At Ranby House, the dining room is more than just a place to eat. It’s the centre of our school day – where pupils and staff gather together at our much-loved traditional benches, friendships are strengthened and the sense of community that defines the school is felt most clearly.
So, when new Early Years guidance required chairs with backs for our youngest children, we faced an interesting challenge: how could we introduce something new while preserving a tradition that means so much to the school?
Rather than simply replacing what we had, we saw an opportunity to evolve.
Working closely with Monarch UK – a bespoke furniture company run by a Ranby family – we began designing a solution that would balance safety, comfort and continuity. The result is a thoughtfully crafted dining room suite that blends the best of both worlds: supportive seating for our 3-5 year olds, and updated benches that retain the familiar, communal feel for older pupils.
Each piece was carefully measured for different age groups and finished in the school’s colours, creating a space that feels both practical and unmistakably Ranby. Most importantly, our youngest pupils can now sit safely and comfortably alongside their friends and teachers, enjoying the same shared dining experience as everyone else.
David Thorpe, Headmaster at Ranby House, said:
“It is so important that we keep the wellbeing of our pupils at the heart of every decision we make – from our littlest learners right the way through to those preparing to leave us for senior school. This project has allowed us to meet new guidance while protecting the sense of togetherness that makes lunchtime at Ranby so special.”
The project has also had a positive impact beyond our own community. Through Monarch UK’s partnership with the National Police Aid Charity, our previous furniture has been collected and will be repurposed to support communities overseas – ensuring it continues to be used and enjoyed rather than going to waste.
It’s a small change that reflects something bigger: a school that values its traditions, embraces innovation and always puts children first.
