Great Walstead School was founded in 1925 at Enfield by Mr R J Mowll who always had the vision of a Christian school, set in the country where children could develop academically, creatively, physically and spiritually.
As London grew Mr Mowll realised that he needed to move his school further into the countryside and in 1927 he bought the site (260 acres plus) that the school still owns and occupies and moved here with his 11 boy boarders! From these small beginnings has emerged the school as it is today – one of the largest co-educational prep schools in Sussex.
During the Second World War the school became pretty much self-sufficient with student power used to build and produce food as necessary!
One of the next milestones in the life of Great Walstead was the introduction of girls in 1987 – Great Walstead recently celebrated 30 years of co-education with a grand Pink Ball. And entry to the school has become younger with the addition of the Pre-Prep in 1985 and then the Nursery in 1992.
As families' lives have become ever more complicated and rushed the school has responded by establishing a very flexible way of working that allows for:
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Occasional, day and weekly boarding.
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Wrap-around care from breakfast through to 6.00pm for even the youngest at the school.
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Holiday care in our “Keep”.
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A whole range of after school activities that mean parents do not have to ferry between leisure centres or other clubs and classes after school.
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No school or compulsory activities on Saturdays.
Now as the School turns 85 would Mr Mowll recognise his creation? Of course, the size and scope of the facilities is hugely different but the ethos remains the same: a place where children are valued, enjoy their time at school and reach their full potential.