Ipswich High School is an independent co-educational day and boarding school for pupils aged 3 to 18, based at Woolverstone Hall, near Ipswich, Suffolk, England. The school is set within 87 acres of parkland overlooking the River Orwell. Founded in 1878, the school was formerly part of the Girls' Day School Trust (GDST) and became fully co-educational in 2018. It is now owned by Ipswich Education Limited.

History Ipswich High School was opened as a school for girls in the Assembly Rooms in Northgate Street, Ipswich, on 30 April 1878 with 43 pupils. The first headmistress, Sophie Youngman, held the position for 21 years. She was succeeded by Miss Kennett. In 1905 the Council of the Trust purchased a large private house and grounds in Westerfield Road, Ipswich and the school moved there.

Another house, Woodview House, was purchased in 1913. Owing to the continued expansion of the school and the demands of the modern curriculum, the decision was taken in 1992 to rehouse the school at Woolverstone Hall, a Grade I listed building set in of parkland on the banks of the River Orwell, the former premises of Woolverstone Hall School for boys (1951 to 1990).

Transition to mixed-sex education took place in September 2018 after it separated from the Girls' Day School Trust.GDST announces transfer of ownership for Ipswich High School, GDST 11 Sep 2017 The change to co-education received mixed responses from parents and alumnae. the school serves a wide area of Suffolk and north Essex, taking girls and boys aged 3–18 years and providing both primary, secondary school and sixth form education, where pupils take A-Levels.

Governance Following acquisition of the school by London and Oxford Group (LOG) in 2017, the principal and the chair of governors remained in their positions,Stott, Matt. "Ipswich High School for Girls changes name to Ipswich High School and will accept boys from 2018". East Anglian Daily Times, 11–12 September 2017. Retrieved 11 October 2017 reporting to the ownership subsidiary Ipswich Education Limited (IEL).

Dan Browning started as head in January 2023.

Notable former pupils

Ruth Ainsworth, writer June Brown, actress Enid Blyton, author Jade Holland Cooper, fashion designer Frances Hardinge, author Susan le Jeune d'Allegeershecque, diplomat Sandy Lister, hockey player Tracey MacLeod, journalist Helen Oxenbury, illustrator Kate Riley, television presenter and journalist Margaret Tempest, illustrator

Notable staff

Sandy Lister, hockey player Adnan Zakir, hockey player

See also Independent Schools Council

References

External links Official website Ipswich High School at Independent Schools Council website