ISLAND LIFE
Pictures by Robert Longford
Royal
opening
Ryde School’s new Bembridge
Building and Wessex Quadrangle
has been opened by HRH The
Earl of Wessex.
The opening ceremony was
attended by over 200 guests
and The Earl spoke to staff and
pupils as he toured the building.
He was introduced to local
dignitaries, representatives from
the architects and building firms
and long-serving members of staff
before progressing to the Quadrangle
where he unveiled the official plaque.
Friends of the School and neighbours had
already had a chance to view the new
facilities earlier in the year.
The state of the art building houses
www.visitislandlife.com
Bembridge School which merged with
new Art, Design and Technology and ICT
Ryde School in 1996. Bembridge
teaching areas plus a reception and dining
School was certainly ahead of its time,
room. Designed by Walters and Cohen
specialising in the arts and so it is
and built by local company Stoneham
appropriate that the new Art and Craft,
Construction, the building is eco-friendly
Design and Technology departments are
and encompasses the most up to date
placed in the new building. The Bembridge
technology. In the future, the dining room
site currently houses the Ryde School
and roof terrace with its stunning views
Boarding Campus, home to just over 60
over the Solent, will be available for hire.
pupils.
The building has been named the
52
Bembridge Building in honour of
Ryde School was founded by