Westminster School Hall, commonly known as Up School, is the historic school hall of Westminster School in London, England. It is among the oldest surviving parts of the school and has been in continuous use for teaching, examinations, and ceremonial occasions for centuries.[1] Its medieval hammerbeam roof was destroyed by enemy action in The Blitz in 1941.
The hall occupies the site of the medieval dormitory of the monks of Westminster Abbey, originally constructed in the late 11th century.[2] The present structure dates largely from the 14th century, with substantial restorations undertaken in the 19th century. Its hammerbeam roof and Perpendicular Gothic windows are characteristic of high medieval English architecture.[3]
Norman Origins
The hall was originally built in the 1090s as the monks' dormitory. [4]
Early Modern Era
From 1599 the hall was used to teach all pupils at Westminster School, the Upper and Lower Schools being separated by a curtain hung from a 16th-century pig iron bar, which remains the largest piece of pig iron in the world. The panelling "up School" is painted with the coats of arms of many former pupils. The original shell-shaped apse at the north end of the school gave its name to the 'Shell' forms taught there and the corresponding classes at many other public schools. The current shell displays a Latin epigram on the rebuilding of School, with the acrostic Semper Eadem, Elizabeth I's motto.
The classroom door to the right of the Shell was recovered from the notorious Star Chamber at its demolition, but was destroyed during The Blitz. The building lies directly on top of the Westminster Abbey museum in the Norman Undercroft, and ends at the start of the Pyx Chamber.
WW2
Both School and College had their roofs destroyed by incendiary bombs in the Blitz, during an enemy air raid on the night of 10-11 May 1941. The House of Commons was destroyed in the same raid, and Westminster Hall damaged. [5] School was re-opened by George VI in 1950, but its historic hammerbeam roof was never restored.[6]
Today
Traditionally known as Up School, the hall serves as the principal gathering space for Westminster School. It is used for daily assemblies, prize-givings, examinations, lectures, and concerts.[1] The hall also houses school portraits, memorials, and other historic artefacts connected to the institution. [7]
Architecture
The hall has tall traceried windows, and oak-panelled interior. Together with Little Dean’s Yard and the surrounding precincts, it contributes to the historic character of the school grounds.[3]
The Greaze
Pupils fight for the pancake (left), watched by the Dean of Westminster and the Head Master.
The Greaze has been held "up School" (in the School Hall) on Shrove Tuesday since around 1753.[8] The head cook tosses a horsehair-reinforced pancake over a high bar. Members of the school fight for the pancake for exactly one minute, watched over by the Dean of Westminster, the Head Master, and the upper year groups of the school[9]. The pupil who gets the largest piece of pancake by weight is awarded a gold sovereign, and the Dean begs for a half-holiday for the whole school. Weighing scales are on hand in the event of a dispute. A cook who failed to get the pancake over the bar after three attempts would formerly have been "booked" or pelted with Latin primers, but this tradition has lapsed.[10][11]
Heritage status
Westminster School Hall is a Grade I listed building, recognised as of exceptional historic and architectural importance.[2]
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