Passion, resilience and perseverance - this is a remarkable story of survival and success against all odds. If you would like to delve deeper into the school's history, copies of ‘Survival and Success: the history of Westbourne House School and Shopwyke Park’ are available from the school office.
"To care for, educate and hopefully inspire the younger generation must be the most worthwhile job there is." - Colin Sharman, Headmaster of Westbourne House, 1961 – 1989.
Miss Hare, a governess, cares for Mr Frank Bibby’s son. When the boy dies, Mr Bibby (of shipping fame) shows his deep gratitude and belief in Miss Hare by buying, building and gifting her a school - Westbourne House School in Folkestone. Originally it was a pre-prep school 'for delicate boys in need of sea air'.
Westbourne House, Folkestone
Folkestone is vulnerable to Zeppelin raids. Miss Hare (now Mrs Hilton) moves the school to Dower House for four years.
Geoffrey Shilcock takes over from the retiring Mrs Hilton. He moves in with his wife Joan and three small children. The number of pupils at the time was 25 boys and one girl.
Westbourne House changes from a pre-prep to a preparatory school, ending at 13+. Under the Shilcocks, sport becomes a central part of life at Westbourne House. It takes a several years to build up the numbers on the senior side successfully.
John Lee is the first troop leader of the enlarged school. John Lee was later awarded the M.C. and bar, serving in the Highland Division during the war.
Mr Rolls joins Westbourne. He, along with the Shilcocks and Miss Blackman, are instrumental in building up the character of the school.
1937, Miss Blackman (Blackie) joins the team and stays for many years. She ends up teaching the sons of her former pupils! Blackie plays an important role in the survival of the school in the future.
Parents connected with the Forces advise the Shilcocks that they should be prepared to move at short notice despite no declaration of war; Folkestone, as it were, being on the Front Line. After some preparation, the whole school moves to Upcott in Barnstaple by train in 1939, with 12 great rail containers of school furniture.
After VE day, the Shilcocks look for a new home for Westbourne House School. The original school in Folkestone is badly damaged and the playing fields have been tarmacked and converted into parking for tanks. They find Shopwyke House.
They move to Shopwyke House. The house was occupied by the RAF during the war. The house is damaged and much preparation is needed.
The school’s first pool courtesy of the Luftwaffe (a crashed ME110).
The scouting movement, which took off in 1908, plays a big part in Westbourne House’s history, influencing our logo and our patrol system and troop leaders.
Anne Shilcock (Mr Shilcock's daughter) and Angela Mortimer win the Ladies’ Doubles at Wimbledon. No British ladies have managed this feat since.
The Shilcocks run a highly successful school and by the late 50s they retire. Mr John Rodwell takes over.
Before long, Mr Rodwell stands down and the Shilcocks can’t find a suitable replacement. They decide to close Westbourne House: all 60 boys have places at other schools and most of the staff have new jobs. In spite of apparently insurmountable difficulties, Colin Sharman convinces the Shilcocks that he can take over the school. The boys' parents decide to give the new Sharman team a chance as long as Miss Blackman (Blackie) remains.
"Our first and overriding priority was to bring in first-rate teachers.” Colin Sharman. This philosophy remains the key to Westbourne House’s success today.
The school’s first gym is built after two very cold winters.
The number of pupils has doubled. The Sharmans turn Westbourne House into a charitable trust to protect its future.
"The traditional picnic that today takes place before Saturday games, for instance, is an initiative that we introduced fairly early on…fostering a sense of community." Colin Sharman
Miss Blackman (Blackie) retires as Senior House Mistress after 47 years of service.
Completed the music school.
Our own maintenance team builds a co-ed Pre-Prep for 70 pupils in the grounds. It is run by Jane Morgan.
Colin Sharman hands over to Stephen Rigby.
Westbourne House becomes fully co-educational.
The school’s third and present pool was built.
The Sharman Wing is completed.
Brendan Law was appointed Stephen Rigby’s successor. The Pre-Prep was dramatically enlarged.
Martin Barker becomes headmaster and introduces the concept of 'be the best you can be', creating an inspirational atmosphere for pupils.
"The overriding ethos of the school is to be inclusive wherever possible, such that each child has the opportunity to make the most of all that is available to them – after all, if this rich variety is not experienced at this age, when will it be?" Martin Barker, Head of Westbourne House.
