50th Anniversary Celebrations

Townsend Church of England School in St Albans was honoured to welcome Her Royal Highness on Wednesday 24 June, marking a significant moment in the school’s history as it concluded its celebrations of the 50^th anniversary of its opening at the High Oaks site.

Her Royal Highness was formally received on arrival by His Majesty’s Lord-Lieutenant of Hertfordshire, Mr Robert Voss CBE CStJ and Headteacher, Mr Anthony Flack, before taking part in a programme that reflected the rich life of the school community. During the visit, The Duchess met with students, staff and governors, gaining an insight into the school’s values, achievements and aspirations.

A highlight of the visit was the unveiling of a commemorative plaque by Her Royal Highness to mark the school’s 50^th anniversary of its opening at the High Oaks site, creating a lasting legacy of this important milestone in Townsend’s history.

A central feature of the visit was attendance at a service in the Townsend School Chapel, which was newly opened on 7^th May 2025. The chapel stands as an important spiritual and reflective space within the school, embodying its Christian foundation and commitment to inclusive collective worship.

The visit holds particular historical significance as it commemorates the original opening of the school at High Oaks in May 1975, an event performed by  Princess Alice, Duchess of Gloucester, and celebrates five decades of education, community and service.

Townsend Church of England School is guided by its Christian ethos, rooted in the parable of the Good Samaritan expressed through the values of loving your neighbour, loving yourself, and loving the journey.

This ethos is further reflected in the school’s core values of Awe and Wonder, Hope, Love, Respect, Stewardship and Wisdom.

These values underpin all aspects of school life and were evident throughout the visit, as Her Royal Highness engaged with members of the Townsend community.

Reflecting on the occasion, Mr Flack said:

“We were honoured to welcome Her Royal Highness to our school as we celebrate 50 years at High Oaks. This anniversary is a testament to the dedication of our staff, the achievements of our students, and the support of the wider community over many years. It is a truly special moment in our school’s history.”

The visit provided a special opportunity to celebrate the school’s achievements while looking ahead to its future, continuing its commitment to ensuring that every member of the school community can flourish.