An extract from: A HISTORY OF WARLINGHAM
A name for this pond has been handed down by word of mouth, and so Arthur Beadell, in his Nature Notes of Warlingham and Chelsham uses the spelling 'Willy's Pit', while Louis Emm spells it as 'Willey's Pit' in his Memories of Warlingham. A local boy, Frank Churchill, was drowned in this pond in 1883 when thin ice gave way beneath his weight. In 1931, when main drainage was being installed in the village, a large quantity of excess soil was deposited here, filling most of the pond. Work was carried out in the autumn of 1998 to restore it. The central tree was planted there about 45 years ago after doing duty as a Christmas tree on The Green.
The almshouses face the common, and the central house was originally intended to provide accommodation for a curate. In 1824 the Charity Commission inquiry reported that--
'...the Curate resides in the vicarage house, which he describes as a much more convenient and comfortable residence than the two rooms appropriated for his use by the founder. These rooms since they have ceased to be occupied by the Curate (now upwards of 60 years) have been used for the purpose of a school. The present school, which is conducted by two sisters, is supported by voluntary subscription to which the Vicar largely contributes...'
One of John Hassell's watercolours, dated 1822, is entitled 'Harman Atwood's School '. It depicts the rear of the central house with a small single storey building adjoining it. This was demolished in 1857 when the present building was erected, placed in a central position and covering the rear door of the house. The school bell was housed in a small turret on the roof. This was removed in 1936 when it became unsafe.
In 1857 Mrs Sarah (Sally) Sampson retired after many years as mistress of this National (Church of England) school. Mrs Mary Ann Hunter took her place. After the Education Act of 1870 two years passed before there was a move in Warlingham to set up a school board. This was formed on 30th April 1872, and consisted of the vicar and four leading residents. In the early years these were Thomas Twiddy, Henry Lee, Richard Jarvis and Joel Ward. At the vestry meeting held on 19th September 1873 the assembly was informed that -
'...the Warlingham School Board requires a quarter of an acre of land from the south west comer of the Parish recreation ground for the purpose of erecting new schools...'