Epsom College

Foundation

The school was founded in 1853 by Dr. John Propert as The Royal Medical Benevolent College, the aims of which were to provide accommodation for pensioned medical doctors or their widows in the first instance, and to provide a "liberal education" to 100 sons of "duly qualified medical men" for £25 each year.

The establishment of the College was the culmination of a campaign begun in 1844 by the Provincial Medical and Surgical Association, the forerunner of the British Medical Association. The scheme saw the medical profession was "in regard to charitable institutions for the aged and infirm, the widow and the orphan, the worst provided of all professions and callings" and took as its aim the alleviating of poverty and debt. Discussions were chaired by Sir John Forbes, Physician to Prince Albert and the Royal Household, and followed similar plans establishing schools for the Clergy and the Royal Navy in desiring to raise money to found "schools for the sons of medical men", providing an education which would otherwise be "beyond the means of many parents".

By 1851, the Medical Benevolent Society had limited itself to the foundation of a single Benevolent College, and met in Treasurer John Propert's house in New Cavendish Street, Marylebone. The new campaign's fund-raising activities included dinners, which were attended by numerous doctors and Members of Parliament, and concerts, for example at one such event, on 4 July 1855, composer Hector Berlioz conducted the UK premier of his symphonic suite Harold in Italy.

The foundation stone was laid on 6 July 1853, and almost two years later, on 25 June 1855, the College was formally opened by Prince Albert and his son, the future King Edward VII in front of an unexpectedly large crowd of around 6,000. In March 1855, Queen Victoria had consented to become patron, which relationship with British monarchs has continued ever since; King Edward VII after the death of his mother, King George V, King Edward VIII in 1936, King George VI from 1937, and then the current Queen until the present.

Its long-standing association with medicine was estimated in 1980 as having helped almost a third of its 10,000 alumni enter that profession.

Development and charity

It was founded in 1855 to provide support for poor members of the medical profession. Funding for such a bold undertaking proved inadequate to the task, resulting in a reduced number of buildings and therefore insufficient space to support 100 pensioners and 100 boys. In the 1860s, partially as a result of this, the school was opened up to children of non-medical parents. In subsequent decades, pensioners were supported off-site, until there were none on campus by the end of the 19th century. These moves mark the transition towards the College becoming a public school in the modern sense.

The college continued its charitable activities, alongside its strictly educational role, throughout the 20th century. It was only in 2000 that the Royal Medical Foundation was formed as a separate entity, funding the support of four Foundationers at the College, 27 outside it; and paying 20 pensions and supporting one doctor at a medical home.

In the 1920s the junior school side of the college was run down and thereafter it catered only for 13- to 18-year-olds. In 1976, girls were first allowed into the sixth-form. Twenty years later, the school became fully co-educational.

Its campus is on the outskirts of Epsom, near Epsom Downs on the North Downs, near the racecourse, home to the annual Epsom Derby. Its buildings date from 1853 and are mostly influenced by the Gothic revival architecture, described by Prince Albert as the "pointed style of the 14th Century". In 1974, the main building and the College Chapel attained Grade II listed status.

Epsom College in Malaysia

In 2009 it was announced that the College is to open a new school in Bandar Enstek, just south of Kuala Lumpur scheduled to open in 2013. The new school will eventually cater for some 900 pupils aged 11 to 18, who will follow a British curriculum and another 150 pupils in a preparatory wing. The co-educational school will be built on a 50-acre (200,000 m²) site as part of a development which will include a university, colleges and a medical hub.

The new school has been made possible through the joint funding and support of Kuala Lumpur Education City (KLEC) and the college's network of high-profile Old Epsomians living and working in Malaysia, and will offer opportunities for exchanges of both pupils and teaching staff between the two schools.

