Westonbirt School

Westonbirt School

Westonbirt House, part of the school
Motto	"Bono malum superate" (Overcome evil with good)
Established	1928
Type	Independent day and boarding
Religion	Church of England
Headmistress	Natasha Dangerfield
Founder	Houison Craufurd
Location	Tetbury Gloucestershire GL8 8QG England
DfE number	916/6019
DfE URN	115789 Tables
Students	220~
Gender	Girls
Ages	11–18
Colours	Red
Website	www.westonbirt.gloucs.sch.uk

Westonbirt School is an independent day and boarding school for girls aged 11 to 18 located near Tetbury in Gloucestershire in South West England. Founded in 1928, it is a member of the Allied Schools organisation. The historical Westonbirt House is part of the school. Westonbirt Prep School is located within the 210 acre grounds of Westonbirt School.

Westonbirt School was founded by the Martyrs' Memorial and Church of England Trust (now known as the Allied Schools), which had acquired Westonbirt House and converted it into a school. During World War II, the premises were used by the Air Ministry and pupils and staff were evacuated to Wiltshire due to the Blitz. Six old girls died during the war and a memorial scholarship was set in their memory; girls who are daughters of British military personnel are entitled special discounts.

In 2002, Westonbirt acquired Querns School to become its preparatory department. Seven years later it absorbed Rose Hill School to form the prep school Rose Hill Westonbirt. As of September 2013 Rose Hill Westonbirt School will be renamed Westonbirt Prep School.

Pupils are approximately two-thirds boarders and one-third day girls, all of whom are members of one of the following houses:

Holford, named after Robert Stayner Holford, owner of Westonbirt House before it was a school. Holford dormitories occupy the most elaborately decorated part of the house and are located around the balcony overlooking the great hall.

Dorchester, named after Dorchester House owned by Robert Holford in London, which served as the American Embassy from 1905 and 1912 and was demolished in 1929 to be replaced by the Dorchester luxury hotel. Dorchester dormitories are located in the old servants' quarters at the top of the house, including the school's central tower, currently part of the Dorchester House Mistress' rooms.