Rhubarb 2024

OSENews

Issue 13: December 2024

Registered Charity No: 309681

‘Academic ambition is at an all time high but none of the school’s characteristic

warmth and roundedness has been sacrificed’ TALK EDUCATION

School coaches from Dulwich, Putney, South

LONDON OXFORD

Kensington, Beaconsfield and Maidenhead every weekend

WEEKLY & FULL BOARDING | DAY | A LEVEL & IB | CO-EDUCATIONAL | 13–18 stedwardsoxford.org

ATAGLANCE

Welcome to Rhubarb 2024!

W e are delighted to celebrating the wonderful and diverse OSE within our community. On the following pages you will hear from the Warden who provides an update on the School, and also from the Bursar, Edward Hayter, who talks about the impact the recent Budget has had on the School with particular focus on VAT on school fees. introduce you to the latest issue of Rhubarb ,

T his year marks the 70th anniversary of the departure of Henry Kendall, the School’s sixth and longest-ever serving Warden. We focus on his many achievements and the astonishing growth of the School during that time, often referred to as ‘The Golden Age’ of St Edward’s page 13. I believe H.E.K. had a profound effect on how people at the School saw the world, their duty to the country and to God. I honestly believe he saw all of us as ‘his’ boys for life. “ ” OSE

WELCOME

W ewere delighted to interview Al Kane (Corfe, 1984-1989), our new Martyrs President and hear about his plans for the Martyrs on page 54. Read the Martyrs reports on page44.

T heCup& Dagger and Simeon Society, our two fundraising clubs, go from strength to

T he OSE Society President, James MacDonald-Smith (Sing’s, 1981-1985) talks about qualifying as a Rock Climbing Instructor and Mountain Leader, completing the London Marathon and

strength. Read more about how you can get involved on page 10.

continuing his studies for an Honours Degree in Philosophy with Psychological Studies page 6.

I t was very special to have so many OSE attend our inaugural professional networking event this September. We were very grateful to all those who came and shared their professional journeys and in particular

W e enjoyed interviewing OSE Ambassador Flora King (Corfe 2011-2016) and hearing about winning Gold at the World Transplant Games page 24, and Professor Stuart Cook (Tilly’s, 1982-1987) about the ground-breaking medical drug Enleofen page 26.

the industry leaders who we feature on page 29 .We encourage all OSE to join our LinkedIn Page using the QR code here:

A s the

E njoy reading about all the OSE news on page 64 and some fantastic OSE events we have hosted on page 77 . We love hearing from you and celebrating all that you do and achieve.

world celebrated and enjoyed the Olympics this summer, we were pleased to delve into our

Archives and speak to our OSE who have taken part in previous Olympics.We also interviewed Charlotte Webster (Jubilee, 2017-2019) and Rupert Shipperley (Kendall, 2006-2011) who both represented their countries in the Olympics this summer page35.

Thank you to everyone who has contributed to this edition of Rhubarb. We look forward to seeing many of you at OSE events next year. Keep an eye on social media for news and updates. EMILY ROWBOTHAM, EDITOR

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Front cover: old and new sporting shields on display in the Dining Hall.

From the WARDEN ALASTAIR CHIRNSIDE

E veryone reading this edition of Rhubarb will remember singing the School Song. Pupils and staff at Teddies still sing it today at the start and at the end of every term, raising the roof of the Olivier Hall every time. It is not just the music that echoes around the Quad afterwards; it is the sense of togetherness and community that lives on, long after the last notes have died away, long after the pupils of today become the OSE of tomorrow. For keen students of Latin at Teddies, it is a wonderful example of Classics in action.The hymn to St Edward’s ends like this: floreas et floreamus / Edwardienses . Loosely translated, it means “may you flourish and may we flourish, the children of St Edward’s”.

FROM THE WARDEN

It may not be true for independent schools more generally, as the Bursar notes in his article about VAT, but it is certainly true for Teddies today: on every measure, our school is flourishing.The roll continues to grow: with 810 pupils at Teddies today, we are on course to reach 840 next year – which is both our limit and our target.Those numbers include more scholars, exhibitioners and holders of co-curricular awards than ever before.We are also on track to bring

the number of girls and boys at Teddies into perfect balance in two years’ time.

We have celebrated in the last two years record-breaking examination results, and this year promises to be even better.The proportion of pupils leaving Teddies for universities ranked in the top ten in the world doubled last year, and the early indications are that the measure will be even better next year.

Those results were achieved in a year in which the girls’ 1st XI reached the semi-final of the national T20 competition in cricket, in which the girls’ 1st VIII was the fastest school crew at the National Schools Regatta, in which the boys’ 1st VIII reached the semi-final at Henley, in which four school records were broken in athletics, and in which the number of pupils involved in art, dance, drama and music set new records. All that success has created even more interest in Teddies. Despite the headwinds for the sector, admissions numbers at Teddies continue to rise: the lists from which the Registry are working to fill the final few places for September 2025 are nearly 50% longer than they were last year. The Bursar has set out our response to the philosophical issues and practical challenges of the new Government’s plans to impose VAT on school fees. Our guiding principle is not to let the new policy change

