The history of Buckswood School is about how a small British school managed to preserve its authenticity while becoming a successful educational project. Founded in 1933, it occupied old country estates far from urban bustle, which immediately gave it a special character. The quiet provincial atmosphere became perfect for kids whose parents lived far away all the time.
First International Students
From its early years, Buckswood School established as a world English school with a strong linguistic focus. It settled not far from Croydon, where Gatwick International Airport is now located. Students didn’t just study foreign languages intensively—they participated in special educational and recreational activities and learned horseback riding at the school’s own stables.
Effects of World War
Like many British schools, Buckswood School faced changes brought by world wars. During the military conflict, it relocated to Uckfield, a small town near the English Channel. Over the following years, the school moved several more times, drawing a rough circle on the map before finally settling in its current location between Ashford and Hastings.
Official Recognition
The 1970s brought significant changes when Buckswood School received official English school recognition by the British Council. After its various relocations, it found its permanent home in a beautifully restored 16th-century estate called Broomham Hall. Like that distinctive mid-century version, the school once again found itself in picturesque quiet area, three miles east of Hastings.
Current Status
Today, Buckswood School occupies 43 acres of land, just an hour and a half by train from London. The school still has its own stables and now welcomes over 70 international students from 48 countries alongside 200 local pupils. While maintaining its quiet character, the school has grown into a highly respected establishment with sports academies, an indoor pool, a performing arts center, and numerous athletic facilities.
