Windlesham House School Explained

Windlesham House School
Coordinates:	50.8899°N -0.4185°W
Motto:	In Deo Fidemus
Head:	Ben Evans
Address:	London Road Washington
Country:	England
Postcode:	RH20 4AY
Dfeno:	938/6028
Urn:	126113
Enrolment:	345
Lower Age:	4
Upper Age:	13
Houses:	Drake, Grenfell, Hunt, Raleigh, Scott, Bader
Colours:	Black and White

Windlesham House School is an independent boarding and day school for boys and girls aged 4 to 13 on the South Downs, in Pulborough, West Sussex, England.^[1] It was founded in 1837 by Charles Robert Malden and was the first boys' preparatory school in the United Kingdom.^[2] In 1967 it became the first IAPS co-educational school.^[3] The school moved to its current location in 1934. It caters for over 300 pupils. Children aged 4 to 7 are taught in the pre-prep.

From 2011 onward, the school has been inspected by the Independent Schools Inspectorate, who awarded it 'excellent' in its 2017 report.^{[4] [5]} The school received an 'outstanding' award in its Ofsted inspection in 2010.

School Facilities

In 2014 a new playground was opened by Lord Denman after the Parents Association raised money for its construction.^[6] Additionally, their work enabled them to donate £3,000 to Cystic Fibrosis, Cardiac Support, Sanchat Charitable Trust, Worthing Food Bank, Sussex Autistic Society and Canine Partners.^[6]

Curriculum

The school does not follow standardised tests.^[7] However, in the 2017 Independent Schools Inspectorate data from the school were seen to indicate that the majority of the students were working above the national average.^[7]

Uniform

The School does not have a uniform, but rather a dress code in place.^[8]

Headship

The headship of Windlesham remained within the Malden family for 157 years spanning five generations. From its founding in 1837 until 1994 each headmaster had been the son of his predecessor, with the exception of Grace Scott Malden, who succeeded her husband, and Charles Christopher Malden, whose elder brother, Roger, led the school while he completed his national service and degree.^[9]

• 1837–1855 Lieutenant Charles Robert Malden, RN
• 1855–1888 Major Henry Charles Malden
• 1888–1896 Charles Scott Malden
• 1896–1927 Grace Gilbert Scott Malden
• 1927–1953 Christopher Scott-Malden, as principal, with a subordinate headmaster^[10]
• 1953–1957 Lieutenant-Colonel Roger William Malden
• 1957–1994 Charles Christopher and Elizabeth Ann Malden, jointly
• 1994–1995 Ian and Margaret Angus, jointly
• 1995–1996 Stephen and Julie Goodhart, as acting heads, jointly
• 1996–2006 Philip Lough
• 2006–2007 Paul Forte, as acting headmaster
• 2007–2020 Richard Foster
• 2020– Ben Evans, formerly headmaster of Edge Grove School^[11]

Christopher Scott-Malden, who had expected to run the school in partnership with his more scholarly elder brother, Gilbert, structured his role as principal, appointing subordinate headmasters.^[12] Gilbert held the title of Head Master between 1914 and 1921, but in a subordinate role to his mother, Grace.

Both Grace Scott Malden and Elizabeth Ann Malden were known to the pupils as 'Mrs Charles', a tradition that stretches back to 1880 when Charles Scott Malden was styled as 'Mr. Charles' to distinguish him from his father, 'Mr. (Henry) Malden'.

Notable former pupils (ordered by date of birth)

Former pupils are traditionally known as Old Windleshamites, though the term 'OWLs' (Old Windlesham Leavers) has been used by the school in recent years.^[13]