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our approach to education or our strategy for the School. We remain completely committed to widening access to Teddies through the provision of financial support.We continue to work with local schools, charities and other organisations in and around Oxford: the partnership programme for pupils now starts in the Shell and we have just started “Teddies Up!”, a new Saturday school for children from local primary schools in which our teachers and pupils are actively involved. Above all, with the price set to rise in January, we are committed to adding even more value to a Teddies education. That greater value will come from the new exchange programmes which we are developing this year with schools in America, India and Australia. It will come from the creation of even closer connections with Oxford University, from more academics coming to talk at societies and more postgraduate students working alongside our teachers than ever before. It will come from the expansion of the co-curricular programme to include new sports and activities as well as more Sports Days, House Plays and – if it ever stops raining – the return of the bumping races on the river. It will come from even greater guidance on careers, from the Employability Morning for the Lower

FROM THE WARDEN

Sixth, the Enterprise Day for the Fourth Form, the Careers Day for the Fifth Form, the Careers Festival for the whole school and the new professional networking events for OSE, all of which we have run for the first time within the last year. It will come from further investment in our existing buildings and facilities as we finish the upgrading of the boarding houses and turn our attention to the refurbishment of the teaching departments. It will come from the creation of new facilities, such as the remodelling of the entrances to the School this year and the realisation of our plans for new sports facilities on the Field side in a few years’ time. Despite the difficulty of the political present, those plans will be the building blocks of the School’s successful future. History is full of grand designs which were not realised or which did not last.Those follies of ambition failed because their foundations were not secure, because they were not grounded in ethos and culture.With your support, with the participation of parents and with the enthusiasm of pupils, we will be able to realise all our plans and to ensure that, whatever the political weather, the children of St Edward’s continue to flourish. I hope in the meantime that you enjoy reading this edition of Rhubarb, and that you will visit Teddies again soon. Most importantly, thank you for all your support for St Edward’s; thank you, in the words of the School Song, for your pietas.

From the BURSAR Edward Hayter T hese are difficult financial times for independent

Why should state boarding school fees be exempt from VAT? We have not heard back with many answers, but we are continuing to ask those questions and to hope that the Government will eventually see the weaknesses and the inconsistencies which make their policy so wrong. Hope is not a strategy, and we have at the same time worked hard to ensure that we can help parents, present and future, to the fullest possible extent.We want to make sure that admissions to Teddies remain strong, that access to the School remains broad and balanced, that VAT does not change Teddies for the worse.The Warden has written in his introduction about the need to make sure that the value of a Teddies education does not go down when the price is going up, and about the ways in which we are going to meet that objective. In the Bursary, we have also been working hard to ensure that the price does not go up by more than absolutely necessary.Through a combination of VAT recovery and cost savings achieved by bringing more training in-house, by delaying some discretionary spending and by putting more pressure on our suppliers, we have limited the total increase in the fee in January to 14%. compromising pupils’ experience of Teddies is to make more money from other sources.We have grown our commercial income by 50% in the last three years, and we now make more than £1m per year from letting our facilities during the school holidays.We are also working on plans for new St Edward’s schools in other countries, and we are aiming to announce our first international school next year. It will take several years, but our objective is for commercial income fully to offset the impact of VAT. Together with the growth in the school roll and our sharp focus on costs, those new revenue streams will allow us to keep Teddies,Teddies. With the payroll accounting for two thirds of the School’s costs, the only way to take more pressure off the school fee without

schools.The biggest challenge is the Government’s plan to impose VAT on school fees. Other challenges include the loss of business rates relief and higher National Insurance contributions.Those challenges are all the greater because they come so shortly after a period of very high inflation. Our first priority has been to engage in the national debate about the rightness of the new Government’s policies affecting independent schools.We have written to parliamentarians and to government departments.We have worked with national organisations such as HMC (the Heads’ Conference), the ISC (the Independent Schools Council) and ISBA (the Independent Schools Bursars’ Association) to make the case against these new policies.We have given interviews and written articles to point out the unfairness and the inconsistency of the Government’s plans.We have questioned the rightness of taxing education at all and the fairness of taxing twice those parents who educate their children at no cost to the state.We have asked more specific questions too.Why should the cost of providing healthcare in a school be subject to VAT when it is not taxed anywhere else? Why should dance classes, sports club memberships and private tutoring outside school not be taxed in the same way as the fees which cover the same provision in an independent school?

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An interview with JAMES MACDONALD SMITH (Sing’s, 1981-1985) President of the OSE Society

INTERVIEW

J ames was a pupil at Teddies between 1981 and 1985 and reengaged with the School in 2011 when he attended an Open Morning with his daughter Annabel, (Corfe 2014-2019), subsequently becoming a parent at Teddies. committee, becoming President in 2023.As well as working as a financial advisor, he is studying for an Honours degree in Philosophy with Psychological Studies. He has just qualified as a Rock Climbing Instructor and Mountain Leader. Earlier this year, he ran the London Marathon, completing it 25 minutes faster than his previous time, 10 years ago. Here, we talk to James about what he has been up to, his love for all things Rhubarb and his plans for the OSE Society. Congratulations - you have had a busy year.Tell us about the degree you are working on. I have just started my fifth and penultimate year studying for a BA Hons degree in Philosophy with Psychological Studies through the Open University. It’s all remote learning, which has its challenges, but I find the subjects fascinating. If you had He joined the Friends, the parents’ committee, in 2014 and then the OSE

