Old Witleians

Your journey with King Edward’s Witley doesn’t end when you leave the school. We have a thriving community that welcomes former pupils, parents and staff and Old Witleians, to a number of events and activities across the year.

Our alumni relations programme is designed to have a little something for everyone. Whether you’ve just graduated and looking for help with career advice and next steps, looking forward to milestone reunions, or wanting to socialise whilst staying active in team sports, all alumni are welcome here at King Edward’s Witley. Our programme consists of termly professional networking sessions, annual reunions, Old Witleian sports gatherings, and invites to special school events like candlelit carols and our fabulous music concerts. All our activities are underpinned by regular exhibitions and newsletters, and a unique platform where you can reconnect and message old classmates, download resources like photos and magazines, sign up to events, seek careers help and much much more! To see all upcoming events join Bridewell Connect.

Stay in Touch and join Bridewell Connect

The best way to view our programme of events and to stay in touch is by joining our online platform, Bridewell Connect. The site enables you to:

Build your professional network and look for career assistance to find OWs and OBHs (Old Barrow Hillians) in your industry and job sector, and those who have listed as willing to help
Find your peers and contemporaries through our searchable Directory. Search by year of leaving, House, location and free text.
Post your successes and updates to the main feed
Get involved in our community’s clubs and groups
Register for events and create your own events and reunions

… And much more.

Please register at www.bridewellconnect.org.uk.

If you have any queries on the site we have some handy FAQs here, or head to the ‘Resources‘ section of the platform for a host of ‘How To’ guides and videos.

We hope to meet as many of you as possible during our next upcoming events.

Keeping in Touch:

We really enjoy hearing your stories and connecting our community together. To get in touch regarding any events, to find old friends, or for a tour of the School please email alumni@kesw.org or call us on 01428 686700.

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Alumni profiles – Head Boys and girls

A number of our Old Witleians kindly share their stories with us …

Kathryn Knight née Harker

Head Girl 1966

When did you come to King Edward’s Witley? My school life at King Edward’s began in 1959. With my twin sister, Bryony, we followed an older sister, Alison, to the school. It was therefore an easier transition to a boarding...

Christopher Beverley

Head Boy 1966

When did you come to King Edward’s Witley? I joined King Edwards in 1958 ( at the very tender age of 10) and left after my year as Head Boy in 1966. What was the highlight of your time at...

Fred Deane

Head Boy 1967

Tell us a little about your time at King Edward’s Witley? I attended King Edward’s Witley between 1962 and 1967 in Wakefield House under the watchful eye of Housemaster Mr Hoad. I made lifelong friends during my time there and...

Audrey Elkington née King

Head Girl 1967

What are your favourite memories? I was at King Edward’s Witley between 1969 and 1975, and I was in Tudor House. It is really hard to say my favourite memories of KESW; I thoroughly enjoyed being there (despite the rules...

Jill Adams

Head Girl 1981

Tell us a little about your time at King Edward’s Witley? It all seems a long time ago and everything seemed so certain then! I was at King Edwards from 1978-1981, in Queen’s House (Q31!). I enjoyed school and it...

Nicholas Woodward

Head Boy 1985

Tell us a little bit about your time at King Edward’s? I was at King Edward’s between 1979 and 1985, firstly in QMH and then in Grafton House. What are your best memories from school? I always used to love...

Steve Boynton

Head Boy 1986

When did you come to King Edward’s Witley? I was at King Edward’s Witley between 1979 and 1986, initially in Queen Mary House then Ridley. I remember the school film nights and house discos fondly. Sports/activities wise I most enjoyed...

Clare Himmer

Head Girl 1988

Tell us a little about your time at King Edward’s Witley? I joined King Edward’s Witley in 1983, spending five years in Tudor House with Miss Wilson. My favourite thing about KESW was making friends with people from so many backgrounds,...

Kirsten Spence née McAndrew

Head Girl 1991

When did you come to King Edward’s Witley? I joined King Edward’s Witley in September 1984 into Copeland and stayed until Upper 6th leaving in July 1991. I was in Elizabeth House – with Miss Wheeler and then Miss Haughton as...

Paul Williams

Head Boy 1991

When did you come to King Edward’s Witley? I joined King Edward’s Witley in 1986, entering Wakefield House, which at the time was under the stewardship of the inimitable Herbert Winter, followed by Richard Bird. I was at the school...

Simon Pirie

Head Boy 1994

Tell us a little about your time at King Edward’s Witley? I was at King Edward’s from the 2nd Year right through to Sixth Form and left in 1994. I was Head Boy and also Head of House at Grafton,...

Yasmin Khan

Head Girl 1995

When did you come to King Edward’s Witley? I did the full seven years at King Edward’s, starting in 1988 and finishing in 1995. I loved lots of things – the art studio, acting, studying History and English and Latin...

Adam Patrick

Head Boy 1995

Tell us a little about your time at King Edward’s Witley? I was at King Edward’s between 1990-1995 and was in Wakefield, where the Head of House was Mr Bird (and for one year Mr Poulter when Mr B went...

