Senior School Workshops Second Hand Uniform Shop

Nearly New Uniform Shop

The Nearly New Uniform Shop sells all items of current uniform and miscellaneous items such as tennis rackets, judo kit etc.

All stock is donated and in return the prices are low. Occasionally brand new items are in stock. These are sold at a small premium to the second-hand price. The Shop is usually open every week during term time with dates published on this page and in the weekly Gateway email.

  • The shop is located on the ground floor of the main Junior School building on Christchurch Road. Access is through Reception.
  • The money raised by the Shop is divided between The 1887 Fund and The Annual Fund and used to directly benefit the girls.

New items are occasionally available. These are individually priced.

“Good” and “Fair” are subjective assessments and should be viewed as such. They are not any guarantee as to condition.

PLEASE INSPECT ITEMS CAREFULLY BEFORE PURCHASE AS WE DO NOT OFFER REFUNDS/EXCHANGES.

Ordering

Orders can be placed via email. Please contact abbeyuniformshop@theabbey.co.uk clearly stating the items required, quantities and sizes. We aim to reply within 48 hours with confirmation of your request and delivery instructions.


Arrangements for 2023/24
We will shortly be announcing the new opening hours of the Nearly New Uniform shop.

Nursery & Reception

Good

Fair

Sweatshirt (green)

£7

£4

Jogging Bottoms (green)

£7

£4

Polo Shirt (white)

£4

£3

Shorts

£7

£3

Lower Prep - Upper Prep

Good

Fair

Pinafore

£18

£12

Rollneck (purple)

£5

£3

Cardigan

£12

£8

Lower I - Lower III

Good

Fair

Skirt (tartan)

£18

£12

Blouse

-Polycotton

-Cotton

£6

£8

£3

£4

Jumper (green)

£12

£8

Junior School - General

Good

Fair

Summer dress

£14

£8

Rucksack - OVAL top 

£12

£7

Rucksack - SQUARE top 

£12

£7

Hat (winter)

£4

£4

Scarf

£4

£4

Gloves

£4

£4

Baseball Cap

£4

£4

Coat (green)

£15

£10

Senior School

Good

Fair

Blazer (green/black)

£35

£18

Skirt (green)

£18

£12

Jumper (purple/black)

£12

£8

Blouse

- Polycotton

- Cotton

£6

£8

£3

£4

Coat (black)

£15

£10

Aprons/Cover-ups

Good

Fair

Tabard (Junior School)

£6

£4

Wrap Overall (green)

£8

£5

Apron (Senior School-blue/white stripe)

£6

£4

Lab coat (Sixth Form Scientists only)

£10

£7

Sports Kit

Good

Fair

Sweatshirt (Junior School)

£7

£4

Joggers (Junior School)

£7

£4

Games top (green)

£14

£8

House top

£14

£8

Midlayer

£15

£9

Tracksuit top (black)

£25

£15

Tracksuit bottoms (black)

£18

£12

Skort

£14

£8

Cycling Shorts

£6

£4

Baselayer top - white

£14

£8

Baselayer leggings - black

£14

£8

PE Short - black ( Sen Sch)

£14

£8

Fitness Legging ( Sen Sch)

£14

£8

Leotard

£8

£5

Sports kit bag

£15

£8

Drawstring PE bag (Junior School) 

£7

£4

Shinpads

£4

£3

Hockey Sticks

£5

£3

Tennis Rackets

£5

£3

Stick/Racket covers

£5

£3

Hockey socks

£4

£4

Swimsuit

£8

£5

Swimbag

£4

£3

Swimhat

£4

£4

Miscellaneous

Good

Fair

Ballet skirt

£5

£3

Character skirt

£7

£5

Character/ballet shoes

£3

£1

Ballet Leotard

£4

£3

Ballet wrap

£4

£3

Judo Suit

£7

£5

Discover more...


Affiliations

Affiliations

The Abbey School is a member of a variety of leading organisations within the independent school sector. Further information about these organisations can be found below.

