110th Birthday Celebrations
Liza Askew
/ Categories: In the press
The school has formed a key part of Haslemere’s history, having first opened its doors in 1911 at No. 2 College Hill in Haslemere. It was owned by Herbert Hutchinson, the architect and artist responsible for designing many of the buildings on the south side of Haslemere. He was the son of Sir Jonathan Hutchinson who was the founder of the Haslemere Museum. Herbert’s sisters taught at St Ives, so it was very much a family enterprise! However, the school outgrew its residence on College Hill and in 1966 it moved to its current location on Three Gates Lane. In the 50 years since the school has been in Three Gates Lane, there have been many changes to the original building as well as many additions. The school now boasts 8 acres of glorious forest, where pupils enjoy weekly Forest School lessons, a new science and technology wing, new art, music, computer and library rooms and the addition of a 3-floored purpose-built Nursery and Pre-Prep building.
More recently, St Ives has been under the helm of current Head Teacher, Mrs Kay Goldsworthy, whose energy and passion is taking the school from strength to strength. In 2019 St Ives was named Small Independent School of the Year at the Independent School of the Year Awards. In 2020 it received its Eco-Schools Green Flag as well as being nominated as a finalist for the Green Award at the Independent School of the Year Awards. In September of the same year, St Ives also became fully co-educational, with the boys who had previously been in the Pre-Prep continuing their St Ives education until Year 6.
Following the 110th birthday party last week, Kay Goldsworthy said “It has been such a wonderful afternoon seeing all our pupils and staff having fun together, celebrating this milestone. Whilst the school has changed over the last 110 years in terms of locations, buildings and pupils, its ethos has remained the same – St Ives provides a secure and happy environment in which are children are encouraged to work and play with enthusiasm and commitment. Our small class sizes and excellent pastoral care ensure we deliver this commitment day in, day out. We are proud to be the only independent school in central Haslemere and look forward to being part of its history for another 110 years.”