Princess Royal, visits Westcliff High School for Girls

Youngsters lined the pavement as Anne, Princess Royal, visited the grammar school earlier today (September 21) to open the new East Wing.

Her Royal Highness enjoyed a tour of the new building, meeting students and staff in lessons – from Year 7 pupils who joined at the start of term to those in their final year of A-levels.

Andrew Cooper, who started as headteacher earlier this month, was delighted to welcome The Princess in what was just his third week in the new position.

In a speech at the ceremony, he said: “When I was appointed to the post of headteacher of Westcliff High School for Girls, I don’t think I imagined I would be welcoming Her Royal Highness to the school on my 15th day in the role…but we are delighted you have been able to join us.

“This new building has been designed to enhance our facilities for engineering, design, technology and art, resulting in a creative hub of excellence in the school. We want to inspire our students to see these subjects as exciting and attractive areas to study.

“Employers are crying out for young adults who have technological know-how, combined with flexible and creative minds. We want our students to be equipped to take advantage of these exciting opportunities and be well prepared for life and work in the 21st century.”

Mr Cooper revealed how the new wing has enhanced the school’s older building - which dates back to the 1930s - and connected them together.

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He continued: "We also wanted to create areas to inspire the students; the lower floor has been deliberately constructed to feel like an industrial workshop with rough concrete walls and open ceilings with the services visible.

"There have been significant challenges with this new building. The sloping site meant that 200 tonnes of clay had to be removed to create the lower floor. Matching the floor levels of the main building has been a further challenge. But we have ended up with a tremendous facility of which we can all be proud."

Year 13 pupils Isabel Beresford and Heidi Hoxha, who also spoke at the event, said the day had been “surreal”, with the duo “never imagining as head girls they would meet such important figures”.

Isabel said: “We were quite nervous when we were asked to speak, because of Covid we haven’t spoke to a real-life audience yet.

“But its been amazing, the Princess is a role model to so many.”

Heidi added: “It’s such an honour for us, we love our school and we’re proud of it so it’s great to see that recognised.”

Dr Paul Hayman, former headteacher, also revealed how Prince Richard, Duke of Gloucester, had opened the school’s West Wing just ten years ago.

Sir David Amess, MP for Southend West, continued: “Her Royal Highness is a wonderful lady and I’m so pleased that in the year of the 100th mayor that we have been honoured with a Royal visit.

“This is an outstanding school, my fourth child Alexandra came here under Dr Paul Hayman. The facilities are second to none and the new building is fantastic.”

While WHSG weren't the only school buzzing about the visit from Her Royal Highness, with the Princess arriving by Queens Flight Royal helicopter which landed at St. Thomas Moore High School, just opposite.

When the helicopter departed, all the pupils at St Thomas Moore High School lined up on their playing fields during lunch time to cheer and wave at Her Royal Highness during take off.

Photo: Simon Murdoch