EDUCATION
BY LISA DE SILVA
TEMPLE GROVE SCHOOL Even though Temple Grove School has closed its doors, it continues to be tied to education for the present and future generations. Lisa de Silva explores its fascinating history
For nearly two hundred years, Temple Grove School educated both the great and the good, becoming one of the oldest prep schools in England. Old boys include wartime airman Douglas Bader, cricket commentator Brian Johnstone, intrepid explorer Pen Hadow and zoo-keeper John Aspinall. Here we take a look at the school’s rich history, it’s relocation from London to Heron’s Ghyll and how the work of the Temple Grove Schools Trust continues to benefit local primary education today. Founded in 1810 by Dr William Pearson, Temple Grove School was initially housed in a Jacobean mansion in East Sheen, when it was still relatively rural. The school was named after a previous owner, the 17th century politician Sir William Temple, whose secretary was the author Johnathan Swift. Dr Pearson himself had been a schoolfellow of William Wordsworth and was a founder of the London Astronomical Society. Initially Temple Grove attracted the sons of the aristocracy, including those of the Duke of Wellington, but numbers rose steadily as the school intake expanded to include the sons of the merchant classes. By 1860, the roll call stood at around 120 boys, with the school reaching the peak of its success in the late 19th century, when Temple Grove was classed as one of the ‘Famous Five’ top English prep schools.
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Traditionally the upper classes sent their boys away to be made into men and life at the boarding school was harsh. Beatings were part and parcel of school life and throughout the winter months it was reported that, ‘in the dormitories, snow piled frequently upon the blankets and ice formed on the water jugs’.
In the late 19th century, Temple Grove was one of the ‘Famous Five’ top prep schools in the country
Harrock House
In 1907, as the suburbs began to encroach upon East Sheen, the decision was taken to move the school to Eastbourne. Yet the location eventually proved too costly and in 1935, Temple Grove moved to its final home in the hamlet of Heron’s Ghyll - a country house with around 40 acres, near Uckfield. The stable block was converted to provide a chapel and gymnasium, a swimming pool was built and over the years a programme of modernisation developed which included science laboratories, increased classroom and dormitory space, along with a theatre. However, by the early 1990s, the trend for full-time boarding was in decline and despite now admitting girls, it was clear that a new approach was necessary. So in 1991, the school’s trustees approached Jenny Lee, Headmistress of St Nicholas prep school based in Harrock House, Buxted. “We had a day school which was predominantly girls,” continued on page 64
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