Homefield Preparatory School
Homefield Preparatory School (HPS, or simply Homefield) is a 3–13 boys, Christian, independent preparatory day school in Sutton, Greater London, England. It was established in 1870.
| Homefield Preparatory School | |
|---|---|
| Address | |
Western Road , , SM1 2TE England | |
| Coordinates | 51°21′45″N 0°12′10″W |
| Information | |
| Other name | HPS |
| Type | Independent preparatory day school |
| Religious affiliation(s) | Christian |
| Established | 1870 |
| Local authority | Sutton London Borough Council |
| Department for Education URN | 103015 Tables |
| Headmaster | John Towers[1] |
| Gender | Boys |
| Age range | 3–13 |
| Enrolment | 331 (2019)[2] |
| Capacity | 420[2] |
| Houses |
|
| Website | www |
In the early years of its history, it was described as "A Preparatory School for the Sons of Gentlemen”[3] and as giving “carefully graduated preparation for Public Schools and Royal Navy, either on the classical or on the modern side”.[3]
House system
The school has a house system consisting of four 'Houses', which are named after former headmasters with the exception of Ellis which is named for Mr. J 'Bert' Ellis who assisted with the move to the current site in the 1960s. Ellis was introduced to the school by one of the Governors, Frank Williamson, who saved the situation by lending money to the school on most generous terms. They each have a colour representing them.
- Bomfords (yellow)
- Ellis (blue)
- Grays (green)
- Walfords (red)
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 (hoped to be completed by October 2020), a double level performance hall and dining room, new music and ICT facilities, a library hub and an all-weather sports pitch, all of which is aimed to be completed by late Summer 2021.
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. [4]
Notable alumni
- Ben Barnes, actor[5]
- Nigel Burgess, businessman and single-handed yachtsman
- Colin Cowdrey, ex England Cricket Captain[6][7][8] (after whom the Cowdrey Building is named)
- Bob Danvers-Walker, British radio and newsreel announcer
- John Rae, former headmaster of Westminster School (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)
- Julian Worricker, BBC Radio journalist
References
- "Head's Welcome". Homefield Preparatory School. Retrieved 6 June 2019.
- "Homefield Preparatory School". Get information about schools. GOV.UK. Retrieved 6 June 2019.
- "Homefield School Website". Archived from the original on 2009-01-01. Retrieved 2008-01-02.
- https://www.homefield.sutton.sch.uk/about-homefield/school-development
- "Ben Barnes Video - Celebrity Interview and Paparazzi". Retrieved 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
- Cricinfo - Players and Officials - Colin Cowdrey
- Henderson, Michael (31 March 2001). "'It was a gem of an innings' - Telegraph". The Daily Telegraph. Retrieved 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.
- "Wisden - Colin Cowdrey". Wisden. Retrieved 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.