West Hatch High School
| Motto | The Best That I Can Be - Manu et Mente (By Hand and By Mind) |
|---|---|
| Established | 1957 |
| Type | Academy |
| Specialism | Business and Enterprise, and Humanities College |
| Location | High Road Chigwell Essex IG7 5BT United Kingdom |
| Local authority | Essex |
| DfE URN | 115321 |
| Ofsted | Reports |
| Staff | 80 full time |
| Students | 1258 |
| Gender | Coeducational |
| Ages | 11–18 |
| Website | www.westhatch.essex.sch.uk |
Coordinates: 51°36′45″N 0°03′47″E / 51.612480°N 0.062933°E
West Hatch High School is a secondary school located in Chigwell, Epping Forest, Essex (near Woodford Bridge). The area now occupied by West Hatch was previously the western gate (or hatch as it would have been known) into Epping Forest; it is from these roots that the school derives its name. The school currently educates 1300 students from the local catchment area and nearly 200 sixth form pupils from north east London and west Essex. Built in 1957 (as West Hatch Technical High School) on Chigwell High Road the grounds have been renovated on numerous occasions developing the many acre site into 7 main teaching buildings.
[edit] Facilities
West Hatch has been under major renovations of late with recent additions including a Music Suite (2002), Maths Dining & Drama Block (1999), Ruby Theatre (2000 built by students attaining Gold The Duke of Edinburgh Award Status), Sixth Form Centre (2000) and Business and Enterprise Block (2003) technology and the 4-storey classroom block.
Extensive renovation of the ICT infrastructure has culminated in a state of the art ICT network for students and staff. The wider community makes use of these resources with evening classes and Microsoft Digital Literacy training provided to parents using a parent portal.
[edit] Notable alumni
- Vicki Nathan (aka Vicki Michelle) - actress, 'Allo 'Allo!
- Sally Gunnell - 1992 Barcelona Olympic Games 400m hurdles gold medallist
- Kate Silverton - BBC newscaster
- Mark Wallinger - artist
- Giles Watling - actor
- Stuart McDonald - Television Director
- Joey Essex - Reality TV Star
- Nathaniel Rogers - Academic Record Holder (Genius)
