When we asked staff for ideas as to how they could incorporate the school's 450th anniversary into a celebratory event for their respective departments, the Refectory staff immediately suggested a Tudor banquet and several months later it took place!

Students were welcomed into the Refectory to tables decorated with banqueting cloth and balloons in the red, white and black of the school colours. The television screens were filled with facts about 'Discovering the 16th Century' and a 'Guide to Tudor Table Manners' which we hope that the students took to heart (they were very well behaved!). Unfortunately we weren't able to utilise the student recorder quartet for the event, but a Tudor playlist was put together and piped around the Refectory to create a lovely calming atmosphere.

As the students tucked into their roast turkey / pork wellington / vegan roast with roast potatoes, oven roasted root vegetables, red cabbage and kale followed by rustic apple pie (truly a feast which Henry VIII would have complimented!), their feasting was overseen by Queen Elizabeth I, Sir Francis Drake and Richard Pate who entertained with quizzes and conversation. 

We thank Dr Nickson (Head of Science), Mrs Rawlinson (Head of History) and Mr Morton (History) for donning costumes and getting into character and making the event such a lively success!