School history & tradition

Founded in 1902 by the brother of the then Head of Winchester College, Copthorne Prep began its life as a small boys’ prep school feeding into Winchester College.

Overview

Now a thriving co-ed prep school feeding a range of senior schools, its original motto ‘Pervincet Vivida Virtus’ (Lively manliness conquers all) is no longer relevant, although lively minds remain a feature of Copthorne today.

Our history timeline

1897

Emsworth House, the building now known as Copthorne Prep School, became a temporary home for Twyford School whilst their own buildings were reconstructed.

1902

Copthorne Prep founded by Mr Bernard H Rendall (brother of the then Head of Winchester) as a boys’ school and feeder school for Winchester. There were just 9 boys initially.

1910

Part of the original building (initially used as an observatory, complete with tower) was converted into a Chapel, dedicated by the Bishop of Lewes.

1913

The sad news of the tragedy in the Antarctic touched many at the school as Dr Edward Wilson, Mr Bernard Rendall’s brother-in-law, had made the school his headquarters for a short time after the ‘Discovery’ Expedition. The stained-glass window funded in his honour remains a fitting tribute.

1919

The chapel tower was raised to install a clock and chimes ‘to look out over the school for the generations to come’ in honour of the twenty old boys and masters lost in WWI. A bronze plate positioned on the south side of the chapel listed the fallen.

1928

Mr Ernest Skeete Workman took over the running of the school in partnership with Mr John Philip Howard.

1939

The Rendall Memorial Library was opened.

WWII – the school was evacuated to the Lee Bay Hotel in Ilfracombe, returning in March 1945. The school building was requisitioned for use by the army.

1949

Mr Pinney, an old boy of the school replaces Mr Howard.

1952

Mr P J H Workman (Tim) took over as headmaster on his father’s death; at the age of just 25 he was at the time the youngest headmaster in the IAPS.

1963

Mr David Sale who had joined the teaching staff at the school in 1954 become joint Headmaster with Mr P J H Workman.

The Jubilee Cup competition was revived with boys competing for one of four houses, Red, Blue, Green and Silver, over a range of events. The magnificent trophy, first presented in the school’s Jubilee year, is still competed for today although the four houses now bear the names of previous Headmasters – Rendall, Workman, Sale and Newton.

1976

The school was formed into a charitable trust run by a governing body. Mr P J H Workman retired and Mr David Sale was joint headmaster with Mr David Cann (1976-1982) and then with Mr David Newton. The ‘Friends of Copthorne’ was also established.