When Theodore and Ruth Wilcox opened Alleyn Court in September 1904, only four boys attended at the start of that first Autumn term. The numbers swiftly rose, such that by 1920 there were 80 pupils. Theodore, himself a pupil at King’s Canterbury and then a student at Selwyn College Cambridge, was inspired to found a preparatory school during his time teaching at Dulwich College Prep School; hence the name Alleyn Court. Thanks to the help of his cousin, Charles Dodgson, who had financially supported him throughout his own education, he was finally in a position to set up his own school.
 

Since its foundation Alleyn Court has expanded dramatically, becoming co-educational when it added the Pre-prep department and extending its capacity in 1988 when it occupied its current, beautiful and spacious premises in Thorpe Bay.

In its 100 year history Alleyn Court can be proud of the huge success of many of its pupils. Famous alumni include names in the arts and in sport such as novelist John Fowles, author of “The Magus” and “The French Lieutenant’s Woman”, award winning playwright Michael Wilcox, England cricket captain and broadcaster Trevor Bailey, Rugby International Simon Clark, Hockey International Simon Halls, World Record holding swimmer Mark Foster, Arsenal and England U-21 captain Stewart Robson. Within the last ten years there have also been a Fellow of All Souls Oxford, a Lord Mayor of London, four MPs, an Ambassador and James Bourne, lead guitarist and singer of Pop groups “Busted” and “Son of Dork”. Amongst most recent former pupils there are national representatives at various youth levels in basketball, badminton, cricket, sailing, fencing and skiing.   
 

With over 320 boys and girls aged 2 ½ to 11 and on its new site Alleyn Court would scarcely be recognisable to its founder. However, he would know the uniform still in its original colours of navy blue with pink edging, he would appreciate the outstanding successes of the school academically, in sport and in the arts during its 100 year existence, he would recognise the continued ethos of courtesy and respect for others, hard work and enjoyment, and he would be delighted at the fulfilment of his school motto “non progredi est regredi:” not to go forwards is to go backwards.