Sandroyd School
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This preparatory school for children aged between 7 and 13 has its origins in Sandroyd House, home of the Re. L.H. Wellesley Wesley. From 1888 he was coaching the sons of his friends for Eton. On his marriage in 1895 the school was taken over by Messers Wilson and Hornby, who moved the school in purpose-built accommodation, set in 40 acres, at Cobham, Surrey. Among other facilities the school had a heated indoor swimming pool, squash courts, and a 9 hole golf course.
In 1939 the owner and headmaster, Mr H. ff Ozanne was looking for a safer location for the school in the south west of England in the event of war breaking out. On the advice of friends he looked at Rushmore House, formerly the home of the Pitt Rivers family, but then empty. On 28th March he signed a short term lease with the option of a long lease if war did break out. Preparations were made and in September 1939 ninety boys started the autumn term at Rushmore.
In 1955 Mr Ozanne retired and handed the school to an educational trust under a Board of Governors. In 1967 they were able to buy the school, some estate cottages, playing fields and paddocks for £25,000. Until 1995 the school only took boy boarders but in that year day boys were also admitted; in September 2004 the school was opened to girls. Old boys of the school include Sir Terence Rattigan, Lord Carrington, Timothy Sainsbury, and Lord Snowden.
In 1939 the owner and headmaster, Mr H. ff Ozanne was looking for a safer location for the school in the south west of England in the event of war breaking out. On the advice of friends he looked at Rushmore House, formerly the home of the Pitt Rivers family, but then empty. On 28th March he signed a short term lease with the option of a long lease if war did break out. Preparations were made and in September 1939 ninety boys started the autumn term at Rushmore.
In 1955 Mr Ozanne retired and handed the school to an educational trust under a Board of Governors. In 1967 they were able to buy the school, some estate cottages, playing fields and paddocks for £25,000. Until 1995 the school only took boy boarders but in that year day boys were also admitted; in September 2004 the school was opened to girls. Old boys of the school include Sir Terence Rattigan, Lord Carrington, Timothy Sainsbury, and Lord Snowden.
In 2004 a pre-prep school, the Walled garden, was opened by Sir Ranulph Fiennes, an old boy of the school, while in 2007 Zoe Wanamaker opened the Performing Arts Centre. 60% of the pupils are boarders and in 2012 there were 223 pupils at the school.