His educational philosophy was atypical by the standards of the time: discipline was applied with a lighter touch, and masters were neither discouraged from mixing with pupils outside the classroom, nor from being on familiar terms with the headmaster.

Growing quickly thanks to the circle of friends Dunn had gathered in the course of his football and cricket career, Ludgrove soon became associated with families from the British aristocracy and landed gentry.

Successfully navigating the challenging economic circumstances of the 1930s, since 1937 it has been based at a site near Wokingham in Berkshire, having taken over the former buildings of Wixenford School.

[1] Alumni, known as Old Ludgrovians, include among others, the Prince of Wales, the Duke of Sussex, British politician and Prime Minister Alec Douglas-Home, historian Alistair Horne, investigative journalist Paul Foot, and adventurer Bear Grylls.

Apart from the effects of the Great Depression, the previous two decades had seen a declining birth rate, which now led prep schools to compete for fewer potential pupils at a time when parents were already trying to save money.

Not wishing to be a "suburban establishment", headmaster Frank Henley purchased the site of Wixenford School, a fast declining institution which then closed.

[8] With the outbreak of war, Ludgrove nearly relocated to McGill University in Canada, but this was abandoned at the last minute due to transport and finance problems.

[9] Under the Barber-Shaw regime there was a strong emphasis on the games field and the winning of scholarships was never a central aim, though boys reliably passed Common Entrance, with most entering Eton.

[11] Although Ludgrove had never refused entry to any boy whose parents could pay their way, an "aura of wealth and privilege" surrounded the school during the middle decades of the 20th century.

[15] In response, Barber and Marston had the structure of the school repaired and began placing greater emphasis on academic performance.