Carla Malhotra née Ewing

Head Girl 2000

When did you come to King Edward’s Witley? I joined King Edward’s Witley when my dad was posted overseas in 1994 and stayed at the school all the way through to Upper Sixth leaving in the summer of 2000. My...

Damilola Coker

Head Boy 2003

Tell us a little about your time at King Edward’s Witley? I attended King Edward’s Witley for five years, joining in 3rd Form in 1998 and leaving in the summer of 2003. I was a proud member of Wakefield House throughout...

Edward Willis

Head Boy 2009

Tell us a little about your time at King Edward’s Witley? I have extremely fond memories of my five years at King Edward’s, of Edward House and throwing myself into every possible sport and theatre-related activity with people who remain...

Alexander Koenig

Head Boy 2014

Tell us a little about your time at King Edward’s Witley? Originally from Germany, I studied the IB at KESW from 2012 – 2014 (Edward). The School immediately made an impression on me and I’m still in contact with the...

Marie Odhiambo

Head Girl 2016

Tell us a little about your time at King Edward’s Witley? Marie Odhiambo here, Head Girl 2015-16 and I’m so excited to be a part of this lovely project. It’s mind-boggling to think that it’s already been over seven years...

FORMER HEADS OF HOUSES

Our previous Heads of Houses tell us what they’re up to now … Plus we hear from some current Heads as well.

Carole Presern née Halligan

St Bridget's 1973

When were you here at King Edward’s Witley? I arrived at KESW in Sept 1966, aged 11, and stayed there until summer of 1973. I was in St. Bridget’s House – the place to be if you liked sports. Not that...

Ralph Black

Ridley 1982

When were you here at King Edward’s Witley? I was at the school between 1978 and 1982, and was Head of House of Ridley. What are your best memories of KESW? The best memories I have relate to the camaraderie with my friends...

Derek Mackey

Edward 1985

What are your best memories of KESW? Without doubt, forming enduring friendships that last to this day, with sport a very close second. I recall school life being so carefree – I didn’t have a worry in the world (which...

Christopher Booth

Ridley 1988

What are your best memories of KESW? Life in the 1980s seems now like life on a completely different planet – but a life remembered fondly, nevertheless. There were no screens, of course – early computers were exclusively the domain...

Edmund Blair

Wakefield 1988

What are your best memories of KESW? I joined KESW in 1981 and spent seven years there. I can’t say the early years were happy. The rough and tumble of a boarding school all too often drifted into bullying. But...

Caroline Hyde

Tudor 1992

What are your best memories of KESW? I attended KESW from 1987 to 1992 and was in Tudor. My brother also attended in the early 90s and was in Edward. I have always looked back at my KESW years with...

James Hewitson

Edward 1992

What are your best memories of KESW? I was at KESW between 1990 and 1992, and was Head of House of Edward in my final year. Some of my best memories of KESW revolve around sports; I won the Victor...

Simon Goddard

Edward 1997

What are your best memories of KESW? I was here at KESW between 1992 to 1997 and was Head of House in Edward House. Some of my fondest memories are of the awesome bunch of people in my year, both...

Vix Anderton

St Bridget’s 2001

What are your best memories of KESW? I was at KESW from 1996 to 2001. My father was in the RAF, and I joined the 3rd Form after five years at a prep school in Kent. I was in St Bridget’s...

Ed Small

Edward 2007

What are your best memories of KESW? I attended KESW between 2000-2007, in Edward House. The highlight of my time was competing in countless sports. I loved the camaraderie of being in football and cricket teams – fighting for each...

Helen Read

Tudor 2009

What are your best memories of KESW? My main memory from school was the diversity of opportunities that were on offer compared to where I would have had to go otherwise. And I made the most of it, taking part in all the sports,...

Alarna Baer

Queen’s 2010

What are your best memories of KESW? Hello, I’m Alarna, I currently live in Cheshire with my fiancé and our son, who arrived this year. I was in Queen’s House 2005-2010. There are lots of great memories I have from...

Charlotte Tidy née Barnard

Copeland 2011

What are your best memories of KESW? I loved my seven years at KESW, and they still stand as some of the happiest times. I’m very fortunate to still be very close with a number of my classmates. At time...

Dylan Cutifani

Grafton 2017

What are your best memories of KESW? I was at KESW from 2013-2017, having moved to the UK from South Africa. I was in Grafton House while my sisters were in Queen’s – which was still attached to Grafton for the...

Gift Shop

King Edward’s offers branded memorabilia to purchase as a souvenir for yourself or as a thoughtful gift for an Old Witleian. Orders and enquiries can be made by emailing alumni@kesw.org. All sales are sent by tracked post and a minimum of £2.50 will be added to all orders to cover the additional cost.

All profits from memorabilia sales are directed to the Bridewell Royal Hospital Foundation, incorporating King Edward’s Witley, to fund bursaries for our Foundation pupils (registered charity no. 311997).