Imagine tiny scholars exploring a forest. That is a glimpse of Ripley Court School.
Ripley Court School is a co-educational nursery and prep school. It serves children aged 3-11. The school sits within 19 acres of Surrey countryside. It offers extensive playing fields for its students.
Let’s step back in time. In 1886, Durston House was founded in Ealing. The founders were Mr Ben Pearce and his brother Mr Robert Pearce. Both men were Trinity College, Dublin graduates. They wanted to become schoolmasters.
Robert Pearce married Miss Mable Perks. In 1893, they purchased Ripley Court. They moved to Ripley to start a boarding school. There had been a house on the site since at least 1568. The main building dates from the 17th century. It is a grade 2 listed building.
Mr G Onslow married Angela, the Pearce’s daughter, in 1916. He joined the school staff as Assistant Headmaster in 1922. By this time, Mrs Pearce ran the School. Mr Pearce had died in a cycling accident in 1917.
During the Second World War, the School relocated. It moved to Betton Strange Hall, near Shrewsbury. Ripley Court became a Maternity Hospital. It helped with overflow from the Westminster Hospital. Mrs Pearce passed away in 1941. She never returned to Ripley Court. In 1946, Mr and Mrs Onslow took the pupils back to Ripley Court. They stayed in charge until Mr Onslow’s death in 1952.
In 1953, Mr Ashmore bought the School. He remained Headmaster until 1956. In 1956, Mr and Mrs W M Newte purchased the School. Mr Newte became Headmaster. He started the task of modernizing it into a Preparatory School. He increased the number of boy boarders and day pupils. He elevated the school’s reputation. New buildings were added. These include the Barrington and Newte blocks. The School became a Charitable Trust in 1968.
Mr Newte retired in 1978. His deputy Mr Neville Dudgeon became Headmaster. Day girls were admitted from 1977. More girls came from 1979. Boarding ceased in 1998. During Mr Dudgeon’s tenure, a new Sports Hall was built. Changing rooms were added later. In 2001, Mr Dudgeon retired. Mr Andrew Gough replaced him. The swimming pool was refurbished during his time. The Orchard Block was replaced. The Holloway Hall was built. Also, the school became fully coeducational. There were equal numbers of boys and girls up to Year 6. Andrew Gough retired in 2019. Gavin Ryan, his deputy, succeeded him. He was acting Headmaster during the merger with Reed’s senior school. Upon completion of the merger, Mr Mark Hoskins became the executive Headmaster of both schools.
Ripley Court School celebrated its 125th anniversary in 2018. It merged with Reed’s School in 2019. This merger marked an exciting moment in the school’s development.
Today, Ripley Court offers a range of facilities. These include an indoor swimming pool, theatre, and food tech room. They provide strong pastoral care. They also have small year groups. Specialist teaching is offered from Nursery through Year 6. Pupils can access a wide range of opportunities. These are available through their curriculum. They also come from the partnership with Reed’s. Extra-curricular clubs are also available.
Ripley Court School provides a strong educational foundation. It helps pupils succeed at Senior School and beyond. There is a wealth of opportunity for every pupil. They can stretch themselves in formal classroom situations. They can also do so in extra-curricular activities.
Ripley Court School is more than just a school. It’s a place where children grow. They learn and thrive in a supportive environment. Its history is rich. Its future is bright.