MAIN MENU
1558
Queen Elizabeth I, Shakespeare, Civil War, and The Age of Reason
Aldenham has been around for a very long time! Queen Elizabeth I was on the throne (1558-1603), a woman leading in a man’s world. William Shakespeare lived and wrote (1564-1616). The English Civil War took place (1641-52). Sir Isaac Newton lived and made scientific breakthroughs (1642-1727). The Ming Dynasty ruled in China (1368-1644). The Royal Observatory opened in Greenwich (1676), The Enlightenment took place (1685-1815)
1597
Founded in 1597 by Richard Platt
Aldenham School was founded in 1597 by Richard Platt, the proprietor of the Old Swan Brewery in the Parish of Garlickhithe in the City of London. Platt, who served as Master of the Brewers’ Company in 1576 and 1581, was granted Letters Patent by Queen Elizabeth I in 1596 to establish “the Free Grammar School and Almshouses” at Aldenham. The Foundation Stone was laid in 1597, marking the beginning of the school’s long-standing tradition of excellence. Some major turbulence on the world stage, including the American War of Independence (1776), the French Revolution (1789-99) and the Napoleonic Wars (1803-15)
1825
Aldenham writes down the rules for Football
In 1825, Aldenham became the second institution, following Eton College, to document rules for its version of football. According to the 1873 edition of the Football Annual, edited by Charles W. Alcock, the renowned secretary of the Football Association and Surrey County Cricket Club, Aldenham School Football Club was established in 1825. This positions Aldenham School as having the earliest organized football club in the sport’s history, a title often attributed to Sheffield, which was founded 29 years later in 1854.In other matters – Queen Victoria ruled from 1837-1901, Charles Dickens lived and wrote his classics (1812-70) and the Slavery Abolition Act was passed (1833)
1844
The Leeman Years
Headmaster Alfred Leeman (1844-76) developed the School, including the building of school rooms, founding of Cricket in the school, and acquisition of playing fields. (a large payment of compensation from compulsory purchase of Platt land for construction of St Pancras Station was obtained in 1867).The American Civil war took place from 1862-65 and Charles Darwin wrote ‘On the Origin of Species’.
1870
Alumnus Stanley Owen Buckmaster
1870 saw the Franco-Prussian War, but back here at Aldenham, Alumnus – Stanley Owen Buckmaster attended (from 1870-79). He was later to become Lord Chancellor. In 1880 the Elementary Education Act made education compulsory for all 5-10 year olds.
1877
The Kennedy Years
John Kennedy became Headmaster (1877-99) and oversaw a major expansion at Aldenham. He built the chapel (now the Music School), McGill’s and Beevor’s Houses, and added the clock to the tower. Elsewhere, in 1896, Sigmund Freud first used the term Psychoanalysis.
1900
The Cooke Years
Alfred Cooke was Headmaster from 1900-1920. He opened Paull’s House in 1905 and divided Schools House into ‘Odds and Evens’. He established the Officer’s Training Corps (now the CCF) in 1908. Queen Victoria died in 1901 and in 1918 the Education Act raised school leaving age to 14. World War One saw 163 deaths of Old Aldenhamians. The Commemorative Library opened in 1924 by Cecil Stott. Elsewhere, Einstein gave his theories of relativity (1905-15), and 1917 saw the Russian Revolution.
1911
Alumnus General Sir Richard Nelson ‘Windy’ Gale
Alumnus – General Sir Richard Nelson ‘Windy’ Gale – who later became Deputy Supreme Allied Commander Europe, joined as a student in 1911. In 1912, China’s last emperor abdicated. In 1928, the Equal Franchise Act was passed giving full voting equality for women.
1920
The Beck and Riding Years
Harvey Beck (1920–1933) and George Riding (1933–1949) both worked hard to stabilise the school after what had been some great periods of development from the recent predecessors. Beck now has a Music competition named after him, and Riding has a House in his name. As a piece of interesting symmetry, Riding began the building of the new Chapel on the other side of the road, and the old chapel has more recently been converted into the music school. Riding also expanded the size of Top Field, with ‘Riding’s field’ being added on.
