A School for future global citizens – Whitgift

Whitgift School, a boys’ secondary day and boarding school in South Croydon, has a strong reputation across academics, sport and the arts, and now it is encouraging its pupils to take on the world.

With 1,550 pupils across eight year groups, Whitgift is a big school with opportunities to match, but what drives this south London institution is an approach to education that extends far beyond the school gates. To create a cohort where each student takes responsibility for his role as a global citizen starts from day one with the Whitgift 7 programme.

Inspired by the ethos of the IB (which is offered in Sixth Form alongside A-levels), every boy is taught the Global Citizenship programme, built around the UN charter. The Whitgift 7 programme is uniquely designed to help pupils with their transition into the new environment, from the very first day to each part of the ongoing journey at the school. Through the breadth of the school’s curriculum, pupils develop the skills of social and technological responsibility, collaboration and creativity, alongside resilience, self-awareness and emotional intelligence. Every boy studies 17 subjects in this first year, including three languages. Cultural engagement is ignited through trips and events, and co-curricular societies linked to religion, ethnicity and belief, in which students are enlightened to new ideas and discoveries which may trigger thought, debate and evolution of their views.

Exploration is the theme in the Junior Years when the school aims to create opportunities for pupils to explore new skills, with a set of free fencing and golf lessons during Year 7, and a free term of music lessons on an instrument of their choice. The music and drama offering is phenomenal, with excellent productions and plenty of clubs in which pupils can discover new talents in the arts. In Year 7, there is a two-hour lunch break, one hour of which is spent at a co-curricular club, ranging from apiarian society to climbing.

Sport is integral to the education and wellbeing of all Whitgiftians, with 1,300 of 1,550 pupils participating in Saturday sport at all ages and levels. Facilities are top class, with cricket nets, a shooting range, a driving range, hybrid sports pitch and variable depth pool in a purpose-built sports centre all on-site, and the school’s record at local and national level is outstanding.

“Educating bright and talented young men, whatever their background, to become independent learners and thinkers”

With over 425 years of exceptional educational experience, the school continues to develop its vision for the future: “Educating bright and talented young men, whatever their background, to become independent learners and thinkers, to achieve beyond what they believed they could, and to leave us ready to give back to the society in which they will be leaders.”