The former St Cuthmans School is located approximately 1.5 miles north of Stedham at the northern end of Tote Lane, which runs from Stedham Lane at the south end and becomes a bridleway at the north end just past the School.
 
The School was based in Wispers, a Norman Shaw-designed, Grade II listed, former large country house, built in 1876 on the edge of an escarpment overlooking Oakham Common. The house was later used as a weekend retreat by the Duchess of Bedfordshire, who added an eastern wing in the 1930's. (She was known as the Flying Duchess because she would fly to the house - a large building to the east of the property was constructed as a hangar in 1929).
 
The Duchess mysteriously disappeared on 22nd March 1937, whilst on a short flight from Woburn. Even though extensive searches were made for her throughout the country, she, or her plane, was never found. The house and complex became a special needs school two years later in 1939.
 
In addition to the main house, the complex includes two traditional 19th century cottages to the east of the main building.
On the other side of Tote Lane is Tote House, which dates possibly in part from the 16thC. and the rest from the 18thC., a timber-clad barn opposite and a pair of 1960's-70's semi-detached dwellings to the east of the barn. A public footpath runs along the lane to these properties.
 
Over the years a number of buildings and other structures had been built and were incorporated into the new school. The former aircraft hangar was subsequently converted into a gymnasium. A swimming pool and an extensive two-storey classroom block were built. Plus there was a brick and tile workshop building.
 
Proposals for the school after closure were to -
Convert Wispers into seven units and provide garaging for five cars
Extend the two traditional cottages and provide two single garages with garden rooms over
Replace the Coach House with a new dwelling and garaging
Convert the workshop into groom's accommodation for the ancillary use of the Coach House, with new stable building.
Extend Tote House along with a combined double garage and stable building
Convert the barn to a dwelling and the provision of a single garage
Replace the two modern semi-detached dwellings with a single house with garage and stable
Demolish the later school and other buildings, including the hanger-gymnasium
Reinstate the original drive to Wispers

Artists projection of St. Cuthmans by Neil Holland Architects

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