Bilton Grange has announced exciting plans to build a new £multi-million co-educational boarding house leading the way for 21st century prep-school boarding.

Designed with children’s comfort and modern lifestyle at its heart, the new house champions boarding fun for seven to 13-year-olds from hub spaces for games and music, to a helter skelter-style slide to transport them between the four levels.

True to its ethos of First Step in the Adventure of Life, 80 children will enjoy the ‘home from home’ experience on the School’s 90-acre site with options ranging from full 24-7 boarding to flexible options that fit with modern family life.

Cascading down to blend with the existing topography, the 2900 sqm house will be adjacent to the prep’s impressive Pugin mansion buildings with interior design elements that create a modern twist on key historical features to connect the two.

The build is part of a school-wide transformational project that will create exciting development opportunities within the main prep building which currently incorporates the girls’ and boys’ boarding accommodation. The vacated space will be converted to new classrooms, new staff working areas, Gap student accommodation and new pupil changing rooms as the School expands.

Head, Gareth Jones said the project investment will fulfil the School’s sector-leading vision to offer an unrivalled experience for all pupils.

“As we embark on our 150th year, it seems entirely fitting to be launching a project which will have as significant an impact on the day to day life of the School as any in its history,” he said.

“It will be transformational, not just in boarding terms, but in the educational opportunities it will afford to all pupils and the wider community. The children are the heartbeat of the School and this project ensures their best interests will continue to flourish.”

Executive Head Master of Rugby School Group, Peter Green, added: “This exciting project will mark Bilton Grange out as a truly inspirational preparatory school and offer an unrivalled experience for our children as they take their next step in the adventure of life.”

Rugby School Group Estate’s Manager, Judith Robinson, who is heading up the build project, said she was delighted the project was underway and that local firm Stepnell Ltd, are the appointed contractors.

“TSH Architects’ design sits sensitively alongside the Grade II Listed Pugin buildings and the new house will be sustainable using solar power while the landscape plans will provide a biodiversity nett gain,” she added.

Initial groundwork has already started on the site with the new boarding house scheduled for completion early in 2025.