The Slaugham Archive
Ditton Place School, Staplefield (1 of 3)Ditton Place is located at the northern end of Brantridge Lane, Staplefield and during its life as a residential school provided education for children with special needs. It was closed in the 1990s and amalgamated with nearby Staplefield Place School.
Mrs Margaret Cook (1913-1982), formerly of 24 Truggers, Handcross, worked as an assistant at the school and her small collection of photographs of the pupils and staff from the 1970s has recently been added to the archives..
None of the photographs are dated and no names have been provided. Please can anyone identify any of the pupils or staff? The original pictures are quite small and not very clear.
The Large Version shows a close up of the school dining room with members of the staff seated at every table keeping order!
Select Open Document to view three photographs of the exterior of the building. The third picture shows a greatly enlarged, but indistinct, image of five pupils.
View Large Version
Open Document
Picture added on 07 March 2018 at 15:33
This picture is in the following groups
Schools - Staplefield Place and Ditton Place
Schools - Staplefield Place and Ditton Place
I was a boarder from 1960 until 1966.
I would love to get in touch with anyone who knew me.
I would love to get in touch with anyone who knew me.
Added by Valerie Gallagher on 09 May 2019
I attended Dutton Place from 1969 to 1974.
My name was Lorraine Willis. Mr Burtron was our headmaster.
My name was Lorraine Willis. Mr Burtron was our headmaster.
Added by Lorraine Willis on 08 June 2019
I know Lorraine Willis as i used to go to Ditton Place School in 1972. I left there in November 1973.
The photographs remind me of the best of Ditton.
My name then was Denise Cook.
What has happened to everyone who went there?
The photographs remind me of the best of Ditton.
My name then was Denise Cook.
What has happened to everyone who went there?
Added by Denise Potts (née Cook) on 19 August 2019
Please are you able to upload more photos of 1972 showing the girls who were there at that time?
I would like to see my old friends again.
I would like to see my old friends again.
Added by Denise Potts (née Cook) on 19 August 2019
My name is Colin Mason and I went to Ditton Place from 1980 to 1986.
I would love to see any photographs from this period if anybody has any.
I would love to see any photographs from this period if anybody has any.
Added by Colin Mason on 13 October 2019
Hello, my name is Hazel Bone, now known as Hazel Rayner. I went to Ditton Place School and would love to get in touch with any people who may know me from there.
I was at the school from 1962 to 1968 and would like to get to see them.
Thank you!
I was at the school from 1962 to 1968 and would like to get to see them.
Thank you!
Added by Hazel Bone on 06 May 2020
I went to Ditton Place School and I remember Lorraine Willis.
I also remember the headmaster, Mr Bertram, and Mr Eaten.
They were great days.
I also remember the headmaster, Mr Bertram, and Mr Eaten.
They were great days.
Added by Moya Woolloff on 13 September 2020
I was there from 1982 to 1987. We had great times playing in the woods and climbing trees.
I think i have a photo somewhere of the football team wearing the black and yellow outfit.
I think i have a photo somewhere of the football team wearing the black and yellow outfit.
Added by Sean Kirwan on 07 November 2020
I was at Ditton Place from 1979 to 1986.
I fondly remember Mary Streeter who sadly passed away a few years back, as well as going to Miss Roberts' cottage where she had a pet starling!
What great times we had there with stream walks, Navy Cadets at Haywards Heath, and walks around the triangle of Balcombe, Handcross and Staplefield.
The teachers were Mr Ayres, Mr Brett, Mrs Kail with Mutt 'n Jeff her dogs, Miss Lambert and her horse Doughnut, Mr and Mrs Winn, Mr Grant and house parents Mr Bridle, Mr Godsmark, Mr Birchley, Mike Kent, Miss Bradley, Mr Miles. They are all remembered fondly. Please feel free to contact me for old time's sake.
I fondly remember Mary Streeter who sadly passed away a few years back, as well as going to Miss Roberts' cottage where she had a pet starling!
What great times we had there with stream walks, Navy Cadets at Haywards Heath, and walks around the triangle of Balcombe, Handcross and Staplefield.
The teachers were Mr Ayres, Mr Brett, Mrs Kail with Mutt 'n Jeff her dogs, Miss Lambert and her horse Doughnut, Mr and Mrs Winn, Mr Grant and house parents Mr Bridle, Mr Godsmark, Mr Birchley, Mike Kent, Miss Bradley, Mr Miles. They are all remembered fondly. Please feel free to contact me for old time's sake.