told my 22-year-old self I would be choosing to go back to essay writing and study deadlines, I’m not sure I would have believed it, although I’m still pushing deadlines to the absolute max, and I’m the master of requesting extensions! I was always science-focused at school. I intended to study medicine after Teddies, but unfortunately my laid-back approach to learning at the time and generally having too much fun (and freedom) led to poor grades – maybe that is one of the reasons I have gone back to study now. You have also recently qualified as a Rock Climbing Instructor and Mountain Leader. Where did your love of climbing come from ? I’ve always liked the mountains and moorland. I find them relaxing and I like the physical challenge, a contrast to working in the City. I recently spent a week climbing in Chamonix – one of my favorite places – with Climb2Recovery, for which I also raised money running the Marathon.The charity supports the recovery of wounded, injured and sick veterans through climbing.

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Congratulations on completing the London Marathon this spring. How did it go? I’ve always enjoyed running. I ran the London Marathon in 2014 and gained a ballot place to run it 10 years later. It was satisfying to see my time improve by over 25 minutes. Maybe in another 10 years, who knows?

What was Annabel’s experience of Teddies?

She loved it and absolutely thrived, throwing herself into all aspects of school life (she was Head Girl, Head of CCF and Head of Choir – a lot more accolades than I ever achieved!!). It was fully co-ed by then and quite a different school in many ways, but I also recognised that the Teddies spirit and values remained strong.

INTERVIEW

Annabel benefited from receiving bursary support, and I suppose I felt emotionally invested in the school and keen to give back by being involved in the school generally and, more recently, by sitting on the OSE Committee.

Now, as President, what are your plans?

I think many of my generation, and previous ones, lost touch with Teddies and part of my interest and drive in being President of the OSE Society is to understand why and what we can do to reengage with OSE who haven’t been back recently.

I now see better opportunities for

Tell us about your time at Teddies.

engagement with OSE, building on the strength of the Beyond Teddies Team which I am so grateful the school has invested in. I see we have massive potential engagement opportunities and some fascinating and successful OSE out there.The range of events that we now put on can be seen in this magazine – from social occasions to professional networking to sport and, most recently, MADD (Music, Art, Dance & Drama) means there is genuinely something for everyone.

It’s interesting – I have happy memories from my school days, but I find it strange that I lost touch with many people and the school itself for so many years. It took 26 years to come back to School, and when I started to get involved in the community again, I genuinely enjoyed that bond and hadn’t realised I had missed it before.

I want to find other OSE who have disengaged with the School and find the ‘hook’ to reengage them.

My parents lived in Kenya, and looking back, I had a lot of freedom in those days and didn’t fully commit to school life. When I started at Teddies, it was all boys and we were pretty feral. My HM, John Donald, was a wonderful man – he really was loco parentis and even came to my wedding – but when I left, I moved to London before going to the Royal Agriculture College in Cirencester and then Sandhurst commissioning into the 13/18 Royal Hussars (QMO). After the army, I ended up in the City and I didn’t keep in touch with many OSEs. It wasn’t until about 2011 that I bumped into Warden Stephen Jones at Henley Royal Regatta and I thought about Teddies as an option for my daughter. I started to think of it as my old school, which I hadn’t, so much, before and started to regain pride in it.

If you want to get in touch with James and discuss any of the above, please contact him directly at: ose @ macdonald-smith.com

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Partnerships T hrough partnerships, St Edward’s School is able to engage with a wide range of charities, schools and other organisations in our local community. These partnerships enable us to extend the social and cultural education provided within the School gates and offer service-led leadership opportunities within organisations which gain from our support. Teddies Collaborates is the name given to the school-wide initiative that builds knowledge of social action and the value of service. In addition to this, we host a wide range of sporting, academic and music events for local schools each year and there are events throughout the year to raise money for our school charities.

BEYOND TEDDIES

Our Partnership Impact in Numbers

Over

5670

local primary school children involved in large scale sporting partnership events 600

Volunteer hours given annually through Teddies Collaborates

Approximately Teddies pupils involved in partnership activities 500

We worked with over

state primary and secondary schools 40

Members of staff ran weekly sessions with partner organisations (TC and other partnerships) 10

Approximately hours given by teaching and support staff to the Partnership Programme (excluding the partnerships team) 1100

Over

free lunches provided to partner organisations 4500

RAISED FOR CHARITIES IN 2023 £67,858.56

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Partnership Events 2023/2024 SEPTEMBER 1 . Philosophy of Religion Conference (150 state school and 50 private school pupils.) 2. School Steeplechase – main fundraiser for Oxfordshire Youth; over £43,000 raised. volunteers at the water station; seven pupils and staff running for Oxfordshire Youth. 4. Harvest Festival Collection for Cutteslowe Food Larder. NOVEMBER 5. Pupils on Teddies Collaborates placements in the community begin working in a charity shop. 6.&7. Primary Schools Hockey Tournament. DECEMBER 8.&9. Primary Schools: Science of Christmas and Carols. 10.&11. Shell Christmas Fair Charity Fundraiser for Thames Valley Air Ambulance. 12.&13. Cutteslowe Community, and Northern House Academy Christmas Lunches. MARCH 18. Pizza Express Trip with St Nicholas Primary School. APRIL 19.&20. River Learning Trust Primary School Cross Country at Teddies. MAY 21.&22. Lower Sixth Sailing support with Northern House Academy. JUNE 23.&24. Fourth Form Partnerships Day – Cutteslowe Primary School Years 3, 4, 5 and 6. JULY 25. Northern House Academy and St Aloysius Primary Schools Sports Days. OCTOBER 3. Oxford Half Marathon – JANUARY 14. Period Poverty in Assembly. FEBRUARY 15. Theatre in Education; Cutteslowe and St Nicholas Primary Schools. 16.&17. Boys and Girls U11 Primary and Prep Football Tournament.