GSA

The Abbey is a member of the Girls’ Schools Association. The GSA encourages high standards of education for girls and promotes the benefits of being taught in a largely girls-only environment. They also aim to inform and influence national education debate and provide us with professional development courses, conferences, advice and opportunities to debate and share best practice.

Learn more about the GSA

IAPS

The Abbey Junior School is a member of The Independent Association of Prep Schools. This is a schools association with around 650 of the world’s leading prep schools in membership. IAPS works with schools who are members to ensure excellent standards of education and care to their pupils.

ISC

The Abbey is part of the Independent Schools Council. ISC independent schools are ranked among the best in the world and educate more than 500,000 children in the UK. They provide young people with a bespoke well-rounded education that concentrate on developing character as well as academic ability.

HMC

HMC (the Headmasters’ & Headmistresses’ Conference) is a professional association of heads of the world’s leading independent schools. HMC has been providing support and advice to Heads for more than a hundred years. It is the oldest and most influential association of its kind in the English speaking world.

HMC members lead schools that are distinguished by their excellence in pastoral care, co-curricular provision and classroom teaching.

IB World School

The Abbey launched the International Baccalaureate Diploma programme in 2008. Our IB students have since maintained a high average points score, with this being 40 in 2020. This confirms The Abbey as a world-class provider of the programme.

NACE

The Abbey was accredited in 2009 by the National Association for Able Children in Education (NACE) in recognition of its provision for gifted and talented children. The school received re-accreditation in 2014. NACE provides high-quality guidance, support and training, enabling teachers to attain the best from able learners, whilst enabling all learners to flourish and achieve.

Duke of Edinburgh’s Award

The Duke of Edinburgh’s Award has become the most sought after non-academic qualification in the UK by universities and employers. The Abbey provides opportunities to enrol on the Silver and Gold levels of the programme. The Abbey is a Directly Licensed Centre, meaning that we have the expertise to licence our own programme of activities under the ‘DofE Award’ heading.


Capital Campaign Reports and Reviews

Reports and Reviews

Nursery and Junior School Entry

The Independent Schools Inspectorate (ISI) is the body responsible for the inspection of schools in membership of the Associations that make up the Independent Schools Council. ISI inspection is for the benefit of pupils and seeks to improve the quality and effectiveness of their education and of the care for their welfare.

In our most recent ISI inspection The Abbey was found to be excellent in both the quality of students’ achievements and in their personal development, the highest grade on offer.

Summary and Full Report

Reviews

Periodically, leading educational publications visit the school and publish a review to their readers. Below are the links to the two most recent visits.

Good Schools Guide: 2021

The Good Schools Guide is the UK’s number one school guide, helping parents in every aspect of choosing the best education for their children.

Trusted by parents for 35 years, the guides are impartial and candid. Read their thoughts on the Junior and Senior Schools.

Muddy Stilettos 2021

Muddy Stilettos magazine visited The Abbey and reviewed the experience to its readers in its typically candid and punchy style.


Work for us

Work for us

Vacancies

Nothing found.

Employee benefits

  • Death in Service Grant
  • Income Protection Insurance (Teaching staff only)
  • Competitive pension arrangements
  • Competitive occupational sick pay
  • Staff fee discount and school uniform discount from nominated supplier
  • Free before and after school care at the Junior School
  • Discounted holiday club provision with designated provider
  • Employee Assistance Programme
  • Retirement and pension seminars

  • Private healthcare and related benefits
  • Free flu vaccination scheme
  • Use of library, fitness suite, swimming pool and sports facilities
  • Free confidential counselling
  • Access to independent Occupational Health Services
  • Eye test vouchers, where applicable
  • Health and Well-being benefits available to members of the Healthcare scheme:
    • Access to a virtual GP service
    • Easy access to Physiotherapy treatment
    • Health review and health check
    • Access to Menopause support through Peppy
    • Access for mental health support through headspace
    • Discounts on gym memberships, sports shoes, Cafe Nero and cinema tickets

