THE LUDGROVIAN
WINTER 2024
‘Whatsoever thy hand findeth to do, do it with all thy might’ Ecclesiastes IX v.10
Contents
• Michaelmas Term highlights
• The VIs’ Nativity
• Awards and recognition
• ‘Into the Woods’
• Community support
• School News
• Old Ludgrovian News
Welcome from the Headmaster
I would like to take this opportunity to wish one and all a wonderful Christmas and joyful 2025!
This latest edition of The Ludgrovian newsletter is packed full of joy as Ludgrove aims to provide a safe, healthy and happy environment in which the boys and staff
learn and thrive, having fun along the way.
In these uncertain times for the independent education sector, we were lucky once again in September to welcome a full house of boys who have done themselves, their parents and the school proud over this term.
The quote by Aristotle: “We are what we repeatedly do. Excellence, then, is not an act, but a habit” resonates as, at all times, we try to be kind and be the best we can, the two pillars of School life.
There have been many highlights
of the term – The Poetry Recitations, the Autumn Concert, the Nativity Play, the Dramatic Society’s (D.S.) performance of ‘Into the Woods’, Sets’ Football, Art, CDT and Ceramics Exhibition and the Carol Service at the end of term during which the boys in the Chapel Choir sung their hearts out.
Highlights are one part of life, however, what happens out of the limelight is what really matters – how one looks after others and gets stuck into the academic, creative, dramatic, musical and sporting sides of life day to day, in good times and when things get tricky.
I like the quote by Tom Watson, one of the greatest golfers of all time in which he recognises this… “Golf is a game of ego, but it is also a game of integrity: the most important thing is you do what is right when no one is looking”.
There is a vibrant atmosphere around the school which enables the boys to thrive –a big thank you to one and all who work to make Ludgrove such a special place.
Simon Barber, Headmaster
Michaelmas Term Highlights
What a fantastic Michaelmas term we enjoyed at Ludgrove! The start of a new academic year for returning boys and the start of their journey at the School for 44 new boys, always brings with it the fizz of anticipation, of adventures to be enjoyed and friends to be made. Here is a selection of highlights from the term and the boys’ achievements.
Guest speaker, Simon Parker
Start of the rugby season
Poetry Recitations Final
Outdoor skills
Sets’ Tea winners - Kitchener!
The IIIs’ interview practice
New boys’ boards VIs visited Windsor Castle
Special tour of Westminster Abbey for parents
Christmas Jumper Day
Visiting poet, Paul Lyalls
Christmas present donations to The Cowshed
The Winter Art, CDT and Ceramics Exhibition
Top Year team building day
Inter-Set Languages Quiz for European Day of Languages
Dribbling Competition Winners
Winners of the first ever Prep Schools Esports Tournament
IVs’ trip to the Living Rainforest Meteorology workshop for the IVs
The VIs enjoyed dressing up for Roald Dahl Day
Anson won the Solo Singing Cup with Edward as runner up
Swimming Gala v The Harrodian
Harvest Festival donations for the Wokingham Foodbank
Wellington College Prep School Orchestra Day
The VIs sprinkle some Nativity magic
It is a tale as old as time but for the VIs their performance of the Nativity was the very first time they had performed as a Year Group at Ludgrove.
Performing to a packed audience of boys, families and staff, the cast portrayed the classic Christmas story with such confidence that it was hard to believe they had been at School for just 13 weeks!
Everyone played their part, acting and singing with gusto. We look forward to seeing their next performance in the IVs.
Thank you to the VIs’ Div Mistresses, Miss McDonald and Mrs Parker, for producing such a wonderful show, and a special mention to Mr Murtagh for musical direction, Ms Childs for costumes and the Estates team for a stunning set.
Leavers’ Class of 2024 celebrates recognition in 10 Shot Film Awards
Congratulations to the boys from Top Year Leavers Class of 2024 who won the Highly Commended 3rd place trophy in the 10 Shot Film Awards with their black and white entry, The Great Escape.
Finalist in the Independent Boarding School category
For the second year running Ludgrove was a finalist in the Independent Boarding School of the Year Awards, this time in the Independent Boarding School category.
The School is honoured to have been recognised in the awards that attracted 700 entries in 24 categories designed to reflect the breadth and diversity of life in the independent education sector.
