Interview with Great Walstead School Great Walstead School is an independent school in Lindfield, West Sussex for girls and boys from age 2½ - 13 years. Great Walstead was founded in 1925 by RJ Mowll. It was originally located in Enfield and opened with one boy boarder. That soon grew and the decision was made to move the school to its current site in Lindfield. In May 1927 it officially opened its doors as Great Walstead School occupying the main house and the 250 acres. It has since changed considerably with some 350 girls and boys. We are no longer a boarding school but do operate a very flexible day with children able to join for breakfast and even stay for supper. The school has always had a focus on making the most of its outdoor space and that has certainly not changed. At break times children have as much time to climb trees and build forts as they do to run around and kick a ball. In Year 7 and 8 our pupils have a week of camp building and bush craft skills in the summer term which will culminate in Q-Day. This is very much part of our history and sees each team sleeping out in their camp overnight having a number of challenges such as keeping the fire alight as well as cooking their meals. In the middle of the night “operation banger” takes place in which each team not only defends their camp but raids other people’s in order to collect flags for points. What would you say is special about life Great Walstead? At Great Walstead we focus very much on developing children’s attitudes to learning. We promote skills such as problem solving, resilience, pride and passion as well as risk-taking. By focusing on these attributes every pupil is able to develop a real love of learning and to therefore make excellent academic progress in a school that has allowed them to grow and flourish. As well as a school with happy and engaged learners we are also a school where we all value others and learn to show genuine empathy towards others. This is not something that is rewarded in the same way as our attitudes to learning, but rather by the modelling of that behaviour in all of the staff that the children come across at school. What aspects of the school you particularly proud of? Children are all very different with their own loves and passions. I am proud that we are able to promote and develop all of these passions and interests and enable each of our girls and boys to move on to a senior school that best suits them and that they are well prepared for. What to sporting facilities do you have? We are very fortunate to have our own swimming pool, sports hall, floodlit Astroturf and all-weather netball courts as well as extensive playing fields. That said, we are not just focused on sport but also have invested in a brand new art studio which is supported by 10 resident post graduate artists from Brighton University. Our drama studio and large octagonal Chapel also enable us to develop pupils’ drama and music talents. This year we are putting on a school production of the Lion King. How do you help new pupils settle in? When joining a new school the most important thing is that children feel happy and settled. To do this we provide each new pupil with a buddy or two in their class who shares similar interests. Our teachers also take time to help each new pupil to feel settled but also to help new parents to understand the routines and systems. That link between school and home is incredibly important and we work hard on developing that through very informal and relaxed Friday coffee mornings to the more usual parents’ evenings. 36
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