Celebrating 130 Years

Ibstock Place School celebrated its 130th anniversary in 2024, having first opened its doors in 1894.

Ibstock has an incredibly rich history dating back to the late 1800s. Founded on the educational principles of Friedrich Froebel, which were considered radical for his day, emphasis on the learning experiences of young children and engendering free thinking are still central to our School ethos today.

For more information on our School’s history including our official online archive, please visit our History page.

HISTORY

Headmaster Chris Wolsey reflected on 130 years of Ibstock Place School:

'Ibstock has come such a long way since Mrs Bailey declared, in 1894, her ambition to found a demonstration school to showcase the ideas of Friedrich Froebel. We’re delighted that, through 2024, we shall be able to celebrate a proud history which champions both co-education and the value of a genuinely holistic view of education, one which is academically rigorous and yet which also provides our pupils with so much more beyond. We are determined that 2024 will be another vintage year for us! '

2024: A Year of Celebrations

Ibstock 130 Festival

Celebrations commenced with a flagship summer festival in June 2024.

The entire Ibstock community came together to celebrate the school's 130th anniversary with a fantastic Festival. The day incorporated electrifying performances, entertainment, music, activities, stalls and games as well as an array of delicious food and drink. The Festival was certainly one to remember and we thank all the staff, parent and pupil volunteers who made it possible.

Ibstock 130 Concert & Black-Tie Ball

Celebrations of 130 years at Ibstock continued with a remarkable evening of musical delight in September 2024.

The event featured various performances by our talented pupils from Schola Cantorum, the Senior Chamber Orchestra, the Brass Ensemble, Ibstock Choristers and the Ibstock Place Singers. Headlined by a stunning performance of Mozart's Coronation Mass, the performances were nothing short of spectacular, with each ensemble showcasing their dedication. Held at Sinfonia Smith Square, the venue provided the perfect setting for this unforgettable night of music. The Ibstock 130 Concert and Black-Tie Ball was truly a night to remember.

Ibstock 130 Christmas

Our 130 celebrations drew to a close in December 2024, with a special celebration in honour of our German founder, Friedrich Froebel.

Pupils from the Prep and Senior Schools came together to mark the occasion by burying a time capsule on the Orchard, accompanied by our Jazz Choir. Wearing festive jumpers, pupils enjoyed some delicious Christmas tuck, a chance for a photo in Santa’s sleigh and a German market themed lunch, followed by some special 130 cupcakes. Later, Senior 7 and 9 pupils heard from a panel of alumni from across the decades which rounded off the day perfectly.

Reviews

The Good Schools Guide
Talk Education
Tatler Schools Guide
From Parents
From Pupils

‘Spectacular music from the start.’

Read the full review

‘Stunning art from outset.’

'Range of clubs and societies...mind-boggling'

Range of clubs and societies…mind-boggling’

‘…pupils are taught to become independent critical thinkers...’

Read the full review for Prep

Read the full review for Senior

'The whole school is led impressively by Chris Wolsey...'

‘The whole school is led impressively by Chris Wolsey. Engaged and accessible, he brings a collegiate style of leadership to the school community.’

'...seamlessly combines tradition and innovation…’

‘This all-through school on the edge of Richmond Park seamlessly combines tradition and innovation…’

‘Christoper Wolsey is somebody who genuinely cares about the wellbeing and opinions of the students.’

‘From personal experience – and it’s the consensus among my peers – I believe that Christopher Wolsey is somebody who genuinely cares about the wellbeing and opinions of the students.’ So says one satisfied parent of Ibstock’s head. And Wolsey cares about the pupils’ articulacy, too.

Tatler

'Alongside forging positive relationships with his charges, he puts great emphasis on their oracy..'

'Alongside forging positive relationships with his charges, he puts great emphasis on their oracy: the public-speaking team recently triumphed in a competition at Cambridge University; and through membership of the The Noisy Classroom organisation, the debaters can argue the toss with children from around the world.'

'The new Esports arena is match-fit for gamers'

'The new Esports arena is match-fit for gamers; the school team has exploded onto the Esports Rocket League, already winning silverware; and did we mention that there’s an incoming head of AI? However, if all this doesn’t sound enticing enough, the roster of foreign adventures should clinch it. ‘Over the next few years, my lucky son is hoping to go on a classics trip to Pompeii and a Tuscan art retreat, as well as language-study visits to Munich and Valencia, skiing in Switzerland and surfing in France,’ reports one parent.'

‘…the range of community and charity activities...'

‘…the range of community and charity activities that my son is involved with is amazing.’

‘We love everything about Ibstock...'

‘We love everything about Ibstock and our son is incredibly happy there.’

'...my daughter is happy and flourishing...'

‘Very happy indeed with the school as a parent. Most importantly, my daughter is happy and flourishing. Thank you.’

'...I don’t think there could be a better school for me.’

‘It’s given me so many opportunities... I don’t think there could be a better school for me.’

‘Right from the beginning I was made to feel at home.’

‘Ibstock...helped me to explore my interests and talents.’

‘Ibstock helped me achieve the grades I needed…but more importantly it helped me to explore my interests and talents.’

Celebrating 130 Years

Reviews