Rosebery | Epsom College

Rosebery, situated in a corner of the College campus next to the John Piper Art School, was the College’s first day House. It started life as a boys’ day house. Though day boys were admitted to Epsom College from its foundation, they were not given their own house until 1926, when Lord Rosebery, a former Prime Minister, agreed to allow the new day house to be named after him in honour of his long association with the College.

In September 2008, Rosebery became a girls’ day house. It is now one of six girls’ houses at the College and underwent refurbishment in the summer of 2022. Read below to find out more about Rosebery’s Housemistress, Matron and Head of House. Plus, click on a gallery of images of life in Rosebery.

Beth Eliott Lockhart, Housemistress

I am utterly delighted to serve as HMM of Rosebery House for 2024-2025. Across the College, Rosebery pupils are leaders in sport, academics, and music and drama – we are a diverse, busy, and happy house! I truly believe the College values of kindness, integrity, and ambition are embodied by Rosebery pupils themselves; they model these every day. I couldn’t be prouder to lead the House.

I joined Rosebery in 2021 and I have been Deputy HMM since 2022. Before that, I was a tutor in Propert and Robinson as well as a Year 8 tutor in the Lower School. I teach English, have been Head of EPQ since 2018, and have been I/C Charities since 2016. I have been lucky enough to teach at Epsom since 2015.

Before Epsom, I taught at St Paul’s Girls’ School, having moved to the UK in 2011. Prior to this, I earned a Ph.D. in English and Comparative Literature from Columbia University and an M.Phil. in Medieval English Literature from the University of Cambridge, with an undergraduate degree in English and French from Southwestern University in Texas. Growing up in Louisiana and Texas, I loved competitive swimming, basketball, and horseback riding, as well as drama and music. I live at the College with my husband, Rudi, and my daughter, Julia.

Irina Boia, Matron

I have worked at Epsom College for 19 years, holding various Domestic Assistant and Assistant Matron positions before taking up the role of Rosebery Matron four years ago – and I love it!

Rosebery House has a very friendly, homely atmosphere. The Rosebery girls are wonderfully strong, determined young ladies with an admirable streak of competitiveness – they make the House a warm and fun place to be.

In my spare time, I enjoy walking my dog and practising meditation and yoga.

Sophie, Head of House 2024-25

I joined Epsom in Lower School in 2018, and then moved into Rosebery in 2020. Rosebery truly is a second home, with everyone sharing the enthusiasm and friendliness that shapes our house. My current A-levels are Physics, Maths and Economics, and I aspire to study Engineering at university.

I am incredibly grateful to be apart of the sporting community within Epsom. During my time here I have represented the College’s 1st hockey, netball, athletics and rugby teams. I am also part of the STEM team here, as well as a member of the Charity Committee.

My favourite events on the school calendar are Founder’s Day and Choral Comp, and I’m really excited to represent and help to lead Rosebery in them as Head of House next year!

House History

Earl of Rosebery

Archibald Philip Primrose, later the 5^th Earl of Rosebery, was born in London on 7 May 1847, into a distinguished Scottish aristocratic family.

Primrose was educated at Eton and, in 1866 he entered Christ Church, Oxford. However, his academic pursuits were cut short in 1869 when he left without completing his degree. The decision stemmed from a conflict with the university authorities after he purchased a racehorse, named Ladas, which was against university regulations. When asked to relinquish the horse or leave, he chose the latter.

In March 1868, his grandfather died, and Rosebery inherited the earldom, along with the family estates in Scotland. The following May he took his seat in the House of Lords where he aligned himself with the Liberal party.

Rosebery was a committed local resident, Lord Rosebery was deeply involved in Epsom’s civic life and often collaborated with the Prince of Wales in fundraising efforts for Epsom College. Indeed, such was Lord Rosebery’s interest he became the President of the College in 1900 and remained in post until his death.

In 1926, Epsom College honoured him by naming a new day boys House after him, adopting the primrose flower as its crest and so Rosebery House was established. It became a girls day House in 2008, retaining the primrose crest.

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