Buildings and Grounds: recent developments

The main School buildings include an Assembly Hall, classrooms, and specialist facilities for the Sciences, Technology, ICT, Art, Music and Modern Languages. 

The Garrick Building, opened by the Rt Hon Edward Heath in 1978, provides specialist accommodation for drama and music. Opened in 1980 by Sir Hermann Bondi FRS, the Grundy Technology Centre provides for practical work in traditional and modern materials, technical drawing, photography, electronics and control technology, all fully supported by networked computers.

The Mason Library was opened in 1984 by Lord Dacre; professionally staffed, it houses an ever-increasing stock of books and journals, as well as CD ROMs and computers for Internet access. In 1987 Sir Roger Bannister opened the Steedman Sports Hall, named after a former Chairman of Governors.

From 1990 Economics, Geography, and a Sixth Form Art studio, were housed in the Whitfield Building, named after a former Headmaster. The Alexander Centre was opened in 1994 to accommodate the Wolfson Department of History and the Sixth Form Study Rooms. This building also houses the 150-seat Shepherd Lecture Theatre and a sports pavilion. Our first networked 30-station ICT Laboratory and a new Careers Department were established within the main building also in 1994.

In September 1997 new spacious Dining Rooms and kitchens were opened on two floors. January 1999 saw the completion of a new building for a second networked 30-station ICT Laboratory, a state of the art computerised Modern Languages Laboratory and a new large classroom.

Projects completed in 2000 included the Millennium Boat House, and a new three-storey extension integrating the Whitfield with the main building. This added 25 rooms enhancing facilities for Art, Business Studies, Classics, Economics and Geography, and new laboratories for the Sciences and ICT. Relocation of Classics from the Garrick Building offered three additional rooms and a store for Music and Drama. The new Wolfson Science/ICT Laboratory opened in September 2002. An extensive Pavilion and Sixth Form Centre was completed in early 2003. Summer 2004 saw the opening of new facilities for Design Technology (five laboratories) and the English Department.  September 2006 saw the opening of a magnificent multi-media learning resources centre, designed with input from the Boys’ School Council. To celebrate the 450th Anniversary in 2006-07 the 450 Hall is due to open in 2009 as a centre of excellence for the Performing Arts and Music and Drama to complement the Garrick Building.

The site of 27 acres includes ample playing fields including four rugby pitches, seven football pitches, six cricket squares, six astroturf tennis courts, athletics facilities, a climbing wall and the Old Hamptonians’ Pavilion.