Baron Stern, Lord Wandsworth, died in 1912 and left a large sum of money to be used for the education of children who had lost one or both parents and who would otherwise be unable to go to boarding school. The present school site was purchased and the first Foundationers entered in 1922. The school has come a long way since those early days. Fee-paying pupils were first accepted in 1945 and these now make up over three-quarters of the total of four hundred and seventy five, but the Foundation still supports approximately one hundred pupils who have suffered the loss of a parent through death, divorce or separation.
Lord Wandsworth is very much a local school with the majority of pupils coming from under twenty miles away. Although within an hour of London, its rural situation gives Lord Wandsworth a strong sense of community. The majority of pupils are weekly boarders who return home after school ends on Saturday, but there is a sizeable number of both day pupils and full boarders. Most of the teachers live on the campus, as do many of the support staff. The College is a lively and positive place which encourages and expects the full involvement of its members in a range of academic, cultural and sporting activities.
Academic activity is considered very important and the school aims to see that every pupil achieves his or her potential. The subjects taught make up a balanced mixture which is governed largely by the requirements of the National Curriculum. The A-Level pass rate in 1996 was 92% (90% in 1995) of which 48% of the grades were at A or B (48% in 1994) and there is a good handful of successful Oxbridge candidates each year. The main sports played are rugby, hockey, netball, tennis and cricket. Squash, shooting, badminton, golf, cross-country running, athletics, swimming and sailing are also actively pursued and there are school teams in each of these sports. The Duke of Edinburgh's Award Scheme flourishes as does the Combined Cadet Force and an active Community Service group.
