Tormead School

Tormead School is an independent day school for girls aged 4–18 years old in Guildford, Surrey, England. It comprises a junior school, senior school and sixth form. It was founded in 1905 and is a member of the Girls Schools Association (GSA).

Tormead School
Address
27 Cranley Road

Guildford
,
Surrey
,
GU1 2JD

England
Coordinates51.24287°N 0.55562°W / 51.24287; -0.55562
Information
TypeIndependent School
Religious affiliation(s)Inter- / non- denominational
Established1905
Local authoritySurrey
Department for Education URN125345 Tables
HeadmistressChristina Foord
GenderGirls
Age4 to 18
Enrolment730
Websitewww.tormeadschool.org.uk

History

Tormead School was founded in 1905 in a residential area of Guildford . Starting with a mere handful of girls and a teacher in a private house, the school survived the threat of a takeover in 1912 and near financial collapse in 1935. Tormead survived these vicissitudes to grow in size during the two World Wars, led by a succession of Headmistresses.[1]

As part of its centenary celebrations, it hosted the BBC Radio 4 programme Any Questions? in 2005. It has also previously welcomed Poet Laureate Andrew Motion.

Additions to the building include Alleyne House in the Junior School (named after former headmistress, Honor Alleyne), the Science Wing, and specialist Design Technology, Home Economics and Textiles rooms. In 2008, construction was completed on a new Performing Arts Centre.

Extra-curricular activities

Particular sporting activities at the school include swimming (a number of students compete at both national and international level),[2] gymnastics (the school has previously won the European Championships for Schools, GISGA) and fencing (the school competes nationally and some members of the squad represent Great Britain internationally).[3]

The school has a Music Department. Four orchestras and four choirs operate within the school, as well a Jazz Band,[4] [5]which tours Europe during the summer every two years and has played at numerous events and locations. The school has held musical events to celebrate its 90-year anniversary, the turn of the millennium and its centenary. The Music Department holds informal concerts at least once a term in which individual pupils or small ensembles can play, and in which some of the larger ensembles perform as well. Formal music events are arranged throughout the school year, with male singers for vocal performances often "borrowed" from the Royal Grammar School, Guildford.

Other extra-curricular activities of note are Young Enterprise, Young Consumer, The Duke of Edinburgh's Award, public speaking and debating. In 2004, the school team ranked third in the national final of the English-Speaking Union's Public Speaking Competition for Schools. The debating squad frequently enter the Cambridge, Oxford and Mace debating competitions. In 2009, they also were picked as one of the first schools in Britain to take part in the YPI project (Youth Philanthropy Initiative).[6]

Notable former pupils

The School has an active alumnae association, TOGA, the Tormead Old Girls' Association[7] and Parents' Association.

gollark: Like "anfractous".
gollark: Egregious *is* a great word.
gollark: That's your fault, actually.
gollark: Prove it. *Inductively*.
gollark: I studied Latin and Ancient Greek, like a correct person.

References
  1. Jean, Brunton (2005). Girls in Blue: An Illustrated History of Tormead School. Third Millennium. pp. Synopsis. ISBN 1904022030.
  2. "Success at National Relay Finals | Tormead School". 24 November 2015. Retrieved 16 August 2020.
  3. "U15 Gymnasts take GISGA Gold | Tormead School". 27 February 2015. Retrieved 16 August 2020.
  4. "Senior Music | Independent Prep School | Tormead School". Retrieved 16 August 2020.
  5. "Jazz bands and pop choir to play GLive | Tormead School". 25 January 2013. Retrieved 16 August 2020.
  6. "Tormead Community Challenge | Tormead School". 24 March 2014. Retrieved 16 August 2020.
  7. TOGA
  8. LinkedIn Profile
  9. My school Days - Sandi Toksvig
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