Reopening: 1947
In 1947, Major Hodges reopened Clare House School in Beckenham. The start was modest – just two classes. Times were hard. Britain was still recovering from war, rationing continued, and building materials were scarce.
But slowly, painstakingly, the school rebuilt itself.
Throughout the 1950s, gradual improvements transformed the premises. While management at the Abbey School in East Grinstead seemed profligate – at one point supporting three Headmasters, each in his own residence – Clare House in Beckenham grew steadily through sheer hard work and careful management.
Peak Years
By the late 1950s, Clare House was once again well established. The school reached its capacity of 140 pupils – all day boys now, with no boarding. At a pinch, an absolute maximum of 160 boys could be accommodated.
In 1958, fees were set at 33 Guineas (£34.65) per term – expensive but reflecting the quality of education on offer.
The facilities were excellent:
- Seven modern classrooms built in 1938, now fully refurbished
- The gymnasium with its 1897 date stone
- The playing field, finally restored after wartime damage
- The cricket pavilion
- Well-maintained grounds
Daily Life
The school routine followed the traditional preparatory school pattern:
- Six periods of classwork daily
- Half-days on Wednesdays and Saturdays
- Sport most afternoons – cricket in summer, rugby in winter
- Swimming at Ashurst Wood during the summer term (the Abbey School connection maintained this privilege)
- Walks in the beautiful Sussex and Kent countryside
The curriculum was rigorous, geared toward the Common Entrance Examination for public schools. Latin began at age seven. Standards were high, and results impressive – the annual lists of scholarships and Common Entrance passes testified to the quality of teaching.
The House System
Boys were organized into four Houses: Drake (blue), Raleigh (maroon), Wolfe (yellow), and Clive (green). These names honoured great figures from British history – Sir Francis Drake and Sir Walter Raleigh, Elizabethan adventurers; General James Wolfe, victor of Quebec; and Robert Clive, conqueror of India.
A competitive system operated for earning or losing house points – conduct, academic effort, sporting achievements all counted. Points were displayed on the house notice board and totaled at the end of each term. The winning house typically earned a half-holiday. Individual “centurions” who accumulated a hundred points or more received similar rewards.
The Teaching Staff
Through the years, Major Hodges led a dedicated team of teachers.
From the documents, we know these names of some who taught at Clare House during the post-war years:
Form Teachers:
- Miss Mayhew (Form B)
- Mrs. Burr (Form A)
- Miss White (Form 1)
- Mr. Thompson (Form 2)
- Mr. Scott (Form 3)
- Mr. Ridgeway (Form 4)
- Mr. Scully (Form 6A & 6B)
Other Staff:
- Mrs. Hodges
- Mr. Chambers
- Mr. Whitton
- Mr. Mayhew
- Mr. Gillam
- Miss Caskey
For many boys, these teachers were formative influences – remembered decades later for encouragement, discipline, humor, and genuine care.
Sport & Competition
Clare House maintained an active sporting calendar, competing against neighboring schools:
- Fonthill in East Grinstead
- Ashdown House in Forest Row
- Brambletye in Ashurst Wood
- Hazelwood and Hillsbrow near Redhill
- St. Michael’s in Limpsfield
- St. Andrew’s in Eastbourne (the longest trek)
- And latterly, the Abbey School itself
The cricket and rugby teams were taken on outings – to Lord’s for Test matches, to Twickenham for the University Match and internationals. These were highlights of the school year, introducing boys to the grand traditions of English sport.
Academic Success
The proof of Clare House’s quality lay in its results. Year after year, boys passed Common Entrance and went on to respected public schools. Many won scholarships. The school maintained detailed records from 1901 to 1962 of scholarship winners – a source of pride for staff and families alike.
The teaching may not always have followed modern pedagogical theory, but what the staff might have lacked in formal teaching qualifications, they made up for in experience, enthusiasm, and personality. The results spoke for themselves.
The School Motto
‘Age bene quod agis‘
“Whatever you do, do it well.”
These words, emblazoned on the school badge, captured the Clare House ethos. Whether in the classroom, on the playing field, or in daily conduct, excellence was expected. Not perfection – but honest effort, integrity, and doing one’s best.
Community & Tradition
Clare House was more than academics and athletics. It was:
- Prize-giving ceremonies, often held outdoors in summer in the shaded corners of the grounds
- Sports Days when parents filled the sidelines
- Friendships forged on the playing field and in the dormitories
One former pupil recalled the sweet ration during and after the war, varying between 2 and 4 ounces per week – a detail that speaks to the era’s hardships and simple pleasures.
A School at its Peak
By the mid-1960s, Clare House Preparatory School had been educating Beckenham boys for nearly seventy years. It had survived war, requisitioning, and financial near-disaster. Under Major Hodges’ leadership, it had not merely survived but flourished.
The school was full. Academic results were excellent. The sporting tradition was strong. The buildings were well-maintained. Boys arrived each September and left each July, moving on to the next stage of their education carrying with them the values and friendships Clare House had given them.
Everything seemed secure. But the fate of Clare House had never been entirely in Major Hodges’ hands. The school’s destiny was tied to the Abbey and Clare House Company in East Grinstead – and that company’s finances were heading toward crisis.
Next Up: The Closure & Legacy (1970-Present)