During term time, we regularly see school buses - mainly small, private people-carriers, picking up and delivering children to schools around here.
It got me thinking about all the schools we used to visit for rugby, cricket and football, so I checked where they are now!
I've got this far...
First is Glengorse, which I thought had been pulled down, but has been in the news recently as becoming another school soon! The link is here!
https://www.ryeandbattleobserver.co.uk/education/new-private-school-on-outskirts-of-battle-planned-3216989
Now, I cannot remember ever going there, but many people will recall the link with HHS, so this may be some sort of surprise!
The others are: -
- Westerleigh - now derelict, but still there.
- Hurst Court - now a block of flats
- Seafield - closed
- Boarzell - not really sure, but seems to be a college of sorts
- Vinehall (did we ever play them?), is now a thriving school near Battle
- Bethany (ditto) still running very well
- Summerfields - now a police HQ and new hotel
- Dulwich Prep - not sure if we ever got that far
- and finally, Claremont! It's still where we used to play many games, just a few yards down from the road bridge along from HHS! I remember Barbour getting a hooker's boot in the mouth during one game of rugby there - he was scrum-half, well, for some of the match anyway! The school has grown considerably, and also took over a local failing school, Bodiam Manor, as a sixth form college, and we see their buses most days! The Royal Blue uniform hasn't changed!
Here in Hawkhurst, we still have St Ronan's School, and Marlborough House which both seem to be doing very well. Many years ago, there were many more, some with just a couple of dozen pupils, but they were demolished and are now housing estates!
Have I left anyone out in the list?
