History MAKER

Over two decades as Principal, links to King Henry VIII and a forward-thinking school - there’s plenty to talk about with New Hall’s Katherine Je rey

Q New Hall School has quite the history...

A Despite having been Principal for 22 years, the novelty of this palatial Grade I listed building has still not worn o ! The site has existed since before William the Conqueror; changing hands with royalty and landed gentry over the years. The most notable being King Henry VIII who purchased it from the Boleyn family in 1517 and named it Beaulieu Palace. We still have his Royal Coat of Arms in our Chapel, which catches the eye of anyone who visits, history fan or otherwise.

New Hall School was founded in Liège in 1642 by the Canonesses of the Holy Sepulchre, whose mission was to educate girls – a radical concept at the time! The Canonesses settled at our site in Boreham in 1799 when it o cially became ‘New Hall School’.

Whilst continuing to respect and to celebrate our rich heritage, we are dedicated to making strides in innovative and inclusive approaches, such as welcoming boys into our school from 2006 and, in 2013, becoming the first independent school to sponsor a primary academy, Messing Primary School.

Q What has kept you at the school for over two decades?

A Well, the short answer to that is the people. We are blessed to have the opportunity to work with young people from one-year-olds up to Sixth Form. Many of our students have been with us for more than 15 years, and connections with some families span generations. It is a privilege to work with the young people as they make discoveries in their learning and as enthusiasms become passions that they pursue in higher education or employment. Alongside the students, our sta and parents are very much part of our New Hall community. And, of course, our Grade I listed building and the Grade II Registered Park & Garden are beautiful environments in which to work.

Q How have things changed at the school in that time?

A The obvious change is that the school has grown from a small mixed prep school and girls’ senior school to the all-through mixed school of 1,400 pupils today. The school welcomed senior aged boys from 2006, and very quickly boys made up 50% of our students. We opened our Nursery in 2019 to support both our teaching sta and our families who wanted their children to benefit from New Hall’s unique setting. Over recent years, the area surrounding New Hall has been transformed by housing, a new road network and the construction of a railway station at the foot of our main entrance, The Avenue. It is exciting for New Hall to be at the heart of a growing and vibrant community.

Q Why do you think the Diamond Model approach works?

A At New Hall, children are educated in co-educational classes from ages 1 to 11 and at Sixth Form. However, from ages 11 to 16 they are taught in single-sex lessons. The main benefits of the ‘diamond model’ and five years of single-sex teaching derive from the ability to tailor pastoral and academic provision more sensitively and expertly to the needs of young people going through the physical, emotional and social upheaval of adolescence. Young teenagers are liberated from the negative peer pressure of having to perform in mixed classes. The gender stereotyping of subjects is also removed. Girls and boys follow an identical curriculum and do not learn to perceive subjects as being more suited to either girls or boys. Outside of the classroom, at all ages, there are plenty of opportunities for girls and boys to socialise and to take part in co-curricular activities together. This really does o er children the best of both co-educational and single-sex education.

Q What would we find in a typical classroom?

A A typical classroom at New Hall is full of engaged, enthused students who are keen to learn. They have access to the latest technology which supports their learning and they are led by inspirational and knowledgeable teachers. All students in Years 3 to 13 are given a school iPad and they will use these in most lessons. Not only does this complement their learning, it also allows our students to develop key skills in utilising technology as they work. The other thing you will find in a New Hall classroom is a supportive and nurturing environment. Our class sizes are small and our teachers know their students as individuals.

Q As we approach the end of the school year, what have been the highlights for you?

A There have been so many highlights that it is hard to choose. The purchase of a 70-acre equestrian centre, New Hall Park Farm, just over two miles from New Hall is a significant development in the life of our school. This site will enable us to re-open the riding facility that was so valued by our students in the past. But the highlights always come back to people, whether that be the children in the Nursery proudly showing o their art display, the striking academic achievements of our students, one of the many shows and concerts across the school, or welcoming New Hall alumni back after 10, 20, 30 or even 50 years. newhallschool.co.uk