New contemporary classrooms that feel like home

AN independent school in Henley has been renovated.

Rupert House in Bell Street has had two of its pre-prep classrooms remodelled, created a new French room and library and remodelled the boys’ changing room, offices and hallways.

Work has also taken place on the front of the school with repairs to the pillars and refurbishment of the railings and window frames.

This is part of a rolling programme of works at the school. The new scheme has been designed to be more contemporary and engaging for the pupils. For example, new lighting in the inner hallway to the school features light shades that are open books. Headteacher Nick Armitage said: “For us we wanted it to be more contemporary, to be just fun and engaging for the children.

“We wanted it to be a really warm, inspiring environment for them. While we are a school, we wanted it to look and feel less like one to make our children more comfortable.

“This is part of a gradual programme of revamping the school. The two new pre-prep class rooms has the look and feel that we want to emulate around the school.”

The new look features muted tones, with pops of colour, Mr Armitage said: “You want them to be unexpected but fun and quite homelike in way as well.”

The work took place over the summer holidays and also included behind the scenes work in areas not seen by visitors, such as the cellar.

Mr Armitage said: “There has been a considerable amount of work that is visible and then obviously lots of invisible things as well. It has been exciting for us to work behind the scenes with architects to look as what we have and what a redesign would look like, which we will look to introduce over time with the involvement of parents and children.”

Next year the school is looking to re-vamp more classrooms. Mr Armitage said: “There will be fun tweaks as well, such as fun and all sorts of other things that will gradually add up. It has been all about looking after this lovely old building but also about creating a contemporary space to learn, work and enjoy.”