Cawston College

Last updated

Cawston College
Cawston College crest.jpg
Location
Cawston College
, ,
NR10 4JD

Coordinates 52°46′32″N1°12′24″E / 52.7755°N 1.2066°E / 52.7755; 1.2066
Information
Type Independent
MottoAnimo ac Fide (With spirit and faith)
Religious affiliation(s) Church of England
Established1964
FounderCanon Alfred Woodard
Closed1999
GenderMixed
Affiliations Woodard Schools and HMC

Cawston College (1964-1999) was an independent co-educational day and boarding school, situated in the village of Cawston Norfolk in the United Kingdom. It was a Woodard School.

Contents

History

Cawston Manor had been constructed by George Yeates builder on behalf of George Cawston, an English stockbroker, who settled in the area in 1897. The architect of the Manor House was Sir Ernest George well respected in his designs, who mentored the famous architect Edward Lutyens. George Cawston beguiled by the fact that the village had his name, bought land near the village of Cawston. He had one son Cecil Faulkner Cawston. Whose godfather was Cecil Rhodes, long time friend of George Cawston. Cecil Rhodes travelled on a number of occasions from Rhodesia to stay at the Manor House. When George Cawstons only son Cecil was killed in the Boer War in South Africa in 1901, the Cawstons were heart broken. In memory of their son, stained glass windows and brass plaque dedicated to their son can be found in one of the naves in Norwich Cathedral. In order for the construction of the new Manor House in 1897, builder George Yeates had to locate a good fresh water supply, this was located by water divining to the west of the Manor. Here a 90 ft beautifully designed water tower (Dutch style) by Sir Ernest George was constructed complete with internal 100 ft fresh water well. A cast iron pipe was laid from the new tower to the area of construction for the new Manor House, to supply fresh water for the construction and good potable water.

School

Elizabeth boarding house and main school building Cawston College.jpg
Elizabeth boarding house and main school building

Cawston College, one of the Woodard Schools, opened in 1964 at the former manor house of Cawston, Norfolk, with Mr. John Asquith as Headmaster. Two American students attended in the late 80s and are currently U.S. Marine pilots. It was an independent Christian College with its own Chapel for day and boarding boys and later included girls. It had a good reputation and accommodated dyslexic pupils.[ citation needed ]

Lake and boathouse Cawston College Lake.JPG
Lake and boathouse

In addition to its academic work, the school was keen to provide as broad a range of activities for its pupils as possible. There were ambitious annual hill-walking expeditions, including destinations in South America and India, an active Duke of Edinburgh Award scheme and most pupils were encouraged to join the Combined Cadet Force, all run by members of the school staff. The College grounds included woods, heathland and a lake with boat house (a total of about 135 acres), which aided the provision outdoor education and adventurous activity.[ citation needed ]

The senior school had two Houses, those of Woodard and School House; when Girls were eventually admitted to the college they were also assigned to one of these houses. Over the course of the school's history the houses remained fairly balanced in terms of sports, however Woodard won Sports Day for 7 consecutive years between 1987-1993.[ citation needed ]

The number of pupils over the years had fluctuated from 45 at the opening of the college to 145 then to 96 when it closed, 120 pupils were reportedly required for it to survive. The College closed in 1999 after a series of rescue bids were put forward, which were rejected by the school governors, much to the annoyance of parents and staff members.[ citation needed ]

10 July 1999 was the final day of the summer term and speech day when television journalist Kate Adie, who had a godson at the college was guest speaker. After the school closed there was an auction of its equipment, which was reported on in the local press. In one classroom a simple phrase had been left written on a board, "This was a good school," while in another a message had been left which told another widely felt opinion. A single word. "Betrayed."[ citation needed ]

Headmasters:-

Hospital

After closure the main school buildings were used by International Foundation of Inspiration, Spirituality and Healing (IFISH), [1] who used it for the study, promotion and practice of psychic science and spiritual healing until 2003.

