Headmaster's Welcome

When we designed our website, we wanted it to serve two main purposes: to inform those within our School’s community about what is happening and to communicate to those outside a little more about who we are, what we stand for and what we are up to! Whatever your reason for looking at the website, I do hope that it conveys something of what makes Saint Ronan’s such a special place.

Saint Ronan’s was founded in 1883 in Worthing and moved to Hawkhurst in 1946, after war time evacuation in Devon. Over the years it has evolved into a co-educational day and flexi boarding school for children from 3 to 13+. It is set in the magnificent Tongswood Estate, which offers acres of excitement and adventure. The epicentre of it all is Tongswood House, a large rambling Victorian mansion once the home of the Gunther family of ‘Oxo’ fame.

Whilst retaining its Hogwartian charm, the school has undergone something of a renaissance in recent years, with a new Pre-Prep, Music School, School Farm, All Weather Pitch, Forest School and Sports Hall having been constructed and new areas provided for Science, Art, DT, Drama and the Nursery. The dormitories, swimming pool, sports pitches, tennis courts and golf course have all been revitalised. A new Library has recently been completed and was opened by Clare Balding.

Most children stay with us until the end of Year 8 and, over the past ten years, children have transferred on to over fifty different senior schools, many clutching awards. We mainly feed the independent sector but also have children who move on to the local Grammar Schools.

I do hope that you find the website helpful and informative and that you decide to come and see the School for yourself. It’s a gem.

William Trelawny-Vernon
Headmaster