Proposed amalgamation of King's Mead with Stoke House and Brunswick School

During the past few months I have had to consider seriously the future of King's Mead. It has been apparent for some time that for both geographic and economic reasons the school cannot continue to flourish for long situated as it is at present. Three alternatives only seemed possible to me. The first, that the school should close and the boys be dispersed among other schools of their parents' choice, appeared the least satisfactory for all concerned. The second, that the school move in its entirety to fresh premises in a more favourable neighbourhood, I had reluctantly to reject as being too costly and too hazardous an operation at a time when the future of independent education is in the balance.

The third alternative, and the one I have chosen, is to amalgamate with another preparatory school of similar aims and status further inland and altogether better situated. Although this necessarily entails leaving our present attractive buildings and much that is peculiarly special to all who know King's Mead, I believe that ultimately the welfare of the boys themselves, which is of paramount importance, is best served by this arrangement.

Therefore I propose that with effect from September 1968 King's Mead shall join forces with Stoke House and Brunswick School, near East Grinstead, Sussex. The Headmasters of this school, Mr A.S.R. Pyper M.A. (Balliol College, Oxford) and Mr J.N. Bartlett M.A. (Lincoln College, Oxford) are working with me closely towards effecting this amalgamation as smoothly as possible, and are making extra accommodation available for the increased numbers.

Mr and Mrs Pyper are old friends of my wife and myself, and are in fact known to many Old King's Mead boys and parents from the days when Stoke House itself was in Seaford before amalgamating with Brunswick in 1965. We have also known Mr and Mrs Bartlett since the two schools merged, and have an extremely high regard for them both and for the excellent school they run with the Pypers. In fact it is my very sincere view that I could not have found a more suitable school with which to join up nor safer hands in which to entrust the future of our boys.

Mr Pyper and Mr Bartlett have asked me to assist them at Stoke House and Brunswick for the first term of the amalgamation, and this I have gladly agreed to. Thereafter I shall, I hope, continue to be closely connected with the school, though unofficially. They have also given me the option, which I have accepted, of becoming a shareholder in Stoke House and Brunswick Ltd.

Although I believe it to be important that our contingent soon identify themselves with their new environment and loyalties, it is not proposed that the identity of King's Mead shall become completely submerged by this alliance. There is to be a special room, to be known as King's Mead Hall, set aside to accommodate our Honours boards, trophies and other King's Mead treasures. Much of our furniture and all presentation equipment will accompany us to Stoke House and Brunswick. My great regret, and this will I know be shared by many, is that it will not be possible to take our lovely Chapel with us, but since it is under covenant to pass to the diocesan authorities on my retirement its future should be in safe hands, In any case, among other amenities, Stoke House and Brunswick have an attractive Chapel of their own.

I realise of course that this decision to amalgamate may well come as something of a surprise, if not a shock, to many Old Boys and friends of King's Mead. The character of Seaford has altered much in recent years. Parents seem less inclined to send their children to boarding schools that are not readily accessible for visiting. The traffic problem along and to the coast has certainly contributed to this. The economics of running a school have also changed considerably, and it is no longer easy for the smaller school both to pay its way and equip itself to meet the demands of the revolution in educational methods now taking place. It is these two factors, geographic and economic, that have largely dictated this decision to amalgamate. However, I am satisfied that our problems can best be solved by this move, and I very much hope the arrangements will meet with the approval of all parents - past, present and future - all Old Boys present boys and friends.

There will be issues of the King's Mead " Terminal Letter " in both January and September 1968. Thereafter all King's Mead news will be incorporated in " The Annals " of Stoke House and Brunswick which will be sent to all who normally receive "The Terminal Letter". I very much hope that all Old Boys will continue to keep in touch and will endeavour to attend reunions, details of which will continue to be sent to them. I know too that Mr and Mrs Pyper and Mr and Mrs Bartlett are most anxious that all our Old Boys shall realise how welcome they will be at Stoke House and Brunswick on all occasions and at our joint reunions.

EPGB 1967

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