At 12:48pm on 18th September 2018, Anita GLEAVE and Fred Knipe acquired our first school, the mighty Hall School Wimbledon and the rest, as they say is history!
A Director of Chatsworth Schools wrote to Anita and Fred this morning on behalf of all the team and said:
“On behalf of us all I just wanted to thank you for being mad enough to buy HSW at 12:48 on 18th September 2018! (Not sure how that’s only 6 years ago but I’ve checked and it is).
For being mad enough to believe there was space in the stuffy selective independent education market for a proudly inclusive, child-focussed group that could be successful DESPITE putting children above spending less money on paper clips and then going out and making it a reality!
I have seen first-hand as have the other Directors what you both go through every day to keep us going forward. It is not for the feint hearted.
But everything you have both done since 18th September 2018 makes Chatsworth Schools what it is today. The leading inclusive schools group in the world that employs over 700 people and most importantly gives nearly 2,500 children of all shapes, sizes and skillsets a brilliant education that’s tailored to their individual strengths and interests and is genuinely getting them ready for their own road ahead. Their own outstanding future.
We are all here because we believe in what you believe in and because of the blood, sweat and tears it’s taken you both to get us to here.”
And how did The Boss reflect on this special day?
“Chatsworth Schools has been the honour of my life.
Every day, yes even the worst ones!!! Has been a humbling privilege.
Yes, blood, sweat and tears is right but look how far we have come since G walked through the doors of HSW (and the ex owners walked out 😁😁). None of this would be possible without the awesomeness of Fredsom! He has kept the ship pointing in the right direction, has enabled magic to happen and we all owe him so much.
We go again! We go again today, tomorrow and for the next six years . We go again for our children and because we are Chatsworth Schools and, together, we are awesome!
You are all awesome.
Cheers to you all! Thank you.”
We go forward together. Happy birthday Chatsworth Schools 🎂💜
