Family roots at the heart of King's

Family roots at the heart of King's Bruton

These photograph has been reproduced by kind permission of Gillman & Soame photographers

“The King's community is a genuine source of pride for us all in the School and this is exemplified by the generational links that so many pupils share with their Old Brutonian family members.” Ian Wilmshurst, Headmaster.

FAMILY ROOTS AT THE HEART OF KING'S In a school that is over 500 years old, it will come as no surprise to discover that some of the current pupils are relations of past pupils. What is somewhat more surprising, however, is that in a school of only 350 pupils, over forty of them are descendants of Old Brutonians. Indeed, several pupils are third generation Brutonians. This speaks volumes about the enduring strength of the King's Community. It demonstrates that King's is not just an ancient institution of learning, but also where lifelong friends and memories are made. Strong ties regularly draw Old Brutonians back to visit the School, and it is wonderful that what they see today encourages them to send their own children to King's Bruton. Since “life is a journey and not a destination” (as the American, Ralph Emerson, once said), it is encouraging that these Old Brutonians appreciate that the King's education has assisted them in their own journey, and wish the same for their own children.

Old Brutonian parents Duncan and Sophie Weir: “We both feel very fortunate to have been educated at King's and consider ourselves very lucky to be able to give our children the same education. School facilities move with the times, staff and pupils come and go, but the ethos and culture at King's remains remarkably similar to what we experienced. Our children are very happy and being nurtured in the very best of environments”.

What our current pupils say: “I love that I am following in the footsteps of both my father and grandfather. Their reminiscing and the familiar ‘back in my day’ reminds me of what a very special place King's Bruton is to my family”. JS

Being the son of an OB, I have grown up listening to stories and experiences that my father had here back in the late 80s. It fascinates me to see how the School and its environment has changed or indeed, in some cases, stayed the same. I often think, as I take part in daily school life, what my father would have seen or thought of certain things, whether it would have been similar or different for him or just entirely new. It is a fascinating and strengthening experience coming to my father’s school, and I’m truly grateful for it. JZ

King's Bruton The Plox Bruton Somerset BA10 0ED

“As the granddaughter of an Old Brutonian, I love that we have shared history and similar experiences. I enjoy hearing my grandfather tell me about the times that he had when he was at school and can really imagine him in the same buildings as us today”. FH “The idea of being at the same school as my father, grandfather and many other relatives is something that I will never fully grasp. Knowing that I have sat in the same classrooms and played on the same pitches always amazes me”. DL

“Having family who went to King's before me, makes learning at King's just that little more special and gives me a stronger and greater connection to the School.” ES

“It is wonderful to walk in the footsteps of my dad at this school, especially knowing that we are having similar experiences, both on the sports pitches and in the same classrooms, as well as walking in the same corridors and sleeping in the same dorms. It is especially cool to walk past his name on the Blackford Head of House board every day and knowing that he was part of the Blackford family at one point, and I am now”. JA “My dad was in Old House and my mum in Wellesley, now I’m in Priory. It feels special that my parents met and were friends at King's and ended up married.

King’s will always be part of my family history, especially as both my Grandfathers were at King's too”. CG

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