> Thematic History

> 1850-1901:
Education for Women
- Victorian Ideals
- Woman Physician
- Ladies College

> 1902-1913:
Education & Vocation
- Learning at ELC
- The Westfield Way

> 1914-1945:
War & Circumstance
- The Great War
- WWII Evacuation
- Learning & Leisure

> 1946-1959:
Peace & Acceptance
- Restoration
- Medicine & Dentistry

> 1960-present:
Change & Opportunity
- Women in Science
- Creativity & Diversity
- Then & Now

The establishment of Westfield involved several like-minded individuals, including members of the Petrie family. Colonel Martin Petrie allowed his daughters to be educated outside the home, which was uncommon at the time. Petrie's daughter, Mary, became involved with Ann Dudin Brown, Constance Maynard and others in setting up the Christian women's college in London that became Westfield.

Colonel Martin Petrie’s Notes, c1881.
Courtesy of Queen Mary, University of London Archives.

In Colonel Petrie's notes on the founding of a 'ladies' college', he wrote extensive guidance on issues including subjects of study, student discipline, exercise and diet. In this excerpt, he considers the suitable dress for women students undertaking exercise, and includes a sketch of a proposed gym uniform.

His notes not only show his support for the idea of education for women, but also reveal the influence of prevailing Victorian views concerning women’s appearance and behaviour. A large collection of Colonel Petrie's notes are held in the College Archives.

In keeping with the traditional values of Westfield's founders and the Mistress, students were expected to dress formally at College.

Early Westfield students wore traditional Victorian-style dress, with heavy skirts, high-necked blouses and College ties.

Pictured on the right is a fire evacuation drill in which Miss L.J.Whitby, Mathematics Lecturer supervised the evacuation of students from the first floor of "Old House" into the garden. More...