can gain Upper School commendations for outstanding achievements and contributions to the school and for demonstrating commitment to the school’s values: ambition, community, courage and curiosity. They are awarded by Mr Lawrence, Head of Upper School.
Lockers
All students will be allocated a locker at the beginning of the academic year with either a combination padlock or a keypad lock, depending on its location.
These will both come with instructions to set your own code with your Form Tutor. You must write this code down somewhere safe and remember to not pass it on to anyone else.
These lockers should be used to store possessions at the start of the day, so that students carry the few items needed for each lesson. They can return to their locker at break and lunchtime to swap items and so avoid having to carry a heavy bag all day.
On sports afternoons, sports kit can be stored in the Medburn lockers, for which students can sign a key out with Medburn reception staff. They can also use the McGowan changing rooms where lockers require a self-selected key code.
If you have any questions, please email OfficeBoys@ habselstree.org.uk
Catering
Our catering services are provided by Holroyd Howe who offer
a wide range of catering options available to students at breakfast, breaktime and lunchtime.
Bates Dining Room is available at breakfast offering a cooked breakfast, continental breakfast, as well as a yoghurt bar and a selection of fruits. During breaktime students can enjoy fruit, a hot snack, cakes, crisps and drinks. At lunchtime students can enjoy a choice of hot meals along with a wide selection of salads plus a daily soup and desserts.
In addition to Bates, there is a Grab and Go outlet available at breaktime and lunchtime providing an easy grab meal option which includes a hot option allowing students to attend lunchtime co-curricular. A wide range of sandwiches and baguettes are available including kosher sandwiches.
All menu offers include a vegetarian and plantbased option. An experienced team of allergy champions are always on hand to support your child’s dietary and allergen requirements. It is essential that you inform the school of any dietary or allergen requirements for your child to ensure the catering team can accommodate and provide a suitable, nutritious, and balanced meal.
Holroyd Howe encourages students to try new things and enjoy a balanced diet, offering plenty of different ingredients, cuisines and culinary styles.
The Bates Dining Room is open at the following times:
BREAKFAST 8AM TO 8.35AM
BREAK 10.15AM TO 10.35AM
LUNCHTIME 12.40PM TO 1.55PM
Uniform – Year 9
Our suppliers, Uniform4Kids, are a local, family-run business and have five stores located nearby and have an online store.
Their warehouse, in Centennial Park, Elstree, is five minutes from the school and used as a ‘Click and Collect’ location. There is also a weekly, complimentary drop off service to the school for pre-paid orders, otherwise, orders are dispatched within 24-hours using Parcel Force or can be collected from store.
Returns and exchanges can be done in store, facilitated via the complimentary weekly delivery to school service or via the post.
Click here to view the uniform price list.
Please may we remind you that school uniform is compulsory. We are seeing far too many students not wearing the correct uniform , in particular wearing their own choice of clothing for PE and games.
No matter your year, you must wear the correct kit.
The following pages have images of the required uniform:
1. MAIN UNIFORM:
White shirt, charcoal trousers, charcoal socks, tie, jumper with crest and blazer with school crest (NB. socks, shirt and trousers can be purchased from ANY high
street retailer).
2. SPORTS KIT*:
- PE kit: navy top and navy shorts, white socks
- Games kit: rugby style top and shorts (these are thicker material needed for certain sports)
- and stripy socks
- House top, mid-layer top and tracksuit bottoms
- Swimming: swim shorts
3. ALL OTHER ITEMS
All other items shown on the images are OPTIONAL (and clearly marked OPTIONAL. If you participate in cricket you will need to purchase cricket clothing.
FURTHER INFORMATION
- All uniform must be labelled
- School shoes must be black. Trainers are not permitted
- Coats should be a dark colour
- It is recommended that you buy three to five shirts, two trousers, and two pullovers/ jumpers
- For sports, one set of items should be sufficient
- Unless pupils are selecting cricket for their games option or taking part in indoor co-currricular activities they are not required to purchase a cricket kit
- Trainers for sport can be any colour with nonmarking soles
- For students taking part in a sport that requires a mouthguard, such as rugby or field hockey, parents can order from Opro. We would recommend a high or pro impact mouthguard. You can choose any design, including a Habs branded version
If you have any sport uniform questions email: sportsadmin@habselstree. org.uk
- Pupils must have a fully stocked pencil case
- You can purchase any bag for school but it must have a padded section for a laptop
* For students currently in Year 7 and Year 8, who purchased the new branded white PE kit last year, you may continue to wear this kit for another year. Please update to the new PE navy kit in September 2026 when your child will be in Year 9 and Year 10.
