Welcome from the Headmaster

My journey at Halliford has been amazing. I still remember my first day in Year 7, which was full of nerves, and yet now I am starting my final year as a proud Hallifordian. I am incredibly grateful to the staff, who helped create and grow the school’s warm-hearted community, guided me throughout my journey and helped me develop values of resilience, curiosity and confidence. The countless learning opportunities have allowed me to access new and exciting areas, explore my interests and have inspired me to challenge myself. The school has supported me in becoming who I am today, and I am confident embarking on my future journey.

My Halliford journey has been strongly influenced by my brother Richard who has been at the school for 3 years and is currently in Year 10. He has been very happy throughout his time here, always having a good word to say about everyone. During the application process, I asked “How does the school manage the fact that there are so few girls compared to boys?” The answer was: “We are all Hallifordians – we don’t differentiate between girls and boys.” We are all treated equally. The school has its largest group of female students ever, and we have felt as much a part of the Hallford community as the students who have been here for five years. I love being a Hallifordian and I am sure, that anyone else who comes to this school, will feel the same as me.

I decided to come to Halliford School because all the teachers and students were friendly and engaging at the Open Day. I was excited because it was a new start but a little nervous, as I didn’t know anyone who was also coming here. The teachers really helped me to get to know the school and make friends. My favourite memory so far is representing the school in sport and scoring my first goal for Halliford from outside the box into the top corner. I am really pleased that I came to Halliford School because I have made good friends and have really enjoyed all the sport and the different variety of clubs.

“I am a passionate musician and school music scholar, and our music facilities here are superb! At school, I have had many chances to perform and sometimes even get the Headmaster to accompany me on the piano when I play the violin. Halliford is like one big family.”

“Teaching in a school where staff, parents, and students extend such support and care to one another is genuinely heart-warming. Being part of the Halliford family has allowed me to grow both professionally and personally, and I am grateful for the opportunity to contribute to this exceptional community.”

“I am grateful to work in a school with a strong community feel between staff, students, and parents. The staff at Halliford School are supportive and work collaboratively to ensure the best outcomes for our students.”

“I am fortunate to belong to a well-established Science Department. My colleagues are incredible and have been immensely supportive over the years. The school has provided plenty of opportunities for my personal career development and support when needed. As for my colleagues across the school, you could not meet a nicer bunch!”

“Halliford School has been part of my life since I joined in 2009 as a Year 7 student. The atmosphere around the school and the sense of community created by students and staff alike make it feel like a home away from home. Halliford is a school built on a collective effort to provide the best possible learning environment, and I could not recommend it highly enough to those starting their teaching career.”

“I am happy that I began my teaching career as an ECT at Halliford. The support and guidance I received as a new teacher has been great. The mentorship programme provided me with invaluable advice and encouragement, helping me navigate the challenges and opportunities of teaching History and Geography at Halliford.”

“As an Early Career Teacher at Halliford School in Shepperton, I can confidently say that my experience here has been nothing short of life changing. From the moment I stepped onto the picturesque school grounds, I was greeted by a sense of warmth and belonging that immediately made me feel at home. My time at Halliford School has been transformative, both personally and professionally. It is a place where I have grown as an educator, formed lifelong friendships, and felt truly valued as a member of the school community. I am grateful for the opportunity to be a part of such a wonderful institution and look forward to continuing to contribute to its legacy of excellence.”

“One of the things that I appreciate most about Halliford School is the opportunity to grow as a teacher. The school provides regular and constructive feedback, professional development, and mentoring for the staff. I am proud to be a part of the Halliford community, and I highly recommend it to anyone looking for a stimulating, rewarding, and fulfilling teaching career.”

“Halliford is a true community where there are many opportunities to try new things, build on old skills and have a supportive safety net to pick you up and dust you off to try again. Halliford allows me to live vicariously through the amazing achievements of our students. Every day, amazing things happen at Halliford School.”

“From the moment I stepped through the Halliford gates, I was struck by the warm and welcoming atmosphere that enveloped me. Halliford’s strong sense of community is unlike any other school I have experienced. One of the most remarkable aspects of Halliford is its perfect size, allowing for the cultivation of meaningful connections between staff, students, and their families. This unique quality enables us to develop a comprehensive understanding of each student’s strengths, challenges, and aspirations.”

