The Banstead Image Library
No: 163 Contributor: Ralph Maciejewski Year: 1933
Banstead Hall exterior
Banstead Hall taken from the school brochure in the 1930s. It was a large Victorian house built about 1870 near the Brighton Road as a residence, with about 4 acres of land. From about 1889 became private preparatory school with playing fields, run by E J Maitland. The playing fields were later extended. After Mr Maitland's death in 1903, the School was carried on by his widow and then by their son. He bought the adjoining houses, Basing House and Banstead House and their grounds for the school. The School closed in 1936 and was bought by the Surrey County Council for use as an 'Approved School'for boys, which continued until 1970. The year attributed to the photograph is an estimate.
Picture added on 12 July 2010 at 16:39
looking how I remember it in 1962.
Added by A W Gaze on 04 July 2013
The guitarist and founder member of the Sex Pistols punk rock group was sent here when it was an "approved school"in the 1960`s/70`s for stealing a Lambretta motor scooter. Are there any records or photographs of his time here?
Reply from LNW: Interesting information but sadly we have nothing which might confirm it as we hold no records from the school.
Reply from LNW: Interesting information but sadly we have nothing which might confirm it as we hold no records from the school.
Added by Fred Bloggs on 22 March 2018
Are there any pic of the "Fetes" that were attended by dignitaries I remember a Rolls Royce or two at those functions, also I remember "Roger Bannister and Gordon Pirie" attending a sports day in I think 1959/60 swanky affair ...JH
Reply from LNW: Not seen anything like that but certainly Roger Bannister did visit another local school to present a prize so I guess he did the same at Banstead Hall
Reply from LNW: Not seen anything like that but certainly Roger Bannister did visit another local school to present a prize so I guess he did the same at Banstead Hall
Added by John Harvey on 23 February 2019
Were there functions or shows put on here around 1902. We have a postcard that says an ancestor performed a magician act at Banstead hall i30 Jan 1902 watched by royalty!
Reply from LNW; I have not heard of that but it could have easily been true. I will mail you separately to see if we can follow this up.
Reply from LNW; I have not heard of that but it could have easily been true. I will mail you separately to see if we can follow this up.
Added by Teresa on 19 February 2020
I WAS A MEMBER THERE FROM 1958 TILL 1961. CAN YOU LET ME KNOW MORE IF POSSIBLE.
MIKE WALKER.
Response LNW: "More" is too wide a request. What aspect of Banstead Hall are you interested in? We do have some additional information on our main website (www.bansteadhistory.com) but we do not hold any school records.
MIKE WALKER.
Response LNW: "More" is too wide a request. What aspect of Banstead Hall are you interested in? We do have some additional information on our main website (www.bansteadhistory.com) but we do not hold any school records.
Added by Mike walker on 08 May 2023
I was there same time as you Mike, don't remember you.
They should have kept records of the "goings on", quite unsavoury I assure you, but there were some savoury moments too!
They should have kept records of the "goings on", quite unsavoury I assure you, but there were some savoury moments too!
Added by John Harvey on 08 May 2023
I also was a member there 1958/59.
Added by John Gutteridge on 16 November 2023
John, are you or were you from east London?
Added by John Harvey on 17 November 2023
Hi John, yes.
Added by John Gutteridge on 19 November 2023
I recognised your family name, was there a brother or do you remeber my family from Kings Mead Estate?
Added by John Harvey on 19 November 2023
Two brothers, Bill ( sadly no longer with us)and Bobby. Sorry John, I cannot remember your name. We resided in Ashmead Hse.
Added by John Gutteridge on 19 November 2023
Looking for some pics taken by Mr Wilkes and will post them if I can get at them...
J
J
Added by John Harvey on 19 November 2023
Tony Sellers there from1951/1954.
Was good friends of A J Smith of Chatham, Kent
Lost contact?
We used to go scrumping over the railway lines!!. Good memories.
Got to grow up.
Was good friends of A J Smith of Chatham, Kent
Lost contact?
We used to go scrumping over the railway lines!!. Good memories.
Got to grow up.
Added by ANTHONY SELLERS on 11 June 2024
Before my time, we all had to grow up.
Added by John Harvey on 11 June 2024
Hi, John,did you ever find the photos you mentioned?
Added by John Gutteridge on 13 June 2024
Yes I posted it to site a while back, you can find in the photos segment or click picture #814
Added by John Harvey on 14 June 2024
Hello. I'm working on a new six-part BBC audio series where a bit of social history of the early 1960s is looking at the Banstead Hall approved school. Nothing bad about the school/staff - just to be clear.
I'm hoping to speak to people who recall the early 60s there for my series. Please get in touch if this was your era and you'd be potentially open to a chat about your memories.
Thanks.
Patrick
I'm hoping to speak to people who recall the early 60s there for my series. Please get in touch if this was your era and you'd be potentially open to a chat about your memories.
Thanks.
Patrick
Added by Patrick Kiteley on 21 October 2025
Schools (excl. Picquets Way)