• Lieutenant Colonel Charles Ichabod Wright (1828–1905), banker and Conservative politician
• Professor Reverend Walter Shirley (1828–1866), priest and historian
• William John Monson, 1st Viscount Oxenbridge, PC (1828–1900), Liberal politician and Captain of the Queen's bodyguard
• Major Henry Charles Malden (1829–1907), notable for his role in the standardisation of the laws of association football.^{[14] [15]} Windlesham's first pupil and second headmaster
• Debonnaire John Monson, 8th Baron Monson, KCVO (1830–1900), Sergeant-at-Arms to Queen Victoria
• Sir John Edward Dorington, 1st Bt., PC, DL (1832–1911), Conservative politician
• Gerald Vesey (1832–1915), Archdeacon of Huntington
• Ross Lowis Mangles, VC (1833–1905), first civilian recipient of the Victoria Cross^[16]
• Roden Noel (1834–1894), poet
• Ronald Leslie-Melville, 11th Earl of Leven, KT, PC, DL (1835–1906), Keeper of the Privy Seal of Scotland
• Saumarez Smith (1836–1909), Archbishop of Sydney
• Sir Frederick Albert Bosanquet, KC, JP (1837–1923), lawyer and Common Serjeant of London
• Sir William Hart Dyke, 7th Bt., PC, DL, JP (1837–1931), Conservative politician, 1862 World Rackets Champion and tennis pioneer
• Admiral Sir Robert More-Molyneux, GCB (1838–1904), Royal Navy officer and President of the Royal Naval College, Greenwich
• Sir Lepel Griffin, KCSI (1838–1908), writer and diplomat of the British Raj^[17]
• Sir Edmund Verney, 3rd Bt., FRGS, DL, JP (1838 - 1910), Royal Navy officer, author and Liberal politician
• Leveson Francis Vernon-Harcourt, MICE (1839–1907), civil engineer
• Henry Brudenell-Bruce, 5th Marquess of Ailesbury (1842 - 1911), soldier, businessman and Conservative politician
• Joseph Herbert Tritton (1844–1923), banker
• George Carnac Fisher (1844–1921), Bishop of Southampton
• Admiral Swinton Colthurst Holland (1844–1922), Royal Navy officer
• Hubert Thomas Knox, MRIA, FRSAI (1845–1921), Irish historian
• Sir Henry Bellingham, 4th Bt. (1846–1921), Conservative politician
• Sir Andrew Agnew, 9th Bt., JP (1850–1928), Liberal Unionist politician
• Herbert Lawford (1851–1925), Scottish tennis player, 1887 Wimbledon champion
• Major Edward Hay Mackenzie Elliot (1852–1920), soldier and England footballer^[18]
• Alexander Wallace Rimington, ARE, RBA, Hon. FSA (1853–1918), etcher, painter, illustrator and author
• St John Brodrick, 1st Earl of Midleton, KP, PC, DL (1856–1942), Conservative politician, Secretary of State for War during the Second Boer War
• Lieutenant General Sir William Pitcairn Campbell, KCB (1856–1933), British general during World War I and Aide-de-Camp to King Edward VII
• George Browne, 6th Marquess of Sligo (1856–1935), Irish peer and soldier
• Sir John Barlow, 1st Bt. (1857–1932), Liberal politician
• Percy Melmoth Walters (1863–1936), England football captain
• Arthur Melmoth Walters (1865–1941), England footballer
• Lieutenant General Sir Sydney Turing Barlow Lawford, KCB (1865–1953), British general and father of 'Rat Pack' actor Peter Lawford
• Arthur Browne, 8th Marquess of Sligo, KBE (1867–1951), Irish peer, soldier and Principal Assistant Secretary to the Imperial War Graves Commission
• Richard Heywood (1867–1955), Bishop of Mombasa
• Admiral of the Fleet Sir Osmond Brock, GCB, KCMG, KCVO (1869–1947), commander of HMS Princess Royal and the 1st Battlecruiser Squadron at the Battle of Jutland
• Lieutenant Colonel Sir Alexander Leith, 1st Bt., MC (1869–1956), British benefactor
• Rennie MacInnes (1870–1931), Bishop of Jerusalem
• Alnod Boger (1871–1940), first-class cricketer
• Arthur Dunbar Whatman (1873–1965), cricketer; civilian aide-de-camp to General RAP Clements during the Second Boer War
• Frederick Waldegrave Head, MC & Bar (1874–1941), twice-decorated Senior Chaplain to the Guards Division during World War I and Archbishop of Melbourne^[19]
• Ian Hannah (1874 - 1944), academic, writer and Conservative politician
• Arthur Baillie Lumsdaine Karney (1874–1963), first Bishop of Johannesburg, later Bishop of Southampton
• Harry Wrightson (1874 - 1919), Conservative politician, notable for dying before he could take his seat in Parliament
