About

We are delighted to welcome you to the digital archive of Wimbledon High School. For 136 years, WHS has been educating girls to go out into the world and make a difference. We’re incredibly proud of that heritage, and the fact that we are a beacon school of the GDST (Girls Day School Trust).

GDST founded Wimbledon High School in 1880, opening on 9th November at No 74 (now No 78) Wimbledon Hill Road with 12 students and Miss Edith Hastings as Headmistress, aged just 29.

The very first lesson given at the school was by Miss Hastings, about an apple. The apple thus became the symbol of Wimbledon High School. During the next ten years the number of girls increased to 200, the buildings expanded into Mansel Road and the first "old girl" passed her BA examination at the University of London. From the very beginning, Miss Hastings wanted to inculcate a love of learning and a care for others in the girls and these two ideals have been at the heart of the school ethos ever since.

Today we have over 900 girls at Wimbledon High School from 4-18 years old. Much has changed of course but at our core, the values and principles of the school remain the same. We feel our school motto “Ex humilibus excelsia - from humble beginnings to great things” sums it up perfectly.

We hope you will enjoy finding out more about the history of the school via our digital archive and the many documents and photos contained within it will bring back memories of days gone by at school. If you would like to know more about the history of WHS, please visit our website here.

If you have any questions, please contact Joanne Joyce, our Director of Development and Alumnae on joanne.joyce@wim.gdst.net.