The Ryleys celebrates 140 years

The Ryleys School celebrated 140 years by burying four time capsules within the school grounds, containing items that represent life at the school today.

The four time capsules, which were buried by children from each of the school's four houses Elstob, Waterhouse, Hoyle and Wilson contain items such as achievement badges, prefect badges, photographs and a fidget spinner.

As part of the 140 year celebrations, pupils spent a day researching the colourful history of the school which has survived two world wars, including 27 boys who attended the school and died fighting for their country. The children learned about the life of one pupil, Wilfrith Elstob who was awarded the Victoria Cross for his bravery.

The Ryleys School began life above what is now the chemist on London Road with just a handful of pupils, all being boys. The school is now fully co-educational with 200 pupils attending.

One Headmaster, Eaton Woodhouse, kept the school going during the Second World War, when the boys sheltered in the cellars as bombers, returning from raids on Manchester, would jettison unused incendiary bombs on the gardens and fields around Alderley Edge.

The school moved to its present site around the turn of the 19th century and took its name 'The Ryleys' after the house which was owned by cotton merchant, Peter Taylor. It was one of the first preparatory schools in the country to exist independently of a secondary school and this is something that the school still prides itself on today.

The school's black and gold stripped blazers were introduced in the 1930s. Previously pupils wore grey suits with straw boaters. The school used to offer boarding facilities to those who were planning on sitting the 13+ for many of the country's top boarding schools.

Head Teacher, Mrs Julia Langford, said: "We are incredibly proud of the school's history and just how far it has come in 140 years. We hope that the next 140 years will see the school grow and develop, retaining its reputation as one of the leading preparatory schools in the North West."

The school is planning on several additional events throughout the academic year to mark its 140 years.

Photos: Pupils burying time capsules to mark The Ryleys 140 years celebrations and some historical pictures of the school.

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The Ryleys
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