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    • Lampada Vitae Tradimus
      Hand on the Lamp of Life

      At Spalding High School we seek to make education engaging, challenging, informative and wide ranging. We aim to develop the whole person and to encourage respect for individuals and for the environment.
  • BEGIN YOUR JOURNEY
  • Welcome to

    Spalding High School

    The sense of community is strong at Spalding High School; you will notice that the School has a special “feel” as soon as you walk through the door.  We are a forward thinking and progressive school with an outward looking curriculum and a rich and diverse extra-curricular programme.  Our commitment to developing the whole person prepares students well for the challenges and opportunities that they will face in the rapidly changing world in which they live. We value tradition and traditional values but not for the sake of it.

    Personal development from childhood to adulthood is also of great importance to us. Our students grow into independent, articulate young women (and young men in the Sixth Form) who take responsibility for, and make decisions about their lives and their futures in an informed and intelligent way. 

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What our Students say...

  • Edith, Sithuli and Ella

    YEAR 8

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    "I completely love this school! I really love the interactiveness of all the lessons and how friendly the teachers are. The variety of clubs range from musical clubs like choir and orchestra to artistic clubs like art club or the school play we do every year, to extracurricular clubs like the sports clubs or Mesme maths. I do hope you will consider joining us if you haven't already."
    Edith
    "I like going to Spalding High School because every lesson is different and exciting and the teachers are extremely friendly. Moreover, the classrooms are fun and full of fascinating facts which are explained really well. There are various activities and clubs for students to participate in, like choir and cricket club etc. The school lunches are delicious and there is always something new and appetising on the menu. The school uniform is comfortable and smart with a jumper, navy blue trousers or skirts, and a shirt (long sleeved in the winter and short-sleeved for the summer), socks and black school shoes. This is why I like my school so much!
    Sithuli
  • Leila and Florence

    Year 9

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    "What I enjoy most about the school is the musical experience it has to offer. In lessons we learn a range of instruments including singing. In drama we're taught how to express different characters emotions and thoughts. But my favourite thing is when we combine both of those to create the school production. It's filled with fun, laughter and a chance to experience new opportunities."
    Leila
    "I absolutely love going to Spalding High School (SHS) for several reasons. The sense of community and uniqueness is unparalleled. At SHS, each individual brings something special to the table, making the environment incredibly diverse and enriching. The opportunities available at the School are particularly enjoyable. Attending the School's orchestra and string group, I feel has improved my social skills and given me a chance to express my individuality. Spalding High School is amazing!"
    Florence
  • Julia and Karolina

    Year 10

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    "My experience so far at Spalding High School has been fundamental in becoming the person I am today. Not only have I grown mentally, but I have achieved great things during my time so far at the school using the opportunities given to me. The teachers here were by my side during my options process for GCSEs, supporting my decisions about my future. Additionally, they are open to discussing anything I need to talk about, always offering kind and thoughtful advice."
    Julia
    "My experience at Spalding High School is great! It was my dream to get into this school since the Open Evening I went to in Year 4 and it was definitely the right choice. This is because the school has helped me both grow and enhance my education by giving me many fantastic opportunities, including support sessions, sports clubs and events. I have made many new close friends, who are very supportive. Furthermore, the teachers at this school are amazing. They ensure you receive the support you need to help you develop your learning, are very understandable about anything you want to talk to them about, are happy to help whenever you need it and always motivate and support you to be the best student you can be."
    Karolina
  • Sky and Amber

    Year 11

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    "I absolutely love going to Spalding High School. The atmosphere here is great, and I really enjoy the school's various clubs and activities. Additionally, the school itself offers a wide range of GCSE subjects to take, and these lessons are also fun; my friends and I all find our chosen subjects incredibly interesting. I definitely recommend going to this school!"
    Sky
    "One of my favourite parts about Spalding High School is the variety of sports available to play, such as football, cricket, netball and much more. Additionally, the PE Department arranges fixtures allowing students to further their sporting experience and ability. Also, school organises both educational trips, like Hunstanton in Year 10 for Geography, and recreational trips, for example, the annual ski trip. Both of which are very enjoyable, said from experience. These qualities and many others make Spalding High School a very inclusive environment and a friendly community."
    Amber
  • Evie, Weronika, Savia & Harry