1940
Alumni Colin James and Hewlett Thompson
Between 1940 and 1944, Colin James attended Aldenham, later to become the Bishop of Winchester in 1985. From 1942-47, Hewlett Thompson attended Aldenham, later to be appointed Bishop of Exeter, also in 1985. The main focus during their school years, of course, was the Second World War (1939-45).
1945
The Mason Years
Peter Mason became Headmaster (1949–1961) and focused on post war recovery and modernisation. In 1949 the Nuclear Arms Race began with the USSR’s first atomic bomb. Also at this time, Queen Elizabeth II came to the throne (1952). In 1958 the new chapel was completed.
1962
Kennedy’s House Opened
Named after the former Headmaster, a modern Boarding House was created, with its distinctive copper roof.
1964
Alumnus Professor Sir Martin Sweeting
Martin Sweeting studied at Aldenham from 1964-1970 before going on to be world renowned in the field of small satellite space technology. No doubt he was inspired by the first Moon Landing which happened in 1969 whilst he was at school. Soon after this, in 1976, Apple released their first computer, and in 1983 we saw the birth of the Internet.
1987
Girls admitted to the 6th Form
Always one to keep moving forwards, Aldenham opened the doors to girls in 1987. One of the earliest to attend was Karren Brady, later to become Baroness Brady, MD of West Ham United and TV Personality from The Apprentice.
1993
Martineau’s House Founded
The 1990s saw another major change with the school opening its doors to boys aged 11 and 12. This was early for public schools and signaled Aldenham’s forward thinking, as this entry level is now the most popular not only for Aldenham but for many other independent schools who made the change much later. In other matters, the Channel Tunnel opened connecting England and France (1994), Hong Kong was handed back to the Chinese (1997), and Diana Princess of Wales died in a car crash (1997).
2000
The Harman Years
Richard Harman (2000–2006) was appointed as Headmaster to succeed Stephen Borthwick (1994–2000) who had successfully seen the school though the 90s recession. Harman built the School’s reputation and brought about some major changes (see next)
2003
Aldenham Prep School Opens
In 1992, Aldenham opened its nursery. In 2000 it opened a pre-prep department. 2003 saw the opening of Key Stage 2, and thus Aldenham now had its own Prep School. This also meant that children could start at aged 3 and stay all through to age 18. The prep school and Nursery were co-educational all through, so this led to the next big change.
2004
Girls admitted at 11+
The decision was made that the children in the Prep school should have the opportunity to continue their education at Aldenham regardless of their sex, and in 2004 Aldenham allowed girls to join at 11+. Elsewhere – a web based software called Facebook was created to connect friends in US universities.
2006
The Fowler Years
James Fowler was appointed as Headmaster in 2006 and grew the positive reputation of Aldenham, seeing through the coeducational roll out, opening new facilities and ensuring that Aldenham was holding onto its traditions and heritage but preparing children for the modern world. Fowler saw a dramatic expansion in numbers (similar to the Kennedy years). By 2007 Aldenham was coeducational all through, as girls were in all years from ages 3-18. Also in 2007, Aldenham abolished Saturday School.
2008
Survival
Through good management, Aldenham saw off the major global economic crash and recession. Between 2010 and 2020, Paull’s House and Riding’s Houses become Girls’ Houses. London hosted the Olympic Games, Prince William married Kate Middleton, and same sex marriage was legalized in the UK. Also, Britain voted (narrowly) to leave the EU.
2019
Covid 19 Pandemic Causes Aldenham to Go Completely Online
Owing to the Global Pandemic (2019-2021), which caused lockdowns in the UK and the physical closure of all schools, Aldenham went digital. Lessons continued to be taught through live video links. House Competitions modified but continued. Enrichment activities continued, albeit in a creative different form. And pastoral care continued with regular check-ins from our caring staff.
Today
New Chapters
In 2022, Aldenham appointed Mrs Alexandra Hems – the first female Head. She is still in post and along with her leadership team continues to build on the fantastic foundations to take Aldenham into the future.
EXPRESS INTEREST