Opening of Jane Austen Wing

On Friday 2 October, the new Jane Austen Wing at The Abbey Senior School was formally opened by Jessica Powell, Director of Communications and Public Affairs at Google.

The formal proceedings were started by Peter Smith, Chair of Governors at The Abbey, who talked about this significant investment for the future and how the selection of a leading international businesswoman was indicative of The Abbey’s ambitions for its pupils. Mrs Barbara Stanley, Headmistress paid homage to Jane Austen who attended the Reading Ladies’ Boarding School in the Abbey Gateway in Reading in 1785 and who ‘pushed the boundaries for women’ in her own day. The naming of the building is also particularly appropriate as it finally fulfils the intention of Headmistress Miss Musson and the Governors (in 1926) to ‘honour the name’ of Jane Austen.

Jessica Powell unveiled a commemoration stone in the new wing which has really transformed the frontage of the school, and girls performed poetry and readings from Jane Austen for the invited guests who included governors, staff, the architects and builders and key representatives from the community including The Mayor and Mayoress of Reading and local MP, Rob Wilson. All the proceedings were filmed and streamed to pupils on a live feed to other parts of the school. The Mayor, whose own daughter attended The Abbey, said he was ‘delighted to see The Abbey investing in the future and recognising Jane Austen’s connection with Reading.’ Rob Wilson added that he was ‘proud to have one of the top independent schools in the country in his constituency’ and praised The Abbey’s links with the local community.

The invitation to Jessica Powell reinforces The Abbey’s important relationship with Google and continues the association with leading communication and technology companies that is such an important part of education at the school. Ms. Powell, an inspirational role model for the girls, then spent time with pupils talking to them about the opportunities brought by ICT.

The Jane Austen Wing itself is now a particularly vibrant part of the school. It maintains the character of the old building, sitting well alongside the refurbished entrance, and consists of three self-contained floors of four classrooms each, which enables 300 girls and staff to work in state-of-the-art facilities. There are classrooms for Years 8 and 9 and dedicated subject areas for Classics (Latin and Greek are taught at GCSE and A Level) and History. The Art Department has stunning, bright Art Studios and a kiln room alongside an ICT room used for graphic design work.