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Scan theQR code to watch our videos of events throughout the year

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Celebrating Success & Embracing Change The Cup & Dagger Club’s Journey

A Year of Achievements S ince launching the Cup & Dagger Club, the response from our OSE, parents, and friends has been extraordinary.Your generosity has helped enhance life at St Edward’s by expanding bursaries, improving facilities, and enriching co-curricular programmes.These contributions have profoundly impacted our students, enabling them to benefit from a truly exceptional education.

BEYOND TEDDIES

Invitation designed by Teddies pupil

A highlight of the year was our thank you event at Estelle Manor, bringing together some of our most esteemed Gold level supporters. It was a heartfelt celebration of their commitment, and we were delighted to express our gratitude in such a memorable setting.We were also delighted to welcome many of our regular donors to a champagne reception with the Warden followed by a stunning performance of A Midsummer Night’s Dream performed on Field side; a very unique and special occasion. The Power of Collective Impact The Cup & Dagger Club is about more than financial contributions; it’s about community and the belief in the transformative power of a St Edward’s education.The success we’ve enjoyed is a testament to what we can achieve together. However, with financial challenges like VAT and the removal of Business Rates Tax relief, we now rely more than ever on our community’s support.

We encourage everyone to join or increase their commitment to the Cup & Dagger Club.Your support ensures we can continue offering an education that inspires and empowers our pupils.

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“ Joining the Cup & Dagger Club was a very easy decision for me. I believe in the transformative power of small, consistent acts of generosity. The ripple effect of lots of people giving can create serious positive change! ”

BEYOND TEDDIES

Embracing Change: New Giving Levels for Broader Impact

The Cup & Dagger Club has achieved great success, but we believe there is always room for improvement.We’re excited to announce updates to our giving levels, offering broader distinctions to allow supporters more flexibility in how they contribute. Whether you’re a recent graduate or a long-standing member of the St Edward’s community, there are now more inclusive giving options available.

This change reflects our commitment to inclusivity and ensures every member can feel ownership in their contributions. Every gift, large or small, helps maintain the high standards of education for which St Edward’s is known.

BRONZE £1-£5.00 per month You’ll receive a complimentary Cup & Dagger pin and we’ll keep you closely informed of significant developments in the school Additionally, your name will be published in the annual impact report and you’ll receive an invitation to a unique thank you event (please see page 87) SILVER £10-£50.00 per month Additionally, you’ll receive an invitation to an exclusive Warden and Governor thank you event GOLD £150.00+ per month

For more details, scan the QR code or contact Sean Thomson: thomsons @ stedwardsoxford.org

Looking Ahead As we celebrate the past year and look to the future, we are grateful for the generosity of our Cup & Dagger members.With the recent changes, we’re excited to welcome even more members into this vibrant community.Together, we can ensure that Teddies remains a place where excellence thrives and students can pursue their dreams.Thank you for your continued support!

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THE SIMEON SOCIETY

T he Simeon Society was established to It is a vibrant and diverse group whose families and partners are invited to special events at School, from the Carol Service to the Summer Lunch, the Gaudy Concert to plays in the Olivier. enable the school to say thank you to those who pledge to support Teddies in their Will.

John Crosse (Sing’s, 1955-1960)

After leaving Teddies in 1960, I pursued my career as a lawyer in what had been the family firm since 1915, culminating in my appointment as a District Judge in 1993.The confidence

Edward Harris (Apsley, 1954-1959)

that I acquired while being educated at Teddies has stood me in good stead throughout my life and, in a small way, I have endeavoured to repay the School by being the OSE South West representative for the past ten years. Independent schools face a challenging time ahead as evidenced by the recent Chancellor's statement. Joining the Simeon Society is one way in which OSE can play a part in the future of what is an amazing educational establishment. I owe St Edward’s so much for the time I had at the School.The education and experiences I received as well as the friendships I made set me up for the enjoyable life I have had. Richard Rees (Field House, 1967-1972)

BEYOND TEDDIES

I joined the Simeon Society a few years

ago as I wanted to give something back to this great School of ours.

I thoroughly enjoyed the Simeon Society Members’ Summer Lunch in May.The tour of the School brought back many fond memories and it was great to see all the new buildings, which I had not seen before. It was a pleasure to see the School making such impressive progress. Mark Freeman (Apsley, 1968-1971)

A big thank you for my birthday card – it really meant a lot.

