Dr Rouse’s Chesterton Preparatory School, De Freville Avenue

History of Dr Rouse's school

1913 Dr Rouse’s School

Miss Wilson, headmistress

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11 September 1931
Many will mourn the loss of Miss Katharine Wilson, creator of the Chesterton Preparatory School. She had an amazing power of understanding children so that the most difficult little people became happy and tractable. Boys and girls of whatever nationality, whether Italian, Russian, American, Estonian or English, from toddlers to twelve years old, all found themselves equally at home and grew into resourceful little citizens.

Credit: Mike Petty Archive, Cambridge Chesterton Scrapbook, reference 31 09 11b.

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30 July 1952
In the big tree-girt grass playing field of Chesterton Preparatory School the young folk entertained their elders to tea and dancing, giving a whole profusion of English Maypole Dances. I asked Miss Dorothy Hodder, the Headmistress, how they were able to train youngsters to such a pitch of excellence that they never pause or falter, and all without commands or words of instruction. She said the children (and there were no less than 64 of them) very largely teach themselves. It made a charming picture to see the tiny tots skipping so gaily round the Maypole in orderly rhythm with their brightly coloured ribands. They were obviously enjoying every second of it.

Credit: Mike Petty Archive, Cambridge Chesterton Scrapbook, reference 1952 07 30.