  • Provision of IT equipment, portable devices and resources
  • Focus on professional development and learning
  • Support for training and ECF teacher induction
  • Regular training encouraged including annual learning visits
  • IB training available supporting worldwide working
  • Support available for relevant long-term qualifications
  • Free subscription to TES Magazine
  • Research grant fund to support educational interests
  • Access to the apprenticeship scheme and levy

  • Interest-free season ticket loans to support travel
  • Cycle to work scheme as part of sustainability initiatives
  • Electric Vehicle Leasing Scheme – Salary Sacrifice
  • Free parking and use of parking outside school hours
  • Excellent transport links
  • Staff accommodation where available for those new to the area

  • Free lunch year-round
  • Friday cake
  • Socials and end of term events
  • Book club, staff singers, yoga and much more
  • Discounted tickets for theatre and other events (options to be explored)
  • B&Q Discount Card
  • Long Service Awards
  • Opportunity to take sabbatical leave
  • Suite of family friendly policies to include enhanced maternity leave, shared parental leave and paternity leave
  • Just Giving through Salary Sacrifice

The Abbey is a girls' independent selective school, with a key emphasis on inquisitive, creative and enthusiastic learners. A career at The Abbey welcomes you into the arms of an engaging and supportive community with learning at the heart.

Dear Candidate or Prospective Candidate,

Thank you for enquiring about working here at The Abbey School. Please do take a look at our current vacancies where further information will be available.  We also welcome speculative applications and would ask that you forward any enquiries by email to HR@theabbey.co.uk.

Applications will be dealt with as we receive them. We reserve the right to close the application process early if a suitable candidate becomes available. We therefore actively encourage early applications.

With best wishes

The Abbey School

The School is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people and expects all staff and volunteers to share this commitment. Applicants must undergo child protection screening, including checks with past employers and the Disclosure and Barring Service. Applicants are also required to read the school's Safeguarding and Child Protection Policy and Safer Recruitment Policy before submitting their application.  

Recruitment Privacy NoticeApplication and Recruitment Process Explanatory NoteRecruitment of Ex Offenders Policy July 2023Safeguarding and Child Protection PolicySafer Recruitment Policy and Procedure

Get into teaching

Make a difference

Inspire confidence, purpose and joy

The pillars of our School


Events Abbey News Term Dates

Term Dates

Academic Year 2023 – 2024

Autumn Term 2023

  • Monday 4 September – Staff Inset Day
  • Tuesday 5 September and Wednesday 6 September – Staff Inset Day
  • Wednesday 6 September – New UIII & LVI Induction Day
  • Thursday 7 September – Term begins for pupils (Full day)
  • Half Term: Friday 20 October – Monday 30 October 2023 (inclusive)
  • Friday 15 December – Term ends (Finish at 12 noon)

Spring Term 2024

  • Thursday 4 January – Staff Inset Day
  • Friday 5 January – Staff Inset Day
  • Monday 8 January – Term begins for pupils (Full Day)
  • Half Term: Friday 9 February – Friday 16 February 2024 (inclusive)
  • Friday 22 March – Term ends (Finish at 12 noon)

Summer Term 2024

  • Monday 15 April – Staff Inset Day
  • Tuesday 16 April – Term begins for pupils (Full Day)
  • Monday 6 May – Bank Holiday
  • Half Term: Monday 27 May – Friday 31 May 2024 (inclusive)
  • Friday 5 July – Last day of school year (Finish at 12 noon)

Academic Year 2024 – 2025

Autumn Term 2024

  • Monday 2 September Staff Inset Day
  • Tuesday 3 September Staff Inset Day
  • Wednesday 4 September Staff Inset Day
  • Wednesday 4 September New UIII and LVI Induction Day
  • Thursday 5 September Term begins for pupils (Full day)
  • Half Term: Friday 25 October – Tuesday 5 November 2024 (inclusive)
  • Tuesday 5 November INSET and Senior School entrance day
  • Friday 13 December Term ends (Finish at 12 noon)

