She became a governess and worked for many wealthy families, including the Bonham Carters, teaching the children until they were ready for boarding school.

In 1901, Elliston moved the school to larger premises in a house called Claverton, which was by the cricket field on Woodfield Lane, Ashtead.

By 1904, the school needed to move again, and Elliston rented Parsons Mead, Ottways Lane, a large house built in the 1860s.

The curriculum expanded from domestic and art courses to a full range of subjects including science and maths.

[4] Parents asked the Charity Commission to begin an inquiry in June 2006, accusing the trust of running down Parsons Mead so that its assets could be used for another school.

[citation needed] The Vernon Educational Trust sold the site to Oracle Homes Residential Ltd in August 2007 for £16 million under section 36 of the Charities Act.