Monkton Combe School history

Further land and buildings were purchased in 1869 to accommodate the pupils and to create classrooms.

In 1874 however, Pocock came close to closing the school due to a number of staff departures.

The Junior School was established with four pupils in 1888 in Combe Lodge, a private house in Church Road, Combe Down, by Revd Charles Howard, the son-in-law of the then Senior School Principal, the Revd R.G. Bryan.

A School with a similar ethos to Monkton began in 1898.

The Junior School moved into purpose-built premises in Combe Down in June 1907, which it still occupies.

1920, First VIII, with coach on horseback

Pupils and teachers killed during the First and Second World Wars as well as conflicts since are commemorated in the school chapel, which was built in 1925.

Alongside the senior and prep schools there is also a pre-prep school, which was established in 1937.

One evening in 1938 the pupils’ enthusiasm as volunteers almost went too far when a boy on night exercises, dressed in women’s clothing (the ‘damsel in distress’ if you like), was discovered by two local youths.

During the mid-20th century Monkton was regarded as one of the UK's strongest rowing schools; one-fifth of the 23-strong men's GB rowing squad at the 1948 Olympics consisted of Old Monktonians: I.M. Lang, M.C. Lapage, A. Mellows, W.G.R.M. Laurie, P.C. Kirkpatrick.

One investigation topic: East Germany, 1958-90

In 1968 Monkton fostered an interest in computing, joining with the University of Bath, which allowed pupils access to the university computers.

In 1971, girls were admitted into the Sixth Form.

In 1989, Nutfield House was built to accommodate them in the village.