Saturday 5 September 2026 marked the formal opening of Morpurgo House – the newest day house at King’s. The house is named in honour of Sir Michael Morpurgo, one of the School’s most distinguished OKS and one of Britain’s best-loved children’s authors. 

The house officially opened to pupils in September 2025 under its temporary name, “New House”, before being renamed Morpurgo House in recognition of Sir Michael’s remarkable contribution to literature and the King’s community.  

Sir Michael attended King’s from 1957 to 1962 and has gone on to become a literary figure of international renown, best known for works including War Horse and Private Peaceful. His writing, often inspired by history, memory and human resilience, has touched generations of readers and earned him numerous accolades, including his tenure as Children’s Laureate. 

To mark the formal opening, we were honoured to welcome Sir Michael Morpurgo, who led two special events. 

The first event brought together Governors, senior members of staff and “Choir School OKS” – former choristers of Canterbury Cathedral Choir School who are also former King’s pupils (OKS). It was a unique opportunity to bring together OKS who share this distinctive connection, in the very building that was once home to the Choir School and is now part of King’s. 

From the very beginning of the event, Sir Michael spent considerable time greeting and speaking to Morpurgo House pupils individually, with queues of pupils stretching out of the door as they waited for the chance to meet him. 

Guests then gathered in the garden of Morpurgo House for refreshments, enjoying beautiful views across the south side of Canterbury Cathedral and the Infirmary ruins. 

Jude Lowson, Head, welcomed guests and gave a brief history of the house, which has been home to monks, a Canon of the Cathedral, choristers, and now King's pupils.

"Already Morpurgo House is beginning to develop its own identity. We have seen pupils proudly wearing their House ties this term. We have heard the first House song. Friendships are forming. Traditions are taking shape. That is one of the wonderful things about schools: traditions can begin in a moment yet somehow come to feel as though they have existed forever."  

- Jude Lowson, Head 

Sir Michael was then invited to share his own reflections on the occasion, expressing the immense pride and honour he felt at having the house named after him. We were especially delighted that Sir Michael chose the occasion to read an extract from an unpublished collection of short stories, due to be published next year. The story he selected was heavily inspired by his time at King’s and included references to two of his most notable teachers, Edred Wright and Paul Pollak. Sir Michael concluded by reflecting that it is the people who dedicate their lives to the School who make King’s such a special place.

Morpurgo House was then declared open, and together, Jude and Sir Michael unveiled a bronze plaque dedicated to Sir Michael which will be placed on the wall of the house. Guests were welcomed inside the house, where pupils led tours of the building, giving visitors an opportunity to see the new house and hear about life at King's from the pupils themselves.

The second part of the celebration took place in the tranquil surroundings of the Dean’s Garden, where pupils of Morpurgo House and their parents gathered to mark this significant milestone. Seated on the lawn, they listened in rapt attention as Sir Michael shared his own experiences at King’s and how the School inspired him to believe that anything was possible. A reading was then followed by the unveiling of the commemorative plaque, with Sir Michael and Jude inviting all Morpurgo House pupils to join them, hand in hand, for this memorable moment. 

It was a special day that marked a significant moment in the history of King’s, celebrating the opening of Morpurgo House and the rich history of the building itself. We are immensely grateful to Sir Michael and Lady Clare Morpurgo for joining us and making the occasion so memorable. 

Log in to see photos from the opening event below. 

Morpurgo House is a day house at King’s, located between Linacre House and the Deanery. The house also has flexi boarding and exeat accommodation provision. To learn more about houses at King’s, please click here.