Saint Ronan's School is a traditional co-educational Nursery, Pre-Prep and Prep School for children aged 3 to 13, with a distinguished history and an excellent academic record. It is a family school with an informal and happy atmosphere where staff are approachable and mud unremarkable.
The School, in Hawkhurst in Kent, is just five miles from the A21 and twenty minutes from Tunbridge Wells. Saint Ronan’s provides a happy environment for children to remain just that. We want the children to enjoy school, relish the opportunities offered and be inspired to work hard, to be kind, gentle, courteous and honest.
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Some of the main buildings and history within our school.
The Groom’s Cottage is part of the Coach House and, as the name suggests, it once provided lodgings for the Gunther family’s groom. When the mansion house became a school and children replaced horses, the Headmaster and his family took up residence there before transforming it into a cosy home for our Nursery family. The children are as settled as they are at home and play, eat lunch, venture outdoors into the garden and learn together in the caring environment of the Nursery.
More - Found in the Nursery
Whilst the Mansion House makes the children imagine that they are at Hogwarts, the Harris building was purpose-built for our Pre-Preppers. Named to honour and celebrate the lives of Headmasters Stanley Harris and his brother Walter Harris, it was opened by Old Ronian Frank Gardiner in 2007.
More - Found in the Pre-Prep
Saint Ronan’s is set in the 249 acre Tongswood estate. This estate proudly boasts some of the most picturesque Wealden countryside and is, without doubt, a very adventurous place to be young. The centre-piece of the estate is the imposing and impressive Tongswood House, a rambling Victorian mansion which is listed because of its architectural and local historical significance.
More about the Tongswood Estate
Headmaster
Mr William Trelawny-Vernon
Title: Headmaster
Qualifications: BSc (Hons), University of Exeter.
Contact details: [email protected]
Life before Saint Ronan's
After completing a degree in Biology at Exeter University, I worked in Fund Management in the City. After about four years, I decided on a career change and retrained whilst teaching at Stowe. In 1995, I was appointed a Housemaster and in 2003 took up the Headship of Saint Ronan’s. Other experiences include being a Governor of three schools, a School Inspector and a GCSE coursework moderator. For a while I was also a Lieutenant in the Naval Reserve!
Roles at School
Being Headmaster keeps me busy and involved in all that goes on.
Away from the Classroom
I love gardening, walks in the country, local history and spending time with the family.
Deputy Headmaster (Pastoral)
Mr Ross Andrew
Title: Deputy Headmaster (Pastoral)
Qualifications: B.Sc. (Hons), P.G.C.E., University of Plymouth
Contact details: [email protected]
Life before Saint Ronan's
After leaving school I studied Marine Oceanography at Plymouth University. Thereafter I skippered several yacht deliveries before deciding to embark on a career in the City. I completed a Diploma in Technical Analysis before taking up a job on the floor of the London Metal Exchange. It didn’t take long for me to realise that I was not cut out for the city! I returned to the sea as a Hydrographical Surveyor, eventually being responsible for a team producing detailed 3D maps of oil wells. After developing appendicitis whilst three hundred miles off-shore, and all the complications this created, I decided to pursue my lifelong dream of training to be a teacher!
Roles at School
As well as being Head of Chemistry, I am the Pastoral Deputy Headmaster. This involves ‘being in charge of Minuses’ (as the children say!). I am involved in the non-academic side of the day to day running of the school. I also teach games and have been involved in the setting up and running of our very own farm.
Away from the Classroom
I enjoy all outdoor pursuits but most especially sailing and walking. Unfortunately, with three children, the time off I have for these things is limited! I’m a keen, but not very knowledgeable, gardener and like to think I’m pretty good at DIY!
Head of Nursery and Pre-Prep
Mrs Andrea Bright
Title: Head of Nursery and Pre-Prep
Qualifications: B.econ., P.G.C.E, University of Cape Town
Contact details: [email protected]
Life before Saint Ronan's
I grew up in the beautiful South African winelands, in a village called Stellenbosch. My best memories of school are of being outside, climbing mountains, canoeing down rivers, swimming in streams and playing sport with my friends. I moved to the UK with my husband in 2002 and we spent our first six years in London teaching in a Prep school. I taught Year 2 and Reception during these years.
Roles at School
I am Head of N&PP and Class teacher to the Otters on a Friday and the Hedgehogs on a Monday.
Away from the Classroom
I love scuba-diving and any sport related to water! I love sunshine and sand and try to spend as much time as possible with my family, running through waves or exploring in rock pools. Dale and I met on the Orange River while doing a six day canoe trip and this is still one of our favourite activities. I love to travel and experience new cultures and places. Being a teacher has allowed this love to become real and it is wonderful being able to bring my experiences to my classroom. Recently I fed stingrays at Struisbaai Harbour in South Africa and it was glorious to show my Reception class the clip of this during their ‘Sea’ topic.
Deputy Headmaster (Academic)
Mr Dale Bright
Title: Deputy Headmaster (Academic)
Qualifications: BSc (Hons), Higher Diploma (Ed), University of Cape Town
Contact details: [email protected]
Life before Saint Ronan's
I grew up on the cricket and rugby fields a few avenues down from Newlands, in the shadow of Table Mountain. I went to Rondebosch Boys Prep School, where I excelled at being naughty. At senior school, both my older brothers were prefects but the only time I visited the Headmaster was for a hiding. During my gap year I delivered pizzas, pumped petrol, coached sport and discovered a passion for white-water kayaking and canoe expeditions. After graduating from the University of Cape Town, I taught at South Africa’s oldest school, SACS, for two years. Highlights of my time at SACS included water polo tours to the Eastern Cape and surf camps up the west coast. I met my wife Andrea on the Orange River in Namibia, where we both led 6-day river expeditions into the desert, sleeping by the fireside under the stars. In 1999 I represented South Africa at the Touch Rugby World Cup in Sydney. In 2001 we moved to London. I was Head of PE and Sport at Fulham Prep School and Andrea taught Reception at the Pre-Prep. Highlights included trips to Rome, France, the Lake District and an annual U10 rugby tour to Cornwall.
