Our history
History of Kimbolton School
Our school has evolved over the centuries from a few buildings in the modest courtyard of the local church to a leading independent school, set against the splendour of Kimbolton Castle.
1600 – the beginning
The original founder of a school, was almost certainly the owner of Kimbolton Castle. Land and properties gifted to the school to pay the schoolmaster, may well have been donated in the pre-Tudor period.
However, 1600 marks the beginning of recorded continuous education at Kimbolton, and Henry Balye and William Dawson were appointed (trustees).
Early days
Kimbolton Free Grammar School enjoyed something of a heyday in the late 18th and early 19th century.
Despite the agricultural recession, the school moved to new premises in 1877 (on the site of the Prep School). Shortly afterwards, the school adopted its motto Spes Durat Avorum, may the hopes of our forefathers endure.
However, by the end of the 19th century the school was in a parlous state and by 1912 only had 12 pupils.
1913-47
The headmastership of William Ingram (1913-47) along with his deputy Cyril Gibbard, (Deputy Headmaster, 1911-53) was the first step in the renaissance of the school.
Numbers increased to 213 by 1928, and continued to do so, rising to 270 pupils by 1934 including 151 boarders.
Ingram was an innovator, introducing the famous purple striped blazer and his mantra of Happiness, Health, Success and Growth. He attracted leading sportsmen to Kimbolton including Harold Abrahams, of Chariots of Fire fame, who conducted much of his training at Kimbolton; Tom Parker of Arsenal and England coached the school football team; and Jack Hobbs coached a cricket team and recorded his last century at Kimbolton School in 1941.
1940
In 1940, Ingram introduced our house system for pastoral care and competitions.
Names of prominent founders or inspirational leaders are still reflected in the names of our present houses: Balyes, Dawsons, Gibbards, Owens and Ingrams.
1944
The 1944 Education Act forbade tuition fees in maintained schools. Huntingdonshire County Council concluded there was no place for Kimbolton School in the reorganisation of the county’s schools.
Governors were faced with two options: to go independent or to apply for Direct Grant status. Wanting to preserve the social mix characteristic of Kimbolton, the school was awarded Direct Grant status, drawing most of its funds from the Government rather than the local authority, in return for providing a grammar school education to a proportion of 11+ pupils. Parents whose sons were sponsored by a local authority did not pay fees whilst others paid only according to income.
1947-73
In 1947, Ingram retired and was succeeded by Cyril Lewis (1947-73). In 1950, under his and Chairman Canon Frank Powis Maurice’s leadership, the decision was taken to buy Kimbolton Castle from the Duke of Manchester. This included the Castle, the Gatehouse, stable block and 50 acres of land.
Kimbolton Castle is a Grade One listed building and last resting place of Katharine of Aragon. Former residents played pivotal roles in British history, including fighting for Parliament in the Civil War, helping to install William III, and signing the Peace of Paris (1783) to end the American War of Independence. It is an architectural masterpiece designed, amongst others, by John Vanbrugh, Nicholas Hawksmoor and Robert Adam. Unlike many former ducal residences, the castle retains many original features such as the Pellegrini staircase, state rooms and paintings by Sir Peter Lely.
In 1950, the Castle was in poor repair, with one ceiling held up by telegraph poles! Nevertheless, the State Rooms were soon pressed into service and the Gatehouse became the school bursary.
1951-69
From 1951-61, the school grew by 100 (75 of these were boarders). By 1956, there were 11 former pupils studying at Cambridge and 110 boarders living in the Castle.
The move to the Castle allowed the school to expand still further with the opening of the Preparatory Department in the “old school”. The estate gradually improved with the building of new classrooms and an open-air swimming pool, culminating with the opening of Lewis Hall for assemblies and sports in 1969.
1973-87
With David Donaldson as Headmaster, this period was pivotal in the development of Kimbolton School. External forces buffeted the school, including a reduction in boarding numbers and the removal of the Direct Grant.
The school had to be bold. 1976 marks the point at which the school became fully independent, and its first steps to becoming co-educational, with girls arriving at the Prep School and Sixth Form.
By 1983, Kimbolton School was fully co-educational and girls’ boarding was introduced in 1988. A vital stage in Kimbolton becoming a true family school.
1987-2002
Under the Headship of Roger Peel, the school enjoyed a phase of huge investment in facilities including the Donaldson Building (science), a new sports hall, arts centre, library and covered swimming pool.
There were also extensive changes in the Prep School including the building of Hunter Hall.
2002-2023
A positive trend for growth and investment continued under the leadership of Jonathan Belbin, with a focus on building impressive, state-of-the-art classroom facilities including the Queen Katharine Building (STEM and languages) and the William Brown Lecture Theatre.
Further modernisation of the Prep School took place, as well as the refurbishment of the Donaldson Building (Geography, Art History and Food and Nutrition) all ensured the continued evolution of Kimbolton School.
Today
Today, Kimbolton School has record numbers on its roll and under the Headship of Will Chuter, the school is moving ahead with exciting future plans, to ensure we deliver an exceptional, forward-looking, 21st century education for the next generation of Kimboltonians.
World War II connections
In 2012, Kimbolton School was honoured to become the official UK representative for the 379th US Army Air Force Bomb Group Association.
379th BG Official UK Representative: Andrew Bamford
In May 1943, the 379th Bomb Group arrived at RAF Kimbolton and from 1943-45, and c.6,000 Air Force personnel were assigned to this location, close to our school grounds.
The Group became the most successful of all the Eighth Air Force heavy bomber groups – holding records for bomb tonnage and number of missions flown (330).
The 379th Group flew its last combat mission on 25 April 1945 and received two Presidential Unit Citations for its accomplishments. After the War, the RAF used Kimbolton’s station for basic training until it closed in 1946.
