Merger with All Hallows

Many leading independent schools are creating groups of schools so they can work together more closely. As part of the Rugby Group, Monkton has observed the benefits such a move is bringing to schools such as Malvern College and Rugby School and has been equally ambitious and thoughtful in doing the same. 

The merger allows us to take full advantage of shared resources, facilities and expertise. We believe it will bring clear educational, financial and spiritual benefits, including enhancing the advantages of moving schools at 13, underpinning the long-term sustainability of both schools and strengthening our living Christian faith.

By joining with a new prep school, we will be able to share best practice, create educational innovations and build a deeper understanding of how children journey through their whole school career.

An additional benefit will be where pupils are required to undertake an activity which is not ‘within school’ (e.g. Duke of Edinburgh Award or the Leadership award). Given All Hallows staff and pupils will be largely unfamiliar to Monkton pupils and that All Hallows operates from a distinct site to Monkton, we anticipate that All Hallows will count as an external. This will also apply to All Hallows pupils visiting Monkton.

There is already a strong relationship between our two successful schools. Not only are we close geographically, but we share pupil-centred educational success, a kind and caring culture and a living Christian ethos.

Monkton and All Hallows acknowledge they have developed as schools from different Christian traditions, and this will be respected. They affirm that they are both fully committed to being schools with a vibrant living Christian faith and that the All Hallows and Monkton chaplaincy teams will be led by the Monkton Head of Chaplaincy. 

Monkton has always been a welcoming and caring environment for pupils of all faiths and none. All such pupils will continue to be welcomed in both schools and will be encouraged to explore the Christian faith in this context. We are confident in our shared Christian vision of living life to the full, which gives our pupils the framework to make their own decisions and flourish.

Monkton has always been committed to engaging with other schools, and the Monkton family of schools is simply an extension of our belief in the wide-ranging benefits afforded by close collaboration. Pupils gain real benefit from interacting with each other and we value that as part of our special quality as a truly caring and collaborative school. All Hallows is already part of our existing partnerships programme, including events such as 'Girls on Track' and our Choral Day.

There will be little discernible change for our students, parents and staff and we will continue to invest in and refurbish the school estate in line with existing plans.

Monkton is proud of the dedication it shows to  each and every student in its care. The full attention of Monkton’s Principal and Senior Leadership Team remains focused on creating a happy and enriching experience for pupils at Monkton and  striving to make it even better. The Vice-Principal will coordinate activity during the transition phase; this role was created to give capacity to leadership and it will build on his success of integrating Monkton Prep and Senior for the benefit of the pupil.

Governance will be unified, but each school will retain its own teaching and support staff, leadership and management, uniform and site – much that shapes each school's character.

It is not a driver but it is a benefit. Not only will the merger bring financial benefits to both schools, allowing us to guarantee the security needed to pursue our ambitious development plans,  but also far-reaching benefits to our students and staff. They will have access to a wider range of resources and expertise which will enhance the educational experience for all of our pupils. 

As part of the Rugby Group, Monkton has observed the benefits such a move is bringing to schools such Malvern College and Rugby School. It is a logical and forward-looking move which allows both institutions to build on their respective strengths as exceptional boarding and day schools in which individual pupils flourish. The senior leadership and governing body manage the finances of the School extremely carefully and the accounts are published annually on the Charity Commission website.

A comprehensive due diligence has been undertaken. The Monkton and All Hallows governors have been carefully considering a move such as this for a number of years. We both wanted to choose the right partner and we have ensured due diligence has been carried out.

We can reassure you that no changes have been made to any of Monkton’s founding documents.

The merger with All Hallows is critical to our longer term strategy. As All Hallows joins the Monkton family of schools and becomes part of the Monkton estate, we will be drafting project timetables to enhance the provision that each of our schools provides. However, All Hallows will continue to fundraise for the projects that are important on their site.

We have already seen significant improvements at Monkton in recent months. At the Prep School we have been able to complete works on the changing rooms, car parks, yellow brick road, Pavilion and Dining Rooms. This summer we will be fixing the Law building roof, commencing work on the internal refurbishment of the building and commencing the Sham field project. At the Senior School, we have completed works on the Inner Quad, Pavilion, Assembly Hall toilets, and phase 1 of Farm House. This summer we will be completing the Chapel Quad, Farm phase 2 and some further improvements to other boarding houses.

Every year we make inflationary adjustments to our fees. While we will announce a fee increase, this is entirely unrelated to the merger.

Whilst there is considerable symbiosis between our schools, there will also be important ways in which each of us remains unique, ensuring continuing breadth of parental choice.  At present whilst  both schools have a firm commitment to developmental and metacognitive learning styles, All Hallows terminal assessment is within the ISEB (Common Entrance) framework, whereas Monkton Prep’s approach leads towards the skills focus of the Pre Senior Baccalaureate (PSB).

Monkton has been exploring the concept of a family of schools for some time and this continues to be part of our strategy.  Development of a schools’ group is something which needs to be undertaken carefully and with real thought. Our aim now is to focus on making this merger work and ensure that pupils at both schools get the very best from the new opportunities available to them.

The Senior School has seen increasing interest over the last few years and this is likely to continue. For pupils who want day places, priority will be given to pupils from Monkton Prep who confirm their intention to continue before the end of Year 6. After this, day places will be offered to pupils from All Hallows, followed by pupils from other schools.  Our admissions policy remains the same.