Opened in Spring 2005, the Octagon is situated at the centre of the School. A dramatic eight-sided structure it has transformed the landscape and identity of the School by giving the campus a new heart and focus.

The School invested £4.5 million in the building and succeeded in its aim of providing a multi-purpose space for teaching, receptions, performances, conferences and conventions. Retractable seating for 600 enables full attendance at all events and the state of the art sound, lighting and visual equipment are adaptable to the many and varied purposes to which the space is put.

All parts of the School make use of the Octagon; Westbourne performs its Christmas production there each year, Prep girls use it for drama workshops, concerts and the annual disco and Senior girls attend Assembly there 3 times a week and have timetabled classes plus extra curricular activity inside.

The Octagon’s self-contained design has brought another benefit to School life; during public examinations the space becomes the main examination area allowing complete silence and distance from the main School building and minimum interruption to the rest of School life.