Under various names, Dorset House has been in existence since 1784, originally in Hertfordshire but for eighty years in Littlehampton. In 1964, the School, then in private ownership, closed there but during its last term a charitable trust was set up by parents, old boys and friends of the School to purchase Bury Manor where Dorset House now resides.
Bury Manor has an extraordinary history. In 1066 the records show it was then owned by Countess Goda, sister of Edward the Confessor, but the Normans handed it over to the Monks of Fecamp, a Benedictine monastic order who farmed the Manor for centuries. The Great Barn was built in the 16th Century.
It is interesting to note that in the past, Dorset House offered rowing, sailing and fishing. There was also the first Bury Scout Troop which involved both the children at DH and some local children from the village. Our new leadership programme echoes the activities enjoyed by children in this idyllic setting in the past.
Below is a brief history of the school:
1784
1830's
1850's
1860's
1865
1874
1886
1900
1905
1912
1922
1933
1936
1960
1964
1983
1988
2003
2006
2008
Totteridge Park School – Hertfordshire
Totteridge Park School
David Munro employed as Usher, married
Wilkinson’s daughter
Robert Wilkinson retires & David Munro became HM
Totteridge Park School moved to Hendon & became Brent Bridge House
Brent Bridge House moved to Elstree & became
Hillside School
Hillside School moved to Littlehampton & became
The School House
David Munro retires & Malcolm Munro (son) became HM
The School House and Dorset House merge and become Dorset House - a Preparatory School
Mr Beecheno retires, Malcolm Munro buys the school
Mr Sims becomes assistant master
Mr and Mrs Sims join Malcolm Munro in partnership
Malcolm Munro retires & Mr Sims became HM
Mr Sims retires, Mr Cranthorne became HM
Dorset House moved to Bury HM R Hutchinson
HM T Champion
HM A James
HM E Clarke
Co-education introduced
HM RCM Brown
HM Not Known
HM R Wilkinson
HM R Wilkinson
HM D Munro
HM D Munro
HM D Munro
HM D Munro
(+ sons)
HM M Munro
HM M Munro/
Beecheno
HM M Munro
HM M Munro
HM M Munro
HM R Sims
HM J Cranthorne
HM R Hutchinson
HM T Champion
HM A James
HM E Clarke
HM E Clarke
HM RCM Brown
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