Wanstead High School (WHS), formerly Wanstead County High School, is a co-educational, non-denominational, comprehensive secondary school in Wanstead, London, United Kingdom.
Contents
Admissions
It specialises in the performing arts and has 1532 pupils aged 11 to 19. Its local education authority is Redbridge. It is situated just west of the A12 junction with the North Circular Road (A406).
Traditions
Its motto is "Abeunt Studia in Mores" which translates literally as "studies become habits" or "practices zealously pursued pass into habits". It can be taken to mean "Studies build one's character".
Its symbol is the heron, a bird traditionally associated with the area. Its alumni are known as "Old Heronians".
Its uniform colour is burgundy, having previously been black, and the school uniform must be worn by all pupils except the sixth form, where students are required to dress formally.
History
Wanstead County High school opened in 1924 as a mixed Grammar school. It was one of the first co-educational secondary schools in England. The site had previously been a rectory.
During the Second World War, the school was evacuated to Newent. On 15 February 1957, over 150 pupils suffered food poisoning. Until 1965 it was administered by the Essex Education Committee. In the 1960s, the school had around 800 boys and girls, with 250 in the sixth form.
The school buildings were extended in 1964 and again in 1974 when the science and humanities block was built.
In 2013, the school received a "Requires Improvement" rating from Ofsted. The report stated that 'Achievement is not yet good. Students are not making good enough progress in a number of subjects including modern foreign languages, business studies and geography.'
In 2025, the school received a "Good" rating from Ofsted. The report stated that 'The school has worked well to ensure that the quality of education is effective, and pupils’ behaviour is strong. Pupils feel safe and enjoy coming to school. Sixth-form students exhibit exceptionally strong, mature attitudes to their education.'
Performing arts facilities
Performing arts facilities at the school include a theatre, drama and dance studios and music technology suites. In addition to allowing pupils to study these areas specifically, performance elements are also being introduced into other areas of the wider curriculum. Ian Sweet and Rebecca Grace are the current heads of performing arts at the school.
Notable former pupils
Geraldine Bedell, journalist and writer
Nick Berry, television actor and musician
Dennis Cirkin, footballer
Adrian Cohen, Senior Vice-President of the Board of Deputies of British Jews
Carly Cole (née Zucker), wife of footballer Joe Cole
Jonathan Fortune, footballer
Sarah Holland, writer
Gillian Merron, Baroness, and member of the House of Lords, former Labour MP and junior minister, Chief Executive of Board of Deputies of British Jews
Leanne Mohamad, public speaker and activist
Ronnie O'Sullivan, snooker player
Kayne Ramsay, footballer
Frances Ruffelle, actress
Richard Wisker, star of CBBC's children's comedy drama Tracy Beaker Returns.
Bilal Zafar, comedian
Wanstead County High School
Robert Atwell, Anglican Bishop of Exeter
Michael Coren, journalist
Rupert Davies, film, TV, and stage actor, best known as Maigret in the 1960s TV series
Geoff Elliott, Olympic pole-vaulter and decathlete (Helsinki, 1952)
Brian Moll, actor
Keith Ovenden, writer
Geoffrey Pardoe, aerodynamicist and rocket scientist, Director from 1993 to 1996 of the International Academy of Science, Project Manager from 1956 to 1960 of Blue Streak, President from 1984 to 1985 of the Royal Aeronautical Society, and advocate of the British space programme
David Rappaport, musician, stage, screen and TV actor (Time Bandits, The Wizard).
Liz Robertson, actress
Tony Robinson, actor, comedian, author, television presenter and political activist
Maurice Tucker, professor of geological sciences since 1993 at Durham University and previous Master of University College, Durham
Angela Watkinson, Conservative MP Upminster 2001-2010 and Hornchurch and Upminster 2010-2017
John Wilton, major (Royal Ulster Rifles), ambassador to Kuwait from 1970 to 1974, and to Saudi Arabia from 1976 to 1979
Donna-Maria Maynard (née Bradshaw), Professor of Psychology since 2019 at the University of the West Indies
Notable former teachers
Wilf Paish (physical education teacher in the 60s. Coach of many athletes, including Olympic gold medal winner Tessa Sanderson)
Ron Pickering (left in 1961 when he became athletics coach for Wales and the West of England)