During my time at Teddies I was honoured to be appointed Head of House and a School Prefect. I was also in the First XV and the First VIII.The School gave me so much and it has

I love keeping in touch with everyone through the Simeon Society and this year’s Members’ Summer

been an honour to give something back via the Simeon Society. It has also been a good way to keep in touch with some of the many friends I made at St Edward’s.

Lunch at Teddies contributed

greatly to a very significant year for me.

For more photos of the Simeon Society Summer lunch, see page 86.

If you would like more information or wish to become a member of the growing Simeon Society, please email David Smart, Legacy Manager, at smartd @ stedwardsoxford.org

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THE HENRY KENDALL ERA The ‘Golden Age’ at St Edward’s School

By Chris Nathan (Segar’s, 1954-1957) Archivist

T his year marks the 70th anniversary of the departure of Henry Kendall, the School's sixth and longest ever serving Warden. His time at the

FEATURE

School has been described in many ways and for those alive in the 1930s, in particular, they refer to it as 'The Golden Age' of St Edward's. It was the time when the growth of the School was phenomenal in terms of pupil

numbers, buildings erected or purchased, acreage leased or acquired, success in sports and academically, and overall the emergence of a school from a rather low provincial standing nationally to one which was internationally known. It was all down to one man, Henry Kendall, and his determination to see the School move onwards and outwards. Henry Kendall with his dog Plonk in 1945. Cartoon by George Segar (Common Room).

HENRY EWING

Henry Kendall was born in November 1888 in Liverpool, attended Shrewsbury School, and then studied History at Pembroke College, Cambridge. He taught at Rossall for a few terms before returning to Shrewsbury in 1913, was ordained in 1915, served as a Chaplain in the Royal Navy during the Great War, and for his War service he was awarded an MBE in1919. After the War he returned to Shrewsbury School, and during this spell founded the first Boarding House with himself as Housemaster, a complete innovation at the

KENDALL Sixth Warden 1925-1954

School which turned out a great success and made his reputation in the process. When the Wardenship at St Edward’s became vacant in 1925 after William Ferguson decided to move on to Radley College, he was highly recommended to the Governors and appointed, almost without any competition, taking over in the Summer Term. In his own words:‘On arrival, the School was a hut-taught, under-housed and suburban school of 230 boys.’ What followed in the next 29 years can only be described as a remarkable total transformation of the School. Henry retired in 1954, handing over the Wardenship to Frank Fisher.There were 476 boys when he left the School. He died, very unexpectedly, in 1963 while on a world cruise to meet far-flung OSE and to publicise the School. He was buried at sea, very appropriately for a former Royal Naval Chaplain in the Great War.

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ST EDWARD’S

The Golden Era of St Edward’s

“In 1925 when I became Warden, no building had been possible between 1881 and 1925 except the Sanitorium in 1922 and the Memorial Buildings in 1925.The playing fields amounted to 19.5 acres, and we had no Boat House or boats.Today in 1954 we have classrooms, Science Laboratories,110 acres of freehold land, Boat House, boats and cottages, Squash Courts, Subway, three new Boys’ Boarding Houses, the Chapel – Kitchen-Dining Hall and Big School all enlarged, seven Masters’ Houses, five cottages and the Memorial Library.” What he failed to mention was the purchase of Apsley Paddox, a new Armoury, the first custom-made Tuck Shop, new stained glass windows in the Chapel, the Warden’s House extension, the Workblock, new changing rooms, the fourth generation of cricket pavilions, a gallery in Big School (which Kendall himself funded), isolation annexes to the Sanitorium, hot water and central heating throughout the School and new entrance gates. Governors who had appointed him and the teachers he had inherited. He saw the School through the Second World War, during which time he invited the staff and boys of St Bede’s School, Eastbourne to evacuate to Oxford and share the St Edward’s facilities for five very happy years, but at the same time experienced the loss, in action, of 152 OSE and one teacher, which affected him deeply. He had overseen 3,129 boys, three-fifths of the School Roll, at that point outstayed three architects, the original

Taken at face value, the School Kendall took over in 1925 was not in the best of shape. It had a reputation both locally and nationally as ‘a dying school’. Pupil numbers were 242 that summer, and the boys were sleeping in every corner of the School (20 were even off site altogether), they were feeding in four different dining places, worshipping in three different ‘chapels’ and a temporary marquee on the side of the Chapel served as a changing room (which finally collapsed during a snowstorm in 1926). Most of the School was still lacking electricity, hot water and the overall facilities were very limited.Teaching was conducted in a variety of parts of the School with Big School being the main centre.Very quickly once Kendall arrived, seven huts were imported from Port Meadow from the former WW1 aerodrome for classrooms and laboratories – these became known as ‘Hutland’ and would survive until the 1960s. The School was still recovering from the effects of losing 118 OSE and three teachers in the Great War, a devastating number for a small school.

FEATURE

By the time Kendall left,Teddies had been transformed and this was his final report to the Governors in 1954:

Over the next few pages we outline a few of the impressive developments overseen by Kendall over the years.

Aerial photo 1933.

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1925

The New Houses In 1925, based on the successful roll out of the new boarding house system at Shrewsbury School, Kendall embarked on his ambitious creation of new Houses at Teddies.With most of the existing Set Tutors well established, most simply carried their names over to the new House as the first Housemaster.

