Today – 17 May 2026, Scarborough College marks a remarkable milestone – 125 years since the school first opened its doors to pupils.
The College opened on 17 May 1901 under the leadership of Headmaster Percy Armstrong. Eager to begin welcoming pupils, Armstrong chose not to wait for the completion of the school buildings. Instead, lessons began in his own house, now known as the West Wing, while workmen continued construction elsewhere on site.
That first term, just seven boys formed the entire school community:
RW Stanners
JS Beck
WA Milton
CB Coulson
A Atkinson
AP Cooper
R Harland
As we reflect on the College’s history, we also remember the lives and experiences of those early pupils beyond their school days.
JS Beck, the College’s first boarding pupil, sadly died in Australia in 1909 after being thrown from a horse.
The impact of the First World War was also deeply felt. R Harland was killed in France in 1918 towards the end of the conflict, while AP Cooper lost an arm during the war.
The school officially opened on Wednesday 18th September 1901, having taken three years to build. The photograph (the earliest we can identify) was taken – Christmas 1901.
Our thanks go to groundsman Mr Paul Swinger for researching and sharing this fascinating insight into the College’s earliest days.