Convent of the Assumption

Arrival of the Sisters of the Assumption (1882–1914) The Sisters of the Religious of the Assumption are a Catholic, female congregation founded in Paris in 1839 by Saint Anne Eugenie Milleret (in her religious life took the name Marie Eugenie of Jesus) along with Fr. Theodore Combalot. The nuns of this congregation arrived in Sidmouth in 1882 first settling at Cottington House, before relocating to their new, purpose-built convent two years later (in 1884). The convent's chapel served the local Catholic parish at this time. The first lessons were held on 13 September 1914. In 1921 there were 55 girls boarding at the school. House system There were two houses that the students gained admission to once they had achieved high academic and sporting prowess and demonstrated good conduct; these were St. Paul's (green) and St. Peter's (red). ==British Council association==

The convent school at Sidmouth was the first and only independent preparatory school to be members of the British Council's Education Counselling Service, which accounts for the large international presence from the school's earliest days. ==Associated people==

• The English Rugby player, Joe Launchbury attended St John's as did Adam Dibble and Jodie Dibble (cricket) • The English hymn writer Matthew Bridges (14 July 1800 – 6 October 1894), who wrote the lyrics to Crown Him with Many Crowns along with Godfrey Thring, had a home at the site and is buried there. • Mother Margaret McFarlin, nun and educator, and the person credited with steering Siegfried Sassoon towards the Catholic faith, taught at the convent. Sassoon once described her as "the greatest benefactor of my life". • The English scholar, Christopher Dawson sent both his daughters to board at the convent in Sidmouth. == St. John's School, Devon (1976–present) ==

The former convent's buildings now form St John's School, an independent, co-educational day and boarding school for children aged 2.5-16. In 2007, the school was brought under the International Education Systems (IES) umbrella. == References ==