Edge Grove

Edge Grove is a prep school, in Aldenham in Hertfordshire, England. The school takes boys and girls aged between three and 13 years. Like many schools founded in the first half of the 20th century, it began with the military model: single-sex, spartan dormitories, mostly boarding, and boys organised into five "squads": Hedgerows, Sarnesfield, Churchill, Stratton, Gills etc. Over the years, as warfare faded from the career expectations of its pupils, and money became more plentiful and parents assert their rights as customers, the model has become much more hotel-like, albeit with strong discipline and excellent reputation for education and pastoral care. In the past, the school staff was dynastic, with two generations of Pratt as headmaster [The Founder ex Royal Flying Corps and his son ex Army] two generations of Waterfield as headmaster [both ex-Navy), a clutch of Brooksmiths and a smattering of Harts teaching History, Science and Geography. In the 1990s John Baugh became Headmaster of Edge Grove for a number of years before going on to become the Head of Dragon School in Oxfordshire - where he resides still. His successor Michael Wilson arrived in the noughties with his wife, Carolyn and three sons, and took the school on and up, updating and expanding many of the school facilities and increasing the boarding. He leaves at the end of Summer 2008 to go to Cranleigh Prep. His successor will be Michael Davies who will be coming to Edge Grove with his wife Isabelle and three children. He is presently Headmaster of Perrott Hill School in Somerset.

The most up-to-date information (Summer 2008) on the school reads as follows:

'Edge Grove is a family school, founded in 1935, set in 28 acres of grounds and surrounded by convert|130|acre|km2 of farmland. It is situated 15 miles north-west of London and less than five minutes from the M25 and M1 motorways and within easy reach of Heathrow, Stansted, Luton and Gatwick airports. The 18th-century buildings are complemented by purpose-built teaching classrooms, science laboratories, a new early years centre, large sports hall and music school. The grounds support extensive gardens, a heated swimming pool, astroturf pitch, tennis courts, croquet lawns, woodland and a lake. Edge Grove has a happy caring environment and one in which girls and boys can enjoy the process of growing up in beautiful safe surroundings. The headmaster, his family and many of the staff live on the campus, giving rise to a close-knit community where manners and respect for others are of paramount importance.

Pupils are prepared for the 11+ (girls) and 13+ (boys/girls) Common Entrance examinations. Edge Grove pupils have been awarded 47 scholarships to senior schools over the last three years including Eton, Harrow, Haileybury, Sevenoaks and Cheltenham Ladies College. The average class size is 15 pupils. The academic staff of 50 are well qualified and make full use of the excellent facilities. They are also backed up by a highly qualified learning support department.

The School runs a full and varied programme of extra-curricular activities. Over 85% of pupils play a musical instrument. Eighteen music scholarships have been gained to major public schools over the past 4 years (2003/07). There are three choirs and five orchestras/bands.

All the major sports are available and excellence is encouraged. In 2007 the Under 13 hockey team finished 3rd in IAPS National Tournament. Up to eleven boys’ teams and six girls’ teams are run in the major sports and the School also offers archery, squash, golf, tennis, athletics, cross-country running and swimming. There is also an extensive activities programme. The School participates in a French exchange programme and runs an expedition week for all year groups in the summer term, as well as an annual skiing trip in the Christmas holidays.'

Famous Old Edgegrovians

*Richard Latham
*Jeremy Richardson
*Marcus Buckingham

Notable Teachers

Teachers of Today

*Mr Wilson (Headmaster)- soon to be Mr Davies
*Mr Doble (English and Deputy Head)
*Mr Craxton (Mathematics)
*Mr Smith (Latin and Greek, Head of Pastoral)
*Mr Wickens (History)
*Madame Ayres (French)
*Mrs Levoir (Art)
*Miss Simmons (Junior School, Girls Sport)
*Ms Toolan (Music)
*Mr Parker (Head of Academic, English)
*Mrs Emmerson (Junior School and Acting Head of Hart House)
*Mr King (Sports)
*Mr Elliot (RS)
*Mrs Johnston (English)
*Mr Holder (Head of Middle School)
*Mr Barlin (Head of Science)
*Madame Azzaz (Head of French)
*Rev Hogg (RS)
*Mr Duncan (Scholarship)
*Mr Collins (Junior School)
*Mr Fleet (Junior School)

Teachers of the 1960s-70s era

* Jimmy Pratt (Headmaster)
* Tony Whitehouse (Classics and English)
* Mr Pike (Latin)
* Don Jackson (Mathematics)
* Mr Guilbride (French and Latin)
* Mr Davies (French)
* Mr Davis (English)
* Mr Brooksmith (French)
* Mr Hart Senior (History and Art)
* Mr Hart Junior (Geography, Science and Sports)
* Mr Talbot (PE)
* Mr Jarman (History)
* Mr Koenig (PE and general end-of-termism)

External links

* [http://www.edgegrove.co.uk/ Edge Grove home page]