History

From humble beginnings…

When the Sisters of the Sacred Heart of Mary opened a small preparatory school in 1938 little did they know that it would develop to become one of the most successful independent schools in the country.

Originally the school taught only a very small number of boys up to the age of seven and girls to the age of eleven. However, by 1979, under the headship of Sister Aquinas, Chetwynde had established itself as an extremely well respected school and was now teaching around 200 boys and girls through to the age of eleven.

It was in this year that Sister Aquinas retired as Head of School to be succeeded by Mrs Margaret Stones.

Growing popularity and success meant that in 1984 Chetywnde once again extended its age range, this time to sixteen, and had soon out grown the premises it occupied on Abbey Road. The move to the current Croslands’ site, incorporating the beautiful victorian mansion house, was made in 1986 and in 1989 Chetwynde opened its Sixth Form.  Since then it has maintained its reputation as one of the best independent schools.

Sport has always been an important part of life at Chetwynde and the school’s sporting facilities were enhanced in 1993 by the purchase of Croft Park. This was followed two years later by the completion of the impressive Sports Hall, officially opened in September 1995 by Her Royal Highness Princess Margaret.

Mrs Stones retired in 2002 and was succeeded by Mrs Isobel Nixon.  Whilst the school is now non-denominational, its ethos is firmly grounded in Christian principles.  It continues to develop and has been enhanced by further extension of its facilities and buildings which support its outstanding academic and sporting success.  In 2008, three new science laboratories were built in the Senior School, thus launching the Chetwynde Science Sustainability Project.  In 2010, Mr Russell Collier was appointed as the first Headmaster of Chetwynde School and so the story continues…….