• Elliot James Dowell Colvin (1885–1950), Prime Minister of Jammu and Kashmir
• Guy Kindersley (1876–1956), Conservative politician
• J. I. Wedgwood (1883–1951), first Presiding Bishop of the Liberal Catholic Church
• Archibald Bentley Beauman (1888–1977), British Army officer
• Lionel Bostock, OBE, MC (1888–1962), first-class cricketer and British Army officer^[20]
• Sutton Vane (1888–1963), British playwright
• James Philip Mills (1890–1960), civil servant and ethnographer
• Claud Lovat Fraser (1890–1921), artist, designer and author
• Philip Sargant Florence (1890–1982), American economist
• Christopher Scott-Malden (1890–1956), first-class cricketer and Windlesham's fifth headmaster
• Hon. Freddie Calthorpe (1892–1935), first-class cricketer
• Lieutenant-Colonel Dick Rawlinson, OBE (1894–1984), intelligence officer in both world wars and peacetime film producer and screenwriter
• Major John Roland Abbey (1894 - 1969), prolific English book collector, High Sheriff of Sussex and British Army Officer
• Donald Howard Beves (1896–1961), academic^[21]
• Robert Grimston, 1st Baron Grimston of Westbury (1897–1979), Conservative politician
• Hilary Saint George Saunders (1898–1951), British Army officer, author and historian
• Major Sir Charles Buchanan, 4th Bt. (1899–1984), British Army officer and High Sheriff of Nottinghamshire
• Kenneth Gandar-Dower (1908–1944), sportsman, aviator, explorer and author^[22]
• Sir Michael Hordern, CBE (1911–1995), actor^[23]
• John Davies, MBE (1916–1979), Conservative politician and Director-General of the Confederation of British Industry. Father of Frank Davies (q.v., born 1946)^[24]
• Prince Emanuel Vladimirovich Galitzine (1918–2002), Spitfire pilot and member of the Russian royal family^[25]
• Chris Tyler (1938–2016), surfing entrepreneur^[26]
• James Hamilton-Paterson (born 1941), poet and novelist^[27]
• Frank Davies (born 1946), Anglo-Canadian record producer. Son of John Davies, MBE (q.v., born 1916)^[28]
• John Michie (born 1956), actor
• Duncan Goodhew, MBE (born 1957), swimming athlete and Olympic gold medalist^[29]
• Dr Martha Holmes (born 1961), BAFTA award-winning producer of wildlife documentaries
• Alexandra Hall Hall (born 1964), diplomat
• Andrew Palmer (born c.1964), three time BAFTA award-winning producer, director and cinematographer^[30]
• Lilibet Foster (born 1965), American director, producer and writer
• Andrew Page (born 1965), diplomat
• Professor Chris Whitty (born 1966), Chief Medical Officer to the UK Government
• Sophie Darlington (born 1966), BAFTA award-winning wildlife filmmaker and cinematographer^[31]
• Guy Ritchie (born 1968), film director, producer and screenwriter, married to Madonna 2000–2008
• Frances Osborne (born 1969), author, married to George Osborne 1998–2019^[32]
• Adam Buxton (born 1969), actor and comedian
• Natasha Ellis (born c.1970), poker player and author of The D'Evil Diaries series of books (as Tatum Flynn)
• Gabriel Weston (born 1970), surgeon, author and television presenter
• Polly Renton (1970–2010), documentary film-maker^[33]
• Tina Cook (born 1970), three-time Olympic medalist event rider and 2009 European Champion
• Noah Huntley (born 1974), actor^[34]
• Simon Wheeler (born 1975), TV screenwriter and producer, married to Hermione Norris
• Alex Chalk (born 1976), Conservative politician, Secretary of State for Justice and Lord Chancellor 2023–2024
• Tom Hiddleston (born 1981), actor
• Jacquetta Wheeler (born 1981), fashion model
• Christopher Wheeler (born 1982), headmaster of Monkton Combe School (2016) and Canford School (from September 2025)^[35]
• Tom Williams (born 1983), English rugby union player
• Georgia Hardinge (born 1984), fashion designer^[36]
• Ted Dwane (born 1984), musician, bass guitarist of Mumford & Sons
• Thom Evans (born 1985), Scottish international rugby union player
• Alfie Allen (born 1986), actor
• Lucy Griffiths (born 1986), actor
• Alan Pownall (born 1986), singer/songwriter, married to Gabriella Wilde (q.v., born 1989)
• Tamzin Merchant (born 1987), actress^[37]
• Gabriella Wilde (born 1989), actress and model, married to Alan Pownall (q.v., born 1986)^[38]

