Her Majesty the Queen has officially opened Holyport College, a new non-selective state free boarding school, of which Eton College is the sole educational sponsor.
The Queen, accompanied by His Royal Highness the Duke of Edinburgh, spent time touring the school and unveiled a plaque.
Holyport, which is just a few miles from Eton, is a day and boarding school for pupils aged 11-19. It opened its doors for the first time this September, with 55 boarders and 68 day pupils. By 2018 there will be around 500 pupils at the school.
Attending the Royal opening was Eton College’s Head Master, Tony Little. “We had a long-term vision to support the creation of a new state boarding school for the local area and it is wonderful to see it finally open and nearly through its first term,” he said.
“Our role is to help the establishment of a successful school by lending our expertise but it is a two-way relationship and we are also learning from the experience.”
Eton’s sponsorship of Holyport is through staff time and expertise, along with the sharing of educational experience and facilities. It is just a part of the Eton’s extensive public benefit work.
