A school at the heart of the village

Great Bookham School has a long history in Bookham and could be said to be the original village school. The Dawnay family donated the land in 1856 so that the first school could be built. As such we are very much part of the community and pride ourselves in taking part in as many village activities as possible. These include: village day, visits to Keswick House (care home for the elderly) and Bookham Open Gardens. We feel it is important for your children to feel included in the wider community and learn the beginnings of good citizenship.

The History of the School

The current Bookham Library, a Grade II listed building in the heart of Bookham Village, was the original location of our school.

Designed by William Butterfield and completed in 1858, the building was commissioned in memory of William Henry Dawnay, 7th Viscount Downe, and housed a school, known originally as St James' School (photographed below). The Bookham branch of Surrey Libraries has occupied this building since the late 1980s.

The school, previously known as The Dawnay School, moved to its current site in the 1970s. On 1st July 2022 the school became Great Bookham School.