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The school began in 1878 as Dame School in Kent, run by Misses Mitchell at 23 Belmont Road Blackheath. Even at this early stage, scholarships were won to prestigious schools such as King’s School Canterbury. A number of former pupils went on to win awards at Oxford and Cambridge and distinguish themselves in the services especially the Navy. In 1896, it became a Private School under Mr. A.M. Kilby, who chose the name ‘ Lindisfarne’ after the island which was a centre of the Dark Ages learning. There were about 50 boys in the school, mainly boarders, and in the years preceding the move to Worcestershire, 80 scholarships were won.
The school was moved to Abberley in 1916, largely owing to the dangers of Zeppelin raids on London. Forty boys arrived at Abberley Hall, which was purchased with all furniture and fittings, for £10,000. In 1921, Gilbert Ashton – a former pupil of Lindisfarne – joined the school taking over as headmaster and subsequently purchasing the property. He recruited Leonard Greenwood and Michael Carr and this triumvirate presided over an increasingly large and successful school, itself re-named Abberley Hall. An early scholarship to Winchester enhanced the school’s reputation and soon there were over 70 boarders. |
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Gilbert Ashton
Gilbert Ashton – who never took a salary and made the school over to a charitable trust – was headmaster for forty years. He converted the Stable Block, including the area which houses the lovely Chapel, and inspired the highest standards in work and games, establishing a close contact with Winchester College, to which frequent awards were won. He led the school through the difficulties of the 1930’s and the years of the second World War, admirably supported by his wife, Joan, who with no training, cooked for the entire school during the war. Gilbert continued to serve as a Governor for twenty years after his retirement. |
| Ronnie Yates
His successor for the period 1961-74 was Ronnie Yates, a former housemaster at the Dragon School, Oxford. The school he took over was highly efficient, but traditional; his was a liberalising regime. Academic success continued, but games were reduced to a less dominant role while activities such as Art and Science blossomed. He increased the numbers to over 150 |
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Michael Haggard
In 1974, Michael Haggard was appointed headmaster, with impressive credentials; he was a former pupil of the school, an old Wykehamist, and he had taught at Abberley in the 1960’s. He inherited a school which had fallen behind in terms of facilities but, following more than 20 years’ successful reign, represented one which was more impressively equipped, particularly in Music and Design Technology than many public schools, and had its own junior department. |
| John Walker
The arrival of John Walker in 1996 coincided with a difficult period for prep schools, during which time numbers had fallen. With great energy and initiative, he and Janie have made significant changes, including the introduction of girls. The school is now flourishing with considerable academic success and notable achievements in sport and the arts. |
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