Meet the Head at Hall School Wimbledon

Hall School Wimbledon (HSW) are delighted to introduce their Head, Mr Andrew Hammond, who started his new post at the beginning of the year.

Mr Hammond has worked in schools for over twenty years, as a Headteacher, Deputy Head, Director of Studies, Housemaster, Head of English and class teacher, in both the independent and maintained sectors. Prior to joining HSW in January 2022, he was Senior Director of Learning & Community at Discovery Education, leading on Professional Development for teachers and leaders. A prolific author and keynote speaker, he has written over thirty titles for various educational publishers and regularly speaks on creativity and character education.

Mr Hammond joined HSW because, in his own words, “HSW is the only school I have ever come across where Health and Self-Worth are so important and championed and where staff look at the ‘whole child’”. He adds, “Seeing the ‘whole child’ is important as from self-worth comes self-discipline which ultimately enables all pupils to reach their full potential”. Powerful words from someone in their 24^th year of teaching and for whom this is their 4^th Headship.

This belief about the importance of seeing the ‘whole child’ is shared across the school and is clearly apparent from the joie de vivre that exists around the HSW campus. To quote Mr Hammond again, “School is the arrivals lounge for life and we need to equip pupils with all the tools they need for life. One component of that is their academic education, but that is just one component which is why viewing the whole child is so important”. In Mr Hammond’s view, the right pastoral care and support is critical to pupil success as this ensures children are confident in their abilities and have a positive outlook, so can achieve their full potential.

Mr Hammond firmly believes that HSW’s culture has a significant impact on the attitudes, behaviours and capacities of everyone in the school community. The HSW curriculum delivers knowledge and skills, but it is the school’s positive and nurturing culture that helps students to feel confident and empowered to become independent, lifelong learners. This culture is underpinned by the school’s vision: To deliver a contemporary and inclusive education in a caring environment, empowering all pupils to flourish and become independent learners for life.

This vision is delivered through the school’s values and Mr Hammond and HSW staff champion these values at every opportunity – in assemblies, in lessons and in the positive interactions and conversations that play out between staff and pupils every day.

• To build a nurturing environment in which all pupils feel safe and valued
• To promote kindness, good humour and a calm sense of perspective
• To seek to know every pupil well and create a family atmosphere
• To recognise and celebrate different beliefs, faiths, cultures and backgrounds, talent and character
• To provide multiple opportunities for pupils to find their different talents, interests and motivations
• To foster pupils’ curiosity and promote a thirst for knowledge and understanding
• To encourage creative thinking, experimentation and problem-solving
• To strive to enable all pupils to become independent thinkers and self-organised learners for life

HSW is a school that enables outstanding futures through academic success, exciting opportunities and ensuring children know they are valued and feel a deep sense of positive wellbeing and happiness. Mr Hammond would be delighted to give you a tour of the school and introduce you to Hall School Wimbledon.