History of the School

The majestic red brick buildings, seamlessly standing beside newer additions, house not only an ‘outstanding’ educational institute but an enviable history of achievement and excellence.

Year	Event
1709	The first Earl of Ranelagh, Richard Jones, founded the school for 20 boys and 20 girls at Cranbourne Hall in Winkfield. The first headteacher was Vicar of Winkfield, William Waterson, who ran the school for 50 years.
1759	John Boyce took over the school. His son, George, later took to the helm until 1824.
1880	Having reached a capacity of 100 pupils, Cranbourne School was closed and the school expanded to a site in Lovel Road, Winkfield. It then became known as Cranbourne Ranelagh School.
1908	Some proceeds from the sale of Cranbourne Hall were used to establish a grammar school in Bracknell. Ranelagh School opened on its current site on September 21. There were four full-time teachers including the first headteacher, Ernest Cleave.
1944	The school became a Church of England voluntary aided grammar school following that year’s Education Act.
1945	By the outbreak of World War II, there were 100 pupils and eight full-time teachers including the second headmaster, James Bury. An additional playing field was purchased in Larges Lane. During the war there were at one time, three schools sharing the building.
1953	New Headteacher appointed, Donovan Martin.
1971	New Headteacher appointed, Richard Allen.
1955-1981	During these periods, extensions were made to the buildings.
1981	The school began to develop as a comprehensive rather than a grammar.
1993	New Headteacher appointed, Kathy Winrow.
1993-1998	During this time, the school was upgraded with additional classrooms, a sixth form centre, a business centre, music block, a superb sports hall and an arts and design centre.
1999	Awarded Beacon School status.
2006	The school received a Grade 1 ‘outstanding’ report from Ofsted.
2008	Ranelagh School celebrates 100 years on its current site.
2009	Headteacher, Kathy Winrow, appointed as National Leader of Education and Ranelagh becomes a National Support School.
2009	Ranelagh School celebrates 300 years since its foundation.
2009	The school received a Grade 1 ‘outstanding’ report from Ofsted.
2010	School gains High Performing Specialist School status in Art and Business.
2011	Ranelagh becomes a Church of England Academy.
2014	The school received an ‘outstanding’ report from SIAMS.
2015	New Headteacher appointed, Beverley Stevens.
2015	The school received an ‘outstanding’ report from Ofsted.
2017	Ranelagh School forms The Bonitas Trust
2019	The school received a ‘Good’ report from SIAMS.
2020	New Headteacher appointed, Timothy Griffith.