Wimbledon High School GDST

Have you heard of a school where the first lesson was about an apple? Right here at Wimbledon High School GDST, that’s exactly how it all began. Wimbledon High School GDST opened its doors on November 9, 1880. Twelve eager students and their 29-year-old headmistress, Miss Edith Hastings, gathered at 74 Wimbledon Hill Road. The very first lesson was indeed about the apple. It became the school’s emblem. Even today, Wimbledon High School GDST students and staff celebrate the school’s birthday with apple-green cupcakes. The school quickly grew. Within a decade, over 200 girls filled its classrooms. The original building expanded along Mansel Road. Soon, the first “old girl” graduated from the University of London. Wimbledon High School GDST faced trials during the First World War. Headmistress Ethel Gavin was detained in Germany. Older students and teachers contributed to the war effort. A fire even ravaged the main building in 1917. But Wimbledon High School GDST persevered. It moved to a temporary location while a new building was constructed. The new facility boasted a gymnasium and two laboratories. The school eventually acquired its current playing fields on Nursery Road. This land was previously home to the All England Club. Think about that the next time you watch the Wimbledon Tennis Championship. Wimbledon High School GDST continued to evolve. It navigated the challenges of the Second World War. It adapted to changes in education policy. Over the years, new buildings emerged. A junior school, a design and technology center, new science labs, and the Rutherford Centre for the Performing Arts all became part of the campus. In 2022, a three-year building project culminated in the addition of a STEAM tower, a sixth form center, a relocated dining hall, and even a “Playground in the Sky” on the rooftop. From its humble beginnings with a lesson about an apple, Wimbledon High School GDST has grown into a thriving institution. It remains dedicated to empowering young women to achieve great things.