Vanbrugh Castle School

School Management Committee

CHAIRMAN:

AIR CHIEF MARSHAL SIR WALTER MERTON, G.B.E., K.C.B.

MEMBERS:

AIR VICE-MARSHAL A. D. BUTTON,

O.B.E., B.Sc., C.ENG., A.F.R.AE.S.

J. F. BURNET, ESQ.,M.A.

MRS. E. KNOWLES, B.Sc.

MRS. D. STEEDMAN

F. M. WHITE, ESQ., M.A.

MRS. F. W. WISEMAN-CLARKE

HEADMASTER : W. P. JONES, ESQ.

SECRETARY:

SQUADRON LEADER F. HAWLEY

Introduction

Vanbrugh Castle School is an Independent Preparatory Boarding School administered by the Royal Air Force Benevolent Fund. It is recognised as efficient by the Department of Education and Science, and the Headmaster is a member of the Incorporated Association of Preparatory Schools. There is accommodation for 60 boys.

History

Vanbrugh Castle was built in 1717 by Sir John Vanbrugh, the architect and dramatist. It is listed as a building of special architectural and historic interest.

The School was founded in 1921, when the property was presented to the Fund by the late Alexander Duckham, and later augmented by two neighbouring houses, now known as the Wakefield Wing (1939) and the Knollys Wing (1964).

Location

The School stands on Maze Hill on the north side of Blackheath, overlooking Greenwich Park, the Royal Naval College and the River Thames. It is surrounded by urban property, and is served by frequent trains from London (Charing Cross, Waterloo and London Bridge) to Maze Hill.

Eligibility

The School exists primarily for the education of boys whose fathers were members of the Royal Air Force who died, or were seriously disabled during, or because of, their service, and they will have first claim on available places. When a boy is deemed eligible for entry his acceptance will depend upon a suitable vacancy, his medical fitness, scholastic ability and performance at interview.

Curriculum

The boys are taught in small classes to the general level of the Common Entrance Examination at age 13. Although most boys do not take the examination, experience has shown them to be well up to the all-round standards demanded by independent boarding public schools to which the majority transfer for the secondary phase of their education. Arrangements for such transfers are primarily the responsibility of parents, although the Headmaster will advise.

Games

All boys are expected to participate in team games including cricket and football. Playing fields are used at the neighbouring Royal Naval College and in Greenwich Park. Other games are played in the School Grounds. The boys swim once a week in the Greenwich Baths. All games are under the supervision of a master or instructor.

The School

The School is divided into two houses, and the boys sleep in small dormitories. They have the use of a number of recreation rooms, a library, cinema and hobbies room; the classrooms include two laboratories and a workshop.

Prayers are said daily and members of the Church of England attend services on Sundays at the chapel of the Royal Naval College. Arrangements are made for Roman Catholic boys to attend Mass and receive religious instruction.

There is an excellent School Band, and some of the boys sing in the choir at the Royal Naval College.

The school year is divided into the usual three terms and there is one Visiting Day in each term when parents are encouraged to visit the School and take their boys out for the day. The School closes for holidays at Christmas, Easter and Summer, when the boys are expected to return to their homes. No holiday accommodation is available at the School.

Clothing

Parents are required to provide and maintain their boys' clothing in accordance with the School clothing list which is issued when boys first join the School. Parents who have financial difficulty in this respect may apply to the Fund for assistance.

Administration

The School is managed by the Alexander Duckham Memorial School Committee. Financial and other administration, including admissions, is undertaken by the R.A.F. Benevolent Fund. The day to day running of the School and all teaching matters are in the hands of the Headmaster who is assisted by four teachers. A housekeeper and matrons supervise the catering, health and domestic matters.

Admission

Applications for admission should be made to :

if possible by 1st April in the year of admission, which normally occurs in September each year. In exceptional circumstances, however, admission will be permitted at the beginning of any term.

Leavers

At least one term's notice must be given by parents of their intention to take a boy away from the School before he is 13 years old.