Three weeks into the start of his first term the local Clapperton family decided to place their sizeable Georgian House ‘Apsley Paddox’ and 10-acre estate linking the Banbury and Woodstock Roads up for sale.The new Warden was authorised to bid up to £8,000 (£635,000 today) and with no other bidders, the property became the School’s. At a stroke, Kendall had accommodation for 50 boys and at least one teacher. Also, as it turned out, this was the best piece of real estate business ever conducted by St Edward’s.

Main Buildings

New Buildings

COWELL’S – Tutorial Set A. Named after Wilfrid Cowell. Due to Cowell’s age, he was felt too old to take this House over, but his name was used due to his service to the School. Freddie Yorke was HM. Cowell’s moved into the top floor of the Main Buildings, sharing the bottom floor with Tilly’s. SING’S – Tutorial Set B. Named after John Sing. Sing had been the original Set Tutor, he had since been the Warden (1903-13) and was retired, so the House was named in recognition of him. Philip Whitrow was the HM. This House moved into the New Buildings (Macnamara’s today) with Menzies’ and Macnamara’s in a hotchpotch of dormitory and dayroom arrangements. FIELD HOUSE – Tutorial Set C. John Griffiths was the Tutor. He was already living in Field House (today’s Corfe) and took in his new charges under the same roof and adopted the name of the building. MACNAMARA’S – Tutorial Set D. Named after the Tutor, Arthur Macnamara. Moved with Sing’s and Menzies’ into the New Buildings in the Southern Block (Macnamara’s today) somehow sharing the three floors provided. APSLEY – Tutorial Set E. HM, Bruce Goldie, who left the same term and was replaced by Gerry Segar as HM.The boys were transferred ‘en masse’ to Apsley Paddox and took the name of the newly acquired building. TILLY’S – Tutorial Set F. Arthur Tilly was the set Tutor and new HM.This group occupied the first floor of the Main Buildings and some of the ground floor. MENZIES’ – G. A new entity, under the Rev. Kenneth Menzies.This new grouping moved into the New Buildings (Macnamara’s today) with Sing’s. It was a complex arrangement of dormitory and dayroom sharing. These changes introduced new terminology to the School including ‘Dayroom’,‘House Prefect’, ‘Head of House’.

Apsley Paddox (circa 1930), home of Field House for 34 years.

The War Memorial Buildings, designed by Harold Rogers, (Tilly’s today) had been started in 1923 and were opened in December by General Sir A.J. Godley G.O.C. Southern Command.

The speckled straw hat (‘Basher’) became compulsory wear outside the School grounds. Kendall wanted to both advertise the School and to make sure the boys were not passing themselves

off as undergraduates while in Oxford. A School cap was acceptable for outside trips as an alternative after WW2.

The boarding house system was introduced to St Edward’s, replacing the previous set tutorial scheme in place since Warden Hobson’s day in 1898. Previously the only differentiation of pupils within the School had been by the Set Tutors they reported to, the dormitories they slept in and which side of the Chapel aisle they sat on. Now, with both Apsley Paddox and the War Memorial Buildings available, the new House arrangement was able to be more easily established.

Electric light was connected in the Main Buildings and Lodge.

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ST EDWARD’S

1926

A subway under the Woodstock Road between the Quadrangle and the playing fields (designed by H.M. Best) was opened by the Mayor of Oxford (escorted by a party of 38 officials) in May. It had taken the best part of a year to complete and had proven very complicated.

The Governors decided numbers should be limited to 340 boarders and 20 day boys.This plan lasted two years!

Negotiations concluded to purchase one acre of land for a future School Boathouse on a ‘small promontory’ at Godstow.The funds required were ‘generously found by the School Society’. In the summer 46 acres of land were leased from the Blenheim Estates Office (today’s Avenue Fields) between the railway and the Avenue.The purpose was to increase the size of the School Farm and stop any possible encroachments in the future from developers.The farm included cows, pigs and plentiful fields of barley and wheat.

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Gateway in the northern perimeter wall between South Parade and opposite the School Shop was created. Intended primarily for the boys of Field House to enter and leave the School grounds each day, it was named ‘Field House Gate’. Subway under the Woodstock Road, opened in May 1928. Cartoon by George Segar (Common Room).

Electricity reached Field House (Corfe today).

1927

While sleeping arrangements were improved for the 340 boys and Housemasters in their new Houses, the rest of the staff were now crammed into space originally planned for 110. Properties which bordered the School became key targets for either leasing or purchasing.

Acquisition of another 15 acres of farmland now extends the School property ‘right up to Wolvercote’.

A stone staircase for Big School was added (designed by Brook Kitchin).

1928

A 4.5 acre field was acquired from the Blenheim Estates, next to St Edward’s Avenue on a 30-year lease, for sports use and easier access to the Wolvercote fields. The School Boathouse ( designed by Brook Kitchin ) was opened; all costs paid by the School Society and handed over by the President in front of a large crowd of OSE at Commemoration.

Long-time School carpenter Walter Young and his brother at the new opening in the North Wall 1928.

Field House (later Corfe) in 1928.

Freehold of Field House (later Corfe) purchased by the School.

Boathouse 1928.

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ST EDWARD’S

1929

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Plans drawn up in 1929, which include the new Science Block (behind the War Memorial Buildings).

