History
Holland Park is the Royal Borough of Kensington and Chelsea’s only community mixed comprehensive school. It was built in 1958 and was one of London’s first ever purpose-built comprehensive schools. The school has a long tradition of diversity and particularly in the 1960s and 1970s it attracted high-profile, left leaning pioneers convinced that an egalitarian state education was the answer for the late 20th Century. The best of that has been retained into the 21st Century and the school continues to aspire to the belief and reality that with rigour, formality and effort students can readily compete with the independent and selective sectors. Its results demonstrate this to be true.
The school has a banded intake and is proud of its history. Like all famous institutions the burden of history can weigh heavily. Holding many of the original principles dear the school has responded to changing times and changing expectations. It sits high in the league tables, is target-driven, recognized by innumerable awards and connections and is currently mid-way through a complete rebuild. By 2012 it will be a stunning piece of architecture housing its successful and aspirant community.
CLICK HERE: Old film footage: The opening of Holland Park 1958
