Spratton Hall School is a

private Private or privates may refer to: Music * "In Private", by Dusty Springfield from the 1990 album ''Reputation'' * Private (band), a Denmark-based band * "Private" (Ryōko Hirosue song), from the 1999 album ''Private'', written and also recorded ...

preparatory school that welcomes girls and boys aged 4–13, located in the village of Spratton, 8 miles outside

Northampton Northampton ( ) is a town and civil parish in Northamptonshire, England. It is the county town of Northamptonshire and the administrative centre of the Unitary authorities of England, unitary authority of West Northamptonshire. The town is sit ...

, England, on the A5199 Welford Road.

History

Spratton Hall

The main school building was built in the late 1700s on the site of an earlier farmhouse and owned by the Clark family as a private home. It is mainly constructed from limestone from Kingsthorpe.

The school

Ownership of the building passed through several hands until Kenneth C Hunter and his wife Joan bought it and opened it as a boys’ boarding school in 1951 with 20 boys. They chose the stag for the new school's crest. The stag was originated from a tale of Saint Hubertus' vision, Patron Saint of Hunters. In 1972 the Charitable Trust was established so the school was administered by a board of governors. The Hunters remained with the school until their retirements in 1975 and Mr Bickley became its first Head Master. In 1987 it became a day-only school and turned co-educational nine years later.

Former Heads

*1951–1975: Mr and Mrs K C Hunter *1975–1996: Mr Bickley *1996–2005: Dr Robin Barlow *2005–2013: Mr Stephen Player *2013–present: Mr Simon Clarke

Campus and facilities

The present-day campus consists of various buildings surrounding the historic Spratton Hall, now called "Main House", and subsequent buildings were added as the school expanded. The School has of grounds, including a wooded area designated for use as a " forest school".

Curriculum

Pupils are prepared for entry into a

and public schools, which traditionally admitted pupils at age 13. As such, the curriculum of the prep school section prepares pupils to take the Common Entrance Examination at the end of Year 8.

Notable people

* Michael Ellis, politician *

Mark Haddon Mark Haddon (born 26 September 1962) is an English novelist, best known for ''The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time'' (2003). He won the Whitbread Award, the Dolly Gray Children's Literature Award, the Guardian Prize, and a Commonweal ...

, author of '' The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time'' * Harry Mallinder, professional rugby player

Former staff

* Matt Dawson coached rugby while playing for the

Northampton Saints Northampton Saints (officially Northampton Rugby Football Club) is a professional rugby union club from Northampton, England. The club plays in Premiership Rugby, England's top division of rugby union. It was formed in 1880 as "Northampton St. ...

before the sport became professional. * Tenniel Evans taught at the school during a slack period in his performing career.

References

External links

Official WebsiteProfile
on the

Independent Schools Council The Independent Schools Council (ISC) is a non-profit lobby group that represents over 1,300 private schools in the United Kingdom. The organisation comprises seven independent school associations and promotes the business interests of its ...

website
1950s photos of the school
— Spratton Local Historical Society archives {{authority control Private schools in West Northamptonshire District Educational institutions established in 1951 1951 establishments in England Preparatory schools in Northamptonshire