Announcement from the Chairs of Governors
Dear Staff
In these complex and uncertain times for independent education it is essential that all schools are forward-thinking and agile in their strategic objectives. It is with this in mind that the boards of governors of Marlborough House and Vinehall are pleased to announce that, as of September 2025, the two schools will be merged on the Vinehall site under a single school - to be known as Marlborough House Vinehall.
The legal merger will take effect during this academic year, with the full practical merger and move to the Vinehall site being completed by September 2025. The merger will bring together a wealth of expertise, resources and facilities for the mutual benefit of both communities. Marlborough House Vinehall will be governed under a single Governing Board, and under the operational leadership of Mr Eddy Newton (current Head of Marlborough House School and former Chair of IAPS). Mr Joff Powis, current Head of Vinehall, will continue in a leadership position as Senior Deputy Head.
Marlborough House Vinehall will become the newest member of the Repton Family of Schools, part of the wider Repton group of six international and four UK schools, and benefitting from the connections, collaborations and sharing of good practice that membership of such a group brings.
As excellent schools with outstanding academic records and strong brands, the governors are eager to choose the best option to take Marlborough House and Vinehall confidently forward into the future with the benefits of scale. This development, along with the partnership with Repton, brings the size, back-office expertise and financial strength that will see Marlborough House Vinehall looking to the future with confidence.
Both governing bodies are therefore agreed that there is a very strong case to merge to form a single school, providing an outstanding and secure, genuinely independent education from 2 – 13 years. Marlborough House Vinehall will provide a thriving educational environment for children and their families across East Sussex and West Kent, and will represent one of the most exciting developments for education in the South East of England.
For well over 100 years, our two prestigious and high-achieving schools have built an outstanding reputation for educational provision based on high standards of teaching, small class sizes, high levels of individual support and first class facilities, within idyllic and stimulating environments. Both schools' most recent ISI Inspection reports confirm this.
Marlborough House Vinehall will offer an exceptional child-centred, individualised approach to education from ages 2 to 13, around a shared vision ensuring academic, sporting, cultural and pastoral excellence and opportunity at every stage of a pupil’s learning journey. As part of that provision, Marlborough House Vinehall will provide tailored preparation for every family’s senior school of choice.
The merger will provide an enhanced educational experience for all of our pupils at every level, on a highly attractive campus with superb facilities. In particular, the merger offers more competitive sports teams with greater opportunity to participate at a high level both locally and nationally. Musical, artistic and cultural opportunities will also be enhanced, there will be improved facilities and a more vibrant boarding experience, a greater range of weekend activities, and all the social benefits associated with a larger school community. Meanwhile, we will continue in the spirit of both schools to ensure that all pupils’ abilities and interests are developed to their greatest potential.
We understand that there will be many questions you would like to have answered with regard to the future. To that end, an FAQs document is shared with you here and staff will have the opportunity to meet further with their respective Heads. Additionally, on October 1st, Mr Eddy Newton will visit Vinehall to meet with Vinehall staff and parents.
Parents are being informed of this news by email later today: pupils will be informed during assemblies tomorrow morning.
We believe this is a tremendously exciting initiative that offers a secure and vibrant future for our pupils, for staff and parents and, ultimately, for the schools.
Yours sincerely
Simon Hodson, Marlborough House Chair of Governors
Daniel Lewis, Vinehall Chair of Governors