Hazelwood School History

 

Hazelwood's history begins in 1890 when the school was established as a boarding school for boys aged 8 - 13 by Edward Baily. Edward and his wife Ruth, bought the land from the Titsey Estate as he loved the views of the Weald and the Ashdown Forest. He thought the site was ‘healthy and bracing'. Mr Baily invested a large percentage of his first term's income in buying, and planting, a forest of trees around the site. Some of these trees sadly were lost in the Great Storm of 1987 as was the original chapel building, destroyed by one of Mr Baily's falling trees!

  

The first 38 pupils were accommodated and taught in a purpose-built Victorian building that remains at the centre of the School today. In 1962 the School was bought by Tim Dowling and merged with his Bickley Hall School in Bromley, Kent - resulting in the double motto and double badge so familiar to our past pupils. Hazelwood School became a registered charity and was incorporated as a limited company in 1968. Girls were first admitted to the school and a Pre-Prep department established in 1978. Boarding continued at the school until 1999.

  

In March 2009, Hazelwood merged with Laverock School to build upon the strengths of both in creating a united school where pupils will have extensive opportunities to develop and maximise their potential. The Larks Nursery was established at the Laverock site in the heart of Oxted providing exemplary care and development for children from three and a half months to four years. In January 2015, The Larks was rechristened as Hazelwood School Nursery and Early Years.

  

Although the school has grown and developed significantly over the years, the ethos remains the same. The Head and all staff work unstintingly to ensure the nurturing environment which allows pupils to flourish.

  

We would love to hear from past pupils of Hazelwood and Laverock. Please complete the Alumni Information form below and return it to headspa@hazelwoodschool.com so that we may keep in touch with regard to any future events and information.