The Lodge Opens: A New Gateway to Our School

September 26th 2025

Senior School News The Future of Learning

We are delighted to announce that the new Lodge officially opened today, just in time to welcome visitors for our Open Day tomorrow.

The Lodge represents a major milestone in our vision to create a more welcoming, secure, and sustainable entrance to our school. For over a century, the site’s front boundary was marked by the caretaker’s bungalow, a building never designed for the flow of visitors or safeguarding of a busy modern school.

This project was born from a careful review of how we could improve security at our boundaries, while also creating a strong first impression for all who arrive. The Lodge now serves as the first point of contact—providing shelter, space, and a sense of welcome before visitors continue to the heart of the school.

Sustainable by Design

True to our All Now sustainability methodology, the project has been guided by the principles of Reduce, Reuse, Responsibility, and Regenerate. The building is almost entirely net zero, constructed from locally sourced, sustainable materials such as British larch.

The innovative block build system, manufactured nearby in Hertfordshire, allowed the structure to be assembled in just a week. Each insulated block was delivered like oversized Lego pieces—minimising on-site construction time and reducing carbon emissions. Impressively, the entire building has been designed to be relocatable in future, with its footprint carefully matched to the size of a classroom.

Architectural Innovation

One of the most distinctive features of The Lodge is its parabolic roof. This striking design creates elegant curves from a series of squares, offering both visual impact and practical function. The cedar-topped roof channels water away efficiently, while its sloping profile ensures that views of our historic main school building remain unobstructed—a subtle but important detail in our conservation setting.

This innovative approach to this modular blok build construction is rare in the education sector, with only one other UK school having trialled such a system. We are proud to be at the forefront of this shift in construction methods.

Benefits for Pupils, Staff, and Visitors

Beyond its architectural and environmental achievements, The Lodge offers very practical benefits:

Shelter for pupils, parents, and visitors, whatever the weather.

A welcoming waiting area and dedicated visitor facilities, enhancing the comfort of those arriving on site.

Improved security and oversight at the entrance, giving reassurance to both staff and families.

What was once an awkward, rain-soaked wait outside the caretaker’s window is now a warm, professional arrival experience that reflects who we are as a school.

Looking Ahead

While The Lodge is already transforming how visitors experience our campus, this is just the first stage of a larger vision. In the future, it will form part of our new school reception, fully integrated with smart technology to make sign-in and site access both secure and seamless.

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