Here at Raynes Park High School you stand before a place of growth. It is more than just bricks and mortar. It is a launchpad for countless futures.
Raynes Park High School first opened its doors in 1935. Back then it was a boys only grammar school. It was part of the county of Surrey. The school changed over the years. In 1969 it became a comprehensive school for boys aged 13 to 18. It was now part of the London Borough of Merton. September 1990 marked another change. Raynes Park High School became a mixed comprehensive. It taught students aged 12 to 16. Finally in September 2010 the school’s sixth form was reinstated. Like other Merton high schools, it became a mixed 11 to 19 school.
Raynes Park High School’s four houses honor its past. They are named after original House Masters: Gibb, Halliwell, Milton and Newsom. The fifth House Master was Cobb. His name was once used for a building on the school site. Professor Halliwell designed the school badge. It shows the Kingston By-Pass bridge over the railway. It also shows the roads and a fast train.
Raynes Park High School has a rich history. W.H. Auden collaborated with the first headmaster John Garrett. They worked on an anthology called The Poet’s Tongue in 1935. Auden also wrote the words for the school song. The song has since been shortened and modernized.
Raynes Park High School has received awards for its contributions. It earned the FA Charter Standard Development School Award. This was for its outstanding work in football. It also received the Sport England Sports Mark Award. This recognized its delivery of national PE.
Raynes Park High School even holds a Guinness World Record. In October 2003, 859 pupils broke the record. They achieved this feat in the largest egg and spoon race.
Raynes Park High School has an Access Centre. It supports students with Autism Spectrum Condition diagnoses. The Access Centre runs interventions. These include emotional support therapy and Lego therapy. It was accredited by the National Autism Society in 2019. This accreditation was renewed in 2022. The Access Centre can accommodate 25 students. Admission is decided by Merton Council.
Raynes Park High School has seen many headteachers. Since 1935, nine people have held the position. Kirsten Taylor is the current headteacher. Hannah Capgras and Dean Murphy are the co-chairs of Governors. Ofsted last inspected the school in January 2019. It was graded as Good.
Raynes Park High School continues to evolve. It adapts to meet the needs of its students and the community. From its beginnings as a boys’ grammar school to its current form. It is a place where students are inspired to learn and achieve excellence. Raynes Park High School remains a vital part of Raynes Park.