Educational Establishments


The school on the hill


Dave Bell and his two man team have set out on an ambitious ‘plan’ to transform the grounds at Farnborough Hill School in north Hampshire, and the results are already reaping rewards for all


F 104 PC OCTOBER/NOVEMBER 2013


arnborough Hill’s setting is certainly unique. The main house, which has an illustrious past, is set in sixty-five acres of grounds that include secluded gardens and woodland. Situated on the highest point in Hampshire, it has marvellous views over the surrounding countryside. Thomas Longman, the publisher, began building the house in 1860, however, Farnborough Hill’s most famous resident was the exiled Empress Eugénie, widow of Emperor Napoleon III of France, who lived there from 1880 until her death in 1920.


The history of the school itself began in 1889 when The Institute of Christian Education established a convent school. They purchased the house in 1927 and commissioned Adrian Gilbert Scott to design additional school buildings, which included the stunning school chapel. Over the years, there has been further


expansion, all of it in keeping with this Grade One listed building. In 1994, The Institute of Christian Education transferred ownership to The Farnborough Hill Trust and the school is now under lay management. The picturesque and historic


surroundings give the school a firm sense of identity, providing a safe and stable environment where girls experience a happy atmosphere of friendship and support. Head Groundsman, Dave Bell, and his two man team of Nick Tunnicliffe and Simon Green, have a busy job keeping on top of the maintenance of everything on site which includes sports facilities for hockey, football, rounders, athletics, tennis - hard and grass courts - and, new this year, cricket. In addition, there are ten acres of formal gardens, a mile of perimeter woodland, rhododendron lined paths and a mass of meadowland.


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