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History of Old Buckenham Hall

Old Buckenham Hall is probably the ‘most travelled’ prep school in England.   But in spite of its many moves it is still the same school as the one founded by Misses Ellen and Margaret Ringer in 1862 in a terraced house (which still stands) in the Wellington Esplanade in Lowestoft in Suffolk.

The founders were two spinsters who set up what was then known as a Dame School.  This flourished to such an extent that ten years later they built South Lodge, a solid, ugly, four-square, four-storey house situated a short distance away on a prominent site, literally a stone’s throw of the sea.  The school flourished and gained a reputation for sound scholarship.

By the 1920s the school had outgrown South Lodge and was moved to Old Buckenham Hall by the new Headmaster, TJE Sewell. This was the beginning of a long connection with the Sewell family with TJES’ son, Donald, later becoming Headmaster and family members remaining on the governing body until well into the 21st Century.

In 1952 Old Buckenham Hall was destroyed by fire and the school moved to a new temporary home of Merton Hall. Sadly, this too burned down just a few years later and the school somehow continued by moving to Brettenham, Suffolk. We have had no fires for nearly 70 years and the school has gone from strength to strength in the intervening years!

OBH is a co-educational boarding and day school, educating approximately 220 children. Originally an all-boys school, OBH began admitting girls in the 1990s and became fully co-educational in 1998. We maintain a strong record of sending pupils to a wide range of independent schools, with notable scholarship success and exceptional teaching.

If you would like to find out more about the history of OBH, please contact the school to request a copy of ‘A History of Old Buckenham Hall School’ by Donald Sewell.

  • 1862

    South Lodge

    Old Buckenham Hall was first known as South Lodge. It was founded as a Dame School for boys by Misses Ellen and Margaret Ringer on the coast at Lowestoft, Suffolk. The school flourished and gained a reputation for sound scholarship.
  • 1890

    South Lodge

    The school was bought by Rev. W. Richmond Phillips. During his time as Headmaster, Rev. Phillips purchased an additional house across the road from South Lodge, Claremont House. Claremont was used for senior boys' dormitories and classrooms. He later added a Gymnasium and Carpentry Shop.
  • 1914

    The First World War - Evacuation

    In 1914 Lowestoft had a naval base and the town was shelled by the German Navy. The school evacuated to Forncett St. Mary in Norfolk, where the Rectories housed the school until 1919.
  • 1923

    The Rev. W. R. Phillips retires

    T. J. Elliott Sewell (T. J. E. S.) joined South Lodge staff as Mathematics master in 1912. In February, 1923, Rev. Phillips asked T. J. E. S. take it on as Headmaster.
  • 1937

    The move to Old Buckenham Hall, Norfolk

    The recession in the 1930s saw a drop in pupil numbers. The increase in motor cars on the roads the boys were using to cross to and from the school buildings and playing fields, and the development of tourist attractions meant Lowestoft was no longer a suitable location for the school. In 1936, the Sewell family purchased Old Buckenham Hall in Norfolk and in January, 1937 began Old Buckenham Hall school with just 32 boys.
  • 1952

    The Fire at Old Buckenham, 5th December 1952

    In December 1952, a chimney fire led to the complete destruction of the main school building, Old Buckenham Hall.
  • 1953

    The move to Merton

    After the fire, the school moved to Merton Hall in January 1953. A country house near Watton belonging to Lord Walsingham. It had been used as a Girl's school previously but had been empty for some years and was in poor condition. A tremendous amount of hard work scrubbing, sweeping and lugging furniture around meant that the school was ready for the 70 boys to begin the new school term in a new location.
  • 1956

    Fire at Merton Hall and move to Brettenham Park

    Many developments to Merton Hall were made In the 3 years that it was used as a school. Work had begun on a new Dining Hall playing fields had been levelled and a night storage heating system had been installed. Plans for a Gymnasium were being considered. Then in January 1956, during the Christmas holidays, a second fire struck. Fortunately, the East Wing of Merton Hall was undamaged and thanks to the support from a loyal group of parents who offered the School accommodation for the boys the Lent and Summer terms were happy and successful. Lord Walsingham decided that he did not want to rebuild Merton Hall so that the school could use it, and so a search began for new premises. In late March, the Sewell family travelled to Brettenham Park where they found a homely and cared for estate, and although seeming a bit small, energies were directed to making a success of the school there.
  • 1957

    JD Sewell becomes Joint Headmaster

  • 1967