Making God an intrinsic part of every lesson

Lorraine Trevett’s husband Paul (who died in 2015 from cancer) came home one evening with surprising news; the elders of their church in Southampton had asked him to start a school. From that day, it would shape not only their lives, but countless others’ too. In fact, establishing The King’s School, a thriving co-ed Christian school in Fair Oak, Hampshire would become their life’s work.

Stepping out to fulfill a dream

Paul was head of department at a local secondary school. From a Christian perspective, “he just sensed that life in schools was beginning to get tough”, says Lorraine. At the time, schools in the state sector were becoming more secularised, reflecting wider changes in British society. And the focus of religious education was shifting in response; from being largely ‘confessional’ of the Christian faith and its values, to exploring all religions with equal interest.

As a result, Christianity felt increasingly sidelined from school life, which was troubling for Paul: “he always had a dream…to have a Christian school”. But he had only ever shared this with Lorraine, so the proposal from their church elders had come like a “bolt out of the blue”. Paul questioned whether he was really the right person for the job “but deep down that’s what he’d always wanted”, she says.

Where to begin? It would mean Paul leaving the security of his well-paid job, and taking a much lower salary. They had a young family and Lorraine, a nursery nurse, was busy looking after their two sons at home: “we just had the one income so this was an incredible step”.

They had the faith to take their children out of state education and put their trust in what Paul had set up

But they reminded themselves: “if this is what God wants, he will provide the way”. In fact, they both felt excited about it: “There wasn’t really any hesitation about going forward with the whole thing; Paul was a great man of faith.” Lorraine knew the idea was from God and was “totally supportive” of Paul, as she focused on her role in raising their children: “I thought, ‘If this is what God wants Paul to do, who am I to stand in the way?’” 

Paul was given 21 April 1982 as his start date – and would have one term to set up the school from scratch. He and the church elders had decided to use the ACE (Accelerated Christian Education) system of teaching because of its philosophy and ready-made materials, which enabled every child to start learning immediately.

New beginnings

On Paul’s first day, their eldest son was also starting primary school. Lorraine was now pregnant with their third child, and due any day: “I woke up and said: ‘Well, this feels a bit ominous.’” She was in labour. Still, she was determined to take their son to school: “I stood on the playground having contractions”, she says. Their daughter was born that evening at home: “It was significant; new birth for us as a family, new birth for the school.”

Paul and the church elders assembled a team to gather materials, find resources, research best practices and install equipment. They converted part of their church building, known as ‘West End’, into classrooms. Lorraine took on as much of the practical tasks, such as painting walls, as she could with a new baby. As did Paul, who was readying the school syllabus. He determined that God would be an intrinsic part of every lesson, while encompassing the national curriculum.

When the school opened, 24 families had ‘caught the vision’; they wanted this God-centred education for their children. Enrolling them in a brand-new school was a huge step: “It’s an incredible thing”, says Lorraine. “They had the faith to take their children out of state education and put their trust in what Paul had set up.” There were 37 children in the first intake and soon all three of their own children would be pupils too. 

Facing the challenges 

Lorraine reflects on some of the criticism they received: “People said in the beginning that we’re ‘wrapping our children up in cotton wool’. We’re not…we’re teaching them truth, so that they are strong and ready to face society when they leave.” They also maintained the utmost respect for Christian teachers who felt called to work in the state sector.

Lorraine emphasises that The King’s School, named for Jesus, “is a faith venture”. So, when met with challenges: “you cry out to God…that’s what it’s about”. Turning to prayer, as well as fasting, they saw “miracle after miracle”. Several are particularly memorable for Lorraine, and detailed below.

When they applied for planning permission to convert West End to ‘educational use’, their local councillor (in charge of the planning committee) refused, saying: “You’ll never have a school on this site while I’m chairman.” The reason given was the access road; a narrow lane with no pavement or street lights, and considered too dangerous. When they appealed, a visiting inspector saw the care they were taking to ensure children’s safety and granted it – with one proviso: they must improve the road. But plans to build the nearby M27 motorway were shortly finalised – and included the much-needed improvements to their road. And the local councillor lost his seat the following year, fulfilling his words to them.

The building was adapted to accommodate the growing school. But by 1985, with over 100 primary- and 50 secondary-aged children, it had reached its limit. They needed more space. Lorraine had met a Christian mum several years before while nursing at Winchester Hospital; she owned Fishers Court, a large house (and Christian community) in Southampton. It was time to sell so she asked Lorraine if the school would like to buy it. The answer was a resounding yes: “God was in every step we made”, says Lorraine.

Another time, simmering financial difficulties threatened to close the secondary school: “we really didn’t feel that this was what God wanted…it needed to stay open”, Lorraine says. Parents withdrew their children in panic. Paul called a prayer meeting: “God seemed to give [us] a number of 50, and we said, ‘If we’ve got 50 children on our books, that have re-enrolled by the last day of term, we will take it as God saying, ‘Carry on.’’’ Down to the last few minutes of term, they had 49 students enrolled: “And then a parent walked in the office with the application form for the 50th child.” 

After only two years at Fishers Court, it needed to be sold. Paul and the governors discovered Lakesmere House in Fair Oak, a vast old building with land, currently owned by developers. To buy it they would need to find a mortgage so put together a financial plan, “which wasn’t very good by any means”. In the meantime, the school had no premises. But soon, the developers – who were keen to sell – offered them use of onsite portacabins free for a year in exchange for keeping the grounds tidy. God’s providence was unmistakable.

In that time, they approached six banks: “gradually they all pulled out and we were left with this bank manager from Barclays – he and his deputy were both Christians”. Nearly a year later they still didn’t have a mortgage and the developers issued an ultimatum. The school governors called a meeting, and spent the time worshipping God. They phoned the bank: no decision yet. Continuing to worship they phoned back. The deputy manager answered and passed them over to the manager: “He said he was sat swinging in his chair, saying, ‘What do I do God? Shall I or shan’t I?’”, says Lorraine. “And for the first time ever in his life he heard the audible voice of God saying, ‘Do it.’” 

The King’s School has been in Fair Oak ever since. And Lorraine, who also taught there, is still involved in lots of ways. Reflecting on the journey the school has taken, ever since Paul excitedly shared his news, Lorraine speaks again of faith: “It’s because of the faith of so many different people…the parents who were willing to take their children out of state education; the faith of the bank manager taking an awful risk and calling out to God for that answer. It’s the faithfulness of different people all the way down the line that have made The King’s School what it is today.”

To learn more about The King’s School visit thekingsschool.org.uk