Big School at Wycombe Abbey Re-opens After Extensive Refurbishment
7 December 2022 - All
On Saturday 19 November, members of the Wycombe Abbey community gathered to celebrate the re-opening of Big School and to thank Wycombe Abbey Senior Mrs Patricia Thompson CBE (Henchley, Class of 1958, Campbell, C88) and the Thompson Family Charitable Trust for their support towards the project. In 2018, Mrs Thompson pledged a generous donation for the renovation of Big School and the refurbishment took approximately 18 months to complete.
To mark the occasion, Mrs Thompson unveiled a plaque made from wood salvaged from the old pews in Big School. Pupils, staff, Seniors, members of the Governing Council and local dignitaries, including the Mayor of High Wycombe, were in attendance. Speeches on the significance of Big School and details of the project came from Mr Peter Warren (Chair of Council), Hattie (Head of School), and Mrs Thompson. After a seated lunch, Mr Mark Mackenzie Crooks (Bursar) led a tour of the Shelburne Pew, which was carefully restored over a period of several months by specialist carpenters in the Wycombe Abbey Estates team, Mr Colin De’Ath and Mr Kelvin Pearce.
Read more about the restoration of the Shelburne Pew
Big School is used for all important whole school gatherings including the weekly School Meeting, Carol Practice, School Singing, exams and general school activities and events. The Ante Room, adjacent to the main room, will be used for smaller events and as a gathering space before using Big School.
See more photos from the event on our Instagram page
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