Written, directed and shot by the boys as part of their Leavers’ Programme in the Summer term, the short film is a black and white story with a twist in the tale.
Robin Kinsey, judge and Vice President Marketing, Walt Disney Studios EMEA & UK, said: “Instantly evoked the Steve McQueen classic! Loved the black and white 35mm film look and feel - perfect for this film. Couldn’t help but hum the theme tune in the final moment!”
The boys did incredibly well to be awarded the trophy for their gritty classic in a field of 150 schools and 10,000 students.
Tatler Schools Guide review
“a sense of belonging and pride”
“helps nurture the happy and supportive atmosphere”
“aims for excellence not perfection and looks for children with inquiring minds”
Thank you to the Tatler Schools Guide 2025 for highlighting just a few of the aspects of Ludgrove life that makes the School so special.
Carfax Education highlights Ludgrove’s emphasis on manners and kindness
Ludgrove is proud to be included in Carfax Education’s Top 10 Best UK Prep Schools in its well regarded Schools Index.
Of course it is very satisfying to be spotlighted in this way but what is truly special is Carfax’s understanding of the School’s ethos and opportunities.
The Index writes: “Ludgrove is a traditional all-boys prep school and the full boarding creates a real sense of community and the
bedrock for forming lifelong friendships, with a two week exeat system giving plenty of home time.
“Along with high academic expectations, the emphasis is on kindness, good manners and sportsmanship. With expansive grounds there are plenty of opportunities to get involved in traditional sports including rugby, cricket, and clay pigeon shooting plus facilities to encourage musicians, thespians and artists.”
Ludgrove in top 50 prep schools for cricket
Once again Ludgrove’s strong cricketing tradition has been recognised by this year’s The Cricketer Schools Guide who ranked us in the Top 50 Prep Schools in the country!
Every year the Guide researches scores of schools and judges them all on the same strict criteria - compelling commitment to cricket in the curriculum, facilities, fixture programme and coaching. It is a result of the whole School’s passion for the game - boys, Masters and Headmaster - that cricket continues to go from strength to strength at Ludgrove.
Into the Woods Top Year DS
The Top Year took its audience on a magical fairytale journey when it put on three packed D.S. performances of the hit Stephen Sondheim musical, ‘Into the Woods’.
The show featured a tangled web of storylines from such classics as Little Red Riding Hood, Cinderella and Rapunzel. Each
sub plot was portrayed by a dazzling cast of boys who could not only immerse themselves in the characters but could also sing and dance - what talent!
Many weeks of rehearsals paid off with a magical show that shone a spotlight on this musical Year Group. It’s going to be a tough act to follow next year.
Ludgrove Foundation update
Since 2017 Ludgrove has provided full bursaries, or ‘Foundation Awards’, to 10 deserving boys. This has only been possible with the support of our generous donors –whether through a one-off sum, a monthly contribution or via the 2024 Leavers’ Bursary Fund – who have contributed to the Fund’s £886,000 total raised to date (October 2024).
Thanks to their commitment to the Foundation’s ‘Raising the Future’ campaign to fund transformational bursaries, the Ludgrove Foundation willl have reached over £1M by the end of 2024.
However this is not the end of our ambition for the Ludgrove Foundation but simply the first encouraging steps towards our aim to support three to five Foundation Awards in perpetuity. If you would like to know more about the Foundation and how you can support the Raising the Future campaign, please email foundation@ ludgroveschool.co.uk.
Community support for local good causes
Ludgrove’s commitment to supporting local charities and schools has continued throughout the Michaelmas term. Thanks to the generosity of the School community and engagement of the Headmaster and Governors, the lives of many children and families in Wokingham have been enhanced. Every year our families support the Harvest Festival collection on behalf of the Wokingham Foodbank. As a result of this year’s vast quantity of donations, weighing in at an impressive 215kg, we had to make not one but two trips to drop everything off!
The School community also stepped up when it was asked to donate children’s Christmas presents for families in need in answer to an appeal by The Cowshed (a local crisis charity). Ludgrove’s Little Helpers from the IVs helped transport the mountain of presents. At the collection point the boys
were amazed to see thousands of gifts the charity had already gathered to make sure local children did not go without presents on the Big Day.