Pictures below are of our uniform and PE/Games kits.
UNIFORM
Blazer - Navy with self colour lining, embroidered with school logo
Shirt - White
Tie - House colours
V-Neck jumper - Navy, embroidered with school logo
Socks - Charcoal
Trousers - Charcoal
Academic year 2025/26
Fees are required to be paid by Direct Debit, via our Fees in Advance scheme or via School Fee Plan.
Please click here for information regarding our Fees in Advance Scheme.
Please click here for information regarding our Fees in advance calculator.
Please click here for information regarding our School Fee Plan.
Fees refund scheme
Please click here for more information on our Fees Refund Scheme.
Student device provision
Students from Year 7 to Year 12, will each receive a digital device. When joining Year 9, your child will receive a device and stylus. The charge for the device rental is £125 per term (£375 a year) and this charge will be itemised on your termly invoice.
For more information, please click here.
Insurance cover information
AXA Students Healthcare Scheme
Co-curricular information
At Habs, we offer a vast and varied co-curricular programme with in excess of 70 clubs and societies each (not including Sport and Music).
Our ambition is to provide students with a broad range of opportunities to develop their character and skills, nurturing passions they will carry with them for the rest of their lives. If there is a club that your child wants to see, we will support them in every way possible to set it up.
Click here for a sample of our co-curricular timetable.
DRAMA
Drama at Habs is an inclusive and thriving community that develops the skills and instincts of our students as performers, storytellers and artists. Working
collaboratively, inside and outside the classroom, we develop pupils as theatremakers encouraging them to take creative ownership of the work and to take risks and be playful in doing so. As one of the most vibrant and diverse drama programmes in the country, process sits at the heart of everything we do. Students have the opportunities to work with a broad range of professional artists both to support the curriculum and to create new and ambitious work that is playful, relevant and socially-conscious and sits alongside other leading Youth Theatre companies.
Our work ranges from adaptations of books, graphic novels and classic texts to new plays devised by the company or created alongside professional writers. Each year there are at least 3 major school productions, as well as participation in the Coram Shakespeare Schools Festival and the National Theatre New Views Programme. Alongside this, there are numerous other opportunities, including house events, masterclasses, improvisation workshops and writing mentorship groups with the aim of engaging as diverse a range of students as possible. We are also excited to be developing our film making provision - giving students the opportunities to train in all aspects of film making and produce their own film projects.
We frequently collaborate with the Girls’ Schools and the music department as well as partnership projects with other schools and companies. This is a really exciting time for Drama at Habs, as we look to take more work outside of the school and collaborate with some really exciting partners and there is a place for any student to be involved regardless of experience.
MUSIC
Music is central to life at Habs, exceptional in both its quality and breadth of opportunity. With over 70 ensembles rehearsing every week, over 20 major concerts per year, and lunchtime performance opportunities every week, our musicians are part of one of the most vibrant and diverse music programmes in the country.
The Music School brings together students from both Habs Boys’ and the Girls’ School, drawing from a breathtaking pool of talent and diversity. We visit concert halls in London several times a year, curate projects through recording (Abbey Road and AIR Studios), collaborate with drama to produce original new work, run music partnership programmes in the community, host a range of dedicated courses through our Holiday Programme, and much more. Alongside our outstanding orchestral provision, the pinnacle being the Habs Elstree Symphony Orchestra, we have an exceptional jazz department, sending students every year to leading conservatoires in London and beyond. Since
2022 we are delighted to offer tuition in Indian Classical Music, on instruments such as Tabla, Dhol, and Harmonium. We have prodigious young songwriters, rock bands, composers, improvisers, one of the largest guitar orchestras in the country - all genres and styles of music are given equal platform. We want our leading musicians to guide our course of study, allowing them to impact the shape of what we offer with each generation that passes through the school.
For any young musician who wants to discover their potential, whilst experiencing a breadth of styles and opportunity through the process, Habs is the perfect place. Together with our talented young students we are immensely excited about what the future holds for Habs music.
We are proud to have an exceptional team of Visiting Music Teachers (VMTs) who provide expert tuition on a wide range of instruments. Whether you would like to continue an instrument you have already started with, or whether you’re curious to try something new, click here to find out more.
