History of the School

Created within the broader educational expectations and culture of the British Empire and later Commonwealth, early emphasis was on traditional curriculum, athletics, cadets and firm discipline. In 1893, the School moved to “Woodlands,” an historic house which still serves as the heart of the current main campus. The following decade saw modest improvements in both facilities and programme.

In 1923, classrooms were added to the Woodlands building to accommodate the increase in the student population. By the early 1940s, a small number of Portuguese boys were admitted to Saltus, thus opening the door to an often-discriminated minority. During the tumultuous social and political change of the 1960s, enrolment reached 170 students, including two black students who were first enrolled in 1966. The first black teacher was employed at Saltus in 1968.

In 1971 the Trustees made the decision to have Saltus become a completely independent, fee-paying school. This enabled the school to make progressive decisions and adapt to meet the needs of its students in the context of a rapidly changing world. To adapt to the larger numbers and the increasingly diverse curriculum, significant additions were made to the St. John’s Campus and the school leased Cavendish Hall in 1972, thus establishing a second campus. 

Other major facilities projects highlighted growth throughout the latter part of the century. These included: The Reiss Library (1975), The Haygarth Gymnasium (1979), and The Henry Hallett Art and Music Facility (1982). Also, in 1982, land leased to the Bermuda Swimming Association enabled a 25-metre swimming pool to be constructed on the main campus with the school having use of the facility.

In 1990, the Board of Trustees made the decision to become fully co-educational. In September 1991, eighty-nine girls joined 608 boys to commence a new era in the history of the school. At the same time, an extensive building programme was undertaken, adding a new block to Cavendish plus several additional classrooms at the main campus and including major reconstruction to the interior of Woodlands.

Rebuilt in 1993, the Woodlands building houses the office of the Head of School,  administration offices, an Art classroom, and the Design Technology Department. This phase of construction was concluded in late 1993 when total enrolment stood at 780, including 156 girls. By this time, the teaching staff numbered 59, and the school was led by its 6th Headmaster in 106 years, Mr. James Keith McPhee.

Saltus Grammar School continues to evolve under the guidance of its various Heads of School, its students body, and the faculty and staff that contribute to the rich diversity of the school community.