History

Old Barrow Hillians are welcome to revisit and relive their memories of their prep school days. Please contact our Alumni Lead at alumni@kesw.org if you would like to arrange a visit or update your records. Alternatively, you can join our new alumni platform, Bridewell Connect, through the link below.

Bridewell Royal Hospital, our governing body, is a charitable foundation dating back to 1553. The young King Edward VI provided Bridewell Palace to enable boys and girls of London to receive an education and learn a trade. By 1867, the School moved to Witley, to benefit from the fresh air and greenery of Surrey.

The history of Barrow Hills also spans two locations. Initially, Barrow Hills was established in Weybridge by the Josephite Order as the preparatory boarding school. In 1952, the children moved to the new site at Great Roke in Witley. By 1990, it was decided that Barrow Hills would become an independent charity, managed by Trustees. Barrow Hills then successfully transitioned into a co-educational day school.

In 2016, Barrow Hills merged with Bridewell Royal Hospital. This formalised a long-standing relationship that had developed between the two local schools over many decades and allowed for closer collaboration and shared resources.

Curious to read alumni stories? Click the box below to discover our rising stars and learn more about some of our recent alumni.