PUBLISHED 10 October 2023
The spirit of Arnold School still lives on at AKS
The OAKS Hall at AKS Lytham was transformed on Saturday 30th September as we hosted our first-ever Alumni Reunion Dinner to celebrate the Old Arnoldians' 125th Anniversary.
The history of AKS Lytham spans around 300 years across the three main heritage schools: Arnold School, King Edward VII School, and Queen Mary School. Over the period 1999 to 2004, King Edward and Queen Mary schools merged to form KEQMS. AKS was then formed in 2012 from a merger of KEQMS and Arnold School in Blackpool.
On behalf of the Old Arnoldian Committee, the Development Office at AKS hosted 180 guests which included former teachers, headmasters, and alumni spanning from 1955 leavers to the class of 2016. David Harrow, Headmaster at AKS Lytham said:
“It was extraordinary to spend an evening with so many Arnoldians from across the generations, including my forebears Richard Rhodes and Bill Gillen, and with Suzanna Mayer who, as a descendant of Frank Pennington, represented a remarkable connection will the original founder of Arnold School. As always with such events, there was an intangible magic in the room, as the history of the school was made real in the OAKS Hall once again”.
Bill Gillen, Headmaster at Arnold School 1993-2003 said:
‘’The Old Arnoldians’ 125th Anniversary Dinner was a wonderful and unforgettable occasion in the stunning setting of the OAKS Hall at AKS. I greatly enjoyed seeing so many former pupils and colleagues after so many years. With the continuing huge and staunch support of the Old Arnoldians, the pre-eminence of the AKS is assured”.
Richard Rhodes, Headmaster at Arnold School 1979-1987 said:
“The 125th Anniversary Old Arnoldian Dinner was an excellent occasion on which many former pupils of Arnold School came together to reflect on their indebtedness to the quality of the education they had received at Arnold and the warmth and affection created by the friendships they made there. This was all enhanced significantly by the appreciation of the smoothness of transition to AKS, which was clearly evident and bodes well for the future. It was a pleasure and privilege to be there”.
Allan McKeown, Head of Sixth Form/Assistant Head at Arnold School and Senior Deputy Head at AKS added:
“It was so good to hear the stories from so many Old Arnoldians about their experiences and memories whilst at school. The evening was made even more special by the fact that there were so many past and present colleagues (I counted 38) in attendance, who featured in those experiences and memories - it was a unique evening”.
Phil Hayden, Head of Middle School/Assistant Head at Arnold School and Deputy Head (Pastoral) at AKS added:
“It was a tremendous opportunity to catch up with so many former colleagues, students and friends. You couldn't help but be struck by the warmth and affection people hold in their hearts for Arnold School and it was lovely to share so many stories and memories. Amazingly none of us looked a day older either!”
Here's to many more alumni reunions for our heritage schools as well as more recent AKS graduates of today!