OFT Inquiry

In 2005 the school was one of fifty of the country's leading independent schools which were found guilty of running an illegal price-fixing cartel, exposed by The Times newspaper, although the schools made clear that they had not realised that the change to the law (which had happened only a few months earlier) about the sharing of information had subsequently made it an offence. Each school was required to pay a nominal penalty of £10,000 and all agreed to make ex-gratia payments totalling three million pounds into a trust designed to benefit pupils who attended the schools during the period in respect of which fee information was shared. However, Mrs Jean Scott, the then-head of the Independent Schools Council, said that independent schools had always been exempt from anti-cartel rules applied to business, were following a long-established procedure in sharing the information with each other, and that they were unaware of the change to the law (on which they had not been consulted). She wrote to John Vickers, the OFT director-general, saying, "They are not a group of businessmen meeting behind closed doors to fix the price of their products to the disadvantage of the consumer. They are schools that have quite openly continued to follow a long-established practice because they were unaware that the law had changed".

Houses

House colours are seen in the stripes in the ties worn by the majority of boys (those not wearing colours or prefects' ties); on a rectangular brooch worn by the girls; and at the neck of school pullovers. They are also used in house rugby and athletics tops.

Hockey

Hockey, previously a minor (optional) sport, became a major sport after the opening of the (then) new pitches behind the maths block. While the pitches were completed for September 1966, the autumn term was devoted to stone picking parties, and the hockey season started in January 1967. Hockey had been played previously on the Chudleigh rugby and cricket pitches. Now modern Hockey for girls (in Michelmas Term) and boys (in Lent Term) is played on recently installed 'Astro' Pitches, one of the Colleges recent upgrades. They are situated by the esteemed Chapel Building (Chapel Astro) and Fayrer House (Crosby Astro).

Rugby

Rugby, for the male pupils of Epsom College Rugby is the main, prominent sport of the Michelmas (winter) Term. Rugby (Opters) commences in the Lent Term for the few pupils who wish to continue the sport throughout the school year. In 2001, the Epsom College U15 team won their age group in Daily Mail Cup, beating The John Fisher School by 17-12 at Twickenham in the Final. In 2006, the U16 Epsom sevens team won the 2006 Sevens National Championship at Rosslyn Park by beating Millfield 29-19. In 2005 Epsom College U15 Team lost to Bedford 10-5 in the Semi final of the Daily Mail competition.

Rifle shooting

The college has one of the best rifle teams in the country. They have won the Ashburton Shield, the premiere event at the annual Schools' Rifle Championships more often than any other school, recording a record-breaking 15th Ashburton win in 2011 (the 150th year of the competition).

Swimming

Swimming is more of a minor sport at Epsom College, as it is often chosen as an alternative to the more popular team sports, such as Rugby. In the 5th form, choice is given to all pupils not included in 1st teams. Practice and occasional galas take place in the College's 25-metre swimming pool. Training is supervised by teachers at the school and external coaches.

Badminton

Badminton is a fairly recent team sport at Epsom College, acting as a popular choice for foreign pupils who board. Weekly matches take place at the school and as with most other sports, training takes place in the afternoons on Tuesdays and Thursdays in either of the large, well equipped sports halls. It is open to both male and female pupils of all ages.

The Athletics Term

Until the winter of 1965, Epsom College was unusual in holding athletics in the coldest months of the year, between January and April. This meant that the long jump pit was often frozen. The track surrounded the First XV pitch, and was either frozen or waterlogged.

Air raid shelters

During the Second World War, in preparation for the possibility of attack from the air, several air raid shelters were built, the outlines of which are still visible in aerial photographs and satellite imagery as a row of negative cropmarks in the grass on the Chapel Triangle. In his 1944 book, Sunday After The War, Henry Miller called these "shelters from aerial bombardment".

The fives courts

Near Wilson Pitch, there are the remnants of several open air fives courts, one of which is said to be a doubles court. In the late 1960s these were functional courts, albeit of odd design.

Principal feeder prep schools

Aberdour School

Chinthurst School

City of London Freemen's School

Danes Hill School

Downsend School

Feltonfleet School

Homefield School

Kingswood House School

Priory Preparatory School

Shrewsbury House School

Cobham Free School

Headmasters

(1855–1870) Doctor Robinson Thornton, M.A. (Oxon), D.D.

