Woodford County High School

Woodford County High School occupies a former manor house with Ionic pilasters and a polygonal roof lantern near Highams Park Lake. The building houses around 600 female students in a grammar school setting with classrooms, sports facilities, and grounds that extend beyond the original structure.

The main building was constructed in 1768 by William Newton as a private residence and later served as a hospital where Florence Nightingale worked before the site became a school in 1919. This transformation from a medical facility to an educational institution reshaped the purpose of the grounds.

The school is organized around four house colors: Highams green, Repton blue, Warner yellow, and Newton red. These colors shape how students participate in activities and competitions throughout their time here.

The school grounds are surrounded by Highams Park, providing a quiet setting for learning and various activities. Access requires passing the 11-plus examination with around 180 places available each year, so families should plan ahead and prepare for entry assessments well in advance.

The school grounds were designed by landscape architect Humphry Repton and included the present-day Highams Park Lake as part of the original estate. This landscape feature, shaped by Repton, connects the property's past with its current use and influences the visual character of the entire complex.

Location: London Borough of Redbridge

Inception: 1919

Accessibility: Wheelchair inaccessible

Address: Woodford County High School, High Road, Woodford Green, Essex, IG8 9LA

Phone: +442085040611

Website: http://woodford.redbridge.sch.uk

GPS coordinates: 51.60700,0.01850

Latest update: December 9, 2025 18:46