Roles at School
In September 2008 I joined the Saint Ronan’s as Head of Geography and in 2009 I was given the additional roles of Key Stage 3 Co-ordinator. I enjoy being part of a busy prep school and so I try to involve myself in many aspects of this great school. A particularly enjoyable activity is being part of the Boarding team – the boys sing “Mr Bright, Mr Bright – has come to turn off the light!” The Games afternoons are another bonus, with football and cricket being particular favourites. I am setting up school swimming squads and am an Upper Form Tutor. Sometimes I even get to go skiing!
Away from the Classroom
I love spending time with Andrea, Rachel and Matthew. In the summer we usually set up our tent on the banks of the Tarn River in France and then explore the Pyrenees or Alps. At Christmas, we try to visit Cape Town to see our families and to catch some surf and sun. I enjoy playing Touch Rugby for England and I like bike-riding in Bedgebury, gathering blackberries, braaing, snorkelling for crayfish, going to church, listening to lions and hyenas during Kalahari nights, star-gazing and watching whales from the cliff path in Hermanus.
Bursar
Mr David Ansell
Title: Bursar
Qualifications: BA (Hons), University of Bristol
Contact details: [email protected]
Director of I.T.
Mr Ben Clarke
Title: Director of I.T.
Qualifications: B.Sc. (Hons.), M.B.C.S., University of Kent
Contact details: [email protected]
Life before Saint Ronan's
My teaching career began at Saint Ronan’s but before that, I worked at Philips Electronics in their Research & Development Laboratories in Redhill.
Roles at School
Amongst other things I look after the school’s IT systems, edit the school magazine (“The Ronian”) and am involved with all things Alumni related. I also enjoy being involved with the technical side of drama productions.
Away from the Classroom
I have a close connection with South Africa and like to visit every other year or so. Otherwise, I spend much of my time developing my appreciation for Real Ale.
Assistant Headmaster
Mr Timothy Fox
Title: Assistant Headmaster
Qualifications: B Ed (Hons), College of St. Mark
Contact details: [email protected]
Life before Saint Ronan's
I attended the College of St Mark and St John in Plymouth, where I gained my teaching degree. My first job was at Maiden Erlegh School, Reading, where I spent two years before heading to the mountains of France to work for the British Ski Academy in Chamonix. This was a great experience and, as I was keen to explore further, I then travelled to the Southern Hemisphere for another year with Rachel, to whom I am now married. Eventually we decided that we should come home and that decision led to teaching jobs in and around Tunbridge Wells for a few years, before I arrived at Saint Ronan’s.
Roles at School
I am Head of Boys' Games at Saint Ronan's. This has been great fun and the school has grown in size and facilities. After a couple of years, I became the resident Housemaster and it is these two roles that combine to keep me busy. I am also lucky enough to run the Year 8 Leavers' Expedition to Bude every summer.
Away from the Classroom
Being a PE teacher, my interests tend to be on the sporty side! I still try to play tennis once a week and enjoy skiing. Over the last few summers I have been learning to surf and, when I have the time, I love going to watch Brighton and Hove Albion (who I'm sure will be in the Premier League soon!!)
Safeguarding and Child Protection
Mrs Emma Trelawny-Vernon
Title: Safeguarding and Child Protection
Qualifications: BA (Hons), FCIPD, University of Exeter
Contact details: [email protected]
Life before Saint Ronan's
After completing a degree in Economic and Social History at Exeter University, I worked in two Merchant Banks, firstly in a Fund Management team and then moving to Corporate Banking. I ended up as a Human Resources Manager with responsibility for training and development. I was elected a Chartered Fellow of the Chartered Institute of Personnel and Development in 2007.
Roles at School
I am Registrar, Designated Safeguarding Lead, HR manager and also Head of PSHE.
Away from the Classroom
I love gardening, walks in the country, local history and spending time with the family.
A wonderful school providing children with truly magical experience. So happy we made decision to send our daughter there. We just wish she could have stayed there longer.
Maja BT
Saint Ronan’s is the best decision we ever made for our son. It is the most magical place, and the teaching and facilities are second to none. Most importantly, the kids are extremely happy. We feel very lucky to be part of such a wonderful school.
Siân W
Clara B
In January 1883, The Revd. Philip Crick founded the school in Selden Terrace, Worthing. No name had been decided upon and when the sign writer came, as Mr. Crick was reading Saint Ronan’s Well, the name Saint Ronan’s was decided upon. The actual Saint Ronan has rather obscure origins from Ireland, Cornwall & Brittany.
Sit back and join us and visit our history from the beginning. From 1883 until the present era, we are proud of what has been achieved for so long.
Full History
The first record of Tongswood is in 1273 when it is mentioned in the ‘Hundreds Rolls’ of Kent and the land was held by Simon de Tonge, who took his name from his fief.
Tongswood Estate
This is one of the most frequently asked questions so in 2009 I looked to find a definitive answer. - William Trelawny-Vernon
Who was St Ronan?
The School shield is proudly displayed on the Saint Ronan’s sweatshirt. It owes its roots to various other coats of arms: those of Pembroke College, Cambridge and the Crick family crest.
The School Shield
