Frequently Asked Questions
Is New Hall now fully co-educational?
New Hall Preparatory School, founded in 1947, has always educated boys and girls and has been established on the current campus since 1994 as a co-educational school, which now accommodates over 300 pupils from age 3 - 11. Until 2006, New Hall Senior School was England’s oldest Catholic independent girls’ school. A Boys’ Division for senior boys was established in 2006, with the first 13+ admission from 2008. Unlike the majority of schools, we remain committed to single-sex education from age 11-16. All lessons are taught separately for senior girls and boys up to GCSE. The Sixth Form, however, is now fully co-educational.
The introduction of senior boys has enriched the school community. We believe that, in adolescence, girls and boys are best educated separately in the classroom. This enables them to grow in confidence, whilst enjoying an education that is specifically tailored and recognises the differences in the way in which boys and girls learn. The pastoral needs of boys and girls are different and they mature at different rates. An education system that is built around this reality is more likely to ensure that your son’s or daughter’s needs are best met.
What major facility developments have taken place at New Hall in the recent years?
New Hall benefits from a beautiful and extensive landscaped campus, which provides an outstanding environment in which to learn. In recent years, the school has invested substantially in the development of its facilities. A new boarding house, Priory House, opened for boys in 2006. Following an extensive refurbishment programme, all boarding houses now have modern and well equipped single study bedrooms. A Sixth Form study and several new ICT suites have been created around the school. Recognising the importance of sport, the school’s development plan has a particular emphasis on providing the best sporting facilities, with recent additions including: a national standard running track and Astroturf, a junior cricket wicket and indoor cricket nets, a senior cricket wicket (completion 2010) and 6 rugby pitches. The Music Department has an additional teaching space, as well as a second suite of practice rooms. A major new building project has been the redevelopment of the piggery and farm buildings to create a Technology Centre, with a cookery room, a resistant materials workshop and a computer aided design & manufacture centre. Current projects include the restoration of the Chapel organ and the refurbishment of the original 1920s theatre, modelled on London’s Garrick Theatre.
Where do New Hall Senior School pupils come from?
Around one third of those who join at 11+ come from New Hall Preparatory School. The majority come from other preparatory schools (located primarily in Essex, Suffolk, Hertfordshire and London) and local primary schools. At 13+, entrants are usually boarders from preparatory schools throughout England, with a small number from overseas. At 16+, entrants are usually boarders and join us from locations throughout the UK and abroad.
Does New Hall offer taster days?
Yes. Both boarding and day taster days are offered. Each term New Hall organises special taster events, details of which can be found on the website. Individual visits may also be arranged at other times, via the Registrar.
What provision is made for the academically able?
In the Senior School, students are set according to ability in a range of subjects including: English, mathematics, science, French and Spanish. In the Preparatory School, setting takes place in mathematics from Year 5. The school has a Gifted & Talented Co-ordinator who, together with the staff of the Learning Development Department, leads the provision of a programme to stretch the most able students. A gifted or talented student may be offered accelerated learning in subjects where the learning matches the student’s potential and capabilities and, where appropriate, a student may take GCSE or A Level subjects early. Gifted and talented students are provided with differentiated work in all subjects where they show high level potential. Differentiated work challenges the most able and promotes a higher level of thinking. There are also a number of extension and enrichment activities outside the curriculum, including: residential courses, master classes, academic mentoring and national competitions such as the UK Maths Challenge.
What careers and university preparation do you provide?
New Hall recognises the importance of a careers programme that can motivate students at key stages of their education, particularly when considering GCSE, A Level and university options. All students become members of the Independent Schools’ Careers Organisation (ISCO) and receive expert guidance from the Careers Department. New Hall encourages able students to apply for leading universities, including Oxford and Cambridge. There is an Oxbridge programme that commences in Year 10. The school has a strong track record of students winning Oxbridge places in a wide range of subjects, including arts, sciences, humanities and languages.
What are the travel arrangements for day pupils and boarders?
We have a number of coaches, minibuses and lift shares in operation. We have a minibus collection and drop-off at Chelmsford Station (London Liverpool Street station approximately 30 minutes). Transport to and from airports (London Stansted 30 minutes) is arranged by the school. For information on coaches and bus services to and from New Hall please contact the Travel Secretary, Mrs Ginette Phillips on 01245 467 588.
I live in London - can my child weekly board?
Yes. Boarders may return home on Friday night or Saturday morning and spend the weekend at home. We recommend that weekly boarders return to school on Sunday night, although they may return on Monday morning. If travelling by train, the journey from Chelmsford to London is approximately 30 minutes and arrangements can be made for collection from the station.
Do you offer flexi-boarding?
Yes. Day students are able to flexi-board, from the age of 8, for up to 3 nights a week in one of the 4 boarding houses. Flexi-boarding is a popular option, especially for those students who engage in a wide range of extracurricular activities.
What is there to do at weekends?
There is a full and varied programme of sporting fixtures and activities. These operate alongside a structured voluntary service programme (NHVS). Our Entertainment Society offers a rich and diverse selection of cultural, artistic and adventure activities at weekends for both boarding and day students. In addition, boarders have access to all the school’s facilities, including the library, ICT suites, swimming pool, tennis courts, national standard athletics track and performing arts studios.
What is included in the school fees?
The school fee includes teaching and curriculum costs (with a few exceptions such as public examination entries and school trips), an extended school day (with provision from 8.00am - 6.30pm), ESB & LAMDA training, an extensive extra-curricular programme of clubs and activities, school lunches and tea, a New Hall study journal and membership of the Independent Schools’ Careers Organisation and the Waltham Centre Sports Club (including the indoor pool and tennis courts - parents and siblings may also join at a subsidised rate).
Where can we buy uniform?
There is a uniform shop on the school campus (Pope and Smith), where you can purchase all the necessary clothing and equipment, except for Sixth Form suits.
Do we have to be Catholic to apply to New Hall?
No. New Hall has a Catholic foundation and welcomes all those who support its ethos. Students of different faiths and traditions belong to our community and we believe that everyone benefits from the values of trust and respect that are central to our school life. There is an emphasis on service to others, especially those in need. Chapel assembly is a regular feature during the week and prayers form an integral part of daily life. All students are expected to attend Mass on special occasions. Boarders attend Mass on Sundays, joined by local day students and parishioners.
What are the destinations of Sixth Form leavers?
Our students generally go to their first choice university and read a diverse range of degree courses including, in the last academic year, law, engineering, medicine, humanities, architecture and languages. Some of our Sixth Form students undertake a Gap Year before university, which usually involves travelling and working abroad. The Class of 2007 all achieved the university place of their choice and accepted offers from universities including University of Cambridge, Imperial College London, University of Leeds, University of Manchester, Royal Holloway College London, University of Nottingham, University of East Anglia and the University of Sheffield.
I’ve heard that there are waiting lists at New Hall. How might this affect my child’s application?
Yes, there are waiting lists at New Hall, so it is best to register your child at the earliest opportunity. Some parents choose to register their child from birth. Students who are placed on a waiting list will be considered in accordance with our admissions policy. Due to demand for places we have created additional places in Pre-Reception for 2007 and a three-form entry for Reception in 2008. The Senior School has also been expanded to five-form entry in Year 7, with the first 13+ boys’ entry from 2008. Boarding in the Sixth Form is versubscribed; to avoid disappointment, particularly for boys and girls joining at 16+, it is advisable to register immediately, if you are considering New Hall Sixth Form.
