Women and Girls at Chigwell School

This year (2025) marks the 50th anniversary of girls' boarding at Chigwell School. In 1975, Mrs Pam Coventry became the first boarding housemistress when two girl boarders moved into Sandon Lodge.

Sandon Lodge, with Photographs of Boarders (2024)

Two years prior, in 1973, her daughter had been admitted to the sixth form, and in 1974 three more girls joined Chigwell. So it was that the nature of Chigwell's pupil population slowly began to shift, until in 1983 a Sandon Lodge boarder became the first Head Girl.

Girls in the Sixth Form (1985)

Former Head Pupils, Speech Day (2017)

Nearly 15 years later, in 1997, Chigwell School became fully co-educational. Headmaster Tony Little had made the decision in 1995, and HM David Gibbs oversaw the first intake into the Junior School two years later. Interestingly, the plan was in fact for girls to be introduced in 1998, but such was the demand that the date was brought forward to September 1997.

Hockey Lesson (1990s)

Chigwell Pupils outside St. Mary's (1990s)

These new pupils were introduced gradually, but increasing numbers led to Hainault House being re-opened as a girls' boarding house in 1999. Initially, it only housed younger pupils, but opened up to sixth formers in 2001.

Hainault House (2018)

By 2010, girls were fully established throughout the School. However, it could be said that the history of women at Chigwell begins much earlier.

Women have been involved in school life since Chigwell's foundation in 1629 as relatives of staff, and in medical and pastoral positions. Additionally, in 1873, a fund was created by the School to sponsor girls’ education at local schools.

Mrs Walde, the Headmaster's Wife (1925)

In the decades following, the role of women amongst the staff increased further. From 1910-20 onward, women held positions in Junior, Art, English, History, Classics, French, Geography, and Maths teaching.

School Photograph (1920)

The Matron at the Sanatorium (1925)

So, since the increase in the number of women teachers, the introduction of girls into Sixth Form and boarding in the 1970s, and especially once the School became co- educational in 1997, the presence and role of women and girls amongst the staff and pupil bodies at Chigwell School has only grown.

Now, the School enjoys gender diversity across both its staff and pupil communities.

Chigwell Pupils, Speech Day (2023)