(1870–1885) The Rev. William de Lancy West, M.A. (Oxon), D.D.

(1885–1889) The Rev. William Cecil Wood, M.A. (Cantab)

(1889–1914) The Rev. Thomas Northcote Hart-Smith, M.A. (Oxon)

(1914–1922) The Rev. Canon Walter John Barton, M.A. (Oxon)

(1922–1939) The Rev. Canon Arnold Cecil Powell, M.A. (Cantab)

(1939–1962) Henry William Fernyhough Franklin, M.A. (Oxon)

(1962–1970) Archibald Duncan Dougal MacCallum, T.D., M.A., FRSA (previously Headmaster of Christ College, Brecon, became Headmaster of Strathallan School)

(1970–1982) Owen John Tressider Rowe, M.A. (Oxon) (previously headmaster of Giggleswick School)

(1982–1992) Dr John B. Cook, BSc, Ph.D., AKC

(1993–2000) Anthony (Tony) Beadles, M.A. (OE, Forest)

(2000–2012) Stephen Borthwick BSc, CPhys, FRSA

(2012- ) James A (Jay) Piggot MA

Sundry items of interest

There is a Schools Class steam engine named after the school

Wartime plane crash on Epsom racecourse by an ex Hart Smith pupil

Southern Railway Schools Class

The School lent its name to the thirtyeighth steam locomotive (Engine 937) in the Southern Railway's Class V of which there were 40. This Class was also known as the Schools Class because all 40 of the class were named after prominent English public schools. 'Epsom', as it was called, was built in 1934.The locomotive bearing the School's name was withdrawn in the early 1960s.

Notable pupils

Usually this section will reflect past pupils, known as "Old Epsomians" (OEs). Where a current pupil is notable outside the school environment, such a pupil is listed in this section.

A to D

David Alexander (Cr 1951-1956) (b 17 November 1937, d 13 November 2002), the co-founder and former chairman and managing director of Lion Publishing

Alexander Gordon (Alick) Bearn (C 1936-1940) (b 29 March 1923, d 15 May 2009). Pioneering geneticist known for his research into Wilson's disease

John Bensted (Cr 1965-1969) (b 25 November 1951) Chief Executive of Gloucestershire Probation Trust

Roger Bluett (R 1939-1942), oriental art and antiques dealer, Chairman of the Museum of East Asian Art in Bath

Roland Boys Bradford (left 1907) (23 February 1892 – 30 November 1917) recipient of the Victoria Cross during First World War

Jeaffreson Vennor Brewer (1866–1870) rugby union international for England in 1875

Professor Neville Butler (G 1933-1935) (b 6 July 1920, d 22 February 2007), paediatrician

Paul Burke (G 1989-1991), Irish International Rugby Union Fly-half.

Christian Candy (Rn 1989-1993)

Nick Candy (Rn 1986-1991)

Alex Carlile, Baron Carlile of Berriew,CBE, QC (born 12 February 1948), Liberal Democrat member of the House of Lords.

Warwick Charlton (b 9 March 1918, d 10 December 2002, conceived of, had built, and sailed the Mayflower II, replica of the Mayflower, in 1957 from Plymouth, Devon, to Plymouth, Massachusetts

John Deeker, one of Britain's foremost pyrotechnicians

Tyger Drew-Honey (C 2009- ) (b 26 January 1996), Child actor best known for his role in the hit BBC sitcom Outnumbered.

Catherine 'Caggie' Dunlop, 'star' of Made in Chelsea

Alastair Dickenson, Silver expert

Chukwuemeka Odumegwu Ojukwu (4 November 1933[3] – 26 November 2011[4]) was a Nigerian military officer and politician. Ojukwu served as the military governor of the Eastern Region of Nigeria in 1966, the leader of the breakaway Republic of Biafra from 1967 to 1970

E to K

John Inkster, a pioneer in anaesthesia and intensive care techniques that helped to make complex surgery safer for small babies.

