BALANCE is the key to success at The Grange School in Hartford – the balance of rigorous academic challenge with inspirational creativity and unrivalled support and encouragement.
Everyone believes that the students’ top exam performance is in large thanks to the supportive and nurturing environment created at the school.
The school’s philosophy is that happy children learn and students’ well being always comes first.
Dr Lorraine Earps is head of The Grange School.
She began her teaching career in 2000 after working in academic research and completing a PhD in protein chemistry.
She joined The Grange School as head in September 2021, just over three years ago, having moved back to the north west following five years as head of Queen’s College in Somerset.
Before heading to Taunton, Lorraine was director of studies at Withington Girls’ School and prior to that was head of chemistry at Stockport Grammar School.
Lorraine said: “We take a holistic approach to education where every student is known, understood and celebrated as an individual.
“This approach results in happy, fulfilled young people who go on to achieve excellent results with outstanding value added as a result of the dedication of the talented specialist teachers across the curriculum, a nurturing pastoral system which ensures students feel well supported, and an engaging enrichment programme which stimulates, challenges and builds resilience in young people.
“Our philosophy that education goes beyond what happens in the classroom means that we nurture well-rounded individuals equipped with the skills, knowledge, confidence and humility to thrive in an ever-evolving world.”
At almost 90 years old, The Grange School, in comparison to other independent schools, is quite young but Lorraine believes this is what makes The Grange so unique.
The Grange was founded as a preparatory school in 1933 by Helen Perry in her house in Hartford.
By 1961, when Helen retired, the school roll stood at more than 200 and it was at that point that ownership passed from its founder to a trust set up by parents.
In 1977, Scott Marshall was appointed headmaster, and at the urging of parents who wanted for their children to have a Grange secondary education, The Grange Senior School was opened.
The senior school had 27 founding students and three versatile full-time staff.
Through their dedication and the hard work of all involved with The Grange, the school grew with important landmarks being passed: the first O-levels in 1982; the founding of the Sixth Form in 1983; the first university-bound students in 1985.
(Image: The Grange School) By that point, the school roll stood at over 700 and the rising numbers eventually necessitated the development of a purpose-built Junior School which was opened by Princess Margaret in April 1996.
Jenny Stephen Christopher Jeffrey and Debbie Leonard followed as head of school in the 25 years before Lorraine was appointed.
Lorraine said: “We still hold our traditional values. We are not bound by outdated traditions.
“This allows us to be a forward-thinking and dynamic independent school fit for modern life.
“The Grange is a place that provides a bespoke individualised educational experience designed to meet the needs of every member of the community, irrespective of background.
“Recent league tables have seen us place as the top performing independent school in Cheshire (The Times) and best value for money co-educational independent school in England (The Telegraph).”
Old Roburians are special to the school, providing a link between the school’s past, present and future.
Lorraine said: “Their achievements and accomplishments reflect on our values and their time spent here.
“Two of our more famous alumni are brother and sister Tom and Emily Ford.
“Both Olympic champions in Paris 2024 and their love for the sport began whilst at The Grange School.
“The coaching, training and support they enjoyed from The Grange team coupled with their own ambition and dedication, took them to the podium last July.
“Each year, the majority of our leavers head off to place at university, or a gap year ahead of deferred entry thereafter.
“Increasingly students are looking to the benefits of degree apprenticeships and we are delighted that in recent years more and more of our young people have been successful in gaining places on some very prestigious apprenticeships schemes.”
(Image: The Grange School) The are 1,220 students across the junior and senior schools and around 340 staff employed at The Grange.
As an all-through school, the junior school is reception to year six, the senior school is year seven to year 11 and the sixth form centre is years 12 and 13.
Current school and sixth form fees are £4,715 per term plus 20 per cent VAT.
Lorraine said: “While we are disappointed about this change as it will undoubtably have an impact on our families, it is the timing of the implementation which we are most concerned by – it presents challenges for both schools and families having been implemented mid-academic year.
“We are particularly worried for our families who have children who are neurodiverse or have mental health challenges as these are likely to be disproportionately impacted by the changes.
“Many of these young people have joined our school having had unsuccessful experiences in other settings and are now thriving with us. It would be really sad if they were no longer able to continue at a school where they are flourishing because of the changes which have taken place.
“We now face the difficult task of balancing these additional costs while striving to maintain affordability and quality education.
“While we have made the decision to pass on the full 20 per cent VAT levy, we have committed to keep our fees at the same rate as 2024, ensuring they represent excellent value for money.”
The Grange School has a senior school and sixth form open day on September 20 and a junior school open day on September 27.
There will also be some taster days throughout 2025 for children looking to join the junior and senior schools.
Year two students will be welcomed on March 12, year five students on June 5, 10 and 12, year six students on November 6, 11 and 13 and year 11 students (for sixth form) in December.
Entrance assessments are held in January of each year and in-year applications are accepted at any time dependent on spaces being available in the desired year group.
Visit grange.org.uk or call 01606 539039 for more information.