About Our School

On this page, you can learn about our school's history, goals, and community, as well as the educational philosophy that guides our children's learning. We introduce our teachers, our programs, and everything that makes the Woking Hungarian School unique.

Our Mission

Our school's mission is to impart the Hungarian language and cultural values to children in an engaging and supportive environment. We aim to strengthen Hungarian identity and the sense of belonging, while providing a solid foundation for bilingualism.

Our Vision

Our school envisions becoming a respected and cohesive Hungarian community where language learning is a joyful experience and a natural part of daily life. Our long-term goal is to serve as a reliable hub for Hungarian families in and around Woking, supporting the preservation of the Hungarian language and culture.

Our Values

Our school's core values include respect, collaboration, and openness toward one another, which guide our daily operations. We prioritize the nurturing of the Hungarian language and culture, while building a supportive and safe community for children and their families.

"I will not let my parents' language fade away in my children's voice."

It was this commitment that brought us together – parents who believe that the Hungarian language and culture can remain a living legacy here in England. The Woking Hungarian School was founded so that our children do not just hear their mother tongue, but feel it, love it, and use it.

Our School Team

Our school team consists of dedicated teachers and support staff who work together to ensure that children can learn in a loving and supportive environment.

Our School's History

Our school was established in September 2014 through the collaboration of Hungarian families living in and around Woking, with the aim of providing children with opportunities to preserve and pass on the Hungarian language and culture. Over the years, we have grown into a supportive and cohesive community where learning is experience-based, and the celebration of traditions and community experiences play a central role.

Hungarian School Woking – Early History

Click on any event for details

Antecedents & founding

Nov 2008

Founding The first meeting ▼

At a playground in Guildford, Krisztina Koch and Dorthea West meet. The two mothers develop a plan for a Hungarian community in England and soon establish the Magyar Tanoda és Játszóház organization in Guildford.

Apr 2009

Founding First open workshop ▼

They launch the first free trial session as part of the Guildford community. It is a great success, revealing a genuine demand for weekend Hungarian education.

2010

Founding Opening the Hungarian Club Wokingk ▼

Krisztina and Dorotea leave the Guildford team to establish an independent community in Woking. The club launches in Knaphill, operating out of a small community center with two rooms. The goal is not to create a school, but rather a friendly, playful club for learning about Hungarian culture.

Club years - growing

2011

Club Moving to the city center ▼

Due to growing membership, the club moves to the Woking United Reformed Church Hall in the city center. Its accessibility by train means families now travel from London to attend. The new, larger space allows for age-grouped classes and the introduction of folk dance instruction.

Febr 2012

Club Founding MOKKA ▼

At the initiative of Dorotea West, five Hungarian schools in England join forces. They hold an inaugural meeting with the goal of having the Hungarian language recognized as a GCSE examination subject in the United Kingdom. The Woking school provides the momentum to launch the Magyar Oktatók Köre (MOKKA).

Jun 2012

Milestone Scouting is reborn in England ▼

Scout leader Márta Ágnes Fángli takes on the challenge of restarting Hungarian Scouting in England, a movement that had been dormant since the 1980s. This leads to the formation of the 50th Kossuth Lajos Scout Troop in Woking. It is a historic moment: the first reorganized Hungarian scout troop in England since the 1956 wave of emigration.

2012 summer

Club Postcard Contest – 100 submissions received ▼

For the summer, the children participate in a postcard drawing contest. Nearly 100 postcards are submitted, demonstrating the community's genuine commitment. An exhibition featuring these works is held in September.

The School Years (2013–2016)

Sept 2013

School Hungarian School opens ▼

School leader Éva Kozma joins the team, commuting from Birmingham every other Saturday. Professional instruction launches, ranging from toddler activities and drama clubs to classes for older children. Sessions run from 14 to 17 on alternate weeks at the United Reformed Church Hall.

Sept 2014

School Transformation into a full school ▼

The organization continues to operate as a full-fledged school under the name Magyar Iskola Woking (HSW). It now boasts its own library, folk dance instruction (led by Csillagszeműek Anglia), parent discussion groups, and English language courses. Every group is fully enrolled.

May 2015

Event First Entrepreneurial May Day Fair ▼

Organized by Anikó Szép, the first Entrepreneurial May Day Fair creates a platform for local Hungarian entrepreneurs. The event features storyteller Etelka Olasz and the Folktone Band's Moldavian dance house. The event is so successful that Anikó Szép repeats it in other cities across England.

Nov 2015

Award "For the Hungarian Culture in Great Britain" award ▼

The Balassi Institute (now the Liszt Ferenc Institute) honors the work of the school's entire community. Éva Kozma, Dorotea West, and Krisztina Koch accept the award during an Advent concert in London. They donate the entire £1,000 prize money to cover the venue rental for the following year.

2016–17

School Staff handover ▼

The founders enter a new phase of life: Éva Kozma moves back to Hungary, Dorotea West emigrates to Australia, and Krisztina Koch's children have outgrown the school. The school is now handed over to Melinda Gulyás and her team.

New chapter

2017–

Now Melinda Gulyás takes over the leadership ▼

The Hungarian School in Woking continues to thrive and evolve under the leadership of Melinda Gulyás and Márton Hipszki. The founders proudly watch from afar as the seed they planted in 2010 has grown into a flourishing tree.