Copthorne Prep School
Encyclopedia
Copthorne Preparatory School is situated near Crawley
in West Sussex
, for pupils aged between 2 and 13. It consists of a nursery for infants from 2½. A junior department is for children under the age of eight (reception to yr 2). Older pupils (ages 8 – 13) work in the two prep school buildings, the 'New Block' which is the main teaching building. The main building, or 'The Old Block', half of which consists of staff flats and boarding rooms, the other half contains facilities for acting, musical activities and the dining room as well as more classrooms.
, the school designed as a place to prepare boys for Winchester. Rendall's brother-in-law was Dr Edward Wilson, who was one of the men who died in 1913, at the South Pole
, whilst on Captain Scott's expedition. A stained glass window was put in the school Chapel remembering this event. Dr Wilson had used the school in preparation for his trip, and the boys had donated funds to provide huskies.
The school motto, Pervincet Vivida Virtus (Lively manliness conquers all) may be inspired by the lines of the Swiss
writer Henricus Loritus Glareanus (1488–1563), in his poem Ad Erasmum Roterodamum -
In 1928, Edward Skeete Workman took over the running of the school in partnership with J.P. Howard. Tim Workman took over as Headmaster in 1952 on the death of his father, and was later joined as joint Headmaster by David Sale. Then Sale was joint Headmaster with David Cann and then with David Newton. Sale died in 1984, David Newton was the sole Headmaster until his retirement in 1999, then was followed by Charles Allen who was Headmaster for six years. The present Headmaster, Chris Jones, started at the school in September 2005.
During World War II
, the school was evacuated to the Lee Bay Hotel in Ilfracombe
. The school building was requisitioned for use by Army (the Buffs
had it for six weeks) and then by the RAF. In 1976 the school was formed into a charitable trust, and in 1980 girls were admitted for the first time. The Pre-Prep was started in the late 1970s, and the Coach House Nursery was opened in 1997. The school is now predominantly a day school, although some children board weekly and others flexi-board.
Crawley
Crawley is a town and local government district with Borough status in West Sussex, England. It is south of Charing Cross, north of Brighton and Hove, and northeast of the county town of Chichester, covers an area of and had a population of 99,744 at the time of the 2001 Census.The area has...
in West Sussex
West Sussex
West Sussex is a county in the south of England, bordering onto East Sussex , Hampshire and Surrey. The county of Sussex has been divided into East and West since the 12th century, and obtained separate county councils in 1888, but it remained a single ceremonial county until 1974 and the coming...
, for pupils aged between 2 and 13. It consists of a nursery for infants from 2½. A junior department is for children under the age of eight (reception to yr 2). Older pupils (ages 8 – 13) work in the two prep school buildings, the 'New Block' which is the main teaching building. The main building, or 'The Old Block', half of which consists of staff flats and boarding rooms, the other half contains facilities for acting, musical activities and the dining room as well as more classrooms.
History
Copthorne Preparatory School was first built as a private home called Emsworth House, and was owned by the Kensington Family. It first became a small girls' school in 1900 for a short time, and was then taken over by Bernard Rendall in 1902 as a boys' school, brother of the then Headmaster of Winchester CollegeWinchester College
Winchester College is an independent school for boys in the British public school tradition, situated in Winchester, Hampshire, the former capital of England. It has existed in its present location for over 600 years and claims the longest unbroken history of any school in England...
, the school designed as a place to prepare boys for Winchester. Rendall's brother-in-law was Dr Edward Wilson, who was one of the men who died in 1913, at the South Pole
South Pole
The South Pole, also known as the Geographic South Pole or Terrestrial South Pole, is one of the two points where the Earth's axis of rotation intersects its surface. It is the southernmost point on the surface of the Earth and lies on the opposite side of the Earth from the North Pole...
, whilst on Captain Scott's expedition. A stained glass window was put in the school Chapel remembering this event. Dr Wilson had used the school in preparation for his trip, and the boys had donated funds to provide huskies.
The school motto, Pervincet Vivida Virtus (Lively manliness conquers all) may be inspired by the lines of the Swiss
Switzerland
Switzerland name of one of the Swiss cantons. ; ; ; or ), in its full name the Swiss Confederation , is a federal republic consisting of 26 cantons, with Bern as the seat of the federal authorities. The country is situated in Western Europe,Or Central Europe depending on the definition....
writer Henricus Loritus Glareanus (1488–1563), in his poem Ad Erasmum Roterodamum -
- At longe tua me probitas, tua vivida virtus
- Vincit, et est versu non bene picta meo.
In 1928, Edward Skeete Workman took over the running of the school in partnership with J.P. Howard. Tim Workman took over as Headmaster in 1952 on the death of his father, and was later joined as joint Headmaster by David Sale. Then Sale was joint Headmaster with David Cann and then with David Newton. Sale died in 1984, David Newton was the sole Headmaster until his retirement in 1999, then was followed by Charles Allen who was Headmaster for six years. The present Headmaster, Chris Jones, started at the school in September 2005.
During World War II
World War II
World War II, or the Second World War , was a global conflict lasting from 1939 to 1945, involving most of the world's nations—including all of the great powers—eventually forming two opposing military alliances: the Allies and the Axis...
