Our History

Built in the late eighteenth century as a Georgian hunting lodge by the Delmé family. West Hill Park was bought in 1919 by Charles Ransome, Headmaster of Banstead School, for £8500. He founded the boys preparatory school here and the first term began in January 1920, making 2020 our centenary year.

1782

West Hill Lodge built by Peter Delmé on his Titchfield lands, around the time of his marriage to Lady Elizabeth Howard.

1907

The property and land were sold to the Rt Hon Lord Frederick William Hotham, sixth Baron and an Irish Peer.

1920

West Hill Park School is founded with 18 boys, two masters and a matron.

1939

The School is moved to Atlantic House Hotel, Polzeath, near Padstow in Cornwall for the duration of World War II.

1952

First Headmaster of the school Charles Ransome dies and his son Jimmy Ransome takes over.

1959

The school grows substantially from 75 to 170 pupils with extensive building work undertaken, and new science and language teaching initiatives.

1972

The 25m swimming pool is completed, largely financed by funds raised during the school’s Golden Jubilee.

1974

Chris Evers took over as Headmaster, initiating extensive academic development and new building including the music block.

1985

In January, the first female pupil joins West Hill.

1994

Edward Hudson becomes Headmaster driving further development including construction of the Astro Turf, riding school, art centre and classroom block.

2020

The school pioneers a full time distance learning programme, with live teaching, full curriculum and learning enrichment activities.

2025

West Hill Park joins the Radley Schools Group, a family of flourishing schools bound by shared values.