History

1844 - Rev Robert Whiston (the school's longest-serving Headmaster) bought "The Old Palace" at Bishops Court.  This was his residence but also had a dormitory for pupils. 

1880 - School House is built to house boarders and the new Headmaster.

1925 - St. Margaret's House is purchased as accommodation for the Headmaster of the Junior School and junior boarders.

1928 - Open air pool opened on the grounds of School House.

WWII - School House was commandeered for use by the WRNS while the boarders were evacuated to Scotney Castle (and other places).  The pool was used as an emergency water supply.

1947 - Roles of Headmaster and Housemaster separate and the Housemaster takes over in each boarding house.

1978 - St. Margaret's becomes Girls Boarding

1997 - Indoor swimming pool was built in St. Margaret's Garden to replace the open-air pool.

2005 - St. Margaret's House is refurbished and extended.

2006 - The Conference Centre opens as a dining centre for boarders as well as Prep. and Pre-Prep. schools.

Over time boarders have been based in other buildings i.e. St Nicholas House, Rookwood and Oriel House

St. Margaret's House is a beautiful, late 18th-century house purchased in 1925 as a boarding house for the Junior School, for a period of time it also housed the Junior School dining room.   The Headmaster of the Junior School and his wife ran the boarding for many years until the roles split.

The house underwent substantial refurbishment in 2005, including the addition of 12 en-suite bedrooms.  These rooms are often used as our 6th-form rooms.

Now, the house continues to feel like a home with some original features still hiding in plain sight but can house up to 24 girls as well as 2 separate staff apartments.