The School Archive

Delve into Sevenoaks School's history with the fascinating articles below researched and written by school archivist Sally Robbins.

Several histories of the school by former staff and OS are available to buy:
A School Transformed: Sevenoaks School 1898–2002 by Mike Bolton, former Undermaster
Sevenoaks School: A History by Brian Scragg, former Undermaster
History of Music at Sevenoaks School 1877-2010 by Peter Young, former Head of Music
Sevenoaks written and illustrated by Kevin Sacco (OS 1970)

 

Email the archivist for queries relating to Sevenoaks School's history, to purchase books or to donate an item to the archive.

 

A tribute to Jonty Driver

We are very sad to share the news that Jonty Driver, former English teacher and IC Housemaster, died on Sunday.

Jonty was one of Kim Taylor’s inspired appointments, joining Sevenoaks in 1964 in his first teaching post. He was born in South Africa and became involved in student politics while at the University of Cape Town, being elected President of the National Union of South African Students. His arrival at Sevenoaks was delayed after he was arrested under the ninety-day detention law and spent 30 days in solitary confinement. Following a year teaching English at Sevenoaks he went to Oxford to study for a further degree before returning to the school in 1967. Jonty was subsequently IC Housemaster from 1968 to 1973, taking over from Brian Scragg. He went on to other schools in England, Africa and Hong Kong, including two headships, and completed his career as Master of Wellington College.

Jonty was also a prolific poet, novelist and biographer. He was an honorary senior lecturer in the School of Literature and Creative Writing at the University of East Anglia.

He was a great friend and supporter of Sevenoaks and stayed in contact with many Old Sennockians. It was a great pleasure to see him and his wife Ann, who called Sevenoaks home, back at the school last June for the Annual Reunion Lunch. He will be much missed at the IC 60th Reunion next week.

Our thoughts are with Jonty’s family. Please email os@sevenoaksschool.org if you would like to send a message.