Summer 2022 Building Developments

A new home for the Lower School, and an extension to Gilson House; these were amongst the many building projects that took place over the course of the summer holidays. While the College was free of pupils, builders and our maintenance team were hard at work behind the scenes completing all the finishing touches in time for the start of term. 

Possibly the biggest change to occur at the start of the academic year is the relocation of Lower School to their new home in the Stableyard. Previously residing next to College House, the Lower School has grown from 18 pupils (2009) to over 75 Years 7 and 8 pupils (2022). This growth has led to the need for relocation and has also provided the opportunity to prepare for the arrival of Year 7 girls next September. Featuring new sets of toilets and changing room facilities, both of which are now available for use, the Stableyard also includes a Common Room for the Lower School pupils, new classrooms, a kitchen, and office space.

This first phase of the Stableyard redevelopment has come together to form a dynamic, inclusive and bustling new Lower School hub. The second phase will take place during the course of this year, which will include the building of a new classroom block and new landscaping of the exterior area. We’re sure that everyone in Lower School, both pupils and staff alike, are delighted with their new home and are excited with what the future holds, especially with the introduction of Year 7 girls. 

In September 2009, Gilson House was opened to house all girls joining Shiplake College. Providing modern, purpose-built accommodation for a mixture of day and boarding pupils, Gilson has been extended a number of times since then to accommodate growing numbers of girls and the latest additions incorporate what is now known as the Gilson Annexe.  

The Gilson Annexe is home to ten new boarding rooms for Year 13 Gilson boarders. The corridor and its rooms and bathrooms have been repainted and each pupil is provided with their own study room, with areas where they can meet and congregate. Next door, previously the main Lower School building, is now two new classrooms for the Business Department and a day room for Gilson day girls.  

Another building to receive additional classrooms is Orchard House, which Year 9 and 10 pupils also use for prep at the end of each day. The House also sees a refurbished common room featuring sofas and a table football and movements in the other small prep rooms. 

In the Sports Centre, where the Lower School changing rooms used to be, the squash court space is now used as an additional weights room with new flooring laid and more weights and equipment expected to arrive soon. And, in the John Turner Building, Media Studies has relocated to a new classroom space at the far end of The Thinking Space.

Going forward, there are other projects that are very much in the offing. In addition to the new building in the Stableyard, planning applications are currently pending for a gate and park fencing at the front of the College, and also a full-size all-weather pitch, 3G MUGA surface and additional cricket nets on land purchased by the College last year, which is currently referred to as the Barns site.  

Flickr album: Building Developments Autumn 2022 | Height: auto | Theme: Default | Skin: Default Skin