Private school is taken over by Mansfield motorhome firm

One of Mansfield’s fastest-growing companies has spread its wings by buying a private school.
The long-established and respected Saville House School in Mansfield Woodhouse, which will soon be under new ownership.The long-established and respected Saville House School in Mansfield Woodhouse, which will soon be under new ownership.
The long-established and respected Saville House School in Mansfield Woodhouse, which will soon be under new ownership.

Motorhome Depot.com which is Europe’s largest online marketplace for motorhomes and caravans, is the new owner of Saville House School in Mansfield Woodhouse.

The fee-paying school, based on Church Street, has been providing education for children aged three to 11, since 1951.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

It was acquired in 2004 by Susan Mills and Robert Everist after a merger with another school they owned, Mansfield Preparatory School, also in Woodhouse.

Operations director Natalie Drewery with her fellow members of the management team at Motorhome Depot, Richard Wood (centre) and Adam Reek.Operations director Natalie Drewery with her fellow members of the management team at Motorhome Depot, Richard Wood (centre) and Adam Reek.
Operations director Natalie Drewery with her fellow members of the management team at Motorhome Depot, Richard Wood (centre) and Adam Reek.

But now Susan and Robert, who run the Cherubs network of day nurseries across Nottinghamshire, have struck a deal with the award-winning business, Motorhome Depot, which will take over the reins in September.

Susan and Robert said: “We look forward to seeing the school go from strength to strength under the new ownership.

"The directors at Motorhome Depot share our commitment to ensuring the very best outcomes for all children, and we are confident the school has an incredibly bright and successful future.”

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

Those directors are Natalie Drewery, Richard Wood and Adam Reek, who form the management team at Motorhome Depot, which is based at Oakham Business Park in Mansfield.

Another view of Saville House School.Another view of Saville House School.
Another view of Saville House School.

Operations director Natalie said: “We have been looking to diversify our business for some time now.

"We used to run The Beauty Chain salon on Market Street in Mansfield, but we sold that.

"I heard that an opportunity to purchase the school might be available.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

"We contacted the owners and, following negotiations, we agreed a takeover.

"The biggest motivator was that my own two children, Penny, who is ten, and Mikey, who is seven, go to Saville House.

"We see the school as a massive business opportunity. There is so much that can be done to give it a modern, commercial look

"We are planning an extensive refurbishment of the school to ensure the education and experience provided continues to positively challenge the children.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

"We want Saville House to provide an enriched and memorable foundation for all pupils.”

The school, which is celebrating its 70th year and was rated ‘Good’ after its latest Ofsted inspection, is set in a beautiful Grade II listed building dating back 300 years, surrounded by walled gardens.

It houses about 30 pupils at present but has a capacity of 150, which means there are spaces across all year groups (Foundation stage to year six). Fees for 2020/21 were £1,975 per term.

Ahead of the September takeover, the new owners have already taken charge of marketing, advertising and the recruitment of new pupils. Any interested parents are encouraged to visit the school’s website, www.savillehouse.co.uk, or call the school on 01623 625068 for more information.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

Motorhome Depot was launched in 2012 with just four employees. It now has 50 members of staff and, last year, moved to bigger premises to cater for its ambitious plans for growth. It currently has more than 60 franchisees across the UK and Europe.

The firm labels itself an ‘estate agent for motorhomes’, offering a secure and stress-free way of buying or selling motorhomes or caravans.

And bucking the global trend, it continues to thrive and prosper, despite the Covid-19 pandemic.

Natalie said: “People have not been able to travel abroad for their holidays, so many have turned to motorhomes. As a result, we have had a brilliant year.”