McCormack Charles Farrell Easmon (left 1907), Doctor, Campaigner for Racial Equality in Sierra Leone, and founder of the Sierra Leone Museum

Charles Syrett Farrell Easmon, CBE, MD, PhD, MRCP, FRCPath, FMedSci, (1946), British microbiologist and medical professor

Michael Fallon Member of Parliament for Sevenoaks and Secretary of State for Defence.

Tony Fernandes (H 1977–1983), Malaysian entrepreneur, CEO and founder of AirAsia.

Stewart Granger (6 May 1913 – 16 August 1993) (left 1923), Hollywood Actor

Sir Charles Felix Harris (b 30 Mar 1900, New York, d 10 Mar 1974) Vice Chancellor of London University from 1958-61

Colonel Tony Hewitt (b 13 September 1914, d 30 June 2004), awarded an MC for a daring escape from a Japanese PoW camp after the fall of Hong Kong on Christmas Day 1941

Sir Alfred Bakewell Howitt (1879–1954), doctor and Conservative Member of Parliament

Keith Irvine, interior designer

Ciara Janson, (Cr 2000–2004) (b 27 April 1987) Actress (best known as Nicole Owen from Hollyoaks)

Richard Stanley Leigh Jones (R 1953-1958) (born 1940), Australian parliamentarian.

Lieutenant-Commander Dicky Kendall, placed a two-ton mine under the German battleship Tirpitz in Operation Source

Desmond King-Hele, (R 1941–1945) (b 3 November 1927) physicist and author.

Professor Wyn Knight-Jones, (R 1928-1933) (b 7 March 1916, d 9 February 2012), leading marine biologist

L to R

Derek (William) Lambert (b 10 October 1929, d 2001), Thriller writer, also journalist

Suzannah Lipscomb, a historian, academic and broadcaster who specialises in the sixteenth century. She has presented programmes across the BBC and on Britain's Channel 4 Television and ITV networks, and on National Geographic Channel, The History Channel (now known as 'History') and on the Public Broadcasting Service in the United States.

George Lowe (b 22 October 1989), a professional rugby union footballer for Harlequins in the Guinness Premiership.

Philip Gadesden Lucas, (C 1918-1918) (b 1902, d 1981) George Medallist.

Sir Anthony McCowan, (b 12 January 1928, d 3 July 2003), Lord Justice of Appeal from 1989 to 1997

Alan McGlashan, (P 1010-1916) (20 October 1898 in Bedworth, Nottinghamshire – 6 May 1977 in London)psychiatrist, pilot, author and theatre critic

Ross McGowan, (born 23 April 1982), English professional golfer.

Major Alastair McGregor (G 1932-1936), won the DSO and the MC while serving with the SAS behind enemy lines during the Second World War

James MacKeith, (b 29 October 1938, d 5 August 2007), Forensic Psychiatrist

Sir Halford John Mackinder (b 1861, d 1947), Geographer

Gyles Mackrell, (P 1898-1905) (b 1888, d 1959), George Medallist.

Jonathan Maitland (Cr 1974-1979), ITV Television journalist

Mark Mardell, BBC North America Editor; fmr. BBC Europe Editor; Television Journalist, Radio Journalist

Gerald Milsom, Entrepreneur and restaurateur

Toby Nash, (real names Lancelot Lester Nash, but always known as Toby), (b 4 February 1920, d 6 July 2005), awarded an MC in 1942 while serving with an anti-aircraft battery in Burma.

Bob Nixon (left 1940), Cricket Broadcaster, Rhodesia

Colonel Chukwuemeka Odumegwu Ojukwu (4 November 1933 – 26 November 2011) (H 1947 - 1952), Son of Sir Louis Odumegwu Ojukwu, Nigerian Army Officer and politician. Ojukwu served as the military governor of the Eastern Region of Nigeria in 1966, the leader of the breakaway Republic of Biafra from 1967 to 1970 and a leading Nigerian politician from 1983 to 2011, when he died, aged 78. Leader of Biafra during the war with Nigeria

Răzvan Orășanu Europe's Youngest Cabinet Minister (Romania)

