Thorpe Hall School is a non-selective, coeducational independent school in Southend-on-Sea, Essex, England. The school is a member of the Independent Schools Council.[1] The school admits students from age 2–16.[2] The curriculum broadly follows the National Curriculum for England. The school also offers means tested bursaries.[3]

Thorpe Hall School
Address
Map
Wakering Road

Southend-on-Sea
,
Essex
,
SS1 3RD

United Kingdom
Coordinates51°32′51″N 0°45′31″E / 51.54755°N 0.75855°E / 51.54755; 0.75855
Information
TypeOther independent school
Department for Education URN115402 Tables
GenderCoeducational
Age2 to 16
Websitewww.thorpehall.southend.sch.uk

Facilities edit

Facilities include a nursery with outdoor learning area, a wilderness area, three purpose built classroom blocks, a Design and Technology workshop, an Art Studio, a Food and Textiles Studio, a fully-equipped Theatre seating 250 people,[4] 11 acres of land including a 7-acre sports field.

A new £2m Sports Hall broke ground in January 2018 and as was opened in November 2018 by Olympic Gymnast Max Whitlock MBE[5]

History edit

Thorpe Hall School first opened with a cohort of six boys in 1925. Rev. E.D. de Russet was Headmaster from 1925 to 1930. Mr Benjamin Young was Principal and Headmaster from 1956 to 1971. The Current Headteacher, Mr Andrew Hampton, was elected Chair of the Independent Schools Association in 2014 for one year[6] and elected a Fellow of the Royal Society of Arts.[citation needed]

In 2016 the school applied to the Southend Borough Council to improve its sports facilities. This included the building of a new sports hall.[7][8]

Notable alumni edit

Notable attendees of the school include TV presenter Rachel Riley,[9] musician James Bourne and actors Sam Strike and Joe Gallucci.[10]

Reputation edit

The school was ranked among the top 100 Preparatory Schools by The Sunday Times for excellent SAT's results in 2015, 2016 and 2017 [11] It has been recognised with awards from the Independent Schools Association for Excellence & Innovation in Senior Provision in 2016, Excellence & Innovation in Early Years in 2017,[12] Pupils' Mental Health and Wellbeing in 2019.[13] The school competes in many sporting events around the UK through links with the Southend Primary Schools Sports Association and the Independent Schools Association.

In 2014, the deputy head at the time, Martin Goldberg,[14] was found dead in his home by police officers investigating child pornography allegations.[15][16][17][18]

References edit

  1. ^ "Thorpe Hall School". Independent Schools Council. Retrieved 11 July 2015.
  2. ^ "Thorpe Hall School". www.thorpehall.southend.sch.uk. Retrieved 1 June 2017.
  3. ^ "THORPE HALL SCHOOL TRUST ANNUAL REPORT AND FINANCIAL STATEMENTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 AUGUST 2016" (PDF). Rickard Luckin Limited. 24 March 2017.
  4. ^ "Drama – Thorpe Hall School". www.thorpehall.southend.sch.uk. Retrieved 1 June 2017.
  5. ^ "Max Whitlock opens Thorpe Hall's brand new £2.4million sports centre". Echo. Retrieved 21 October 2020.
  6. ^ "Andrew Hampton Elected Chair of ISA – Thorpe Hall School". www.thorpehall.southend.sch.uk. Retrieved 1 June 2017.
  7. ^ "Private Southend school applies for new sports hall". Echo. Retrieved 1 June 2017.
  8. ^ "Sports Hall Project – Thorpe Hall School". www.thorpehall.southend.sch.uk. Retrieved 1 June 2017.
  9. ^ "More Success for Rachel Riley". Thorpe Hall Website.
  10. ^ King, Mel (14 November 2020). "The Essex school where Rachel Riley and a Busted singer were pupils". EssexLive. Retrieved 17 January 2022.
  11. ^ "Sunday Times Top 100 Independent Prep Schools 2015 – Thorpe Hall School". www.thorpehall.southend.sch.uk. Retrieved 1 June 2017.
  12. ^ "Thorpe Hall Wins ISA Award for Early Years Excellence". Thorpe Hall School. 20 November 2017. Retrieved 21 October 2020.
  13. ^ "All Smiles with National Mental Health and Wellbeing Award Win". Thorpe Hall School. 14 November 2019. Retrieved 21 October 2020.
  14. ^ "Southend teacher Martin Goldberg 'betrayed' school". BBC News.
  15. ^ "Paedophile teacher Martin Goldberg from Thorpe Hall School 'showered with pupils'". Echo News.
  16. ^ "Thorpe Hall parents angry at Essex police over Martin Goldberg failings". The Guardian.
  17. ^ "Martin Goldberg: Dead Thorpe Hall School Teacher Spied on Boys' Changing Room". International Business Times.
  18. ^ "PCC STATEMENT ON ESSEX POLICE INVESTIGATION INTO MARTIN GOLDBERG". Police, Fire and Crime Commissioner for Essex.