Rupert House celebrates 100 years of teaching children and supporting Henley

RUPERT House School in Henley is gearing up to make 2024 a year of centenary celebrations.

Much has changed since the town’s oldest prep school first opened its doors to 10 local children in 1924.

Now 210 boys and girls pour through its iconic blue door every morning.

Headteacher Nick Armitage, who joined the school four years ago, is looking forward to a calendar of events commemorating the milestone. He says: “It is a great opportunity to celebrate the history of the school and the way in which the town has supported us over many years.”

Situated in Bell Street, Rupert House has strong relationships with community groups from all parts of Henley. Pupils and staff work closely with the many sport clubs, Nomad food bank, churches and care homes, literary and youth festivals, Kenton Theatre and the Education Henley Partnership.

Cubs, scouts and brownies, music groups and the Henley Hawks netball team often use the school’s facilities, including its new outdoor education classroom.

Mr Armitage says: “We’re determined to keep supporting the Henley community and helping it to flourish just as it has helped us to develop over the last 100 years.

“This focus will inform our future and how we, as the current custodians, shape Rupert House for the next century.”

Henley Mayor Kellie Hinton says: “Rupert House has a strong tradition of supporting the community in a number of ways, particularly helping the town to raise funds for local charities and attending and performing regularly at civic and community events.

“The pupils are a joy to work with every year and the staff and teachers are always on hand to help whenever the school is involved in a local project.

“We are very lucky to have Rupert House — it’s an asset for Henley.”

The celebrations over the next 12 months will include events for both past and present pupils and staff and their families. Mr Armitage says: “We hope that anyone who’s interested in seeing what makes Rupert House such a special place and who would like to celebrate with us will be able to register online and then pop down to our open morning on Friday, September 27 for a glimpse of a day in the life of our school.”

For more information, visit www.ruperthouse.org/centenary-
events