In October 1958 Bute House was reopened as an independent, mixed-ability preparatory school and so every October we celebrate her School Birthday and provide treats and entertainments for the children who very much look forward to this very special day in the school calendar.

Over the years activities have included Circus Skills, Indian Dance, Skipping Workshops, Magic and Puppet Shows, Story telling, Animal Visits, Didgeridoo and Steel Band Workshops, Kite Making and Puzzle Challenges to name but a few.

There is also a theme each year for School Birthday when children dress up in their own clothes. Themes have included the letter ‘S’ when children came as suns, scarecrows and stars, ‘Fame’ when everyone came dressed up as a famous landmark, object, person or animal and ‘Cartoon Characters’ when the school was full of Square Bobs, Peter Pans, Snow Whites and Lisa Simpsons. This occasion gives the girls a wonderful opportunity to use their imaginations! Birthday cards are given, birthday cake is shared and “Happy Birthday Dear Bute House” accompanied by the School Orchestra, echoes along all the corridors, along with a very loud three cheers for this special school.

In 2008 the school celebrated her 50th Golden Anniversary and the theme was ‘Gold’. The children used their imaginations to wear very varied costumes and there was a ‘glittering’ array of gold outfits. A lot of time and effort had been put into creating some very dramatic effects. School birthday is also a Charity Day when children pay a ‘fine’ of £2 – the total goes towards the children’s choice of charity at the end of the academic year.

Exciting treats are arranged for the children and this year we had Dance Workshops, Hatstand Opera and Miller’s Ark Animals. Individual iced cakes are also made which the children very much enjoy.