Influential architect Richard Rogers went back to his old school for the first time to open new buildings last week.

Lord Rogers, who attended Kingswood House School in West Hill, Epsom, is famous for his radical high tech designs including the Centre Pompidou in Paris, the Lloyds of London skyscraper and the Millennium Dome.

He said "It was the most inspiring day meeting and walking around the school with the children and talking to the teachers.

"I was delighted to see how much the school had changed for the better since I had been there 75 years ago."

When recounting his schooldays last year, he told the Telegraph he had been "written off" academically and beaten for failing to memorise a poem at the age of six.

He said: "Art was for sissies, and I was always bottom of the class."

Lord Rogers officially opened the new junior school, the new pre-prep department and several new classrooms on Thursday, September 18.

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Headmaster Peter Brooks said: "It was such an honour to meet Lord Rogers.

"It was the first time he has returned to the school since he left in the 1940s and he was very relaxed, happily chatting to staff and pupils alike.

"The boys found it particularly fascinating to hear how during the war, pupils would hide under the desks when the air raid sirens went off."

Chair of governors Rob Austen said: "Lord Rogers’ visit will long be remembered in the school’s history.

"It was a real coup for Kingswood House and indeed Epsom to welcome such a high-profile guest whose successful career will have inspired many of our boys."

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