A bercorn, a ‘family of schools’ in central London for children aged 2- 13, is set to open its fourth premises this September
Welcoming ages 13-14 for the first time, before growing organically to welcome ages up to 18. The new Senior School, located in the heart of Marylebone, is a converted former church and was once housed the Pineapple Dance Studios. Most recently, the site has served as home to Regent’s University. There is ample space in the 17,000 sq. ft building for classrooms and a theatre.
Situated in Marylebone and St John’s Wood, London, all four Abercorn premises are within a short distance of each other and are distinguished as ‘Abercorn’ buildings by spectacular facades, high ceilings and bright, spacious classrooms. Each of the premises is also a listed building. Andrea Greystoke, Founder of Abercorn Schools, a fee-paying private school organisation which started in 1987, believes in the importance of the visual connection when it comes to school buildings to ensure a unified educational experience. “Our architecturally distinctive buildings are each dedicated to different age groups and allow children to grow with the school and to remain part of the ‘Abercorn family’.
This provides a stability and consistency of standards and values, plus a commitment to optimise academic achievement, combined with outstanding pastoral care, to create a sustained and healthy education and life experience. This approach ensures Abercorn is a place where a true love of learning is nurtured appropriately at each stage of a child’s development.” She has also noted her pupils’ enjoyment of learning in buildings of historical significance: “I believe [the pupils] enjoy all of the buildings for plenty of reasons, but the main factor is the history.
Older pupils, for example, have shown real appreciation for the St. John's Wood building, which was designed and constructed for an eminent Victorian water-colour artist (John O'Connor). Many are also fascinated by the fact that both the Marylebone site (which is often fondly called ‘Hogwarts’) and the Portland Place site have been functioning for over 150 years. Although the children have not seen our new premises on Paddington Street, I’m certain they will enjoy that it was once a church and more recently the home of the Pineapple Dance Studios.”
Abercorn notes that the number of 18 year-olds is expected to grow by 25% over the next decade. Says a spokesperson: “This is a significantly more pronounced ‘boom’ than in all of Europe, and something of which most parents in the UK are not aware.” In 2021, there have been over 600,000 applications in Britain for secondary schools to date, an increase of 16% since 2014, and is expected to rise rapidly before reaching its peak in 2030. As a result of its expansion, Abercorn will soon become one of the few schools in the UK to take and nurture pupils through the complete educational journey from the ages of 2 until 18.
