On Wednesday 23 September 2009 HRH The Earl of Wessex officially opened The Grange, Monmouth Preparatory School.  This was the third time The Earl of Wessex has visited the Haberdashers' Monmouth Schools since becoming a Haberdasher, continuing the royal link established by his late aunt, HRH Princess Margaret.

HRH The Earl of Wessex arrived by helicopter and was welcomed by Dr Steven Connors, Headmaster at Monmouth School and Mrs Elaine Thomas, Head of The Grange before being introduced to local dignitaries.  The Earl of Wessex then paused to speak to pupils and staff before unveiling the plaque to commemorate the opening of the new purpose-built School, which the boys move into in February 2009.

The Earl of Wessex and guests enjoyed performances by The Grange Orchestra and The Grange Band.  Many of the young musicians had recently returned from the Junior Symphonic Winds tour to Paris, where they performed in a number of venues including DisneyLand Paris.  

Mrs Elaine Thomas, Head of The Grange said,

“It is with great pleasure that I welcome His Royal Highness The Earl of Wessex here today to mark the opening of the new Grange.  The site of the new school was very carefully chosen – we can walk straight out into the ancient woodlands of the Wye Valley – and what could be better for the development of the boys sporting abilities than being right next door to Monmouth School’s Sports Complex.

The School comprises spacious, all-purpose classrooms, an ICT suite, acoustically-designed music studios, an art room and science lab.  Each classroom opens out onto the decking and playground, ensuring that everyone feels safe, secure and at the heart of the School.  Our state-of-the-art kitchen provides the boys with nutritious, home made meals, and many of the ingredients are grown in the School garden.  

Thanks to the vision of the Governors, the Headmaster and the Bursar of Monmouth School and thanks to the superb design of architects Buttress Fuller Alsop Williams, we have a state-of-the-art building that has put The Grange, Monmouth Preparatory School, at the forefront of prep school education for 7 to 11 year old boys.  The Grange feels honoured to have The Earl of Wessex unveil a plaque to commemorate this very special day in the School’s history.”