TWO schools in Witley had a royal visitor last week. The Duchess of Gloucester visited Barrow Hills School before going along the Petworth Road to visit King Edward’s School.

Following the official merger of the two schools’ foundations this year, the duchess has the position of president of both.

It was her first visit to Barrow Hills School and on arrival at the prep school, in Roke Lane, the Duchess of Gloucester was received by Surrey’s Deputy Lieutenant, Karin Sehmer, who presented Barrow Hills headteacher Matthew Unsworth, the school’s senior team, head boy Matthew Illsley and head girl Maddy Gook, before joining maths, drama and science lessons.

She also had refreshments in the reception class area, she visited the dance studio, and saw “mind-mapping” activities with a range of children from years five to eight, before a whole school assembly in the school’s chapel.

Her visit to King Edward’s marked the official opening of Queen Mary House (QMH) after a £1million investment programme to create a boarding and day house for its lower school - year seven and eight pupils.

King Edward’s head John Attwater told The Herald it was a “wonderful day”‚ after the royal visitor spent time with the staff and pupils. The visit was also a celebration of the new partnership with Barrow Hills as part of the Bridewell Royal Hospital Foundation.

After a tour of the building the Duchess met many of the school’s 400 pupils assembled outside.

Ella, a second form boarder and head of house, said: “When I first saw the new house I was amazed. It was my birthday when the Duchess visited. It was a very fun day for me. I was quite anxious when she came but after meeting her I was much more relaxed.”

Sibel, a first form boarder who will use the newly renovated building, said: “I felt honoured to meet the Duchess and she was a very nice lady to talk to.

Finn, a first-form day boy, added: “It was amazing to see the Duchess and speak to her. “Queen Mary House is amazing too, it is so nice and I love coming to school at weekends,” while Henry, a second form border said: “There is a positive bonus to the new QMH because, although it’s strange having girls here sometimes, the facilities are amazing.”

The Duchess has been patron of King Edward’s since 2006 taking over the position formerly occupied by The Queen Mother. The Bridewell Royal Hospital foundation has Royal connections since its foundation in 1553.

The refurbishment project involved the historic Queen Mary House, one of the school’s iconic buildings, which started life as a convalescent home in 1867. It has been used as a location for a number of TV and film dramas, including Agatha Christie’s Poirot. The refurbished house allows boys and girls to board on different floors but with access to shared common areas.

PKing Edward’s School was originally sited in London in the Bridewell Palace, on the banks of the River Fleet. In 1553, Bishop Ridley asked a young King Edward VI for use of the palace for the poor of London.

The charter to administer Bridewell Royal Hospital was given to the City Corporation in 1553, providing a place where poor children were taken to learn trades, to be reformed, disciplined and to become useful citizens.

The palace was destroyed during the Great Fire of London but was subsequently rebuilt in St George’s Fields, Southwark. The new site had a stronger emphasis on education rather than reform and children aged eight up to 18 were accepted from the City, County of Middlesex and Borough of Southwark. In 1867, the now named King Edward’s School moved to Witley.