The only boarding house at Bradfield to house both boys and girls during its lifetime celebrates 100 years in 2026. ‘The Close’ which was built and opened as H House for boys in 1926 operated as a boy’s boarding house from 1926 to 2006 before the original building was transformed into a girl’s boarding house, now known as Stanley House - M House.

It was Edward Balfour who during his time as Housemaster of The Close (2000-08) moved with the boys to their new more modern building at the top of the hill near Design and Technology and the All-Weather Pitches, where it is today.

Ed remembers "The Headmaster Peter Roberts first mentioned the idea of relocating the house, thereby offering The Close an exciting and bright new future. It was a huge privilege to work closely with Bursar, Nick Marten and architects to design a brand new boarding house at the top of the hill which would both reflect The Close community and shape its future. We all essentially started with a blank sheet of paper and, focusing on maximising communal and social areas, designed a boarding house which would meet the pastoral, academic and co-curricular needs of 65+ boarders for the future.

Our aim was to do away with any idea of dormitories and provide a 'home-from-home' living  environment for the boys with spacious and modern ensuite single and double bedsits, corridors which enabled sight lines from one end of the building to the other, but which also offered a bit of privacy and under-floor heating. We designed a large entrance hall, which opened into a large house room and adjoining 'brewer' which in fine weather enabled us to extend the space further through patio doors to a courtyard area, surrounded by lavender and rose beds, at the centre of which was a beautiful David Harber armillary sphere on a pedestal, the gift of one very kind parent."

Well-known Bradfieldians during its time as a boys boarding house include: Author of Watership Down Richard Adams (H 33-38), MP Richard Benyon (H 74-78) and wine writer Will Lyons (H 89-94).

Ed Balfour also remembers: "The motto of The Close "Acriter Certantes" translates as "Striving Mightily", which reflects the house’s dedication to endeavour, academic excellence, and resilience in all endeavours. It emphasises intense effort, competitive spirit, and determined perseverance in a community built on respect, humility, and dedication; one which encourages pupils to maximize opportunities and overcome challenges; floreat The Close!"

The first Housemaster of H House was Bening Mourant Arnold (1920-40) who served for 15 years and was known as "The General" and the first Housemistress of Stanley House, when it opened in 2006, was Sue Duff who lead the house until 2015.

Picture of the first girls outside the house when it became Stanley House in 2006 below