Spring Term 2025

  • Monday 6 January Staff Inset Day
  • Tuesday 7 January Term begins for pupils (Full Day)
  • Half Term: Friday 14 February – Friday 21 February 2025 (inclusive)
  • Wednesday 2 April Term ends (Finish at 12 noon)

Summer Term 2025

  • Wednesday 23 April Staff Inset Day
  • Thursday 24 April Term begins for pupils (Full day)
  • Monday 5 May Bank Holiday
  • Half Term: Monday 26 May – Friday 30 May 2025 (inclusive)
  • Friday 4 July Last day of school year (Finish at 12 noon)


qualities Purpose and Values

Qualities at The Abbey

Qualities at The Abbey

1. Abbey Qualities: Unrivalled breadth, depth and excellence of provision

We are a passionate, enthusiastic, questioning community, full of different qualities and motivated by the rewards and excitement of academic excellence and of co-curricular opportunity.

Our range of subjects is broad and our range of opportunity still broader. Our students achieve extraordinary success in a range of academic disciplines in art, textiles, music, drama, sport and much more. This is wonderful to see. However what matters to us above all is that every single student gives a huge range of subjects areas and co-curricular activity a try. Above all, every club, society, team, ensemble, choir and talk – and indeed every lesson – represents opportunities to discover a passion that will stay with them forever.

2. Excitement and delight in discovery

At the heart of what we do is the lesson experience. There is nothing like a room full of engaged and curious minds, led by a teacher of unparalleled subject expertise, exploring far beyond the constraints of the syllabus: with serious purpose but light touch and full of laughter.

Exceptional exam results are a by-product of student ability, not a target. The work our students undertake is dazzling in its range and exuberance and founded on a fearlessness about making mistakes as an integral part of progress. We encourage all students to step off the beaten track and explore ideas for their own sake. In conclusion, this fosters a self-belief, ability to cope with challenge and love of learning benefiting their whole life.

3. Innovation and international outlook

We commit to innovation in outlook and in learning and this provides an international focus in all we do. Firstly, we offer the International Baccalaureate programme at our Sixth Form. In addition girls are offered the best in A-Level provision. Therefore, whatever route our students take they engage with and care about the wider world, and know they will make a difference in it.

We offer the very best of a vibrant city environment: modern, technologically aware, diverse, and lively-minded. We excel in helping our students embrace changes in work and society and to know that they can contribute to and to lead this change with assurance and generosity.

4. Exceptional individual attention and care from truly remarkable staff

Underpinning everything we offer, and our first priority is to know and value each student for who they are. Moreover, we believe in co-operation, collaboration and fellowship is built on active kindness. Individual excellence is admirable; communal excellence is transformational.

Our outstanding pastoral care opens discussion of challenges helping students to build resilience in facing them, as about providing the right support. Every single student celebrates and cherishes their qualities and understand their place in our school. Finally, It is not about coming first. It is about everyone running their own race. To be motivated by the joy of what they do and the support of staff and peers to go further than they imagined possible.


Privacy and Cookies

Privacy and Cookies

theabbey.co.uk puts small files (known as ‘cookies’) onto your computer to collect information about how you browse the site. We don’t use cookies to identify you personally. Cookies are used to:

  • Measure how you use the website so it can be updated and improved based on your needs
  • Remember the notifications you’ve seen so that we don’t show them to you again

How we use cookies

We use Google Analytics and HubSpot software to collect information about how you use theabbey.co.uk. We do this to help make sure the site is meeting the needs of its users and to help us make improvements. Google Analytics and HubSpot store information about:

  • The pages you visit on theabbey.co.uk – how long you spend on each theabbey.co.uk page
  • How you got to the site
  • What you click on while you’re visiting the site
  • Number of visits to the site
  • If you have submitted forms

We don’t collect or store your personal information (e.g. your name or address) so this information can’t be used to identify who you are.

