History
Ballards
By 1813 a mansion known as 'The Hills' had been built at Ballards by Augustus Hoffman. The property was sold in 1870's to Charles Hermann Goschen, who came from Waddon House. The Hoffman's house had been built on the side of a hill. Goschen built a new mansion, designed by F.P. Cockerell, on the summit, overlooking the valley towards Littleheath Woods, Bramley Bank, and Croham Hurst. His new house was called St Andrew's and the old one was demolished.
Charles Hermann Goschen and his brother Henry were of German origin born in Eltham. His father founded a merchant bank in which Charles and Henry became partners. Their elder brother became a politician and financier, becoming Chancellor of the Exchequer in Lord Salisbury's Government and a Viscount and the youngest brother, Sir William Edward Goschen eventually became British Ambassador to the German Empire serving from 1908 until the start of the First World War in 1914.
Charles died in 1915 and the family remained at the house until 1919. It was sold to Howard Houlder of Houlder Brothers, a Shipping Firm and then H. Hollingsworth (of Bourne & Hollingsworth) for £21,000 with the first boys moving to Ballards in May 1921. More space was needed so Sir Aston Webb (noted for Admiralty Arch, Buckingham Palace Frontage and the Victoria & Albert Museum) was appointed to design a new school consisting of 3 blocks forming an H. This was completed in 1924 and the remaining parts of the school moved to the site in 1961. Princess Elizabeth visited the school in 1950 and 1979 and in 1953 conferred the title 'Royal' upon the school in honour of its centenary.
For further information about Royal Russell School and its history, please visit the school's website.