Press release: High March School joins Wishford Education

13.11.2024

High March School, a high-achieving and thriving school for girls aged 3-11 in Beaconsfield, Buckinghamshire, has joined Wishford Education, becoming the tenth school in the group. High March has been providing its pupils with an outstanding education since 1926, sitting at the centre of the Beaconsfield community.

Belinda Avery and Michael Chapples, the grandchildren of former heads and owners, Mr and Mrs Anderson, were committed to finding the right home for their school. Wishford’s consistency with the High March values of kindness, friendship and educational excellence will ensure that while the ownership of the school is changing, the ethos and family feel will not.

They said: “Our responsibility and professional mission is to ensure that the soul and ethos of High March is secured and nurtured, not just for the immediate present, but for years to come and for the generations of future High March pupils. Wishford’s commitment to preserving the distinct character of each of its schools made them the right choice for us. The school will benefit from Wishford’s academic and professional support in an increasingly complex environment and will be part of a financially strong and mutually supportive group with an Advisory Board comprising respected educationalists with considerable experience of prep School life.”

Wishford’s founder Sam Antrobus said: “We have been getting to know High March over the past year or so and have been extremely impressed with the excellent quality of education the children enjoy and the school’s happy, purposeful atmosphere. We are excited to be partnering with Headmistress, Mrs Kate Gater, and her strong team to build on the school’s many successes and outstanding reputation. We are delighted that Belinda and Mike will continue to support us and the school in a consulting capacity.”

Joining the group brings long-term security for High March at a time of much change in the sector. Wishford schools enjoy the support of a highly experienced team and the benefits of working collaboratively, without diminishing any of the characteristics that make each school so special. Partnership with Wishford reduces the administrative and regulatory burden on the school, enabling the leadership team to focus on what really matters – their pupils. The strategic leadership and governance provided, which has been described as ‘excellent’ in every inspection its schools have had since joining the group, will ensure High March stays focused on continuous improvement.

www.wishford.co.uk