Google Analytics sets the following cookies:

Name Purpose Expires
_utma Determines the number of unique visitors to the site 2 years
_utmb This works with _utmc to calculate the average length of time you spend on our site 30 minutes
_utmc This works with _utmb to calculate when you close your browser when you close your browser
_utmz This provides information about how you reached the site (eg from another website or a search engine) 6 months

Google has made a tool available if you wish to opt-out.

Name

Purpose

Expires

__hstc The main cookie for tracking visitors.

It contains the domain, utk, initial timestamp (first visit), last timestamp (last visit), current timestamp (this visit), and session number (increments for each subsequent session).

It expires in 6 months.

2 years
hubspotutk This cookie keeps track of a visitor’s identity. It is passed to HubSpot on form submission and used when deduplicating contacts.

It contains an opaque GUID to represent the current visitor.

It expires in 6 months.

30 minutes
__hssc This cookie keeps track of sessions.

This is used to determine if HubSpot should increment the session number and timestamps in the __hstc cookie.

It contains the domain, viewCount (increments each pageView in a session), and session start timestamp.

It expires in 30 minutes.

when you close your browser
__hssrc Whenever HubSpot changes the session cookie, this cookie is also set to determine if the visitor has restarted their browser.

If this cookie does not exist when HubSpot manages cookies, it is considered a new session.

It contains the value “1” when present.

It expires at the end of the session.

6 months

Further Information

By accessing theabbey.co.uk you agree to our use of cookies. If you do not wish to accept cookies, you may either stop using the site or delete and block all cookies from the site, but parts of the site may not work.


Fellows and Guild Visit Us

Visit Us

Open events

Seniors

We run open events throughout the year at Seniors and Sixth Form. During September, we hold larger events that include subject fairs and showcases. You will be escorted around the school by Abbey students, and be welcomed by the Head and Head Girls for their welcome in the Richards Hall.

Senior members of staff along with the admissions team will be on hand to answer any questions you may have, to ensure you understand as much about the school as possible.

For the rest of the academic year, we run open events during a normal school day – providing an authentic experience of life at The Abbey. This involves a tour of the school with students before meeting with members of the academic and admissions who will be happy to answer any questions you may have.

Visit Events page

Parents tell us that The Abbey has a unique atmosphere and energy which is best experienced once inside its gates. A warm welcome awaits through a range of formal and informal opportunities to visit us and discover what makes our School so special.

Juniors

We also run open events throughout the year for Little Knellies Nursery and the Junior School. Upon registering for Junior School open events (you can do this by going to the events page on the website), you will be allocated your own timeslot. Personalised tours around the campus by members of the Junior School Leadership Team include an opportunity to observe and participate in lessons, before meeting with the Head for a well-earned refreshment.

You will also have a chance to chat with the admissions team who will gladly assist you. There is also a FAQ section within the admissions section of the website to answer wider questions.

Visit Events page

Individual Tours

If you would rather visit the school outside of open events, please contact admissions@theabbey.co.uk and we would be more than happy to sort a suitable time.


Community

Community

Anyone whose life has been touched by The Abbey knows the concept of community is central to our ethos.

Perhaps a better way of thinking of it, is that we take a holistic approach to education, and one that ‘goes beyond’ in so many ways. The journey isn’t only about the child, and it doesn’t begin at nursery and end at university. Rather, the whole school community is involved – from teachers to support staff, to parents and extended family. In a similar way, each student carries The Abbey with her beyond Sixth Form and into a future of lifelong learning, adventure and success – in whatever form is meaningful to her.

There are many ways to get involved in life at The Abbey – whether through volunteering; participating in our wide programme of alumnae events and initiatives; helping us in vital redevelopment of our site through donation; or fundraising to ensure we can provide bursaries that widen access to a world-class education.

In whatever form it takes, we invite everyone to become an active member of our school community, and this section of our website introduces some of the ways you can help.