For a school deeply entrenched in the creative arts throughout its history, look no further than Repton School. The School has been home to numerous renowned students over the decades who have gone on to make a name for themselves in the world of literature, drama, and the performing arts.
Recently, Repton School commemorated alumnus and writer Christopher Isherwood with a plaque prominently featured in the student library. This thoughtfully placed acknowledgement of the novelist and playwright is a touching reminder of his love of the arts and, in particular, the Repton library during his time as a student. The recognition is designed to draw even more attention to his accomplishments for current-day students who are seeking inspiration to chase their creative dreams and refine their abilities as writers, readers, or both.
Christopher Isherwood at Repton School
Repton School welcomed young Christopher Isherwood to its student population in 1919, where he immediately began to demonstrate proficiency in writing and language arts. He found himself placed in the top form of the lower school, able to perform on par with pupils who were a year older than him in most cases. His teachers noted his astute observational skills and attention to detail, a sensitivity that would serve him well in his later writing. Isherwood started out his writing career at Repton, contributing poetry and short works for publication in The Reptonian and The Phoenix. Aptly, his form master noted that “his English essay is most promising,” a trait in line with his gravitation toward anything literary or cultural on the curriculum.
Outside of class, Isherwood could be found relishing in the stacks at the Repton School library, where he was responsible for organising the Book Room. In fact, his parents, seeing his interest in books, were inclined for Isherwood to eventually pursue a career as a librarian. Surviving letters from his school days depict this time spent perhaps more on reading the books surrounding him than sorting and placing them for other students. Other students noted his tendency to keep company with those of similar interests such as Vernon Watkins, who went on to become a poet himself. His best friend, fellow Reptonian, and future writer in his own right Edward Upward is credited with helping encourage Isherwood to pursue a career as a writer. The two could often be found working on their own fictional worlds and crafting storeys across the Repton campus.
Isherwood’s Long Literary Legacy a Testament to Talent and Education
While Isherwood graduated from Repton School, he did not leave the School completely behind him. Elements from his time there are subtly incorporated into a number of his works, including the borrowing of Repton School faculty names for characters in his fiction. Art master Arthur Norris found his name featured in the work Mr. Norris Changes Trains while history teacher Graham Burrell Smith’s personality was borrowed strongly for a character in the Isherwood novel Lions and Shadows. In the same novel, the Repton School library makes a cameo appearance described in detail that made it recognisable to alumni readers of the time.
Repton School gave Christopher Isherwood more than just names to feature in his works. The School gave him a foundation of exploration and expression for his work that was to come. Drama and the arts have long laid at the core of Repton’s student endeavours. Isherwood would have also featured in courses dedicated to academic excellence in reading, writing, and languages, giving him a greater foundation and access to the arts. Ever honed in on attention to detail, not even the School’s commemoration ceremony escaped his notice. A rather faithful reprisal of the prayers and speakers from a Repton 1922 memorial make their appearance in his second novel, The Memorial.
Isherwood went on in his illustrious career to author a number of plays, novels, and short-form works that have had a lasting effect on the arts as a whole. His novel Goodbye to Berlin was eventually adapted into the musical Cabaret. He also fostered a friendship and creative collaboration with writer and playwright W.H. Auden, who he had known from a young age. He went on to travel the world, becoming quite an essayist, diarist, and travel writer.
About Repton School
Repton School is a co-educational independent school for boarding and day pupils aged between 13-18. The School’s values of respect, wholeness, truth, and excellence create a foundation designed to inspire wellness and development for students from all walks of life. Aims in critical, socially conscious, and confident thought help cultivate skills in teamwork, leadership, and resilience that can equip students to thrive beyond graduation. Learn more about Repton School.
