Woolverstone Hall is a magnificent neo-classical Palladian mansion whose owners, architects and builders in 1776 could never have imagined that additional buildings w.ould be constructed nearly two centuries later for the extraordinary adventure launched by the LCC under the inspiration of Irene Chaplin soon after the end of a catastrophic world war.

And we today can only imagine the joy and pride of all those at WHS in the early 50s who had started off living and learning mainly in Nissen huts. When the new buildings were opened in 1958 the school finally had buildings in addition to the hall itself that were fully worthy of a school which already had a fine reputation.

A personal comment:

• The buildings served WHS so well for three decades - and 60% or so are still going strong. WOW!
• Given the obvious budgetary constraints of the early-post war economy they were beautifully built, very flexible and well lit and heated (in contrast to the Nissen huts!)
• One might have imagined that it would be impossible to build so near to the Hall without somehow spoiling the latter's original aspect, but the height was I suspect deliberately kept quite low and I have never heard anyone describe the buildings as any kind of eyesore.
• Apart from Johnstons/Halls complex they still serve today, even though possibly not 100% ideal for IHS.
• Halls & Johnstons have gone, but one cannot deny that what replaced them is magnificent and also harmoniously aesthetic.
• One cannot but be impressed by the work that Rogers of Felixtowe did - and so relatively fast. That was a magnificent company, and it is rather sad to know that they ceased trading in - but as we know, all things live and die. They had their "turn", however, which like that of WHS was indeed magnificent.
• I have not found much information about Rogers. The company was a very significant contractor and a major employer for many years but ceased trading in the late ‘70s/early ‘80s when they were bought out by Decora, a developer interested in its land bank and factory site assets. Rogers do have a Facebook group with lots of comments, though unfortunately with no photos of the Woolverstone Hall construction. Concerning that, I am very surprised that Leslie Johnston did not take photos - or perhaps he did but they have not come down to us. We have found only one photo of the construction. (CJS - with thanks to Louis Parperis)