History and information on Great Houghton preparatory school

History of Great Houghton preparatory school

Great Houghton ('hoetun', not the incorrect 'howton') Preparatory School GHPS was founded in 1955 by Mr and Mrs Barnes and continued under family ownership until 2006. Heads through this period were Mr O E Barnes, Mr T Street, Mr A Thomas and Mr R O Barnes. The school was sold to the Girls Day School Trust (GDST) and then to the current Head and a new business partner. It has changed its name now to Great Houghton School. Joint Heads are now Mrs J Lancaster-Adlam and Mr C Gibbs.

The buildings provide large, light classrooms, as well as a Science Laboratory, Theatre/Gymnasium, Library and dedicated facility for ICT, Art, Pottery, DT and Music. The school places strong emphasis on performing and visual arts.

In addition to basketball, netball, gymnastics and table tennis in the gym, the grounds offer an all-weather surface, tennis courts and excellent Mortgages pitches for: rugby, netball, hockey, football, cricket, athletics and rounders. The range of extra activities includes: art, ballet, band, chess, choir, choristers, cookery, dance, drama, individual music tuition, instrumental groups, Girls' club, reading club and team training.

Nutritious lunches are cooked in the school kitchen, while breakfast and tea are available to fit in with parents' busy lives: we are open from 07.45 to 18.10. A lively programme of social events compliments regular charity fund-raising, directed amongst worthy causes towards Outspan School, Kampala, Uganda, where we sponsor two pupil's education.  The school has a contemporary outlook and a traditional ethos.