As we are celebrating 100 years of Fyling Hall in 2023, we thought you might enjoy a quick recap of our history. And a reminder to get your tickets for the Centenary Ball if you haven’t already – they are selling out and we may need to close sales early.
Fyling Hall was founded in 1923 by Mab Bradley, an Oxford graduate and experienced teacher, who was once described as having ‘absolutely no capacity for being dull’. Her fledgling school began with just four pupils and taught an eclectic curriculum. But word of mouth helped the school to grow quickly, and by 1933 it had outgrown three separate premises and moved to its current position in Robin Hoods Bay.
Mab helmed the school through a world war, a cross-country move, and many other hair-raising moments before passing away suddenly in 1962. She left behind a true legacy- a school built on her ideals of toleration, creativity, and happiness. Her shoes were hard to fill, but her daughter Clare stepped into them with verve, wit, and tenacity, leaving behind an exciting life in London to continue the school.
Since 1962, Clare White worked tirelessly to build on her mother’s ideals. Fyling Hall went from strength to strength under her leadership, all the time maintaining its unique spirit and atmosphere. Students have fond memories of runs to Ravenscar and the mill, drama productions in the Rose Garden, and supper in the cozy, firelit staffroom.
Mrs White stepped back from the day to day running of the school in the 2000s after the death of her beloved husband Peter, but remained the spiritual figurehead of Fyling Hall until her death in February 2023. It is in her and her mother’s footsteps that we follow today, and we as a school remain committed to the ideals that both Mab Bradley and Clare White prized.
Summer Centenary Celebrations
At our Centenary celebration this summer, we will be having a celebration of Mrs White’s life in the Rose Garden on Sunday 9th July. We would love to hear about your memories of her so we can incorporate these into the event. Please do get in touch if you have something to share.
The full programme for the weekend is now available, please see below and do come and join us for however long you are able. Tickets for the Centenary Ball can be purchased here but please hurry, as they are selling fast!
We look forward to welcoming you back.