I love escape rooms, and I have enjoyed doing a fair number of them in Britain and around
the world. Sadly, despite all this experience and endeavour I am still fairly hopeless at them!
I nonetheless love the fun and the challenge of trying to communicate effectively, work as a
team, think laterally, solve puzzles and ultimately aim to escape the room.
When I casually suggested the idea of an Abbey escape room to Julia Wootton, our Head of
Engagement and Development, I had no idea that she would have the creativity, dynamism
and drive to make one of our own, let alone one that is genuinely excellent.
The ‘enchanted forest escape room’ showcases the best of what we are all about as a
school: critical thinking, curiosity and fun. It was wonderful to see it being such a success
when we took it out to the wider community in Henley and set its challenges to local children
aged around 7 to 10.

The enchanted forest features six rooms packed with different challenges which lead to the
chance to crack a code, unlock a treasure chest, save the forest and collect ancient
gemstones. Participant Margot (10) said: ‘It was something you had to figure out. It was so
much fun and at the end it felt like you had accomplished something!’
As ever, members of our school community stepped forward to help make the event go so
well, from incredible staff volunteers – showcasing some strong acting skills – to student
helpers who worked tirelessly to give the children such a memorable and enjoyable
experience. We literally took The Abbey on tour, bringing a bit of Abbey magic to Henley.
The buzz was palpable.

From interactions with younger students, the week then included buzz of a very different
type at an alumnae London drinks event. We were joined by particularly large numbers of
the class of 2020, and it was a pleasure to hear them reminiscing about their time at the
school and enjoying catching up with one another and their former teachers. It was strikingly
impressive to meet so many interesting, able and fun young adults at a point when they are
just embarking on new careers and life paths. They spoke with special fondness about our
school and what it had given them, not least confidence and curiosity.

When I told some of them about our escape room, they immediately wanted to come and try
it, although one alumna, rather sweetly, said that she ‘wasn’t sure she wanted to escape The
Abbey’.

Another person who will sadly be leaving the school shortly is Will le Fleming. He has done
so much for The Abbey, building not only the incredible new Sixth Form Centre, but also the
humane and joyful culture of our school, and developing and articulating its strengths so well
as to enable us to be recognised as the Girls’ Independent School of the Year, 2025. He
loves The Abbey and has led and championed it brilliantly. He will be enormously missed
although it is wonderful that he will still be part of our school community as a parent. You
might say that he will not really escape!

Sarah Tullis, Head of Senior School