Added by Jason Cross on 02 February 2022
Mr Brett was my teacher at Brantridge School from 1990 to 1993.
Added by Adam Dolivera on 17 February 2022
He was our history and woodwork teacher.
Didn't he become deputy head?
Didn't he become deputy head?
Added by Jason Cross on 18 February 2022
I went to Ditton Place School in the 1970s. Please can anyone help me find a picture of the old school.
Added by Dorothy Ann Lewis on 19 March 2022
Hello, my name is Sean Wynne, but I am also known as Sean Cox before I went back to using my real Dad's name.
I went to Ditton Place School from 1978 to 1979 and had some great times there, but there were some bad times too. Some of the teachers were great.
I am on Facebook as Sean Wynne.
I went to Ditton Place School from 1978 to 1979 and had some great times there, but there were some bad times too. Some of the teachers were great.
I am on Facebook as Sean Wynne.
Added by Sean Wynne (aka Sean Cox) on 23 July 2022
Hi. Has anyone got any pictures of Ditton Place School?
My Mum, Margaret Frater, was a pupil there in the late 1950s.
My Mum, Margaret Frater, was a pupil there in the late 1950s.
Added by Elizabeth Potter on 09 September 2022
Hello to all those who attended Ditton Place School. My name is James McDowall, formerly known as James Shad.
I started at Ditton in 1988 and was one of the last to leave there before we went to Staplefeild Place School.
I spent a bit of time there before I went to another boarding school named Bowden House where I finished my schooling.
If anyone remembers me, please get in contact as I would love to catch up.
I started at Ditton in 1988 and was one of the last to leave there before we went to Staplefeild Place School.
I spent a bit of time there before I went to another boarding school named Bowden House where I finished my schooling.
If anyone remembers me, please get in contact as I would love to catch up.
Added by James Shad McDowall on 07 February 2023
My name is Sean Wynne and I went to Ditton Place School from 1978 to 1979. It was a boys school by the time I went there.
I was known as Sean Cox before I went back to my real Dad's name.
I would like to know the names of teachers and members of staff who were working there when I was there. My mind is a complete blank! I had both good and bad times at Ditton.
I hope someone can help me. Thank you.
I was known as Sean Cox before I went back to my real Dad's name.
I would like to know the names of teachers and members of staff who were working there when I was there. My mind is a complete blank! I had both good and bad times at Ditton.
I hope someone can help me. Thank you.
Added by Sean Wynne (aka Sean Cox) on 12 February 2023
I went to this school in the 1950s for a long time. I remember washing the boots and cleaning the shoes.
I had a wonderful time. You brought me up and I thank you.
My name wes Frances Day then. I had other brothers, but they were in other homes and we never met.
I had a wonderful time. You brought me up and I thank you.
My name wes Frances Day then. I had other brothers, but they were in other homes and we never met.
Added by Mrs Francis Ellis on 22 August 2023
I went to Ditton Place School and knew Miss Streeter. She was lovely.
Added by David Sheochoran on 03 December 2023
I went to Ditton Place in 1975 and remember Mr Miles. Mr Lane, Mr Heaton, Mr Harking, Miss Streeter and Mr Gumbrawl
Added by David Sheochoran on 05 December 2023
Pete Miles and Mrs Streeter were still there when I was from 1979 to 1986.
Mr Miles is still at the same house in Haywards Heath but unfortunately Mrs Streeter passed a few years ago.
Mr Miles is still at the same house in Haywards Heath but unfortunately Mrs Streeter passed a few years ago.
Added by Jason Cross on 05 December 2023
If anyone sees Peter Miles or his wife Pam, please can you say David Sheochoran would like to say "Hello".
I live in Leigh-on-Sea, Essex.
Please can you give my phone number to him: 07770882656
Thank you, Dave
I live in Leigh-on-Sea, Essex.
Please can you give my phone number to him: 07770882656
Thank you, Dave
Added by David Sheochoran on 06 February 2024
Does anyone have photographs of the school from the 1950s?
The head teacher was Miss Williams, and Miss Conway lived in the little cottage.
Did anyone attend Ditton Place School for girls in the 1950s?
The head teacher was Miss Williams, and Miss Conway lived in the little cottage.
Did anyone attend Ditton Place School for girls in the 1950s?
Added by Elizabeth Potter on 07 February 2024
I was then known as Sean Cox, but now known as Sean Wynne.