Felsted School

Felsted School stands in the village of Felsted in Essex. Founded in 1564 by Richard Rich, 1st Baron Rich, it is one of the twelve founder members of the Headmasters' and Headmistresses' Conference. The school belongs to the British public school tradition and educates both boarders and day pupils. Frederic Chancellor designed most of the current buildings in the 1850s. Notable figures educated here include Richard Cromwell, who became Lord Protector, and mathematicians John Wallis and Isaac Barrow. The school has a long history of academic and cultural achievement. In the 17th century it became a centre for Puritan education under headmaster Martin Holbeach. During the Second World War the school moved temporarily to Herefordshire to avoid bombing. In 1953 an IRA raid on the Combined Cadet Force armoury led to the arrest of three men. The Queen Mother laid the foundation stone for the Music School in 1964, and the Princess Royal opened the Lord Riche Hall in 1989. Visitors find a campus of red-brick buildings arranged around a central lawn. The Chapel, infirmary and gymnasium were all designed by Frederic Chancellor. Houses include Stocks', Follyfield, Garnetts and Thorne for girls, and Elywn's, Gepp's, Deacon's and Windsor's for boys. Day pupils belong to Manor or Montgomery's. The school’s drama productions have performed in American high schools and even in a women’s correctional facility.