Huge 12 metre tapestry depicts 100 years of history at Thorpe Hall School

January 21, 2025

A group of students at Thorpe Hall School in Southend have collaborated on a huge project to represent 100 years of history, in honour of the school’s centenary year.

Last summer term, Year 7 students (now in Year 8) at Thorpe Hall School were tasked with bringing together key events from local, national and international history to make one epic timeline, inspired by the famous Bayeux Tapestry.

Each student created a square graphic and accompanying write up to represent different events from the last 100 years. The squares of the tapestry span all sorts of events, including world wars, pandemics, political and medical breakthroughs, and Thorpe Hall School's own milestones.

Events from Southend’s own history include the city’s role in World War 2, the famous Southend Air Show, and more than one disaster on Southend’s Pier.

Each square has then been turned into a page of a commemorative book, which includes a complete fold-out of the Tapestry itself. Copies are available to buy now by contacting the school.

The Tapestry was unveiled to members of the school’s student, parent and alumni communities at a special event at the school [last week 17th Jan].

Ms Stanton, the teacher behind the project, says “It was a big project, and lots of hard work, but the students’ sense of pride and wonder when they first saw the finished tapestry made it all worth it! It’s a wonderful piece of work. I hope that this tapestry will form part of the rich history of Thorpe Hall School, and that future students who look upon it will get a sense of our school's place in the UK and in the world”.

The project is part of the school’s centenary celebrations, as Thorpe Hall School celebrates its 100th year this year. The school first opened its doors in 1925 to a cohort of just 6 boys, when the school was located in “The Bungalow” on Thorpe Hall Avenue – the family home of the first headmaster Rev D. de Russett. 100 years on, and the school is now located in a large site on Wakering Road, complete with a dedicated Nursery, Prep School and Senior School catering for children aged 2 – 16. It offers an award winning independent education with unrivalled facilities and tailored teaching programmes delivered in small classes.

You can see the huge Tapestry on display along Thorpe Hall School’s sports field... it really is an amazing sight!

For more information about the school’s centenary year, please visit https://www.thorpehallschool.co.uk/ths-100-our-centenary/

For more information about Thorpe Hall School, please visit www.thorpehallschool.co.uk

To see a reel / video of the Tapestry unveiling event, go to https://www.instagram.com/p/DFDnLYQo_UM/?hl=en