Habs Boys’ and Girls’ schools announce ‘single campus’ masterplan

Two independent schools that have been based on the same site for 46 years have announced plans to come together on one campus to provide single sex education in a co-educational environment.

Haberdashers’ Aske’s School for Girls and The Haberdashers’ Aske’s Boys’ School have previously operated largely as separate entities. This announcement will see the schools unite under one shared vision for the first time in their history, with a 10-year redevelopment plan underpinned by the legacy of the schools’ founder, Robert Aske.

Key co-educational aspirations include:

• Redevelopment of the co-curricular programme with a focus on developing skills for both boys and girls, broadening the learning environment while embracing technology.
• Reviewing the campus development plans to facilitate co-educational learning.
• Maximising the benefits of co-location by aligning the schools’ ethos, values and behaviours to form one shared vision.
• Increasing collaboration between both schools by ensuring every sixth form student is taught at least one subject in a mixed gender class by September 2021 and expanding the range of classes on offer.
• Developing a single campus masterplan which respects the environment and heritage of the Elstree site, allied to an appropriate campus-wide investment decision-making process.

The schools hope these steps will equip students to flourish in today’s “global and technologically driven workplace”, while the integration of mixed gender lessons in the sixth form will “help students to prepare for life at university”.

Rose Hardy, headmistress at Habs Girls, said: “Our schools already share many things, from an expansive campus on the outskirts of north London to a reputation for educational excellence. Our guiding principles are the same and working together as a team, we all stand to gain so much more.

“I’m excited about the next decade as we move forward with a robust strategy that combines tradition with optimism. Working more closely together will also enhance our aspirations to support and celebrate every child, nurture cultural diversity and broaden global perspectives, so that we may prepare all of our students for the modern world.”

Gus Lock, headmaster at Habs Boys, added: “The schools’ leadership teams and the governors are genuinely excited by this vision for the future education of the students in our care. I believe that our shared strategy will best serve all members of the Habs community and, most importantly, help us to prepare our students for future success.”

The schools are also working on a number of bursary-led campaigns to support all talented children, regardless of financial status.

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