Parag Patel (1989–1994), Full bore rifle Commonwealth Games Gold Medallist 2006 and 2010

Nick Paton-Walsh, (R 1990-1995) Foreign Correspondent for Channel 4 News, formerly with The Guardian

Terence Pepper (G 1962-1967),Photohistorian, Exhibition Organiser, Head of Photographs Collection at the National Portrait Gallery

Keith Pilcher (C 1951-1956) (b 20 December 1937, d 21 December 2011) multiple Queen's Prize winner

John Piper (left 1919) (13 December 1903 – 1992), Cubist artist

Geoffrey Pope (Cr 1946-1952) (d 25 October 2004), Director of the Royal Aircraft Establishment

Sir Philip Powell, (b 15 March 1921, d 5 May 2003) half of one of the most important British architectural partnerships - Powell & Moya - with Hidalgo Moya, of the post-war period

Richard Ratner, (b 21 September 1949, d 7 October 2007) (HS & G 1961-1968), retail industry analyst and a vice-chairman at Seymour Pierce, the boutique broking house; cousin of Gerald Ratner.

Major-General Jim Robertson, (b 23 March 1901, d. 11 February 2004), (C 1924-1928), commanded the 1/7th Gurkha Rifles in Burma and the 1/6th Gurkha Rifles in Malaya; a formidable field commander, he was awarded two DSOs and was four times mentioned in dispatches.

S to Z

Sir John Scarlett, head of the British Secret Intelligence Service (MI6) (2004–2009). He is currently [2013] a governor.

Sergeant Robert George Scott (b 22 April 1857, d 3 October 1918) 99G 1870–1871) VC, DSO, won his Victoria Cross (VC) on 8 April 1879 at Morosi's Mountain, South Africa during the Basuto War.

Craig Shephard (P 1998-2003), Grenadier Guards officer awarded a Military Cross for operations in Afghanistan in 2009

Edward Smyth, orthopaedic surgeon and an intrepid mountaineer, skier and sailor

Flaxman Charles John Spurrell, Archaeologist and Photographer

Lt-Col Alex Simson, (b 2 February 1918, d 20 July 2004), awarded a Military Cross in 1943 while leading mine-clearing parties in the last phase of the battle for Tunis

Air Vice-Marshal Graham Stacey (Fayrer 1973-77), appointed Commander British Forces Cyprus 2010

Rear-Admiral Michael Stacey, took the surrender of a Japanese general at Singapore and later became an oil pollution clearance expert.

Graham Sutherland (b 24 August 1903, d 17 February 1980) (G 1918-1919) Artist

David Urquhart, (b 15 January 1920 d 6 April 2008), consultant orthopaedic surgeon. Known affectionately as 'Dru', a consultant orthopaedic surgeon at St Thomas' Hospital, London, from 1957 until 1981. He was undoubtedly one of the established St Thomas' personalities in the post-war era. His skills were in student teaching and administration, having been heavily involved in the hospital re-building programme.

Jeremy Vine (b 17 May 1965) (H 1976-1982), BBC Television journalist and Radio Presenter, brother of Tim

Tim Vine (b 1967) (H 1980-1985), record breaking comedian, brother of Jeremy

Sir David Warren, (Cr 1965-1970), (b 1952), in 2010 British Ambassador to Japan.

Sir Graham Wilson, bacteriologist

Nicholas Witchell, BBC Television journalist

Julian Worricker (R 1976-1980), BBC Radio journalist

Notable staff

Denis Barnham, Taught art 1949 – 1972, Spitfire pilot in the Siege of Malta

Robert (Bob) Roseveare, (b 23 May 1923, d 8 December 2004) Bletchley Park cryptographer

Nigel Starmer-Smith, Taught Geography while scrum-half for England rugby union team, prior to his TV Rugby commentary role at the BBC

Paul Burke, Head of Rugby from 2016 to present. Was a former rugby union player, made 13 appearances for Ireland national rugby union team. He has also formerly played for Cork Constitution, London Irish, Munster Rugby, Bristol Rugby, Cardiff Blues and Harlequin F.C..