“Hope in Our Hearts and Wings on Our Heels”: Class of 2026 Graduation 

It was a glorious day on Saturday, 27 June as we came together with the Class of 2026 and their families and guests to celebrate all they have achieved, wish them luck, and give them a warm ‘Always Alleyn’s’ welcome into our thriving alumni community!   

The morning began with the traditional Year 13 group photograph on the front lawn, before a full congregation gathered at St Barnabas for a memorable Graduation Ceremony.  

Led by Head of Upper School Ms Smith, the service also featured addresses from the Head, Jane Lunnon, the Chaplain Liz Pharoah, each Head of House and the School Captaincy team, Chloé (Brown’s 2026), Georgie (Roper’s 2026) and William (Brading’s 2026). 

The audience enjoyed the sounds of an All Cappella version of Keane’s Somewhere Only We Know as well as some welcoming words from the President of the Edward Alleyn Club, drinks columnist for The Times, author, and award-winning wine and travel writer, Nina Caplan (Spurgeon's 1991). 

Mrs Lunnon used one of our last opportunities to speak to Year 13s all together to acknowledge what they have each given the school, to send them on their way with our warmest good wishes and admiration and to offer a few useful nuggets of advice that might, perhaps, come in handy one day.  

She thanked Year 13s for their commitment, hard work and for making the year so brilliant. She said: 

“Leadership isn't only about titles — it's about tone. The way that all of you, every single one of you Year 13s, at the top of this school, have been generous, kind, supportive. You have your heads screwed on. And you’ve helped make the school a wonderful place to be this year. So, whatever your results in August, you have every one of you absolutely smashed it as human beings — and I know that sentiment is shared by every one of my colleagues. You have been the still point at the heart of the Alleyn's turning world, and we thank you so much for it.” 

She continued:

“Go and build extraordinary, surprising, maybe slightly Ned-Alleyn-shaped lives, in places you can't yet imagine. But always choose each other — choose the people sitting around you this morning and all those who you are yet to meet, who will travel alongside you in life. Choose them. Choose each other. Look after yourselves and leave us Year 13 knowing we are so very proud of you.” 

Each Head of House paid tribute to their Houses and their House leadership team and they bid a very proud farewell to the members of their House. 

The School Captains team spoke of what a brilliant journey it has been. Will said:

“We have so much to be grateful for: The training and testing is behind us, and we now run towards our wonderfully unpredictable and exciting futures. And we do so, able look back with gratitude at our time at school - God's gift for us, the promised cohort - and what a time we've had! But today, our last day at Alleyn's, we do so running forwards with 'hope in our hearts and wings on our heels'.” (a quote from Chariots of Fire - from which Will drew on the link between the year group's regular renditions of Jerusalem and its poignant line, "Bring me my chariot of fire".) 

EAC President, Nina urged the leavers to remain curious. She said: 

"Whatever else you take away from your time here, and your first steps into adult life, I hope you will hold on to one element of the child you were when you arrived: curiosity. Staying curious is a great way to have an interesting and fulfilling life. The world is a large and fascinating place, and you will have many opportunities to discover aspects of it and hopefully, to leave your corner of it in better shape than you found it.” 

Nina concluded with some final words of encouragement: 

“I write about wine, and I can tell you that a great education is like good soil: you plant your vine cuttings in earth that is healthy and well-watered and full of the right microbes, and it will flourish, and produce delicious grapes that will, one day, make marvellous wine. At the moment, you are all grapes: you have drawn in all that nourishment, and I look forward to seeing the wine you will make from it. Keep learning and exploring, whatever you do. Congratulations!” 

All those gathered then joined together in song, before Rev Liz Pharoah brought the service to a close with a prayer for the leavers. As they departed the church with their Heads of House, they were met with warm and heartfelt applause.  

The celebrations continued in the Memorial Garden, where refreshments were served and families and friends enjoyed the chance to mark the occasion with photographs. 

It was a fitting and uplifting conclusion to the Graduation Ceremony, offering a moment to reflect on the day and the wider journey — past, present and future — in the spirit of Alleyn’s friendship and community. Always Alleyn’s indeed.  

View the Flickr album below, or visit the album directly here. 

Flickr album: 2026 Graduation Day | Height: auto | Theme: Default | Skin: Default Skin