The site then became the home of Cawston Park psychiatric hospital. [2] In November 2006 former Tory MP David Prior, non-executive chairman of Cawston Park was arrested among others by Norfolk Constabulary who were investigating allegiations of financial irregularities. [3] He was cleared of involvement in the alleged fraud on 15 February 2007 [4] The hospital closed in 2009 in the aftermath of the trial, along with its sister unit Kelling Park near Holt, after owners Chancellor Care went into administration. [5] In 2010 it was sold to the Jeesal Group for use as a specialist hospital providing treatment for adults with learning difficulties and problems including mental-health breakdowns.

Current use

The school's old water tower has been converted into a house by former pupil David (Ronnie) Forster. This conversion has been featured on Channel 5's Build a New Life in the Country. [6] [7] The conversion took 15 years to complete. The building is grade II listed with a miniature tower added to the main Tower. Views from the very top of the Tower show the east Anglian coastline and before the trees had grown, a view of Norwich Cathedral Spire.

Notable former pupils

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Wingrave</span> Human settlement in England

Wingrave is a village in Buckinghamshire, England, about four miles north east of Aylesbury and three miles south west of Wing.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Lancing College</span> Public school in Lancing near Worthing, West Sussex, England

Lancing College is a public school for pupils aged 13–18 in southern England, UK. The school is located in West Sussex, east of Worthing near the village of Lancing, on the south coast of England. Lancing was founded in 1848 by Nathaniel Woodard and educates c. 600 pupils between the ages of 13 and 18; the co-educational ratio is c. 60:40 boys to girls. Girls were admitted beginning in 1971. The first co-ed, Saints’ House, was established in September 2018, bringing the total number of Houses to 10. There are 5 male houses and 4 female houses.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">William Waynflete</span> 15th-century English bishop and educator

William Waynflete, born William Patten, was Headmaster of Winchester College (1429–1441), Provost of Eton College (1442–1447), Bishop of Winchester (1447–1486) and Lord Chancellor of England (1456–1460). He founded Magdalen College, Oxford, and three subsidiary schools, namely Magdalen College School in Oxford, Magdalen College School, Brackley in Northamptonshire and Wainfleet All Saints in Lincolnshire.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Pangbourne College</span> Public school in Berkshire, England

Pangbourne College is a co-educational private day and boarding school located in Pangbourne, Berkshire. It is set in 230 acres, on a hill south-west of the village, in an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Northleach</span> Market town in England

Northleach is a market town and former civil parish, now in parish Northleach with Eastington, in the Cotswold district, in Gloucestershire, England. The town is in the valley of the River Leach in the Cotswolds, about 10 miles (16 km) northeast of Cirencester and 11 miles (18 km) east-southeast of Cheltenham. The 2011 Census recorded the parish's population as 1,854, the same as Northleach built-up-area.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Bloxham School</span> Public school in Oxfordshire, England

Bloxham School, also called All Saints' School, is a private co-educational day and boarding school of the British public school tradition, located in the village of Bloxham, three miles (5 km) from the town of Banbury in Oxfordshire, England. The present school was founded in 1860 by Philip Reginald Egerton and has since become a member of the Woodard Corporation. The current headmaster is Paul Sanderson, who took over from Mark Allbrook in 2013. The school has approximately 515 pupils.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">The King's (The Cathedral) School</span> School in Peterborough, Cambridgeshire, England

Founded by King Henry VIII in 1541, The King's School is a state-funded Church of England Cathedral Chorister School located in Peterborough, England. It is the Chorister School for Peterborough Cathedral. Former pupils are known as Old Petriburgians.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">King's College, Taunton</span> Private day school in Taunton, Somerset, United Kingdom

King's College is a private co-educational secondary day school in Taunton, Somerset, England. A member school of the Woodard Corporation, it has approximately 450 pupils aged 13 to 18, including about 300 boarders. Its affiliated prep school is King's Hall School. The head of the school is currently Michael Sloan, who started his first academic year in the winter of 2022.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Worksop College</span> Public school in Nottinghamshire, England

Worksop College is a British co-educational private school for both boarding and day pupils aged 13 to 18, in Worksop. It sits at the northern edge of Sherwood Forest, in Nottinghamshire, England. Founded by Nathaniel Woodard in 1890, the school is a member of the Woodard Corporation and Headmasters' and Headmistresses' Conference, and has a strong Anglo-Catholic tradition.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Ardingly College</span> Public school in Ardingly near Haywards Heath, West Sussex, England

