GB hockey star Ellie Rayer opens our brand new Astro

Current GB and England hockey player Ellie Rayer officially opened our beautiful floodlit all-weather sports surface on Friday.

Ellie spent the afternoon providing coaching clinics to pupils and the children enjoyed chatting to her and getting her autograph on their sticks. Towards the end of the day the whole school gathered on the Astro to watch Ellie and the school’s Head Boy and Head Girl officially cut the ribbon.

Ellie later tweeted, ‘It was a pleasure to open this impressive pitch in the walled the garden and coach some future talents.’

The Astro has enhanced the sporting provision at the Castle and the floodlight enables training and matches to happen all year round. Headmaster Nigel Reed commented, ‘This new facility will make a huge difference to the quality of sport the school can offer its pupils in all parts of the schoo. Our boarders love using it in the evening under the lights!’