Lanesborough School
Encyclopedia
Lanesborough School is an independent, preparatory school in Guildford
, Surrey
. The school was established in 1930 and acts as the choir school for Guildford Cathedral
. It has been the preparatory school for the Royal Grammar School
since 1978.
Lanesborough’s connection with the Cathedral dates right back to 1957. Before it had even been consecrated, a forward looking provost, Walter Boulton decided to plan ahead and recruit some boy choristers from Lanesborough. In 1983 Lanesborough joined the Choir School’s Association.
The next watershed in the school’s history took place during 1978 when Lanesborough became ‘the preparatory school’ of the Royal Grammar School. This was at a time when the Royal Grammar School was becoming independent of state control, and were worried that their usual intake from state primary schools would dry up once it became fee-paying. Academic standards were pushed higher with this liaison. However, unlike the majority of schools which has a junior and senior section, no guarantees are given for transfer, which a number of parents are unaware of when putting their child down at Lanesborough. The school shared the same board of governors but was given a great deal of self determination. Rising pupil numbers necessitated more space and further modernisation. In 1992 a new purpose built classroom block and gym was opened by Bernard Wetherill, the Speaker of the House of Commons, whose sons had attended the school. The latest acquisition, Markham House, was opened in 2000 it provided yet more purpose built rooms and a new Astroturf.
The most famous "Old Boy" is Flight Lieutenant John Vere Hopgood DFC (1921-1943) a pilot during the war who died in the first wave of the Dambusters' raid into Germany. Guy Gibson, the commanding officer stated that in his opinion, "Hoppy" Hopgood, his second in command, was the best pilot in the squadron.
Headteacher Clare Turnbull is a member of the Independent Association of Prep Schools which is the professional association for Heads and Deputy Heads of the leading 600 independent prep schools in the UK and worldwide. Lanesborough is also a member of the Choir Schools’ Association.
Guildford
Guildford is the county town of Surrey. England, as well as the seat for the borough of Guildford and the administrative headquarters of the South East England region...
, Surrey
Surrey
Surrey is a county in the South East of England and is one of the Home Counties. The county borders Greater London, Kent, East Sussex, West Sussex, Hampshire and Berkshire. The historic county town is Guildford. Surrey County Council sits at Kingston upon Thames, although this has been part of...
. The school was established in 1930 and acts as the choir school for Guildford Cathedral
Guildford Cathedral
The Cathedral Church of the Holy Spirit, Guildford is the Anglican cathedral at Guildford, Surrey, England.-Construction:Guildford was made a diocese in its own right in 1927, and work on its new cathedral, designed by Sir Edward Maufe, began nine years later, with the foundation stone being laid...
. It has been the preparatory school for the Royal Grammar School
Royal Grammar School, Guildford
The Royal Grammar School is a selective English independent day school for boys in Guildford, Surrey. The school dates its founding to the death of Robert Beckingham in 1509 who left provision in his will to 'make a free scole at the Towne of Guldford'; in 1512 a governing body was set up to form...
since 1978.
History
Lanesborough was founded in 1930 by Mr A. E. J. Inglis and Mr W. H. B. Walker. Both were former assistant masters at Dulwich College. An initial advertisement stated ‘Boys will be prepared for Public School and the Royal Navy.’ There were only 19 pupils but, by the end of the year, numbers had risen to 55 boys. By 1935 there were 90 boys including a dozen or so boarders. The school continued to function during the war, and in 1949, Mr Stuart Swayne who had been serving in the armed forces returned to become joint headmaster. When Mr Inglis retired in 1953, Mr Swayne took over. Expansion continued in 1957 when the pre-prep department took occupancy of Braganza, a house in Aldersey Road. In 1964 another property in Aldersey Road called Kitano, became the Head’s house. Its grounds were donated as extra school playing fields. The grounds became their present size when they were further extended by the acquisition of gardens of Markham House in 1970.Lanesborough’s connection with the Cathedral dates right back to 1957. Before it had even been consecrated, a forward looking provost, Walter Boulton decided to plan ahead and recruit some boy choristers from Lanesborough. In 1983 Lanesborough joined the Choir School’s Association.
The next watershed in the school’s history took place during 1978 when Lanesborough became ‘the preparatory school’ of the Royal Grammar School. This was at a time when the Royal Grammar School was becoming independent of state control, and were worried that their usual intake from state primary schools would dry up once it became fee-paying. Academic standards were pushed higher with this liaison. However, unlike the majority of schools which has a junior and senior section, no guarantees are given for transfer, which a number of parents are unaware of when putting their child down at Lanesborough. The school shared the same board of governors but was given a great deal of self determination. Rising pupil numbers necessitated more space and further modernisation. In 1992 a new purpose built classroom block and gym was opened by Bernard Wetherill, the Speaker of the House of Commons, whose sons had attended the school. The latest acquisition, Markham House, was opened in 2000 it provided yet more purpose built rooms and a new Astroturf.
The most famous "Old Boy" is Flight Lieutenant John Vere Hopgood DFC (1921-1943) a pilot during the war who died in the first wave of the Dambusters' raid into Germany. Guy Gibson, the commanding officer stated that in his opinion, "Hoppy" Hopgood, his second in command, was the best pilot in the squadron.
Headteacher Clare Turnbull is a member of the Independent Association of Prep Schools which is the professional association for Heads and Deputy Heads of the leading 600 independent prep schools in the UK and worldwide. Lanesborough is also a member of the Choir Schools’ Association.