Just over a year since the staff and pupils first moved into their new school building, we were at last able to celebrate the opening of Vincent House – Aldenham Prep School on Monday 23 May 2022.

The whole school was involved in the celebration and Year 6 children proudly showed guests around before a short formal ceremony in Barton Hall.  Chair of Governors, Sarah Altman welcomed everyone and introduced members of the Vincent Family including a close Aldenham school friend of Lord Vincent’s, Mr Jim Toogood, who was in School House 1946 to 51.  Trevor Barton, who attended Aldenham himself from 1971 to 75 and was a Governor from 2009, Chair of Governors from 2015-21, reflected on the need for this new facility at Aldenham and how the development came about.  The children entertained the guests with some hearty singing before a portrait of Lord Vincent was unveiled by the Head Prefects.   

Lord Vincent GBE KCB DSO, an Old Aldenhamian, had an enduring relationship with the School.  On leaving Aldenham in 1950 he joined the British Army to become a fulltime soldier with the Royal Artillery.  His military career spanned 46 years and on his retirement as Chairman of the NATO Military Committee in 1996 he was ennobled in the Birthday Honours, being created a life peer with the title Baron Vincent of Coleshill.  He became Chancellor of Cranfield University and for many years was a Governor at Aldenham, eventually being made Emeritus Governor. 

Colonel the Honourable Mark Vincent MBE, Lord Vincent’s son, said that he was delighted that his father is being honoured with this wonderful building.  He was sure that both his mother and father would have been extremely impressed by the joyous feel of the school and the people in it. 

Other guests included Old Aldenhamians, parents and friends of the School who had made significant contributions to a fundraising appeal which generated over £170,000 to enhance the outdoor learning spaces.  The Mayor and Mayoress of Hertsmere, the architect and project manager also joined the party and enjoyed afternoon tea with staff and Governors and Parent Association representatives.