Highgate and the Second World War

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Highgate School Museum and Archive

The expectation of war overshadowed Geoffrey Bell's first years as Head Master. On 28 September 1938, after failed negotiations between Neville Chamberlain and Adolf Hitler, Bell ordered the evacuation of the School to the West Country. Two days later they returned because, as one reporter in the 'The Cholmeleian' put it, 'peace was preserved'.

an old black and white photo of people standing on the edge of a wall

Highgate boys sat on the sea wall in Westward Ho!, 1940. The evacuees travelled to Devon in twenty coaches. It was a long and tiring journey. ‘At first sight the building seemed like an ancient Greek temple or some shattered ruin of the Incas. But there was Gothic there too, not on the building, but in front of it; two figures stood, smiling… They recalled the school gargoyles, but proved to be two of the ushers. By the waters of Westward Ho! we sat down and wept. We had become evacuees.’

an old black and white photo of a man in a suit with a serious look on his face

School Magazine

Magazine

Head Master Geoffrey Bell (1936-54) from the school magazine, ‘The Cholmeleian’, December 1954.

A Letter

When war broke out in September 1939, Highgate was evacuated again. Pictured is a letter from the Head Master to parents concerning the procedures for evacuation, accommodation acquired in the West Country and details of the items boys should take with them, May 1939.

a group of men standing next to each other in front of a black and white photo

Highgate's evacuees waiting on Bishopswood Road for transport to the West Country, September 1939. This dramatic event was both exciting and daunting for the School's pupils.

an old black and white photo of three people loading luggage onto a truck with another man in the background

Dolores Park

Travel

Highgate Senior School was evacuated to Westward Ho! in Devon under Head Master Geoffrey Bell. Pictured are Highgate boys arriving and finding their accommodation, September 1939.

a map showing the location of several buildings and locations in which there is no name on it

Large Houses

Map

Annotated map of Westward Ho! showing the buildings occupied by Highgate between August 1939 and September 1942. The School rented more than a dozen hotels and large houses as sites for lessons as well as accommodation.

an old letter with writing on it is in the middle of two pages, one has red and white ink

Highgate rented more than a dozen places in Westward Ho! which meant that boys had to walk between buildings for their lessons. To ensure they arrived on time, lessons and breaks were lengthened. Their uniform changed too. Boys no longer wore open suits and caps, but wore open neck shirts, shorts and blazers.

an old black and white photo of a man giving a class

Highgate acquired the Sunshine Café (pictured here in 1940) in Westward Ho! for classes. Partitions were put up to create separate rooms but there was no sound-proofing. Education there was described as ‘very comprehensive’, mathematics problems being solved by historians at the far end and mathematicians taking down the History preparation because it was given out in stentorian tones and was easier to hear! In between the two extremes others tried to close their ears and absorb Scientific lore.

Mr. Twose’s garages (pictured here in 1940) in Westward Ho! were taken over by Highgate for science teaching. A Chemistry Laboratory was created out of some old stables and a Physics Laboratory in an attic. Old Stables, Garage Pictures, Chemistry Laboratory, Teaching Science, Stables, Chemistry, Physics

Mr. Twose’s garages (pictured here in 1940) in Westward Ho! were taken over by Highgate for science teaching. A Chemistry Laboratory was created out of some old stables and a Physics Laboratory in an attic.

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Before breakfast the whole school would assemble on Westward Ho! beach for their daily exercise. Pictured is a session lead by Schoolmaster Theodore Mallinson (1939-72) in 1940.

an old black and white photo of two men fixing a bicycle tire

Schoolmaster Theodore Mallinson led expeditions to the moors. Cycling through the night, they would be treated to seeing the sun set on Dartmoor and rising on Exmoor. Pictured are two Highgate boys mending a bicycle in c. 1940.

an old black and white photo of two men playing frisbee in front of a crowd

Duke Of Edinburgh Award

Highgate boys worked towards their Country Badge, which later merged with the Duke of Edinburgh Award Scheme. It required boys to achieve reasonable standards at running, athletics, throwing, jumping, swimming and first aid. Pictured are Highgate boys taking part in ‘putting the shot’ in c. 1940.

an old photo with some writing on it that says starts heat's will start 5

Mark 4

Cross Country Running

Cross Country

Polaroid Film

Schoolmaster Theodore Mallinson introduced cross-country runs. Pictured is one of Highgate’s teams in c.1940.