Sir Albert Bingham who was from a family of wealthy Sheffield steelmasters. Following Sir Albert's death, the house and the Elkesley estate were sold at auction in May 1948. The house was bought by Col. H.H. Storey on behalf of the Woodard School Trust. As well as the house and stables the Trust also bought of grounds, park and woodland. The school opened in October 1948 with 42 boys. The estate was originally purchased due to the "Prep" at Worksop College reaching 90 pupils and exceeding the capacity of the Prep Wing (now Portland House). There were at first joint headmasters, George Clayton and William Adler. Clayton retired in 1953. There was only accommodation for 30 boys at Ranby, so the remaining 60 stayed at the college until the remainder finally moved over in 1953. At Ranby the coach-house and stables were converted into the chapel with an organ being installed in 1962. As new classrooms were constructed in the quadrangle, those in the house became dormitories and pupil numbers rose. Other additions were a sports pavilion, swimming pool, dining hall, new chapel, two gymnasiums, resources centre, computer department, the boxing 'long room' was converted into science laboratories, a performing arts centre and of land were converted into sports pitches. It was announced in April 2011 that the school was to benefit from a £500,000 investment in the development of the school over the next two years. The plan was to spend the money on classroom development and state-of-the-art teaching equipment. In 2016 the Governors of Worksop College announced that they planned to close the Ranby House site and transfer the operation to a purpose-built building within the college's main site in Worksop. The Ranby property was placed on the market in the summer of 2017; it was still on the market as of summer 2018, and in autumn 2019 it was announced that the relocation plan would not go ahead. Old Worksopians Former students of Worksop College are referred to as Old Worksopians. Notable masters Fred Shirley – Headmaster 1921 to 1935 Jeff Butterfield - Captain of England rugby team in the 1950s Ken Farnes - England fast bowler in the 1930s Alan Old - England rugby fly half 1972–1978 References External links Profile on the ISC website Old Worksopian Society Woodard Schools website Woodard Schools Anglo-Catholic educational establishments Educational institutions established in 1890 Member schools of the Headmasters'