We are extremely grateful to Judith Williams who has worked tirelessly over the past year researching two books to celebrate our centenary year. Judith, a well known author of local history books, interviewed past pupils and staff across the decades and has published two books for our school community to enjoy - one about the school's history and the other containing memories and anecdotes.

Both books are available to order now via our new online shop and will prove a real page turner for any past pupil or staff member. 

Fide et Fortitudine: 100 Years of Westcliff High School for Girls (£12.99) recounts the school’s journey through the eyes of pupils and teachers from when it first opened in 1920 to becoming the successful grammar school it is today. Including beautiful archive photos from across the decades, it’s a must read for any past pupil who will no doubt enjoy reminiscing on the history of our much loved school.

Voices of Westcliff High School For Girls (£10.99) documents the voices of nearly 300 pupils and staff chiming together to build a picture of the school over the past century. Girls from Peggy, who joined the school in 1930, to Beatrice, whose journey through the school began in 2020, recall first impressions, teachers, escapades and more. Containing photos from across the decades contributed from past pupils and the school archives. 

We are most grateful to Judith for dedicating her time to publishing the books and for kindly donating all proceeds to WHSG. When asked about the project, Judith said: "It has been fascinating researching the books and talking to past pupils and staff from across the years.  I'm extremely grateful to all the girls who so generously and openly shared their thoughts, memories and photographs as their contributions all helped make the books possible.  My favourite memory, something that many of us can relate to, came from Elizabeth Hind. She said, "Still got my tie and my PE knickers. Only one of them still fits". It’s made me so proud yet humbled to belong to this exclusive club of thoughtful, clever, creative, dynamic, resourceful, enterprising, ingenious, wonderful girls (yes, and some boys now) and I very much hope that people enjoy reading it as much as I enjoyed writing it".

To order your books and other Centenary merchandise, simply visit our new online shop.