The 18-month project to extend the existing Dining Hall and ancillaries into the Quadrangle was completed. It was a very complex undertaking, stripping out Wilkinson’s original ground floor Main Buildings frontage and replacing it identically, but further forward.The cost was huge, but in March the whole School plus three former Wardens, several Governors and the architect sat down together to eat for the first time ever. Work on a new entrance hall for the Warden’s House was completed as well as a new waiting room in the Sanitorium. In December the new Science Block opened on the School’s southern perimeter (behind the War Memorial Buildings).

Dining Hall extension into Quad 1928/29.

Science Block 1929.

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ST EDWARD’S

1930

Water garden beside swimming pool started up.

An agreement was reached to give up the School Farm with the lease expiring at the end of the year. The Duke of Marlborough agreed to sell the land involved to the School.

1931

The Workblock was built in 1930 and opened in 1931, (originally it was called the “Workhouse” until someone pointed out that historically this was probably unsuitable!).

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The Outdoor Pool Water Garden in the 1950s.

1933

Fourth Cricket Pavilion opened at Gaudy by Sir Russell Bencraft (OSE).

Workblock under construction, before the removal of all wooden huts,1931.

Six outdoor squash courts were erected by the outside swimming pool, behind the Cricket Pavilion.

A new porch extension was added to the western side of Chapel.

A field called ‘Fair Close’ was purchased close to the School Boathouse by the Chairman of Governors, Philip Emden who leased it back to the School and willed it to St Edward’s on his death. At the same time the School exchanged some land with the owner of the Trout Inn at Godstow gaining some canal frontage. Kendall announced at Gaudy that:‘The School is now permanently set in country through the acquisition of 51 acres of land on both sides of the canal.’ The St Edward’s Farm, present at the School since the arrival at Summertown, was finally given up although the last pig did not leave the School until 1960.

Aerial picture taken in 1932, with fourth pavilion being erected, while its predecessor is still standing (just!) to the right of it. Good view of Field House (later Corfe) in the background.

1934

School acquired 32 acres of land ‘adjoining our fields in the Wolvercote direction, our rural security is further preserved’.

1936

New gates for the Boathouse presented by the OSE Masonic Lodge.

1932

St Edward’s Martyrs amalgamated

The last of the wooden huts were moved from Port Meadow to Avenue Field as the HQ of the newly formed St Edward’s Scout Group, which lasted until 1943 when it was taken over by “The St Edward’s Pig Club” (100% Common Room membership), which was forced to give up when the hut was destroyed in a ‘spectacular fire’ in 1957!

all sports under one banner, with Sir Russell Bencraft as the first President.

Sir Russell Bencraft (OSE).

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ST EDWARD’S

1937

With the threat of invasion, at the Warden’s invitation the Headmaster Kenneth Harding (OSE), staff and 90 boys of St. Bede’s Preparatory School, Eastbourne, arrived in Oxford to share the School premises for the duration of the war. 34 pupils would remain at Teddies to complete their education, after the remainder returned to Eastbourne.

Cowell’s and Segar’s moved into a new block ‘big enough to house 98 boys, two Housemasters and one House Matron’.

in 1945.

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Cowell’s and Segar’s Boarding House Blocks being built in 1936.

St. Bede's School, Eastbourne pupils doing PT in front of the Warden's House 1943.

1938

In 1939 OSE occupied Presidential posts for Rugby Football (G. Hollis 1939-40), Cricket (E.J.H. Dixon 1937-39) and Rowing (A.G. Slemeck 1939) at Oxford University.

The School Rugby XV and Cricket XI won all their respective inter school matches, the Rowing VIII had a memorable victory over Radley at Henley Royal Regatta then lost out narrowly against Eton.

1940

1939

Six air-raid shelters were erected in the Quadrangle, the Warden’s Garden and the Corfe gardens, was fitted with electric light. Prominent brickwork in the School was painted with white stripes for guidance during blackouts.

Wilfrid Cowell Gates were opened by HM The Princess Royal at Gaudy, leading from the School to the Woodstock Road.Wilfrid Cowell had been the longest serving teacher ever at the School and had died the previous year.The costs involved were covered by an appeal.

Erection of a windmill in the Lower Field to assist with drainage.

The Princess Royal accompanied by Harold Rogers (OSE) after opening the Cowell Gates in 1939.

School purchased two steel air-raid shelters, each accommodating 50 people.

Two of the wartime shelters in the Quadrangle, circa 1943.

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ST EDWARD’S

1941

1949

In June Robert Mortimer (OSE), Bishop of Exeter, dedicated the WW2 Memorial Board for the fallen of WW2 in the side Chapel.

55 boys had an eight-hour course on tractor driving.

1942 24 acres of School fields on Lower One and Canal Fields were ploughed and sown with wheat. Every House had its own allotment, worked both before and after games. Over three years these plots yielded approximately five tons of potatoes and 3,000 cabbages.

Construction started on the new Piggeries.

1953

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At long last work began on the Memorial Library and Art Room Building behind Big School.

1954

Henry Kendall opened the Memorial Library and Art Room at his last Gaudy and retired at the end of the Summer Term. ‘The project nearer, one felt, to Kendall’s heart than any other’ (Hill). It was dedicated in the Chapel by the Bishop of Exeter.

