Our History

This timeline shows some of the school's most important milestones so far. Navigate through significant events using the timeline below.

1860

Philip Reginald Egerton opened his new school in January 1860 with one pupil and an elderly housekeeper. Egerton doubled his numbers within a fortnight, and by the time of his retirement in 1886 he had 180 pupils and a magnificent set of buildings designed for him by one of the greatest Victorian architects, George Edmund Street. Here is the original building, now Wilson House.

1875

The first Old Bloxhamist Dinner held at the Trocadero Restaurant in Piccadilly, London. By this time, alumni included Richard Read, the engineer of the Blackpool Tower and a number of artists including landscape painter George Elgood who numbered Queen Victoria among his patrons.

1876

A school hospital opens to cater for the needs of a growing school. The hospital's plans were exhibited at the Royal Academy, designed by architect William Oswald Milne. This building is now Exham House (The Lower School).

1896

Bloxham becomes a Woodard School.

1916

Headmaster Roy Grier introduces a boarding house system, with three houses: Crake, Wilberforce, Headmaster's (which later became Wilson).

1926

The Swimming Pool is opened as an outdoor, open-aired pool.

1933

Memorial Arch built to remember the fallen of the First World War, unveiled by Lord Saye and Sele. The archway has the inscription 'The Lord shall preserve thy going out and thy coming in' and provides the school with a grand entrance at the front of the site.

1937

The Great Hall opens. As well as providing a stage for school concerts and plays, the Great Hall block provided eight modern classrooms. The opening of the Great Hall was marked by celebrations including speeches, luncheon in the new hall and a rugby match against the Old Bloxhamists, won by the school 6-3.

1956

Egerton House opens, named after the school's founder Phillip Reginald Egerton.

1960

The School celebrates its centenary, which was marked by a visit from HRM Queen Mother. The helicopter came to land on the Main Field while pupils, teachers and villagers lined Brickle Lane to greet her.

1961

Current Wilberforce House opens.

1971

Raymond House opened with 60 boys on 29th October 1971. The Education Secretary, Margaret Thatcher, opened the building.

1981

Seymour House opens. The Foundation Stone had previously been blessed by Bishop James Herbert (Bishop of Lewes) in the presence of the Chaplain Reverend Laurence Gunner.

1986

The Dewey Sports Centre opened by The Princess Royal HRH Princess Anne.

1988

Sam Kahn Music School opens in the old gymnasium building.

1994

Lower School opens with ten boys, extending pupil roll to take in at age 11+.

1997

Raymond Technology Centre (RTC) opened by Professor Heinz Wolff at Founderstide on 24th May.

1998

Bloxham becomes fully co-educational and welcomes girls to the School at all ages. Girls had previously been only admitted to join Bloxham's Sixth Form, with the first girls joining in 1973.

2006

Vallance Library opened by writer Colin Dexter at Founderstide, on 29th April.

2010

School celebrates 150th anniversary.

2017

Stonehill opens, admitting day students and eventually evolving into a third girls' boarding house in 2020.

2020

Day House moves location to become Merton House, now found in the previous bursary building, across the road from the main school.