Our Foundation Welcome Back Weekend, from Saturday 24 to Sunday 26 September was a simply spectacular occasion, bringing together our community after many months apart. 

Friday started with the Warwick Independent Schools Foundation Thanksgiving Service at St Mary’s Church, Warwick, featuring all of our schools in a service to celebrate our Foundation. We also commemorated our links with the wider community, and were delighted to welcome the Lord Lieutenant and High Sheriff of Warwickshire and civic dignitaries of Warwick and Leamington Spa. It was a joyful moment of celebration.  

Further collaborative activities on Friday included combined afternoon activities, such as members of the CCF teaching our Year 2 Prep School pupils to march, plus a new Encounters lecture, Year 9 Poster event, and an Open Rehearsal by the Foundation Symphony Orchestra in Warwick Hall. The day concluded with an exciting ‘Friday Night Lights’ Warwick School rugby match under the floodlights of our 3G pitch.  

On Saturday, school families, alumni and friends came together for a series of events: our Foundation Aquathlon, an Ex Cathedra Singing workshop, the CBSO’s wonderful Stringcredibles (who brought superhero string joy to us all!), a workshop with amazing percussionist, Simone Rebello, drama taster sessions with the Bridge House Theatre Young Company, and a fun campus treasure trail. Not forgetting some fantastic King’s High hockey, netball and a ‘come and play’ rounders tournament. 

Alumni of King’s High and Warwick School also enjoyed visiting their schools for coffee mornings and tours. There was an opportunity to hear the Warwick School Archivist, Gervald Frykman, talk about “Warwick School in the 19^th Century”, and the authors of ‘Of Mulberries, Ilex and Acorns', Polly Beidas and Jennifer Edwards, who gave a fascinating insight into the book and history of King’s High and Warwick Prep.

A highlight for many was the splendid Barbeque lunch served by our Catering teams in the late-summer warm weather. 

Sunday saw the official opening of King’s High and Warwick Prep’s breathtaking new Music School with acclaimed saxophonist and Radio 3 presenter, the wonderful Jess Gillam MBE, who unveiled a plaque and gave a fabulous performance. There was also collaboration between Warwick Independent Schools Foundation and Warwick – A Singing Town; a ‘Come and Sing’ event, which culminating in a captivating performance of Messiah with singers from the Foundation and local community.

Members of the sports and holiday activities clubs also led an afternoon activity taster session for children from local primary schools, including a bouncy castle, archery, and indoor games. 

Thank you to everyone who made the weekend such a success. Photos of the weekend can be viewed HERE.