Granville | Epsom College

Granville House is named after The 2nd Earl Granville, the third President of the College. It is the grand building that greets you on the right as you pass through the main gates.

The early morning view from the House, as the sun rises, is idyllic – blessing the boys with the full beauty of the diagonally striped and manicured Chapel Lawn, with the main College buildings in the distance over the treetops. Hidden behind Granville are the other two boys’ boarding houses: Forest and Holman.

Owen Alsop, Housemaster

Owen Alsop will be taking over as Granville Housemaster in September 2025, joining Epsom College from Repton School where he has been for the last four years, teaching History as well as holding the position of Assistant Housemaster and coaching hockey and cricket.

Owen graduated from Loughborough University with a degree in History and Politics and holds a PGCE from Oxford University where he also achieved a Blue in cricket.

Prior to teaching, Owen spent three seasons on the Academy and 2nd XI staff at Hampshire County Cricket Club, and after that he pursued his passion for racing, working for William Hill, at Salisbury racecourse and for the top trainer Ralph Beckett.

Owen will move to Epsom College in the summer with his partner, Molly, who is the Director of the girls’ football programme at Repton and currently plays for Stoke City Football Club.

Karen Clarke, Matron

I have worked at Epsom College for the past 22 years and love being Matron of Granville House. My favourite thing about the House is the space and the calm atmosphere as you enter – it is wonderfully friendly and welcoming – we are like one big family!

In my spare time, I love gardening and spending as much time as possible with my grandchildren.

Sam, Head of House 2025-26

My name is Sam, and I am thrilled to be appointed as Head of Granville. I joined the school in Lower Sixth in September 2024 and have thoroughly enjoyed my time here so far.

I am currently studying English Literature, Business and Politics, as well as recently finishing an EPQ. I aspire to study International Management at university after my time at Epsom.

Outside of the classroom, I am an avid rugby player, having represented the college’s first team and Premiership Rugby academies. Furthermore, I am a member of the school’s Debating Society and a keen reader.

As previously stated, I am delighted to be Head of Granville and I look forward to my Upper Sixth year, hoping to make Granville the best it can be for every boy in the house. I will strive to create the most welcoming and uplifting atmosphere possible.

House History

Earl Granville

Gilchrist House opened in 1883 and was named after Dr John Borthwick Gilchrist. Upon his death in 1841, his will established the Gilchrist Educational Trust. Recipients of the scholarship were required to attend London University upon leaving Epsom College. Within that first year, a scholarship holder chose to attend Cambridge instead, leading the Gilchrist Trust to withdraw its involvement.

Consequently, the house was swiftly renamed Granville House, in honour of Earl Granville, President of the College at the time. The house was given the Granville family crest: a chapeau or cap, with an ermine lining, historically worn on a helmet before battle, as well as the Granville family motto Frangas non flectes ( “You may break (me), but you will not bend (me)”), symbolising resilience and steadfastness in adversity.

Granville George Leveson-Gower, 2nd Earl Granville, became President of Epsom College in 1865 and remained in the role until his death in 1891. A distinguished figure, he served three times as Foreign Secretary and was a close ally of Prime Minister William Gladstone. As a Cabinet member in successive Liberal ministries from the 1830s onwards, Granville was one of the most prominent political figures of his time.

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