“What I love about teaching at Halliford is the community feel and the fact that you have the opportunity to really get to know all of the staff and students. Having previously taught at much larger schools, this change has been the most surprising and enjoyable difference compared to where I have worked before. Everywhere you go around school, you are greeted by smiles and short conversations about sport from the weekend, how the performance went the night before or simply what is nice for lunch that day. Everyone is free to be themselves, which leads to a warm-hearted, respectful environment. I would thoroughly recommend Halliford as a great place to either start or continue your teaching journey.”

“As both a parent and staff member at this exceptional small school, I have the unique perspective of witnessing firsthand the remarkable dedication and care that goes into every aspect of our students’ education. Halliford is a truly special place that fosters a nurturing and inclusive environment for all. What strikes me most is the unwavering commitment of our staff. Every teacher knows each student by name and takes the time to understand their unique strengths, needs, and interests. This personalised attention has allowed my child to thrive and develop a genuine love for learning. The small class sizes have allowed my son to build strong relationships with his peers and teachers alike. I have watched with pride as he has grown in confidence and developed a sense of belonging, and I am so grateful to be part of this outstanding educational institution as both a parent and staff member.”

“As an Old Hallifordian, I am proud to say three of my children attend the School, which continues to go from strength to strength and is a direct result of the fantastic teaching staff. The leadership team invest heavily in making the School a respectful yet enjoyable environment while delivering outstanding academic results for each individual.”

“Our experience of Halliford School has been entirely positive. When we nervously dropped our son at the gates on his first day, we hoped, like all parents, that we had made the right choice for him. With two boys having gone through the school, we are certain we did. The school provides a wonderfully supportive environment allowing our boys to thrive.”

“I came to look at Halliford as one of my family friends came here, and she loved it! Being a girl at Halliford is great – the other girls are wonderful and being at Halliford brought us together. We appreciated each other’s interests and making friends with them was a really positive part of my Sixth Form. If you are considering applying to Halliford, I encourage you to come and look around. You will be made to feel very welcome, and you will quickly feel like part of the Halliford family. I am delighted that I chose to come to Halliford. It was definitely the right choice for me! Halliford has given me the best two years for the best outcome, and I am proud to call myself an Old Hallifordian!”

“When I found out that my place at my dream college, St. Peter’s, Oxford, was confirmed, I was overcome with relief. But having achieved this with 4 A* at A Level, I am overjoyed and filled with immense gratitude for my amazing teachers and Headmaster who helped and inspired me every step of the way. I am excited to start the next chapter of my life both academically, through my studies of French and Spanish, and musically. I could not feel more honoured to be an alumnus of this extraordinary school.”

“I joined Halliford in Year 9, and the transition period was so smooth. Almost instantly, I was making friends both on the rugby pitch and in the classroom. I particularly enjoyed the more personal feel at Halliford, made possible only by our small size and the importance of respect. I am really happy with my results at A Level receiving 3 A* and 1 A, and I am looking forward to continuing my studies at Cambridge University. Thank you to Halliford for all of your help and support.”

“Halliford has been full of highlights since the day I started and continued to provide me with endless opportunities that I will remember for a very long time.  From incredible trips to Austria for some phenomenal skiing and experiences across the country to the endless laughs and enjoyment we shared with our peers and teachers. Every day at Halliford is different, and we are always involved in something new and entertaining. One particular highlight of mine was the frequent speakers who come to Halliford who share their life experiences, successes and valuable advice, such as Floyd Steadman – the first black headteacher of an independent school and extremely successful rugby player. I enjoyed the freedom and independence on a day-to-day basis while still receiving care and guidance from all my teachers, which is what made every day perfectly suited to my needs.”

“From being welcomed on my first day as a Hallifordian, through to this final year, I have been guided and encouraged to become a more confident, curious, and resilient person. I am grateful that I have been able to explore every possible opportunity to have new experiences and develop my interests. The school’s ethos, nurturing learning environment and warm-heartedness has supported me to become someone I am proud to be, and I am delighted to take up the role of Head Prefect. Halliford has given me the best start for whatever lies ahead.”