The Webster School was already an established enterprise in Chester having been run by Broom’s father, Edgar, since 1833.

Betty Hassall, an early student of Hammond, took over the running of the school in 1946 in partnership with Madeline Chambers.

At that time, eight hundred children were enrolled at the school and attending weekly classes across Cheshire and Shropshire.

Today, The Hammond comprises a secondary school, sixth form and university for pupils aged 11years+, which offers specialist vocational training in Dance, Drama and Music.

[1][2][3][4] In 2018 The Hammond was listed by The Stage as one of "Seven drama schools where academic achievement is also top class".