Built in the late eighteenth century as a Georgian hunting lodge by the Delmé family, West Hill Park was bought in 1919 by Charles Ransome, Headmaster of Banstead School, for £8500. He founded the boys preparatory school here and the first term began in January 1920, making 2020 our centenary year.
West Hill Lodge built by Peter Delmé on his Titchfield lands, around the time of his marriage to Lady Elizabeth Howard.
It remained in the hands of the Delmé family, but the tenancy was occupied as the country seat of Rt Hon Lord Henry Paulet, Vice Admiral of the White and a Lord of the Admiralty.
The buildings and land were tenanted by several noble families.
The property and land were sold to the Rt Hon Lord Frederick William Hotham, sixth Baron and an Irish Peer.
Purchased by Charles Ransome.
West Hill Park School is founded with 18 boys, two masters and a matron.
The School is moved to Atlantic House Hotel, Polzeath, near Padstow in Cornwall for the duration of World War II.
West Hill becomes a hostel for the nursing staff of Coldeast Hospital and used by the RAF for recreation.
Two land mines exploded in the strawberry fields, destroying the barn, cattle barn and glasshouses.
The school returns to West Hill Park.
First Headmaster of the school Charles Ransome dies and his son Jimmy Ransome takes over.
Headmaster Jimmy Ransome dies suddenly of a heart attack while chopping down a tree in the woods.
from The Dragon School, takes over as Headmaster.
The school grows substantially from 75 to 170 pupils with extensive building work undertaken, and new science and language teaching initiatives.
The school marks its Golden Jubilee.
The 25m swimming pool is completed, largely financed by funds raised during the school's Golden Jubilee.
took over as Headmaster, initiating extensive academic development and new building including the music block.
In January, the first female pupil joins West Hill.
a former housemaster at Canford School, takes over as Headmaster, overseeing the school becoming fully co-ed, further expansion of school numbers and building including the craft centre, new sports hall and hard tennis courts.
a former housemaster at The Dragon School, becomes Headmaster driving further academic innovation and development including construction of the Astro Turf, riding school, art centre and classroom block.
takes over as Headmaster, making EYFS an integral part of the school with an all-weather discovery area.
from St Hugh’s in Woodhall Spa, joins as Headmaster.
West Hill Park celebrates its centenary.
The school pioneers a full time distance learning programme, with live teaching, full curriculum and learning enrichment activities.