Further reading

• Book: Wilson, G. Herbert . History of Windlesham House School: 1837-1937 . London . McCorquodale & Co. . 1937 . 931128756.

External links

• Official Website

Notes and References

1. Web site: The Good Schools Guide: Windlesham House School. The Good Schools Guide. 7 September 2017.
2. Web site: Windlesham ages 10 to 15 - Summer School - St Bede's Day and Boarding School. St Bede's School. 29 April 2012. Windlesham House School, which was the first school in the country to be established as a preparatory school, was founded in 1837 and has occupied its current location since 1934..
3. Web site: Windlesham House School. Boarding Schools' Association. 7 September 2017.
4. Web site: Windlesham House School. Ofsted. 7 September 2017.
5. Web site: Windlesham House School. ISI: Independent Schools Inspectorate. 7 September 2017.
6. Web site: Thanks to parent fundraisers as new playground opens. County Times. 19 April 2017.
7. Web site: Windlesham House School. Independent Schools Inspectorate. 19 October 2017.
8. Book: The Independent Schools Guide. March 2006. Kogan Page Publishers. 395. 9780749445676.
9. Book: Scott-Malden, C. Peter. A Record of the Descendants of Charles Robert Malden in the Twentieth Century. 1998. 3rd. Tadworth.
10. Book: Wilson, G. Herbert. History of Windlesham House School 1837-1937. McCorquodale & Co. Ltd.. 1937. London.
11. Web site: 2019-07-22. Announcement of new Headmaster. 2019-08-25. OWLS. en.
12. Correspondence with Dr Tom Houston, economist, historian and former governor of Windlesham House School
13. Web site: Homepage. Windlesham Alumni. 13 February 2019.
14. Web site: Henry Charles MALDEN — Godalming Museum. www.godalmingmuseum.org.uk. 2018-12-18.
15. Web site: 6 Men Who Changed the Course of Football History. Dove. Ed. Bleacher Report. en. 2018-12-18.
16. Book: Malden, Henry C.. Muster Roll. Windlesham House, Brighton. A.D. 1837 to 1902. H. & C. Treacher. 1902. 2nd. Brighton.
17. Griffin, Sir Lepel Henry (1838–1908), administrator in India Oxford Dictionary of National Biography. 2004. en. 10.1093/ref:odnb/33576. 2018-12-18.
18. Reginald Courtenay Welch, The Harrow School Register, 1800-1911 (1894), p. 393
19. Percival Serle, "Head, Frederick Waldegrave" in Dictionary of Australian Biography (Sydney: Angus and Robertson, 1949)
20. Web site: Clifton RFC History Club Members 1872-1922 (B). www.cliftonrfchistory.co.uk. 2019-03-26.
21. 'Mr. D. H. Beves' (obituary) in The Times of London, issue 55127 dated 7 July 1961, p. 18
22. Book: Wilson, G. Herbert. Windlesham House School: History and Muster Roll 1837–1937. McCorquodale & Co. Ltd.. 1937. London.
23. News: Sir Michael Hordern. https://web.archive.org/web/20121114123152/http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/obituaries/culture-obituaries/tv-radio-obituaries/7589085/Sir-Michael-Hordern.html. dead. 14 November 2012. 4 May 1995. The Daily Telegraph. London.
24. Jason Tomes, 'John Emerson Harding Davies' in Oxford Dictionary of National Biography (Oxford University Press, 2004)
25. News: Prince Emanuel Galitzine. Daily Telegraph. 2003-01-09. 2019-01-28. en-GB. 0307-1235.
26. News: Chris Tyler. 21 December 2016. The Times.
27. https://www.theguardian.com/books/2004/jun/05/featuresreviews.guardianreview8 James Hamilton-Paterson profile
28. 'Francis William Harding Davies' in Canadian Who's Who, vol. XLI (University of Toronto Press, 2006)
29. Duncan Goodhew, Victoria Hislop, Fix Your Life - Now! (2003,), p. 12
30. Web site: 4 Aug 2024 . Andrew Palmer: Awards . 5 Aug 2024 . IMDB.
31. Web site: Sophie Darlington Cinematographer & Filmmaker Curriculum Vitae 2017. Darlington. Sophie. 2017. Natural History Network. 27 March 2020.
32. News: Ex-chancellor George Osborne to divorce. 2019-07-01. 2019-07-02. en-GB.
33. News: Polly Renton. 10 June 2010. The Times.
34. http://www.filmreference.com/film/96/Noah-Huntley.html Noah Huntley
35. Web site: 21 Jun 2024 . Announcement of new Headmaster . 5 Aug 2024 . Canford School.
36. Haines. Lee. Summer 2017. Weddings. The Hoot. 7.
37. News: Tamzin Merchant. Huffington Post . Tamzin . Merchant .
38. Web site: Gabriella Wilde (OWL'02) Appearing in Poldark. 2017-09-06. OWLS. en. 2019-03-09.