The story of Carlyle College is one deeply rooted in history, stretching back over a century on the very land where generations have lived, learned, and shaped the future.
The 21-acre property on which the school stands was originally part of a 3,066-acre land grant issued in 1859 to Michael Short. Known as Spring Grove Farm, the land was primarily used for cattle grazing before changing ownership multiple times.
In 1890, Edward McKenzie Greene and George Ross, friends and business partners, jointly purchased the land, marking the beginning of a long history of education on this property.
Ross and Greene, both veterans of the Anglo-Zulu War, began subdividing the land in the 1890s. In 1894, a 20-acre plot was sold to Dr. James Wylie, a young Irish physician who established the first medical practice in Nottingham Road.
By 1900, Dr. Frederick Robinson transformed the estate into a sanatorium, treating soldiers and locals alike.
His legacy was cut short by his untimely passing in 1906, but the property continued to serve as a place of care under subsequent owners.
The shift from medicine to education began in 1908 when Miss Evans and Miss Ward founded St. Winifred’s Girls’ School on the site.
Their students followed an austere yet joyful routine, which included letter censorship, blouse making, shooting lessons, and even gathering apples in pillowcases from the neighboring farm.
Over the decades, the property witnessed a series of schools come and go.
After St. Winifred’s closed in 1920, Chippenham Boys’ School operated briefly until 1922.
That same year, Sidney Edminson, a former headmaster, founded King’s School with just fifteen boys. Over time, King’s gained a reputation for academic excellence, attracting students from across the country.
In 1939, King’s School was purchased by John Carlyle-Mitchell, a former Rhodesian headmaster. His leadership, along with that of his son, John Jr., transformed the school into a progressive, inclusive institution, known for its courageous stand against apartheid.
While the government refused permission to enroll students of all races, King’s School defied these restrictions, losing state funding but earning a lasting reputation for integrity and forward-thinking education.
Under the Carlyle-Mitchell family, the school became co-educational in 1967, admitted students of all backgrounds, and remained a beacon of independent education in South Africa. For decades, King’s was more than just a school, it was a community dedicated to learning, growth, and change.
In 2019, after over 90 years of academic excellence, King’s School closed its doors.
Recognizing the immense potential of the property, Tim and Louisa Johnson, alongside Malindi and Mike Widlake, saw an opportunity to reimagine education for a new generation.
Their vision was not simply to continue the legacy of learning but to redefine it – creating a school that blends academics, real-world exposure, and individualized growth opportunities.
Carlyle College, named in honor of the Carlyle-Mitchell family, represents this new era of learning.
It is built on the belief that education should not be confined to textbooks and exams but should inspire curiosity, creativity, and a passion for real-world exploration.
“The King’s School community and the Carlyle-Mitchell family fully support the founders of Carlyle College in the establishment of a progressive senior school on the Old King’s campus. We are excited to see the educational legacy of this property taken forward by a motivated and resourceful team that is deeply connected to the Nottingham Road community.” – Dominic Carlyle-Mitchell.
A new journey has begun. Carlyle College is more than just a school, it is a legacy reimagined, a future built on history, and a place where young minds will shape the world to come.
“We feel very privileged to be continuing an immense legacy of pioneering education on the Old King’s Campus. It isn’t every day that you get the opportunity to take on such a beautiful property with a rich history and inspiring story.” – Tim Johnson.
The Johnson and Widlake families have spent years researching innovative education models, engaging with specialists, and rethinking traditional learning structures.
