Independent Girls` School Sevenoaks Kent

Homepage Headmistress Prospective Families Photo Tour Senior School Sixth Form Academic Results Governors and Staff Scholarships Bursaries and Fees School Development Alumnae Associations What Next? How To Contact Us Link to GSA website Mydaughter.com more... ISI Inspection Report Read more about Walthamstow Hall's Outstanding 2007 Inspection Report published by the Independent Schools Inspectorate. more... School Policies Walthamstow Hall's e safety and Child Protection Policies more... Parent Login Further School Policies more... Map How to Find Us Location map for Walthamstow Hall Junior and Senior Schools in Sevenoaks, Kent. more... Pupils' Impressions Thinking of joining our Senior School? Read what other 'new girls' have said ... more... Extreme Weather Procedures for school closure in the event of very bad weather. more... Alumnae Registration Join our community of Alumnae and register for our new Alumnae Directory. Keep in touch with friends for free. more... Arts and Crafts Architectural Interest The school building is a wonderful example of 'Arts and Crafts' architecture with many original features. more...

Arts and Crafts Architectural Interest The Walthamstow Hall school building in Hollybush Lane has some interesting 'Arts and Crafts' architectural features. William Morris and his associate founders of the 'Arts and Crafts Movement' had an impact on the architecture of the school. Walthamstow Hall was founded in 1838 in Walthamstow and expanded until its numbers had outgrown the London site. A new site was found in the countryside of Sevenoaks in Kent and a building was specially designed (by Robins, the same architect who built Caterham School). The building was completed and the community moved in during 1882. Interestingly, William Morris (1834 - 1896) lived in the 'little village' of Walthamstow, a stone's throw from The Home for Missionaries' Daughters in London. The impact of William Morris' creativity, designs and influence have left a lasting impression for future generations. The school building is a wonderful example of 'Arts and Crafts' architecture. We are fortunate that our founders favoured a building design in 1882 which is still so highly-regarded architecturally and aesthetically. The simplicity of design coupled with magnificent displays of craftsmanship and decoration reflected the social and moral concerns of the day. Around the school building there are some beautiful reminders of the period. The approach up the drive through decorative wrought iron gates presents a warm red brick building with high, sunflower-decorated gables and port-hole windows. The wood panelled entrance and stained glass panes of the Reception Room with its magnificent fireplace lead to an impressive wood-vaulted Dining Hall. In the Reception Room and surrounding areas there are many additional interesting features of the period. If you are interested in the 'Arts and Crafts Movement' here are some links which you may find of interest. www.achome.co.uk/architecture/artsandcrafts.htm www.morrissociety.org/artsandcrafts.html Senior School Home Page