Haberdashers' Girls' School facts for kids

Haberdashers' Girls' School is a private day school located in Elstree, Hertfordshire. People often call it "Habs" or "Habs Girls." This helps tell it apart from the nearby Haberdashers' Boys' School. The school was started in 1875 by the Worshipful Company of Haberdashers. This is one of the oldest and most important trade groups in the City of London.

School History and Growth

The plaque of the previous campus, now the Japanese School of London

In 1690, a merchant named Robert Aske gave money to the Haberdashers' Company. He wanted them to create a home for 20 older men and a school for 20 boys. This first school was in Hoxton, north of London. For a while, there were no new students because of money problems.

The foundation was reorganized in 1873. Four new schools were then set up. Two were in Hoxton and two in Hatcham, south-east London. Boys and girls were taught in separate buildings at each location. All four schools opened in 1875. The Hoxton schools taught basic English. The Hatcham schools had a wider range of subjects. In 1891, Hatcham Girls' School moved to a new building.

Moving to New Locations

In the early 1900s, new sites were bought for the Hoxton schools. The boys' school moved to Cricklewood (also called Hampstead). The girls' school moved to Acton. Both schools became independent, fee-paying schools in 1976.

To allow for more growth, the Boys' School moved again in 1961. It went to Elstree, Hertfordshire. The Girls' School followed in 1974. The old Girls' School site in Acton later became the Japanese School in London.

Changes to the School's Name

In 2021, the school's leaders reviewed the legacy of Robert Aske. This included looking at his connections to slavery. Later that year, it was decided that the name "Aske" would be removed from the school names. Both the Boys' and Girls' schools became known simply as Haberdashers' Girls' School and Haberdashers' Boys' School. The governing body, however, kept the name Aske.

About the School Today

Student Achievements

Haberdashers' Girls' School has very high academic standards. Most girls achieve top grades in their A Level and GCSE exams. This shows their hard work and the quality of teaching.

School Leaders

The current headmistress of Haberdashers' Girls' School is Dr. Hazel Bagworth-Mann. Here is a list of past headmistresses:

• 2019 – 2023: Rose Hardy, MA
• 2011 – 2019: Biddie O'Connor, MA
• 2005 – 2011: Elizabeth Radice, MA
• 1991 – 2005: Penelope Penney, BA
• 1974 – 1991: Sheila Wiltshire, OBE, BSc
• 1969 – 1973: Jessie Gillett, BA
• 1944 – 1968: Eileen Harold, MA
• 1920 – 1943: Dorothy Sprules, MA
• 1904 – 1919: Margaret Gilliland, MA
• 1888 – 1903: Edith Millar
• 1875 – 1888: Elizabeth Powell

Famous Former Students

Former students of Haberdashers' Girls' School are called "Old Girls." They have an alumni group called the Haberdashers' Old Girls' Club. This club was started on May 6, 1904, by Headmistress Margaret Gilliland. In 2014, they celebrated their 110th anniversary.

Here are some notable Old Girls:

• Laura Aikman, actress (Class of 2004)
• Emily Arbuthnott, Tennis Player
• Florence Bell (1913–2000), a scientist who helped discover the structure of DNA
• Linda Bennett OBE, fashion designer and business owner (Class of 1981)
• Margaret Bent, music expert (Class of 1959)
• Luciana Berger, former Member of Parliament (Class of 1999)
• Bidisha, arts critic, broadcaster, and author (Class of 1996)
• Florence Birchenough, member of the first female Olympic team (1894-1973) (Class of 1911)
• Margery Blackie, a homeopath to Queen Elizabeth II (1898-1981) (Class of 1916)
• Hilda Buckmaster, politician and naval officer (1897-1993) (Class of 1916)
• Nica Burns OBE, theatre producer (Class of 1973)
• Linda Cardozo OBE, Professor of urogynaecology (Class of 1969)
• Veronica Castang, actress (1938–1988) (Class of 1956)
• Barbara Craig, archaeologist and classicist (1915–2005) (Class of 1933)
• Claire Dalby, botanical artist (Class of 1963)
• Amanda Davies, CNN Sportscaster (Junior School)
• Sophie Deen, children's author (Class of 2001)
• Vanessa Feltz, TV personality and radio broadcaster (Class of 1979)
• Tamara Finkelstein, senior civil servant (Class of 1985)
• Charlotte Green, radio broadcaster (Class of 1974)
• Mary Hocking, author (1921–2014) (Class of 1939)
• Vera Houghton CBE, campaigner (1914–2013) (Class of 1931)
• Shelina Zahra Janmohamed, author (Class of 1992)
• Mabel Lethbridge, writer and the youngest person to receive a British Empire Medal (Class of 1914)
• Karen Liebreich MBE, author, historian, and gardener (Class of 1978)
• Dominique Lloyd-Walter, squash player (Class of 1999)
• Melissa Nathan, journalist and author (1968–2006) (Class of 1986)
• Ann Oakley, author and academic (Class of 1962)
• Talulah Riley, actress (Class of 2004)
• Caroline Ryder, writer (Class of 1995)
• Ritula Shah, journalist and radio presenter (Class of 1985)
• Gaurika Singh, youngest competitor at the 2016 Summer Olympics in Rio de Janeiro. She represented Nepal in swimming. She won her heat in the Women's 100m backstroke event.
• Daphne Slater, actress (1928–2012) (Class of 1944)
• Eloise Smith, fencer at the 2000 Summer Olympics in Sydney (Class of 1995)

See also

• List of girls' schools in the United Kingdom