History of Sedbergh School in 50 Objects #7: School House
When Headmaster Frederick Heppenstall arrived at Sedbergh in 1874 he found the Headmaster’s House, now Evans House, was not fit for habitation. Having instructed repairs and refurbishment to the building he determined that only 28 boys could comfortably be accommodated there. Heppenstall was adamant that this modest number was insufficient to bring prosperity and vitality to the School. With the support of his dynamic new Governing body the School set about selling off its lands in Ilkley, Halifax, Barnby Dunn and elsewhere in Yorkshire to fund new boarding houses and ambitious new teaching spaces.
School House was first occupied in the summer of 1878, the first of the new purpose-built boarding Houses to be completed. It was to be “a Headmaster’s House with accommodation for two assistant masters and fifty boarders.” An advertisement in the Westmorland Gazette in July 1878 read “Owing to the completion of the Headmaster’s new house (built with every convenience for forty boys at the cost of £10,000) there will be vacancies after the summer holidays.” The Chairman of the Governors, Sir Francis Sharp Powell said “There was not a School House in England superior to that which would be occupied by Mr Heppenstall”.
School House, along with the many other buildings being developed on the school site at that time, was designed by eminent architects Paley and Austin of Lancaster. The firm had an extensive portfolio of ecclesiastical buildings but also became known for their work on country houses in the north of England.
Although built to the pattern of the later boarding houses, School House was built with a square belltower, to denote its importance as the Headmaster’s residence. Until 1967 the Headmaster of Sedbergh School was also the Housemaster of School House. The Reverend Frederick Heppenstall, to whose foresight and energy the School largely owes its survival, was the first Headmaster to occupy School House, Mr Michael Thornely was the last Headmaster.
In 1924 the house was extended with the addition of a memorial library, in honour of the fallen boys of School House. This room provides an area of private study for boys as they learn to work independently, preparing them well for life beyond Sedbergh.
Famous sons of School House include Admiral Sir Jock Slater who held the positions of First Sea Lord and Chief of the Naval Staff, and 1st Baron Wakefield of Kendal, Sir Wavell Wakefield who was a rugby union player for Harlequins and England, President of the Rugby Football Union and Conservative politician.
The House colour is blue and the House magazine, when it appears, is called the Kingfisher.