King Edward's School, Whitley

King Edward's School Witley, near Godalming, Surrey, is very much associated with the City of London. It was founded in 1533 by Royal Charter of Edward VI, who granted the Palace of Bridewell to the Lord Mayor and Commonalty for the purpose of providing care and education, particularly in crafts, for destitute children. The school moved to Witley in 1867 and has been co-educational since 1952.

The school is supported by the Bridewell Foundation and its many benefactors included a large number of the City livery companies. It prides itself on being “A Traditional School with a modern outlook”. About a quarter of the pupils are in receipt of funding to some degree and about half of the school is made up of children drawn from the inner London boroughs. Pupils are aged between 11 and 18.

(Above) The Senior Warden with the Registrar, Mrs Pat Snelling, and the Headmaster, Mr P Ferr Fulton-Peebles
(Below) The Senior Warden with Headgirl, Fiona Gaw.

I was invited to tour the school and meet with the Headmaster and other members of staff. I was shown around by the Head Girl, Fiona Gaw, and was very impressed by the quality and breadth of the school's facilities. The school follows both “A” level and International Baccalaureate programmes. Many of the sixth form students go on to higher education.

The Company's Second Trust has been able to provide financial support to a student of the school so as to allow her to continue with her studies in circumstances where she would otherwise have had to withdraw for lack of funds.

I had a very useful discussion with the Headmaster, the Registrar and Director of Development and will be reporting to the Trust about how further assistance can be given to benefit pupils in the future.

Michael Stephens, Senior Warden