Entrance examination
In 1955, Mr Geoffrey Teale transferred and renamed his existing school ("Whispers") in Wadhurst to Balcombe Place. Balcombe Place School was a Roman Catholic preparatory school for 50 boys, aged 6 to 14. Teale retired in 1969. Another Sussex school, Bishop Sutton, run by Mr Kevin Botting, moved into Balcombe Place which merged with the existing school. In their final year, the pupils were trained for passing the Common Entrance examination to qualify for entrance to Independent Public Schools. The 21-year lease ended in 1976.