Page 36 - Godstowe USA Lacrosse Tour 2018

HISTORY HISTORY

A brief history of Godstowe

Godstowe Preparatory School in Buckinghamshire was England’s first all-girls
prep school and has been running successfully for more than 100 years

odstowe was founded in High Wycombe,
GBuckinghamshire, in 1900 when Godstowe became
England’s first all-girls prep school, and forged the close
ties with Wycombe Abbey that are still in force today.
The school name was taken from Godstow Abbey
near Oxford. Nuns from Godstow Abbey had devoted
themselves to the care and education of the girls in
Wycombe many centuries before. The school motto,
“Finem Respice”, meaning “reach towards your goal”, was
chosen to reflect the sense of higher purpose.
During the first year there were 12 pupils on roll, three
of whom belonged to the headmistress! The uniform of
straw boaters with a red band, cloaks, gymslips and white Drama: pupils took part in a production of Water Babies in 1964
dresses was all made at Godstowe by the seamstress. The tradition, being the first competitive game played by the
boater and cloak are still very firmly part of the school school. The original site was very sloping, and the 1:3
tradition today. gradient in some places was regarded as an advantage
by the home side when batting during regular cricket
THE EARLY YEARS fixtures in the early days. Godstowe today: the front of the main school building still remains the same, as does the tradition of straw boaters as part of the uniform (inset)
The early curriculum was innovative for girls’ education
at the time and included bookbinding and carpentry, THE WAR YEARS became so popular that Godstowe held its own annual Technology was introduced, reinforcing the school’s
with needlework being introduced a few years later. The First World War did not affect the school as much gymkhana at Radnage Riding School. strong tradition of practical subjects, such as carpentry
There was a tradition of compulsory cold baths, which as the Second World War with all its bombing raids and and needlework. The school celebrated the arrival of its
is happily not continued in the present day. Emphasis has severe rationing. During the Second World War the EXPANSION AND IMPROVEMENT first computer in 1983.
always been placed on developing the whole child and school had three air raid shelters, and fire drill involved A Pre-Prep department was opened in 1963. This was In 1994 the school opened its nursery, and began
fostering many interests, and Godstowe is renowned girls abseiling down the side of the school buildings followed by other changes in the ‘70s that allowed for nurturing its pupils from the tender age of three. In 1996
for its family atmosphere. School pets were introduced from their dormitories. The harsh winter of 1946 also more space and more facilities for the growing school a brand new Music School and Recital Hall, along with
by Mrs Scott including a hen called Mrs Brown that saw compulsory tobogganing for all girls instead of – the Jasper Knight Hall and an updated swimming pool the new Turner boarding house, were built.
provided eggs for the Head’s breakfasts. There was also games as all the pitches were snowbound. to name but a few. During this time there was a change
a duck that achieved the remarkable feat of laying an egg The post-war years saw Godstowe’s 50th birthday in in the uniform from traditional gymslip to the skirt and CENTENARY CELEBRATIONS
on Mitchell pitch during a lacrosse match. Ponies, and 1950 and a big party was held to celebrate, with singing blouse, with the cheerful red jumpers similar to those Godstowe celebrated its centenary year in 2000 and
Thomas de Godstowe the donkey, were also a part of and charades by pupils past and present. It also saw worn today. Academic life also flourished, as did music and the occasion was marked with a year of celebrations,
school life. the modernisation of Godstowe in many areas and a drama, with a 75th birthday party being celebrated by more including the launch of a distinctive red rose at The
Godstowe also had its own sport, the Godstowe survival through the tough days of post-war depression. than 1,000 people. Chelsea Flower Show called “Godstowe Girl”.
Game, a version of touch rugby, which was played until The curriculum was revised and expanded, and other By the summer of 1980, new buildings were in In 2013, a new state-of-the-art Sports Hall and Drama
recent years. Cricket also had a firm place in Godstowe activities grew in popularity. Riding, for example, place including science labs and classrooms. Design Suite were opened. This was not long followed by a new
“Beginners Building”, which houses the Reception classes.

A NEW ERA
In July 2017, Godstowe’s Headmaster of 11 years,
David Gainer, retired and the school welcomed a
new Headmistress, Sophie Green. Her first major
undertaking was the build of a brand new 25-metre
indoor swimming pool complex, which opens in
Autumn 2018.
The school continues to grow and develop but the
traditions and innovation, quite literally the best of the
old and the new, continue as they always have done. ■
Above left: a Kindergarten class during the 1900s and, above right, the first Godstowe uniform, which is very different to what is worn today Above: swimming lessons in the original outdoor swimming pool
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