Ahead of the second world war, 1939 saw a large increase in enrollment at the school as many parents sent their children to the island for their safety, with many believing the Channel Islands to be the safest place in the British Isles. However, following the occupation of the Channel Islands by German forces in June 1940, an evacuation scheme was quickly assembled and 100 pupils, accompanied by school staff, were evacuated to England before eventually settling in Denbigh, Wales, following an invitation from the headmistress of the local Howell's School who offered to receive the school.