Monmouth School is very pleased to announce some major and very exciting developments that will have a beneficial impact on all members of the community here at the School.  The Trustees of the William Jones Foundation at Haberdashers’ Hall have agreed to release capital towards funding the first phase of a major building project at the heart of Monmouth School. The Heart Project, as it has become known during its development, will increase the size and number of classrooms and replace existing rooms, improve boarding facilities, replace an ageing Dining Hall, streamline classroom locations, provide appropriate reception and meeting facilities, extend play and congregating spaces, and provide a ‘heart’ at the centre of the School.

Phase 1 of The Heart Project has seen the conversion of the old Grange building into fully en-suite, single study boarding accommodation for all our VI.2 boarders in their pre-university year.  The building opened in September 2011, and Mr Kingsley Jones is the first housemaster of this new VI.2 house.  This pre-university boarding house has provided a new experience for Monmouth School boarders which provides an excellent preparation for university and helps them to focus on their final examinations in their A2 year. VI.1 boarders have also benefited from the improvement in accommodation in the remaining boarding houses as well as an earlier opportunity to take responsibility for the running of their boarding house as they become the senior year in Weirhead, New House and School House.

In September 2011, another change happened as St James House was sold and the boys from there transferred to Chapel House. Expanding the provision we used to offer to boys in The Grange, by being able to cater for Prep III and Prep IV boys in the future, with accommodation and care that will be suitable for boys aged 9 and 10.  Chapel House boys transferred to the boarding houses on the main site and Mr Hope became Housemaster of Weirhead House in September 2011.

Phase 1 has already seen, the demolition of the Red Lion block and the start of the construction of a 20 classroom block with reception and administration facilities which we hope will be ready for use during the academic year 2012 – 2013. The second and third phases of The Heart will develop behind the new classroom block, flowing from one building to another.  All of this will, when complete, make a change to the
infra-structure of the central campus nearly as profound as the 1864 redevelopment of the school which saw the creation of many of the wonderful heritage buildings we currently enjoy.

There is a visual display of the developments for everyone to see the plans. We will provide regular updates about the progress of this development.