HRH The Earl of Wessex visited King Edward’s School in Bath yesterday to open a new £3m facility situated at the heart of the Senior School.
Incorporating a library, dining room and a third floor activity space, ‘The Wessex Building’ is set to play a prominent role in the life of the School for many generations to come.
On arrival at the School The Earl was greeted by the Vice Lord-Lieutenant of Somerset, Mr David Medlock DL, a Governor and former pupil at King Edward’s.
During his visit The Earl of Wessex received a tour of the School by Mr Martin Boden, Headmaster of King Edward’s School, accompanied by the Head Boy and Head Girl.
The Royal Party was joined by civic leaders including the Mayor of Bath, Councillor Mrs Cherry Beath.
The tour featured a display by Year 10 pupils who are undertaking the Duke of Edinburgh’s Award Scheme.
Upon arrival at the new building The Earl also viewed a short production of Roald Dahl’s Fantastic Mr Fox and James and the Giant Peach performed by Year 8 and 9 pupils.
Additional activities on view in the library included a reading and writing project, where older children from Year 6 read their own written work to Pre-Prep children, as well as the Junior School’s Newshounds group being present to record the event.
On arrival at The Wessex Building the Royal Party also met groups of Governors, Old Edwardians, parents, staff and representatives from BBA Architects and Beard Construction and enjoyed a performance of Handel’s Water Music by the School’s Baroque group, as well as an extract from Earthrise, composed by the School’s Composer in Residence.
Mr Boden then thanked His Royal Highness for visiting the School and asked him to plant a tree prior to The Earl of Wessex unveiling a plaque to commemorate the opening of the building.
Before leaving The Earl of Wessex was presented with a copy of the Junior School’s printed anthology Knock Your Socks Off!, a copy of the Senior School’s poetry and short story Anthology and a jar of local organic honey.
Commenting on The Earl of Wessex’s visit, Mr Boden said: “We are delighted to welcome The Earl of Wessex on his second visit to the School and are very pleased that he is returning this time also as the Chancellor of the University of Bath, thus helping to consolidate developing links between two of the city’s foremost centres of learning.”
“The Wessex Building is a stunning new building situated at the heart of the Senior School with wonderful far-reaching views of the city.
“It has been designed with the help of architects and a specialist library team from Opening the Book, and included consultations with pupils and staff to ensure we developed a truly inspirational space.
“I am sure that The Wessex Building will quickly become the heartbeat of the School.”
The Wessex Building provides a contemporary ground floor library, with an enhanced private study space, a large first floor dining room and outside terrace, and a multi-purpose second floor for hosting concerts, small productions, lectures, conferences and social events.
Commenting on the design of the building, Sally Hewins of BBA Architects said: “The concept and design brief called for a modern building with an identity that maximised views over Bath.
“The building uses a minimal palette of materials and the services are hidden along with the functional parts of the building to ensure a sleek, effortless building that maximises the spaces.
“The School wanted a building with a ‘wow’ factor and we believe this has been achieved.”
