What a wonderful day in the history of Kingswood House. A day bathed in sunshine saw Lord Richard Rogers, the esteemed architect who designed the Pompidou Centre in Paris amongst many other famous buildings, arrive at Kingswood House, his old prep school.
What we were able to show him was an amazing school designed for the 21st Century but still maintaining many of the old traditions of good manners and very polite pupils.
It was a truly marvellous occasion with the boys showing an impressive knowledge of his deeds. He had inspired many of them to join the Architects Club.
He and I chatted about how many of the disadvantages he had suffered at school have become hallmarks for the New Kingswood. He admired our desire to see all children do well whatever skills or talents they may have. Every child can succeed at something and this has a domino effect on their learning.
He was overwhelmed with our provision for dyslexia and saw that we could achieve so much with our boys by believing in them.
We also talked about a passion which we all have here at Kingswood for what we are about – educating for a future and preparing our youngsters for what they will face once they leave us.
I was very proud of us on Thursday and I was delighted to share it all with such an amazing man.
