The Mall School

[ClaudiaG]

Hi, this is a question for older mothers who were sisters to little boys. Does anyone remember The Mall School in the late sixties? My brother came a cropper under the Head at that time - Reverend Hill - and, sad to say, the private institution that is the private school closed ranks, and smothered all knowledge of countless boys’ dreadful molestation. Reverend Hill then went on to found a new school in the district, and his newly- invented reputation in the founding of that new school has become enshrined in myth. A man without influence in either school in the present, I hasten to add, for the man is dead, but anyone out there who remembers their brother under a cloud?

[FlissMumsnet]

Hi ClaudiaG,

We have no knowledge of this school or the teacher you mention however, we would caution that this thread might be reported as libellous if read by certain invested parties but we'd be in touch if any such complaint reached us and your post would only be removed if a libel complaint was upheld.

If this is the truth of the matter as you understand it there is no problem in letting this post stand.

All the best in finding some answers.

[Eastmint]

Just saw this post thus joined mums net to respond. I attended the Mall in the 60's and can confirm what has been said. Not only did he interfere with boys, he also had gay teacher lovers. I told my father what was going on, and he subsequently removed me from the school after threatening Hill with exposure. Strangely other parents closed ranks and seemed to support this appalling behaviour. He would be in prison in today's society.
Just wanted to set the record straight.

[ClaudiaG]

Dear Eastmint, thank you so much for your post: I failed to see it until today, having checked in the months following my own. Twickenham Prep School enshrines the myth of Reverend Hill's goodness to this day. A mythical story has arisen as his reason for leaving the Mall School in 1969, although I notice the story avoids mentioning The Mall. I feel sure none of the present staff are aware of the alternative story. Even the parents at the time were up in arms, no doubt because Hill was a man of the cloth. What stupidity. (My brother wrote to TPS a decade ago, as he also did to The Mall, and the letter was ignored.) His life was devastated by the abuse and he notified the police too late, sadly, since Hill died in the nineties, I believe. It is a classic tale of holding in the truth over two wretched years, undergoing the knife for a phantom appendectomy in order to avoid going to school, being too afraid and ashamed of a terrifying adult to tell your parents to protect yourself, and instead, blaming yourself from the age of seven. Our father died when my brother was fourteen and never knew; my brother only told our mother well into adulthood when his mental breakdown was all too evident. Typical result of private education = stiff upper lip; job well done. At least two of my brother's friends were also abused, but only two or three unnamed boys had the courage to speak up at the time. This was enough for the Board of Governers, although apparently not enough for some parents. No wonder children have a hard time speaking up! Thank you so much for joining the site in order to corroborate what happened.

[WildClematisSisters]

We too, are sisters who care about our dear brother. Is there a support group?

[ClaudiaG]

Hi there- many thanks for your post: was your brother at The Mall School in the sixties? Best wishes, Claudia

[WildClematisSisters]

Hi Claudia, yes he was, in early to mid-sixties. Perhaps I could message you (?). Thank you so much

[ClaudiaG]

Do contact me on my reserve email address : [email protected]
Hope this feels easier - best, Claudia

[solarbound]

I was at the school from roughly 1966 to 1969. While not a victim, I remember the boys he fawned and how something was not right. It was a strict C of E school at the time and I felt like the "only Catholic in the school" during his "scripture" classes: perhaps that saved me. Recollections include a holiday he led to Lucerne where, away from his peers, he showed a clear fascination for one angelic, blond child in a younger year whom he bounced on his knee throughout the train journey. For many years that holiday had only happy memories - until I heard the stories much later and joined the dots in my mind to what I may have been witnessing. Now they are very disturbing. I am undamaged, in my 60s with kids long flown. So why am I writing? To exorcise the memory and remind that it can, does and will happen again. Keep an eye.

[Eastmint]

happy to reveal my name as i was thankfully left alone by the reverend...
jonathan keating.
still in contact with Mike Pope who was there at the time but i think was not molested. i suppose all history now, but have deep anger for those who were affected. maybe for the something could be done?

[ClaudiaG]

Dear solarbound - thank you so much for adding your own first-hand observations. Nothing can be done now, but witness statements like yours, and Eastmint's can help to verify these experiences for the victims who invariably remain silent beyond childhood. They can know they weren't isolated examples in being treated so appallingly, when some of them will have been affected by the damage all their lives. The fault and the shame belong only with the abuser; in this case, Donald Rupert Hill. I have written to Alex Renton - the writer who has written extensively on abuse in private prep schools - to try to know whether he has been contacted by others from the Mall School. I'll let you know if he gets back to me. With all best wishes, Crystal

[ClaudiaG]

Dear Jonathan, just to let you know I've written again to Alex Renton. You will have seen solarbound's message earlier. Many thanks for your contributions towards this issue. It's so valuable.
I do hope you're well - with best regards, Crystal