As we close 2025, we reflect on what a remarkable milestone year it has been for Pinewood, celebrating our 150th anniversary. A year of exceptional achievements, joyous celebrations, unmistakable Pinewood spirit, and memorable moments that have brought our community together.
PINEFEST was the highlight event of the year; a magical festival that created a truly spectacular moment in school life. On Saturday 21st June, over 1,500 members of our extended Pinewood family gathered on a gloriously sunny day, with temperatures reaching 30 degrees across our 84-acre grounds. Current pupils, parents, staff, and Old Pinewoodians spanning several decades came together. The joy was universal and utterly infectious, creating memories that our families will treasure for years to come.
The musical entertainment from 29 Fingers, Old Pinewoodians Tilly Cripwell (2015) , Annie O’Grady (2012), Lily Vere Nicoll (2018) and Jemima Nettleton (2015) , and our own Pinewood Performers created the perfect soundtrack to our celebrations. The food and drink offerings were plentiful, and family activities kept everyone engaged throughout the day.
We are grateful to our sponsors and local businesses who helped make PINEFEST possible. The messages we have received since PINEFEST speak to the profound impact of the day: “It was like coming home. Seeing old friends and new ones all together was incredibly special.” “The atmosphere was absolutely magical – Pinewood at its very best.”
Whilst PINEFEST was the perfect culmination to our 150th celebrations, we fondly reminisce on the occasions which helped mark this milestone year for Pinewood…
Our 150th anniversary celebrations began in September 2024 with an ambitious challenge: completing 150 miles around a set course on our grounds in 24 hours.
Every pupil took part, running or walking their contribution to the total distance. Staff supported throughout the day and night – serving hot chocolate, taking photographs, cheering participants on, and joining in themselves. As the hours passed and the miles accumulated, the sense of community and determination grew stronger. We reached 150 miles, setting the tone for the anniversary celebrations ahead.
In October 2024, artist Rachel Shilston joined us to create a commemorative mosaic celebrating our 150th anniversary. Every child contributed to this collaborative artwork during their art lessons.
The mosaic, now displayed in the Front Hall above the fireplace, is based on Year 8 pupil Lilia’s design. Iridescent tiles, ceramic petals, and mirrors bring the design to life with texture and colour that translated beautifully from paper to finished piece. It depicts Pinewood School and stands as a lasting reminder of our anniversary year, with every child’s contribution part of its surface.
Our specially formed 150th Anniversary Choir brought together 150 voices of our pupils and staff for performances throughout the year. The highlight came at Marlborough College Chapel, where our Chamber Choir and School Choir delivered our anniversary Carol Service. We are still reminiscing on the memorable moment when all 150 voices joined together to perform Gardner’s ‘The Holly & The Ivy’.
The completion of phase two of our swimming pool refurbishment has been transformative and has made a real impact to our provision. The reconfigured changing rooms and new all-weather polycarbonate enclosure have turned the facility into a year-round resource, with swimming lessons now possible in every season.
On 17th May 2025, former Headmaster Henry Boddington officially reopened the upgraded pool in memory of Patrick Mackie, an inspirational teacher at Pinewood. The ceremony, attended by numerous Old Pinewoodians, reflected the connection between past, present, and future that has defined our 150th anniversary.
This anniversary year brought remarkable academic success. Our Year 8 pupils earned 21 scholarships across five disciplines: academic, music, art, sport, and all-rounder, demonstrating the breadth of talent nurtured at Pinewood. We are pleased to hear how well our Year 8 leavers are settling into their senior schools.
The year also brought recognition for the school, when Pinewood was named Best Country Prep by The Week magazine’s Independent Schools Guide 2025, an honour that reflects the dedication of our entire community.
During Pinewood 1875 Day, we stepped back 150 years in the classroom as well as in our history. Our pupils experienced the school’s Victorian origins firsthand through an immersive celebration that brought history to life, offering fascinating insights into education in 1875 when Pinewood first opened as a boys’ school.
Pupils rotated through authentic Victorian experiences: strict classroom sessions complete with mini boards and old-fashioned discipline, learning about Victorian icons like Ada Lovelace (who created the first computer algorithm), Joseph Lister (who revolutionized medical hygiene), and Isambard Kingdom Brunel (who transformed transportation with the Great Western Railway and SS Great Britain).
Activities included ‘Horrible Science’ exploring peculiar Victorian medical cures, ‘Sew Victorian’ teaching the language of handkerchiefs, traditional PE games, and drama sessions featuring ‘Pygmalion’. The grand finale saw pupils meet ‘Queen Victoria’, learning proper Victorian etiquette and creating animation toys. As one Year 6 pupil reflected, “I really enjoyed Victorian Day and learnt all sorts of cool and brutal stuff” about Pinewood’s origins.
The 150th anniversary provided the perfect opportunity to invite Old Pinewoodians back for reunion events across the year. These gatherings offered alumni a chance to reconnect with peers and see the school as it is today. The warmth and enthusiasm of returning pupils, whether they left five years or fifty years ago, reinforced the enduring connections formed during their time at Pinewood.
A collection of items from some of the year’s most memorable moments have been gathered to create a special time capsule, now buried beneath our Main Hall. One day, many years from now, we hope it will be opened to reveal the spirit, achievements, and joy that have defined this momentous year.
Thank you to everyone who has been part of this milestone year; an extraordinary and happy year in the life of Pinewood. Here’s to the next 150 years.
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Pinewood pupils were immersed in a day of discovery for our annual Whole-School STEAM Day. It was a day where Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts, and Mathematics converged in a display of creativity, leadership and collaborative problem-solving.
Learning Outside The Classroom
Outdoor learning represents more than fresh air and exercise. It is about developing confident, capable young people who understand what they are actually capable of.
Awards
We are thrilled to announce that Pinewood has been chosen as a Finalist in the Independent Schools of the Year Awards 2025, in the category Pre-Prep School of the Year.
