Homefield Preparatory School Explained

Homefield Preparatory School
Mottoes:	-->
Address:	Western Road
Postcode:	SM1 2TE
Country:	United Kingdom
Other Name:	HPS
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Founders:	-->
Closed:	2020-2021
Urn:	103015
Headmaster:	Mr A S Naismithhttps://www.homefield.sutton.sch.uk/about-homefield/heads-welcome
Age Range:	3–13
Enrolment:	331 (2019)^[1]
Capacity:	420
Accreditations:	-->
Affiliations:	-->

Homefield Preparatory School (or simply Homefield) is a 3–13 private boys preparatory day school in Sutton, Greater London, England established in 1870.

In the early years of its history, it was described as "A Preparatory School for the Sons of Gentlemen”^[2] and as giving “carefully graduated preparation for Public Schools and Royal Navy, either on the classical or on the modern side”.^[2]

Site development

As part of the 150th anniversary of the school in 2020, construction started on new developments for the school, including a new block of eight classrooms, a double level performance hall and dining room, new music and ICT facilities, a library hub and an all-weather sports pitch.

The £7 million project will have multiple eco-friendly features including solar panels, low-energy underfloor heating and a green roof. 10% more green space is expected to be gained.^[3]

Notable alumni

David Balcombe, English cricketer^[4]
Ben Barnes, actor^[5]
Nigel Burgess, businessman and single-handed yachtsman
Colin Cowdrey, ex England Cricket Captain^[6] ^[7] ^[8] ^[9] (after whom the Cowdrey Building is named)
Kenneth Mason, Himalayan explorer and first statutory Professor of Geography at Oxford University^[10]
John Rae, former headmaster of Westminster School^[11] (after whom the Rae Building is named)
Charlie Sharples, English rugby player
Graham Sutherland, a painter, an etcher and a designer (after whom the Sutherland Building is named)

Notes and References

Web site: Homefield Preparatory School . Get information about schools . GOV.UK . 6 June 2019 . en.
Web site: Homefield School Website . https://web.archive.org/web/20090101215941/http://www.homefield-school.co.uk/index.php?page=history . dead . 2009-01-01 . 2008-01-02 .
Web site: New Horizons.
Web site: Old Boys. 2021-08-11. Homefield Preparatory School.
Web site: Ben Barnes Video - Celebrity Interview and Paparazzi. 2 May 2012. Barnes was educated at two independent schools for boys: Homefield Preparatory School in Sutton in South West London and King's College.
http://content-usa.cricinfo.com/england/content/player/10846.html Cricinfo – Players and Officials – Colin Cowdrey
News: 'It was a gem of an innings' - Telegraph. Henderson. Michael. 31 March 2001. The Daily Telegraph. 2 May 2012. Some of the most famous cricketers, including Sir Garfield Sobers, Clive Lloyd, Ted Dexter, Ian Botham and David Gower, joined a congregation that featured representatives from Homefield preparatory school, Tonbridge, Oxford University and Kent CCC, where Cowdrey was captain for 15 years..
Web site: Wisden - Colin Cowdrey. Wisden. 2 May 2012. From the age of four Colin used to play with his father and one of the native servants at their home at Bangalore, but soon he was on his way to England, where from five and a half until thirteen he lived at Homefield Preparatory School at Sutton in Surrey. There, Cowdrey says he really learned cricket from the headmaster, Mr. C. Walford, whom he describes as a cricket fanatic. In the summer, Sunday was the only rest-day. Mr. Walford coached the boys four days a week and the other two were devoted to matches..
Web site: 2014-01-20. Colin Cowdrey — The life and career of England's most charming batsman. 2021-08-11. Cricket Country. en-US.
Book: Goudie, Andrew S. . Kenneth J. Mason 1887-1976 . 2015 . Geographers: Bibliographical Studies, Volume 18 . Bloomsbury Academic . 67–72 . 9781474226738.
Book: Murtagh, Andrew . 2017 . Gentleman & Player . It is a fact that John Rae, later a renowned headmaster of Westminster School in the 1970s, was a contemporary of Colin’s at Homefield. . eBook Partnership . 9781785313455.