History
Widford Lodge School was founded in 1935 by the Witham family - originally an all boys boarding school for ages 7 – 13 years. During the war years the majority of pupils were evacuated to Somerset and the site was commandeered by the local ambulance corps. It is at this point that the school acquired its distinctive school hall.
In 1985 a Pre-Prep was added to the school accepting boys aged 4 – 7. At the end of the 1980s the decision was made for Widford Lodge to become a day school and, at the same time, the Witham family decided to move out of the school flat as they prepared for their retirement.
The early 1990s saw a steady decline in the number of boys choosing to stay at Widford until 13+ (Year 8). Tough decisions had to be made and it was decided to no longer take children beyond Year 6 and, most crucially, to open a nursery for both boys and girls. Widford lodge was now a co-educational day school for children between the ages of 2½ – 11 years.
The nursery is housed in the heart of the main school building in what was the Witham family flat. Numbers have increased significantly since 2000. Some years have double form entry and others have single classes, this is managed closely so that Widford, while ambitious, does not become too big.