As part of its long term support of a local community of schools, the Circle Trust, Ludgrove provided funds for a new educational programme, Wave Riders. Working in collaboration with mental health charity, The Wave Project, the scheme aims to support mental and social health by improving environmental education and community involvement for young people in Wokingham.
Joint project with Downe House
Ludgrove’s academic and extra-curricular partnership with Downe House girls’ senior school continued when the IIs joined their Year 7 counterparts for a day of all things Français!
The combined group enjoyed a day of quizzes, competitions, delicious French food, and an inspiring talk by Dr John McKeane from the University of Reading.
We look forward to future collaborations in 2025 for our boys in the top two years.
Musical Showcase
Music is thriving at Ludgrove with over half the School involved in the Autumn Concert. From choirs to soloists, a rock band to the Woodwind and String Ensemble, every genre of music was on show, performed by the new recruits in the VIs all the way through to ‘old hands’ in the Top Year. Bravo to the Music Department for showcasing these talented boys.
A perfect way to end the term
Chapel Choir has had an extremely busy term. In addition to their important role in Chapel for our Sunday Service, the boys had two high profile performances booked for the end of term - the Child Bereavement UK Carol Concert in London and Ludgrove’s Carol Service.
After many weeks of rehearsals, the boys in Chapel Choir had an unforgettable evening when they sang at the Child Bereavement UK Carol Concert at the Holy Trinity Brompton. Performing on the same stage as legends such as Dame Mary Berry, Martin Freeman and Michael Rosen, the Choir
performed as professionally as their VIP co-stars. A memorable moment for all involved and one of which they can be very proud.
The heavenly voices of Ludgrove’s Chapel Choir rang out at the Carol Service to provide the perfect end of term for the School community of boys, staff and families. Thank you for filling us full of Christmas cheer.
The 2023-2024 Ludgrove Magazine is out now!
Ludgrove remembers
“When you go home, tell them of us and say, For your tomorrow, we gave our today” Ludgrove gathered on the eleventh hour of the eleventh day of the eleventh month to remember all the Old Ludgrovians and Old Wixenfordians (the school that occupied the site before Ludgrove moved to it in 1937) who gave their lives during the two World
The School’s poignant Act of Remembrance began with Mr Barber reading aloud to the assembled community the names of all those who died in the conflicts.
Patrick, Arthur and Angus heralded the two-minute silence by playing The Last Post for the School assembled in the Quad. Captain of School, Titus, read ‘In Flanders Field’ before Ms Aitkin, our bagpipe teacher,
led the School from the Quad to the Chapel where one of the youngest boys, Arlo, placed a wreath of poppies on the altar.
In the weeks leading up to 11th November, Mrs Evans, Head of Art, worked with the boys to produce a cascade of poppies from recycled plastic bottles. The end result provided a stunning backdrop for the moving occasion.
“When you go home, tell them of us and say, For your tomorrow, we gave our today”
VIP visitors go ‘back to school’ with their grandsons
One of our favourite days of the term, in October the boys welcomed their VIP guests in for a taste of Ludgrove Life on Grandparents’ Morning.
Our special visitors enjoyed a Musical Showcase before their grandsons took them on a magical tour of all their favourite places in School. Finding their names (and maybe Grandad’s) in the Dining Hall, checking out the dorms and playing in the Games Room and the Monkey House, the
boys gave a full guided tour complete with commentary!
They say time flies when you are having fun and that is exactly what happened on the day. Before we knew it, the morning had whizzed by and it was time for the boys to say goodbye. Just before their grandparents departed, each boy presented a little posy of flowers from the gardens to take a little bit of Ludgrove with them. Hopefully we will see you all again next year.
“An enormous thank you to you and your lovely staff for organising Grandparents’ Day. I loved every second, including climbing to the top of the house to see William’s dormitory! It was the first time that I had visited the School and I came away feeling so happy that ‘my’ boy was studying in such a special place and amongst a crowd of great teachers and boys.” (A grandparent’s letter to Mr Barber)
Mr Parker runs 93km for
the Ludgrove Foundation
Mr Parker, Ludgrove’s intrepid teacher, explorer and outdoor skills taker, took on a mammoth challenge to test his endurance while raising money for the Ludgrove Foundation’s Transformational Bursaries programme.
