Celebrating 100 years
We are delighted to be celebrating our centenary this year: 1925-2025. Over the last 100 years Great Walstead School has seen a great deal of change as the site itself has been developed and the school has grown and evolved into one of the leading co-educational day schools. At the same time it has kept its very special feel promoting and developing pupils' determination, adventurous spirit and love of life, and genuine empathy for those people around them. This year we have a number of exciting and varied events and we hope you are able to join us as we mark this very special milestone together.
1925-2025 A hundred year of education & adventure
One of the things that makes Great Walstead so special is the way the teachers throughout its hundred-year history have made the children's learning experience so exciting and adventurous. Outdoor learning is an integral part of school life which have enabled our pupils to be ambitious and excited about their learning. Our youngest pupils have followed the tracks of dinosaurs through our words as they embark on new learning experiences while the older pupils rally their teams as they prepare for Q-Day. All this is accomplished while at the same time securing academic, sporting, musical, art and drama success at a range of prestigious senior schools. We are certainly a school of lots of mud and lots of love!
OUR History
Founded in 1925 by RJ Mowll as a boys’ boarding school, Great Walstead School has developed into a thriving co-educational day school for children from 2½ to 13 years.
From September 2024, we will be running a programme of events to mark this milestone with opportunities to remember how the Victorian house at its heart became the modern educational establishment we see today.
Moreover, the wonderful woods remain a key part of the school and OGWs will be pleased to know that the tradition of Q Day lives on.
A word from our headmaster
It is such a pleasure to be Headmaster at Great Walstead School and I feel a bit of a fraud calling it work. I am surrounded by kind and caring pupils and staff who throw themselves into every part of Walstead life with such commitment. Pupils at Great Walstead have a genuine love of learning where they are always up for taking on a challenge and will always learn from things that don't work as planned. Because of this attitude I believe they are well-rounded resilient and happy children. Please do keep in touch as we are all looking forward to celebrating our centenary year with you.
Chris Calvey, Headmaster
Centenary Events
Lantern Lectures: 10th October 2024
The Great Walstead magazine dated 1933 mentions a series of fascinating evening talks open to parents: The Lantern Lectures. We are re-instating these evenings during our Centenary year, commencing with a wine tasting hosted by our very own Mistress of Wine, Sam Caporn.
Details: 10th October at 7.00 - 8.30pm
£25.00 per person: includes wine tasting and a signed copy of Sam’s brand new book: The Wine Flavour Guide. How to Pick the Best Wine for Every Occasion.
Lantern Lectures: 5th December 2024
The Great Walstead magazine dated 1933 mentions a series of fascinating evening talks open to parents: The Lantern Lectures. We are re-instating these evenings during our Centenary year, with a variety of talks and workshops. In December please join us for a fun and festive evening of wreath making.
Details: 5th December at 7.00 - 9.00pm
£48 per person: all materials are provided, just turn up and have fun making your very own wreath.
Walstock - Sunday 11th May 2025
Our main celebratory event for pupils, parents, staff and OGWs will be Walstock 2025.
This will be an upbeat music festival with live music, BBQ, bar, CarFest- car show, as well as arts and crafts for the children. It would be wonderful for as many OGWs as possible to join us to celebrate 100 years of Great Walstead - so please do save the date: 11th May 2025 and join the celebrations!
Join the Old Great Walsteadians
We would love to keep you up to date with everything that is happening at Great Walstead for our centenary year and beyond.
