From The Head - Friday 8th December 2023

I was delighted to be contacted by an ex-Rylesian this week. The Ryleys School has a long and rich history, so it is always fascinating to gain an insight into how life used to be.

Dr Graham Hine was Head Boy and in Waterhouse. He left the school in 1968 aged 13 and moved to Wrekin College, before finally completing a masters degree in astro-physics at Cambridge University. Very impressively, he gained his maths 'O' Level while still at The Ryleys School!

While we know a significant amount about the school's past, Dr Hine shed some light on a particularly interesting aspect. Apparently, the school used to be privately owned by a Mr Woodhouse who wanted to retire and sell the school. Therefore, Dr Hine's father, who was Chair of the Governors at the time, actioned a rescue plan to keep the school open by asking the parents to contribute to the cost of buying the school which they did.

The land opposite the school was originally playing fields and this land was sold for development, enabling the parents to be paid back with interest. The Ryleys School then merged with Harden House School which owned what is now The Ryleys School playing fields, and Harden House prop- erty was also sold to pay towards the purchase of the school.

There is a plaque in the Pre-Prep to commemorate Edmund Hine who ultimately saved the school! Since then, the school has operated as a charitable trust and is non-profit making, meaning that all funds are ploughed back into the school solely for the benefit of the children.

Dr Hine is very keen to remain in contact with the school and we are hoping to hold an event next year, inviting ex-Rylesians back for a visit, and hopefully uncovering even more facts about the school's history.

Have a very enjoyable weekend.

Julia Langford
Headteacher