Handcross Park School

Handcross Park School
Address
Map
London Road

Handcross, West Sussex
,
RH17 6HF

England
Coordinates51°3′43.61″N 0°11′48.36″W / 51.0621139°N 0.1967667°W / 51.0621139; -0.1967667
Information
TypePrivate preparatory
MottoBe Trewe
Religious affiliation(s)Anglican
Established1887
FounderRev. William Henry Webb
Head MasterJonnie Besley
StaffA. Costello (Pastoral Deputy Head)
E. Johnson (Deputy Head) R. Clark (Academic)
GenderCoeducational
Age2 to 13
HousesNormans, Britons, Saxons, Vikings
Colour(s)   Blue & gold
Websitewww.handcrossparkschool.co.uk

Handcross Park School is an independent co-educational preparatory school in Handcross, between Crawley, Horsham and Haywards Heath in West Sussex, England. The school provides private co-education from the Nursery aged 2, through Pre-Prep and into Prep until aged 13, with a mix of day pupils flexi, weekly and full boarders.

History

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The school traces its origins back to 1887, when it was known as Wykeham Hall, based in Hampshire. In 1918 Wykeham Hall was bought by the Fleet Air Arm who used it as part of their Officers' Mess, and the School move to the opposite side of the airfield into Seafield Park and moved the school to Lower Beeding a town near Horsham changing the name to Newells.

In 1968 following a major fire where one pupil died, the school relocated to Handcross and merged with Desmoor School from Ewhurst in Surrey. In 1974 the school changed its name to 'Handcross Park' which has stuck since.

Originally there were two headmasters, Captain Peter Hope-Lang and Mr Alan McNeile, until Hope-Lang's death in 1970. For a time the school was also known as Newells and Desmoor School.

In 2011 Handcross Park joined a 'family of schools' with Brighton College and St Christophers.

As of 2019, the School has 414 pupils. The Headmaster, Jonnie Besley, joined the school in 2023, taking over from Richard Brown, who became Head in 2016. A former headmaster, Graeme Owton has become Executive Head of the Brighton College Prep Schools.

In June 2011 a merger with Brighton College was announced.[1]

Badge

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The school continues use of the badge that was in use when the school was at Newells, Lower Beeding, and before then, at Seafield Park, Lee-on-Solent. It is a device comprising an heraldic style shield of gold on a blue background, over the motto, worded in Middle English, "Be Trewe".[2]

Grounds and Facilities

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The School is based in 52 Acres of parkland in rural West Sussex.

The school is a leading institution in Educational Resources such as interactive smartboards, and Google Chromebooks.

There is also an Art & Design Center, that includes a Gallery, Kiln, and Pottery Wheel.

For sport there is an all-weather pitch that accommodates Football, Hockey, Cricket, and PE. A large sports hall used for theater productions, an on-grass Athletics Track, a 6-Hole Golf course and multiple Tennis courts, The school also has an indoor swimming pool.

Further Education

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With 35% of Alumni graduating to Brighton College the remaining latter move on to other schools including:

Governors

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As of February 2024:

  • Chair of Governors - Miles Templeman
  • Safeguarding Governor - Adrian Ford
  • EYFS Governor - Wendy Challen
  • Finance Governor - Emma Dobson MA
  • Boarding Governor - Jane Hamblett-Jahn
  • Staff Governor - Shirley Harris BEd HONS
  • Education and Compliance - Jo-Anne Riley MA
  • Health and Safety Governor - Rishi Soni BSc, ACA, FCA
  • Governor - Lady Serena Soames MA Oxon, Wife of Lord Nicholas Soames

References

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  1. ^ "Handcross Park School to become part of Brighton College (From The Argus)". The Argus (Brighton). 30 June 2011. Retrieved 5 July 2011.
  2. ^ Middle English Dictionary, University of Michigan Press, Ann Arbor, USA 1997, p. 1053
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