Senior School Facilities

The interaction that the young person has with their whole community contributes to their development as an individual. It is often said that Chigwell School is a special community but the cluster of various specialist buildings, most of which look over the extensive grounds, together feel like a little village.

Pupils move between departments for their lessons and time is built into the day to allow for this. Very quickly, they become familiar with the site and visitors often comment that the transition and break times are calm, as pupils move across the spacious campus in the fresh air. The oldest building, which includes the Swallow Library, dates back to the School’s foundation in 1629 but the newest additions are just a few years old and more exciting developments are planned to ensure that Chigwell pupils have the best educational experience possible.

However, if the facilities are spaced out it is often when Chigwell pupils come together that they achieve the most. This might be when they play sport in the sports hall, gym or outside in the cricket nets, on the floodlit astro or 3G pitches, the tennis/netball courts or on the many grass pitches; it might be when they are rehearsing or performing in the impressive Drama Centre, the Walde Music School or perhaps developing work for the display in the Art, Design and Technology Centre or over lunch in the recently refurbished Dining Hall. There are spaces to work quietly, such as the Library or sixth form study space, and spaces to relax with friends such as the four house common rooms and the sixth form coffee shop. Pupils know where to seek advice from teachers or other specialist staff, such as those in the Medical Centre or Careers area, but often groups simply like to be together, chatting about issues that are important to them at the time and forming friendships that may last forever.

Mr Damian King
Head