New book by Mike Bolton
All three books charted the life of the school from
its foundation by William Sevenoke. Yet while the
early centuries of the school are intriguing, none
concentrated in depth on its modern history.
The 20th century was a time of extraordinary
growth and achievement for Sevenoaks. In less
than one hundred years the school had grown in
size and reputation to become one of the leading
coeducational day and boarding schools in the
country, with a global reputation. It had become
known for educational innovation and was achieving
academic results which were the envy of more
famous independent schools.
A School Transformed: Sevenoaks School
1898-2002 is an insightful view of the
school’s 20th century history, from the
appointment of Headmaster George Heslop
in 1898 to the appointment of the school’s
first female Head, Katy Ricks, in 2002.
Sevenoaks School was endowed as a free grammar
school for boys in 1432 and is one of the oldest
schools in England. Despite its antiquity, however,
very little was written about its past during its first
490 years.
The first slender history was written in 1913 by John
Rooker, the Rector of St Nicholas Church. It was
followed by a second fairly short history, by John
Lennox, published in 1932. The school was celebrating
its quincentenery and the Headmaster, James Higgs-
Walker, was determined to mark the occasion in
some style. It was not until 1993 that Brian Scragg,
a former Undermaster, produced the first serious
comprehensive history of the school.
Few schools can match this remarkable
transformation. What brought it about? Was
Sevenoaks simply fortunate in being led by
progressive Headmasters? Were the Governors
particularly forward-looking? Could the school have
grown so much without the support of remarkably
generous benefactors, and what part did teachers
and pupils play?
This is a fascinating story which deserves to be
better known.
Mike Bolton
Mike taught at Sevenoaks School for almost
40 years before retiring from the role of
Undermaster in 2012. His previous writing includes
a short history of the Sevenoaks Almshouses
founded by William Sevenoke. Mike was awarded an
MBE in 2009 for his services to education.
Copies of the book are available for £12.99 from
[email protected]
and from Sevenoaks Bookshop:
www.sevenoaksbookshop.co.uk.
All proceeds are donated to the school’s
bursary fund.
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