As Christmas approaches, the Head of Elmhurst, Mrs Marriott, reflects on a successful first term following the school’s decision to welcome girls in September (2024).
Elmhurst has been nurturing young people to become their brilliant best for over 150 years. Originally born of a need to educate the sons of serving military families, Elmhurst is the oldest prep school in Croydon, with a small, family feel that exudes warmth and friendliness and enables those educated in its arms the chance to grow.
The alumni network of the school, brought together for a reunion last year, shows tremendous affection for the early years of their education – something still felt by more recent leavers. When I became Headteacher in 2021, I swiftly realised the importance of maintaining that warmth in the community whilst bringing a new drive for excellence in all educational areas.
Elmhurst today is an exceptional place to be educated. Small class sizes provide the privilege of deep relationships and the school’s openness to parent feedback cannot be matched by larger alternatives.
Yet the ambition the school has for its pupils is unrelenting: the pursuit of improvement driven by a desire to ensure every member of the community benefits from the brilliant beginnings laid down throughout the school journey. Most recently, this has included: welcoming girls in September 2024; the addition of Gymnastics and Drama to our curriculum; and a commitment to developing our use of technology in the classroom, with every pupil in Year 4-6 using a chromebook. We have also invested in our school libraries, of which there are no less than four! Every one of these developments has been born of an understanding of the benefits to pupils and a desire to deliver excellence at every opportunity.
Coeducation has rapidly become the norm in independent primary education, with evidence showing the social, emotional and academic benefits to both boys and girls. For Elmhurst, the shift to coeducation is made in the belief that nurturing the brilliance in each child is best achieved through a singular focus on a deep understanding of the individual, not through generic statements about gender. This means we have never relied on gender shortcuts; instead, we have built a pastoral system which is responsive to each boy and girl and which achieves exceptional outcomes. Girls have been welcomed into our school community, where everyone continues to work together and grow friendships within the classroom and through extracurricular activities.
Our focus in our new era of coeducation remains steadfast in the support and celebration of ‘you’. We set ambitious, personalised goals and provide tailored support in achieving them.
Results at 11+ are testament to that drive but even more impressive is the pupil development journey itself. Why not come along and hear it for yourself? Every child deserves a brilliant beginning!
Read what our current parents and staff have say about Elmhurst…
“My son absolutely loves Elmhurst. He has made wonderful friendships and feels a real sense of community. He is supported by his teachers in every way possible, and because of this, he has made amazing strides in his learning. He is constantly told he is able, kind, and brave. As a parent, I couldn’t wish for anything more, and the thought of leaving Elmhurst as he progresses through the school gives us all a sense of sadness, but we know he is well-prepared for the future.” Current parent
“I have worked at a range of schools through my teaching career, and I can honestly say that it is a privilege to work at Elmhurst. The wonderful sense of community, supportive family atmosphere and dedication of our teaching staff make this a really special place to be. It is incredibly rewarding to be able to achieve rapid academic progress and outstanding results through smaller class sizes and tailored provision to individuals. The recognition of outstanding practice in our recent excellent ISI inspection report was gratifying to receive.” Current teacher
“I am incredibly proud of the educational offer at Elmhurst and I see the impact we are having on young people’s development every day. Our dedicated staff always prioritise the pupil and ensure they are supported in all aspects of their learning and including girls in our provision has only enhanced pupil learning journeys.” Mrs Marriott, Head
Read our latest ISI Inspection Report here: Inspection Report