    Year 13

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    "I have attended Spalding High School since Year 7 and what I have most enjoyed about these years is the amazing friends I have made along the way. Additionally, the highly supportive staff members that have aided me not only through my academic studies but also those who have helped me throughout my many injuries and made sure I was well taken care of. Finally, I could never forget the fantastic librarians who run the library, which is still my favourite haven throughout the entire school, as they have provided me with many riveting book conversations."
    Evie
    "Spalding High School is a friendly environment for learning and building lifelong friendships. One of the main aspects of the school that stands out to me is how helpful all the staff are when preparing students for their GCSEs or A-Levels and the support that is available when experiencing any challenges."
    Weronika

History of our School

1904

Girls were first admitted to Spalding Grammar School in 1904 to implement the Education Act.

1920

Spalding High School was originally founded in 1920 at Welland Hall on London Road, currently the home of Ayscoughfee Hall School.

1920

The old Georgian House in London Road was built before the Napoleonic wars near the site of an old mill, which when working was so noisy that it caused Asycoughfee Hall, over the river, to vibrate. 

1920

On 22nd January 1920, Spalding High School opened its doors to the first scholars. A number of girls - perhaps some of those appearing in the photo below - came over to Welland Hall as the first pupils of the High School. A number of girls were to continue attendance at the Grammar School until the following September. 

At the time of opening there were only five classrooms, but alterations were to be made in the summer so that one hundred and fifty girls could be accommodated. A science room and gymnasium were provided; and it was hoped to introduce domestic science, drawing, painting and music to the school curriculum, which was, at first, almost entirely consisting of academic subjects.  

The aim of the School at this time was "To provide a Sound, Liberal Education. Great stress is laid upon Building up of Character and the Formation of Good Habits, with a view to Training the pupils for their future responsibilities in the Home, and the Professions open to Women."

1944

The London road soon became too cramped and Lincolnshire County Council decided to open a new school in Stonegate; we owe a great deal to the foresight of the then Headmistress, Mrs Jean Driver, for pushing for the new school. On 27th January 1944, the Education Committee recommended that negotiations be reopened with Mr N Bates for the purchase of eight and half acres of his land with cottage and farm building in Stonegate. 

1953

On 27th October, the Lincolnshire Free Press reported, "In the cupboards of Spalding High School they have found a bone of contention for Old Mother Hubbard, instead of the cupboards being bare they are packed tight with girls." This was how a reporter saw the lack of classroom accomodation, which over the past ten years had steadily worsened. 

1953

To celebrate the coronation of Princess Elizabeth, every school in the County was given some money by Holland County Council with which to buy something that could be seen, in years to come, by any Old Girls of the school who were passing by, so that it would remind them of the three days of celebrations and also the magnificent coronation ceremony. 

It was finally decided, by Mrs Driver, to buy a weather vane which, when purchased, was put on the roof of the School, just above the front door. This is the galleon which, today, rides proudly 'at anchor' heading into the wind, symbolic of the voyage through life which our students are embarking as they leave school. 

1959

The new school began on Thursday, 8th January 1959. Three hundred girls were housed in this building and seventy girls at London Road. Pupils attending the High School spent their first two years at London Road and then transferred to Stonegate. 

1959

Even when it opened however, it was clear that Stonegate was not big enough to house the expanding roll as secondary education had been made free to all following the Second World War and the implementation of the 1944 Education Act.  The High School operated on a split site until 1986, with girls, and staff, having to travel between the two buildings.

1959

The School Library in 1959. 

1986

The school finally closed the London Road building in 1986 when, with the completion of a new teaching block, it was possible to house the whole school on one site.

2020

Since 1959 there have been tremendous changes to the buildings: the outdoor swimming pool has come and gone, whilst the sports hall, the languages block, technology block, sixth form common room, the John Williams Performing Arts Block and the Millennium Block, as well as extensions to the science department, library and staff room, have all contributed to better facilities for our staff and students.

2024

Work on the new reception finished in September 2024, providing not just a modern and new face to the School but also improved office space for the admin staff who work in this part of the School. The internal reception area has also been given a decorative facelift and, although it is exactly the same size as before, feels even bigger, lighter and airier.

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Our Weekly Bulletin

19 December 2024