Allotments 1942.

1945

School received its largest bequest ever, just under £2 million (today’s currency) from the will of OSE Edmund Brewer-Williams, which was used mainly to ‘redeem final debentures owed by the School’.This was supplemented a year later by a further £1.6m from the wills of two further OSE. Earlier in the war the widow of The Reverend A.T.C. Cowie, one of Simeon’s earliest

Warden Kendall opens Memorial Library in 1954.

Edmund Brewer-Williams at St Edward’s in 1885.

teachers and supporters from New Inn Hall Street days left the School a final sum and stamp collection amounting to another £850,000.

Memorial Library and Art Room 1954.

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Sources: A History of St Edward’s School by R.D. Hill (1962); A New History of St Edward’s School, Oxford 1863-2013 byM.Oxley (2015); Let it Roar, Let it Rage,We Shall Come Through by C.L. Nathan (2019); The Building of St Edward’s, A Chronology by C.L. Nathan (2016); Chronicles and School Archives). Now memories alone remain, and the door is closed. No more friendly bullying or back-chat. No more the wise counsel and understanding. And for so many of us he will remain the greatest and loveliest man we ever knew. Our memories of him are, as he was, so very much alive. “ ” conciliation and pacification. Problems were minimized, oil poured on troubled waters. He did not need to bully his Housemasters, for he appointed conscientious, conservative men, sometimes of limited talents, of whose support he could be sure. A New History of St Edward’s School, Oxford 1863-2013 . Malcolm Oxley (2015) “ ” but it is verging upon the impossible to describe the pre-war period as anything other than the Golden Age. Desmond Hill, Common Room, First School History, 1962. “ ” ” Chronicle eulogy There was nothing authoritarian about Kendall’s style of government. His despotic power was gently wielded. He had legendary qualities of There was an honesty about Teddies and this bred friendliness. Kendall was adept at ‘cutting boys down to size in every sense’: self centred, self-promoting eccentricities were removed. “ OSE The School’s great record of sport of the thirties brought about a widening of the fixture list of the greatest value when considered in terms of prestige, and the simultaneous eruption of university scholars in surprising numbers at last turned upon the School the attention of the public. The cliché is a figure of speech to be eschewed,

Henry Kendall – Memories fromOSE

In May this year we contacted all known surviving OSE from the Kendall era asking them for their memories from those days long ago.We knew that inevitably they would have known H.E.K. in his older years but their recollections would add to the store of other memories we have in the archives already, so they were immensely valuable. The response was very encouraging with nearly 50 OSE getting in touch, and their long memories were incredible! We are most grateful and have interspersed some of these responses with others we already have in the Archives. I believe H.E.K. had a profound effect on how people at the School saw the world, their duty to the country and to God. I honestly believe he saw all of us as ‘his’ boys for life. “ OSE St Edward’s was a splendid and happy school with an exceptional Warden during the years leading up to 1939. He taught us loyalty to House and School, to remember we were part of a team, for instance through sports teams and to face a challenge as part of a team. “ ” OSE ” H.E.K. was always interested in the I was at St Edward’s in Menzies’ House 1925-31. These were the years when Henry Kendall as Warden pulled the School up by its bootstraps from nothing to something special. As a boy there one could feel it happening. When I left St Edward’s was really on the map. Kendall’s great thing was leadership and team building and he was always looking for it and knew how to find it. “ ” OSE lives of all his pupils and seemed to remember every name. “ ” OSE

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ARCHIVE DISPLAYS T his year we have been fortunate enough to have acquired an archival display cabinet that sits in Willows.The Archive Team has created some fascinating displays that have been enjoyed by pupils, parents and visitors.

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We have enjoyed looking at how the Quad has evolved over the years.There have been new buildings and reshaping of the trees and vegetation but it has also been used as the site for air raid shelters in 1944, for the Jubilee celebrations in 2013 and most recently for the Celebration of Rowing event in September 2023 when we welcomed over 700 parents, pupils and OSE back to Teddies to celebrate the Princess Elizabeth Cup win at Henley earlier that year.

Quad and New Buildings c.1880.

North Quad,1877.

The Quad c.1890.

The ‘doomed trees’ just before construction of Oakthorpe Road,1893.

Harvest,The Quad, 1915.

Quad, Chapel and Jungle c.1912.

Site of proposed new War Memorial Building,1923.

The Science Block, 1929.

War Memorial Building being built, 1924.

Classroom Block, 1931.

The north Quadrangle and School Shop, 1933.

The School from the south west, 1933 with Bee Hive removed.

The main Quadrangle, looking towards Wytham,1933.

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From the Woodstock Road c.1935 (before the Cowell Gates were built in 1939).

Epidemic, 1933.

Quad gardener,1936.

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Air raid shelters in Quad, 1944.

Sunbathing in Quad, 1940.

Winter,1947.

Ringing the bell to signal the end of a lesson period, on the side of Work Block,1954.

Aerial view of Quad, 1956.

1963 Centenary,‘Son et Lumière’.

1970.

Quad mowing, 1969.

Visit by Prince Philip,1963.

Jubilee, 2013.

The Olivier being built in the Quad, 2019.

The Celebration of Rowing Dinner, September 2023.

Quad, 2024.

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