MARY Donald Scott, the founder of Castle Court School near Wimborne, passed away in her sleep on Saturday December 30, aged 90.

Mrs Donald Scott was only 21 when, with her husband, she bought a Victorian house at the top of Castle Hill, Lower Parkstone to start a prep school.

At the time, it was one of at least seven such educational establishments in the Bournemouth and Poole area, but it was the only one to survive the economic pressure of the fifties and sixties.

In 1968, Castle Court moved to its current location in Knoll House, Corfe Mullen, and has continued to grow. From only 12 boys to start with, the school now has more than 350 pupils, girls and boys, aged two to 13.

Mr Donald Scott died suddenly in 1978, and Mary became Principal of the school until her retirement in 1989.

Mike Wheeler, the Commonwealth Athletics bronze medal holder and Head of Sport during Mary’s time as Principal, said in an article printed at Mary Donald Scott’s retirement: "In the 11 years as Principal, her dedication, achievement and enthusiasm have defied worthy description.

"She embarked on a programme of expansion of the facilities and the curriculum which at times left her staff incredulous of the possibilities. For the staff came a period of freedom and self-expression which enabled everyone to teach to the best of their ability."

Richard Stevenson, the current Head of Castle Court and only the third in the school’s history, said: "I was at Castle Court as a young boy, and it has been an honour for me to come back to the school as Head.

"The foundation that Mary and her husband laid was so strong. We all benefit on a daily basis from the sense of family, energy and determination that was, and is, part of the foundation of the school. Her commitment, kindness, humour and dedication will not be forgotten."