Bruton School for Girls

Bruton School for Girls was an independent day and boarding school for girls aged 2 to 18, near Pitcombe in Bruton in south east Somerset, England.

Bruton School for Girls
Location
Sunny Hill Bruton , Somerset , BA10 0NT England
Information
Type	Private day and boarding school
Motto	Follow the Gleam
Religious affiliation(s)	Church of England
Established	1900
Founders	Henry Hobhouse Mr W. A. Knight
Closed	2022
Department for Education URN	123904 Tables
Head teacher	Jane Evans
Gender	Girls; Boys (age 2-7)
Age	2 to 18
Enrolment	220[1]
Houses	4

By the 2009, the school comprised Sunny Hill Nursery, Sunny Hill Prep, a senior school and a sixth form with an overall attendance of approximately 250 pupils, of whom a third were boarders.^[2] A small number of boys also attended the pre-school and pre-prep.^[3]

History

The school was founded in 1901 as a private day and boarding school and named Sunny Hill School. In 1911 it became a public secondary school and received an annual endowment from Hugh Sexey's charity and grants from Somerset County Council. After the passing of the Education Act 1944, Sunny Hill School became fully independent. In 1961, the school changed its name to Bruton School for Girls^[4] and in 1997 it extended its junior department to admit students from age 2.

The school motto was "Follow the Gleam".^[4] The final headmistress was Jane Evans.

In March 2022, the school joined The King's School, Bruton Foundation. In May 2022, the foundation announced that Bruton School for Girls would close at the end of the academic year owing to low pupil numbers; the expected enrolment in September of that year was 45.^[5]

Notable former pupils

See also: Category:People educated at Bruton School for Girls

• Helen Roberts, awarded MBE in 2001 for services to eye care in East Africa after setting up an eye clinic in Kenya
• Emily Eavis, co-organiser of the Glastonbury Festival
• Viv Groskop, columnist and journalist
• Giselle Mather (née Prangnell), English rugby union international and coach, part of the 1994 Women's World Cup winning side^[6]
• Patricia Moberly, public servant and former teacher

Arms

Coat of arms of Bruton School for Girls

Crest On a wreath Or and Azure a laurel wreath Proper enclosing an estoile irradiated Or. Escutcheon Per chevron Azure and Argent in chief a sun in splendour issuant Or and in base a cross botony Vert. Motto Follow The Gleam [7]