History, Politics & Society
For well over a century, the British preparatory school stood in a distinctive world of its own – shaping generations of pupils, demanding discipline, and ‘preparing’ them for their public schools. Many prep schools flourished, others faded, and a few, like Northaw (later Norman Court), lived several lives across different names and settings before finally lapsing into extinction. More than the story of a single incarnation, it is that of an educational species: rare, resilient, but vulnerable to the changing social and economic climate.
Drawing on the familiar rituals of boarding prep schools – their locations and buildings, ethos and traditions, timetables and routines, music and worship, food, discipline, dormitories, games and the arts – this study illuminates what made these places at once formidable, formative and unforgettable.
Rich with anecdotes, historical insight, first-hand recollections and over 300 evocative photographs, this book traces the lives shaped within these institutions – including a post-war Labour prime minister – and remembers the 86 former pupils and teachers who lost their lives in the two World Wars.
This is a history for former prep school pupils, their families, and anyone curious about how one very British phenomenon rose, thrived and ultimately declined.
Here's what readers have to say about this book....
As a Northaw old boy from the 1960's, I found the insights and stories contained within this wonderful and well-written book to be absolutely gripping, from around that era. A little of the detail, I knew already but the vast majority of it was unknown to me and a fascinating read. But this thoroughly well-researched book goes far beyond the life and times at just the one school. It shares much more with the reader including numerous broader historical facts and figures, views and opinions as well as some wonderful old photos from yesteryear. Congratulations to James Christopher for compiling such an outstanding piece of work
This remarkable volume contains as comprehensive account as you could possibly find of the progress from start to finish of a country boarding school, in this case the renowned Northaw in Hampshire, later to become Norman Court Preparatory School. Alongside this school's history, there are illuminating vignettes of other preparatory schools, providing insightful glimpses into how they fared in comparison. The research that has gone into the production of this book is immense and amounts to a considerable achievement on the part of the author.
What a fabulous book! From the very moment I felt it in my hands I sensed the quality, confirmed when I opened up the beautifully printed pages. Extremely well cut, bound and produced. And then I began to read - a superlative tour-de-force - stunning in every way from the extraordinary amount of research that must have been done, to the personal comments and memories from so many contributors. It's an absolute 'must read' for any Old Northavian, and indeed for anyone who attended a preparatory school at any time. A wonderful trip down memory lane but enhanced by reading about the history of the schools and those that founded them and ran them. I only wish I had been there longer and got to know the boys and masters better. Well done Chris - a great achievement, which will be treasured. Philip Shaw-Hamilton (63/4?-65)
Get the latest Troubador articles, news and events sent directly to your inbox.