We offer lessons on the following instruments:
ACOUSTIC GUITAR
BASSOON
CELLO
CLARINET
DHOL
DOUBLE BASS
DRUMS FLUTE
FRENCH HORN
HARMONIUM
JAZZ GUITAR
JAZZ SAXOPHONE
OBOE
ORGAN
PERCUSSION
PIANO
SAXOPHONE
TABLA
TROMBONE
TRUMPET
TUBA
VIOLA
VIOLIN
VOICE
Co-curricular information (continued)
SPORT
Sporting is an integral part of school life at Habs and we encourage pupils to engage in a variety of sport and physical activities. We offer all pupils the opportunity to represent the school at any level and they have the chance to get involved in Inter House events, social activities or competitive fixtures with other local schools.
We also encourage a healthy relationship with sport and exercise, helping to develop an understanding of how exercise can positively affect wellbeing as well as cultivate team spirit, positive relationships and pride in both individual and team achievements. Participation rates are exceptionally high with students embracing the opportunity to get involved with such a broad and diverse sporting programme.
HABS DASH
As part of school life at Habs, we have a weekly 3.5km community run. This is HabsDash and it takes place every Tuesday lunchtime with a route that takes students around our school grounds. The run is open to all members of the Habs community – pupils and staff, both at the Boys’ School and at Haberdashers’ Girls’ School.
To take part, pupils need to go to the Medburn Centre at 12.40pm on Tuesdays and get changed –the run starts at 12.50pm.
The school produces results sheets each week so students can track their progress and work towards running a half marathon, a marathon or even further.
A selection of some of the sports available to pupils:
ATHLETIC DEVELOPMENT
ATHLETICS
BADMINTON
BASKETBALL
CLIMBING
CRICKET
CROSS COUNTRY
FITNESS
FOOTBALL
GAMEPLAY
GOLF
GYMNASTICS
HABSDASH
HOCKEY
RUGBY
RUGBY SEVENS
SOFTBALL
SPIKEBALL
SQUASH
SWIMMING
TABLE TENNIS
TCHOUKBALL
TENNIS
TOUCH RUGBY
WATER POLO
Coaches
The coach service is run jointly with the Girls’ School and all coaches arrive and leave from the coach park.
There is a Home to School Coach Terms of Services which all parents, guardians and students must abide by when using the service.
The School Transport Manager, Ms Emma Summers, will be pleased to answer any parental questions regarding travelling to and from Habs. Emma and her team can be contacted by email on transport@habselstree.org.uk or on 020 8266 1920.
Parents are responsible for their children until they board the school coach. When travelling by coach, all students must have with them a working and in-credit mobile phone.
Coach tickets are available for regular travel or single journeys. Single journey coach tickets can be purchased from the School Office, subject to availability, for the journey in question. Should your child lose an item on the coach and it is found by the coach company, it will be placed in the lost property racks in the Coach Park. If it is of high value, such as a musical instrument or a mobile phone, it will be taken to the Transport Manager’s Office and can be retrieved by asking a member of staff on duty at the Coach Park.
To book your child’s coach seat for September 2025 please refer to the onboarding website.
Travelling to School
DRIVING IN
There will be a one way system in motion between 8am and 8.30am for drop off and at 4.15pm for pick up. Marshalls will be out to direct you to our drop off zone behind the Aske Building, opposite our AstroTurfs.
PARKING
The security barrier on Butterfly Lane is lowered at 5.30pm Monday to Friday.
If you need access after 5.30pm then you can still enter via Butterfly Lane and the security hut. The routine drop-off and pick up point for students is the Pitch 5 car park, next to the AstroTurf pitches.
FOR EVENTS AFTER 6PM
Such as parents’ evening or concerts, please park in the North Drive Car park.
Introducing our Parents’ Guild
Habs Boys’ Parents’ Guild (HBPG) is run by both Prep and Senior School parents, HBPG is a strategic partner for the Boys’ School to enhance and enrich the education of pupils across all year groups aswell as creating opportunities for engagement with the wider school community.
As a parent or guardian of a pupil at Habs Boys, you are automatically a member of the Guild. The Guild is a great way to get more involved in school life –enabling you to get to know other parents across the year groups and within your child’s class and House in the Prep and Senior School.
The school have established a committee of 15 parents, representative of the school community. Alongside this, the Guild have established a network of House reps in the Senior School and we also have the existing network of class reps in the Prep School. The reps across both the Prep and Senior School will communicate most of the Guild’s messages via established class/House WhatsApp groups.
Click here to find out the Parents’ Guild objectives and how they work. We look forward to getting you involved!
Habs
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