Miss Willis described Mr Sharwood Smith as a brilliant and inspiring teacher.   He had been the Headmaster of Newbury Grammar School from 1903 to 1924 and when he retired, could not bear the thought of a quiet time, so happily settled into teaching Classics and Philosophy here at Downe House as he and his wife lived locally.   

In the Downe House Scrapbook, Miss Willis wrote,  “He made his pupils and his friends …. feel that their opinions were worthy of attention and appreciation.  His long lean figure used to be a familiar sight, walking up and down to the school and he was as much beloved as respected.  The elder girls were unconsciously influenced by his liberal ideas and he helped them to think for themselves on both political and philosophical questions.  Several Greek plays were translated by him for performance at Downe House and he coached the actors and produced the plays, which were intensely interesting and moving.”