In the Summer, and after many months of training, Mr Parker ran the 93km Wokingham boundary, called the Wokingham Way, in 11 hours and 36 minutes. Having navigated obstaces and diversions in soaring temperatures, he was cheered over the finish line by his sister, friends and Ludgrove family
Mr Parker explained: “I’ve seen for myself the benefit these bursaries have and want to play my part in fundraising for this worthy cause.”
To date the amazing charity challenge has raised nearly £7,500. Well done Sir!
Welcome aboard
At the start of the academic year, when 44 new boys arrived at Ludgrove, Mr Barber, Headmaster, also introduced five starters in the Common Room.
Welcome aboard to (pictured from left): Mrs Nesbit, Classics teacher; Mrs Wilson in Learning
Support; Mrs Evans, Head of Art; Miss McDonald, Head of VIs; and Mr Wilson, Deputy Head, Academic.
We look forward to getting to know the newest members of the team and are sure that the boys will help them quickly settle into Ludgrove life.
Latest addition to the family
September saw a new arrival to the Ludgrove family. Mr and Mrs Western-Kaye welcomed their beautiful daughter, Leni, into the world. We can’t wait to see Miss W-K by the pitch side in 2025what a marvellous mascot she’ll make!
Goodbye to our great gang of Gappers
The end of the Michaelmas term is always a sad time for the School as we have to wave goodbye to our five oustanding Gappers - Misses Carrington and Kramer and Messrs Allfrey, Barnes and Gowthorp. The gang has done tremendously well supporting the boys and staff in the Dorms and classrooms and getting stuck into sports and activities. We will all miss their happy enthusiasm and hope they will be back to see again soon.
Proud to be an Old Ludgrovian
Somethings never change and a Ludgrovian’s competitive nature when it comes to the Sets’ Race is one of them!
It was an absolute pleasure to welcome scores of OLs for annual drinks at the Turf Club and update them on the news from their much loved prep school... including all the Sets’ competitions’ results for the term so far (to much barracking).
Mr Barber told assembled guests: “We are lucky to have a massive, loyal group of old boys. Thank you for all your support over the years; the most important thing is you are here and you are proud to be an Old Ludgrovian.
He finished with a toast: “Here’s to Ludgrovians present and past… and future!” We look forward to seeing OLs back at Ludgrove in 2025.
Contact us:
For enquiries regarding registrations for OL events, to update your contact details, or to send us news, please get in touch.
Telephone: 0118 978 9881
Email: development@ ludgroveschool.co.uk
Website: www.ludgrove.net Address: Ludgrove, Wokingham, Berks, RG40 3AB Join us on:
Good to see you!
When Mr and Mrs Barber attended the Prep School Heads’ Dinner at Marlborough College they caught up with some of our 12 OLs. The happy news is they are thriving at their senior school and excited to tell the Barbers all their achievements.
A date for your diary
Unfortunately Storm Bert put paid to our much anticipated OL Sets Football match. Due to be played for the first time back at Ludgrove, the extreme weather meant it was unsafe to play.
The good news is the match has been rearranged for Sunday 9th March at Ludgrove. If you would like to join the team sheet, please email development@ ludgroveschool.co.uk
Battle for the Wiggin Cup
There was a mighty football clash between the Staff team and the Old Ludgrovians when the OLs rolled in to battle it out for the coveted Wiggin Cup! Both teams had a healthy mix of youth and experience and were keen to show the boys cheering from the sidelines what a winning team looks like. Eventually, the Staff team prevailed and notched up a 3-2 win (having trailed at Half Time).
Update details
We love keeping in touch with Old Ludgrovians through the pages of this newsletter to keep them abreast of developments at their prep school and notice of events throughout the year. This is only possible, however, if address and email details are up-to-date. If you have moved in recent years or have changed email address, email development@ludgroveschool.co.uk.
Welcoming back Sixth Former OLs
It was an absolute pleasure to welcome back dozens of OLs from the Sixth Forms at Eton, Marlborough and Radley for the annual Staff v Old Boys fixture. The returning OLs enjoyed Sunday lunch in the Dining Hall (a bit of a tighter squeeze since they were last at the School!) before they pitted their sporting abilities in an afternoon of football, cheered on by the boys. Always fantastic to welcome OLs ‘home’ and they enjoyed catching up with staff and trying to best them on the pitch.