, the school was evacuated to the Lee Bay Hotel in Ilfracombe
Ilfracombe
Ilfracombe is a seaside resort and civil parish on the North Devon coast, England with a small harbour, surrounded by cliffs.The parish stretches along the coast from 'The Coastguard Cottages' in Hele Bay toward the east and 4 miles along The Torrs to Lee Bay toward the west...
. The school building was requisitioned for use by Army (the Buffs
Buffs
Buffs may refer to:* Buffs , a British army unit* Royal Antediluvian Order of Buffaloes, a fraternal organization* Buffs, a company in The Queen's Own Rifles of Canada...
had it for six weeks) and then by the RAF. In 1976 the school was formed into a charitable trust, and in 1980 girls were admitted for the first time. The Pre-Prep was started in the late 1970s, and the Coach House Nursery was opened in 1997. The school is now predominantly a day school, although some children board weekly and others flexi-board.
Location
Copthorne preparatory school is situated in 55 acres (222,577.3 m²) of the playing field and woodland .Notable Copthorne Alumni
- Derek AbbottDerek AbbottDerek Abbott is a physicist and electronic engineer. He is a Professor of Electrical and Electronic Engineering at the University of Adelaide, Australia...
, scientist and engineer. - Charles GravesCharles Patrick GravesCharles Ranke Patrick Graves was a journalist and writer.Born in Wimbledon, England, he worked on the Sunday Express, Daily Mail and many other newspapers. He published 46 books in all including the Thin Blue Line or Adventures in the RAF. His hobbies were golf and gin rummy...
, author, brother of Robert GravesRobert GravesRobert von Ranke Graves 24 July 1895 – 7 December 1985 was an English poet, translator and novelist. During his long life he produced more than 140 works...
. - Robert GravesRobert GravesRobert von Ranke Graves 24 July 1895 – 7 December 1985 was an English poet, translator and novelist. During his long life he produced more than 140 works...
, poet, novelist, critic, author of I, Claudius and Good-Bye to All That.
- Stuart Head, Great Britain and England hockey international
- Sir Adrian HolmanAdrian HolmanSir Adrian Holman KBE CMG MC was a British diplomat.-Early life:The son of Richard Haswell Holman, he was educated at Copthorne Preparatory School, Harrow School, and New College, Oxford.-Career:...
KBEOrder of the British EmpireThe Most Excellent Order of the British Empire is an order of chivalry established on 4 June 1917 by George V of the United Kingdom. The Order comprises five classes in civil and military divisions...
CMGOrder of St Michael and St GeorgeThe Most Distinguished Order of Saint Michael and Saint George is an order of chivalry founded on 28 April 1818 by George, Prince Regent, later George IV of the United Kingdom, while he was acting as Prince Regent for his father, George III....
MCMilitary CrossThe Military Cross is the third-level military decoration awarded to officers and other ranks of the British Armed Forces; and formerly also to officers of other Commonwealth countries....
(1895–1974), diplomatDiplomatA diplomat is a person appointed by a state to conduct diplomacy with another state or international organization. The main functions of diplomats revolve around the representation and protection of the interests and nationals of the sending state, as well as the promotion of information and... - Sarah KennedySarah KennedySarah Mary Kennedy MBE is a British TV and radio broadcaster. She presented her own daily early morning radio show, The Dawn Patrol, on BBC Radio 2 from 1993, before announcing her decision to leave the show on 3 September, 2010.Kennedy was honoured in the Queen's Birthday Honours in 2005, when...
, Radio and TV presenter who was matron at the school for a time. - Rory Knight-Bruce, author, journalist.
- Lauren McConnell, A Finalist on the 2007 ITVITVITV is the major commercial public service TV network in the United Kingdom. Launched in 1955 under the auspices of the Independent Television Authority to provide competition to the BBC, it is also the oldest commercial network in the UK...
Competition Grease is the WordGrease Is the WordGrease Is the Word was the UK version of NBCs Grease: You're the One that I Want!. It aired during Spring/Summer 2007, and was produced by Syco TV ....
. - Dennis PriceDennis PriceDennis Price was an English actor, remembered for his suave screen roles, particularly Louis Mazzini in Kind Hearts and Coronets, and for his portrayal of the omniscient valet Jeeves in 1960s television adaptations of P. G...
, actor. - Frederic RaphaelFrederic RaphaelFrederic Michael Raphael is an American-born, British-educated screenwriter, and also a prolific novelist and journalist.-Life and career:...
, author. - Edward SandersEd Sanders (actor)Edward Sanders is an English actor and singer. He is best known for his performance as Tobias Ragg in the 2007 film Sweeney Todd: The Demon Barber of Fleet Street. He was also featured on the film's soundtrack....
, actor. - Barney Spender, journalist, broadcaster.
- Sir John StanleyJohn Stanley (politician)Sir John Paul Stanley PC is a British Conservative Party politician, and the Member of Parliament for Tonbridge and Malling.-Education:...
, MP for Tonbridge and Malling. - Crispian Steele-Perkins, classical trumpet player.
- Francis WheenFrancis WheenFrancis James Baird Wheen is a British journalist, writer and broadcaster.-Early life and education:Wheen was born into an army family and educated at two independent schools: Copthorne Preparatory School near Crawley, West Sussex and Harrow School in north west London.-Life and career:Running...
, journalist.