The School Patrols
Rather than being grouped into "houses", the pupils were divided into patrols (as in scout groups) named after families involved in the 17th Century Civil War (Slingsby, Newcastle, Fairfax and Rupert). The patrols would learn drill on The Oval, in front of the Stable Arch. The patrol leaders rode on a school pony for some of these drills. The scout leader, facing the boys, is probably the headmaster, Mr Hardwick.