Ardingly College is a fee-charging boarding and day school in the English public school tradition located near Ardingly, West Sussex, England. The school is a member of the Headmasters' and Headmistresses' Conference and of the Woodard Corporation of independent schools and as such has a strong Anglo-Catholic tradition. It was originally a boarding school for boys, and became fully co-educational in 1982.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Denstone College</span> Public school in Staffordshire, England

Denstone College is a co-educational, private, boarding and day school in Denstone, Uttoxeter, Staffordshire, England. It is a Woodard School, having been founded by Nathaniel Woodard, and so Christian traditions are practised as part of College life. It is a member of the Headmasters' and Headmistresses' Conference.

Kent College, Canterbury is a co-educational private school for boarding and day pupils between the ages of 3 months and 18 years. It was founded in 1885, and is a member of the Headmasters' and Headmistresses' Conference. Originally established as a boys' public school, it admitted girls into the sixth form in 1973 and since 1975 it has been fully co-educational.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Ravenscroft School, Somerset</span> Preparatory/special school in England

Ravenscroft School was an independent day and boarding school, initially for boys only, but from 1964 co-educational. From 1945 onwards its premises were in Somerset, England. It closed in July 1996, when most staff and pupils transferred to the new Farleigh College.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Trent College</span> Public school in Derbyshire, England

Trent College is a co-educational private boarding and day school located in Long Eaton, Derbyshire, between Nottingham and Derby. Founded in 1868 as a local 'middle class alternative' to the more famous public schools, it is now a coeducational school and a member of the Headmasters' and Headmistresses' Conference.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Ernest George</span> English architect and painter (1839–1922)

Sir Ernest George was a British architect, landscape and architectural watercolourist, and etcher.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Cawston, Norfolk</span> Village and civil parish in England

Cawston is a village and civil parish in the Broadland district of Norfolk, England. The village is approximately 11 miles (18 km) north of Norwich on the B1145 road, a route which runs between King's Lynn and Mundesley. Nearby towns are Reepham and Aylsham.

Stafford Grammar School is a co-educational private day school at Burton Manor, located on the outskirts of Stafford, the county town of Staffordshire. Founded in 1982, the school inhabits a building built by the Victorian architect Augustus Pugin.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Hutchesons' Grammar School</span> Independent school in Glasgow, Scotland

Hutchesons' Grammar School is a private, co-educational day school for pupils aged 3–18 in Glasgow, Scotland. It was founded as Hutchesons' Boys' Grammar School by George Hutcheson and Thomas Hutcheson in 1641, making it the 19th oldest school in Scotland. Prospective pupils must sit an entrance test and interview to gain admission. As of 2024, the school has around 1,300 pupils across its Pre-school, Junior and Senior Schools and is governed by The Governors of Hutchesons' Educational Trust. Its current Rector is Michael Martin.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Cawston Road Mill, Aylsham</span> Tower mill in Norfolk, England

Cawston Road Mill is a tower mill at Aylsham, Norfolk, England, which has been truncated and converted for use as a holiday home.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Sompting Abbotts Preparatory School</span> Independent school in West Sussex, United Kingdom

Sompting Abbotts Preparatory School is a historic West Sussex independent school in Sompting, near Worthing and Steyning. It educates children of both sexes aged 2 to 13. The school sits in parkland of 30 acres, which includes woodland, chalk grassland slopes and a pond.

References

  1. "Leaflet including address of IFISH at Cawston" (PDF). Archived from the original (PDF) on 28 March 2012. Retrieved 1 August 2011.
  2. Cawston Park hospital Retrieved 26 August 2008
  3. News report Retrieved 26 August 2008 Archived 9 July 2007 at the Wayback Machine
  4. BBC news report Retrieved 26 August 2008
  5. Eastern Daily Press news report Retrieved 18 March 2010
  6. The Victorian Water Tower Archived 13 May 2009 at the Wayback Machine
  7. Build a new life in the country

Further reading