Ashby School
Encyclopedia
Ashby School, formerly known as Ashby Grammar School, is a co-educational day and boys' boarding comprehensive school
in Ashby-de-la-Zouch
, Leicestershire
, England
.
and Language College
. It is situated in the centre of Ashby on two sites.
Ashe
Ashe's house colour is silver H/M Mr. B Clarke
Bullen
Bullen's house colour is yellow. H/M Mr. E Cooper
Crewe
Crewe's house colour is orange. H/M Miss. J Long
Erdington
Erdington's house colour is red. H/M Mr. L Shepherd
Ferrers
Ferrers house colour is blue. H/M Mrs. H Tookey
Gylby
Gylby's house colour is pink. H/M Mrs. N Raphael
Hastings
Hastings house colour is green. H/M Mr. D Kelly
Loudoun
Loudoun's house colour is purple. H/M Mr P Hayes
Key
H/M = House Manager
Academically, the school is average or above the national average in all subjects except GCSE Science, Citizenship, A2 Chemistry & A2 Mathematics.
in 2010. In November 2011 a Russian cosmonaut involved in the planning of the manned mission to Mars visited the school and gave a lecture to the 'G&T'.
Comprehensive school
A comprehensive school is a state school that does not select its intake on the basis of academic achievement or aptitude. This is in contrast to the selective school system, where admission is restricted on the basis of a selection criteria. The term is commonly used in relation to the United...
in Ashby-de-la-Zouch
Ashby-de-la-Zouch
Ashby-de-la-Zouch, — Zouch being pronounced "Zoosh" — often shortened to Ashby, is a small market town and civil parish in North West Leicestershire, England, within the National Forest. It is twinned with Pithiviers in north-central France....
, Leicestershire
Leicestershire
Leicestershire is a landlocked county in the English Midlands. It takes its name from the heavily populated City of Leicester, traditionally its administrative centre, although the City of Leicester unitary authority is today administered separately from the rest of Leicestershire...
, England
England
England is a country that is part of the United Kingdom. It shares land borders with Scotland to the north and Wales to the west; the Irish Sea is to the north west, the Celtic Sea to the south west, with the North Sea to the east and the English Channel to the south separating it from continental...
.
Admissions
It is now a dual specialist Technology CollegeTechnology College
Technology College is a term used in the United Kingdom for a secondary specialist school that focuses on design and technology, mathematics and science. These were the first type of specialist schools, beginning in 1994. In 2008 there were 598 Technology Colleges in England, of which 12 also...
and Language College
Language College
Language Colleges were introduced in 1995 as part of the Specialist Schools Programme in the United Kingdom. The system enables secondary schools to specialise in certain fields, in this case, modern foreign languages...
. It is situated in the centre of Ashby on two sites.
History
It was founded in 1567. The girls' grammar school opened in 1901. They boys' and girls' grammar schools amalgamated in 1972.Headmasters
- T. A. Woodcock OBE 1927-58
- Charles Padel 1909-12
- John Brinsley the elderJohn Brinsley the elderJohn Brinsley the elder was an English schoolmaster, known for his educational works.-Life:He was educated at Christ's College, Cambridge, where he graduated B.A. in 1584 and M.A. in 1588. He became the master of the school at Ashby-de-la-Zouch in Leicestershire, brought there by Henry Hastings,...
17th century - David Edward Herbert 1980's
Former teachers
- Sir Mike TomlinsonMike TomlinsonSir Michael John Tomlinson CBE is the chair of the Working Group for 14–19 Reform which has been commissioned by the British Government to look into reform of the syllabus and qualifications structure for 14–19 year-olds in the English education system.-Early life:He passed the eleven plus...
CBE, Chief Inspector of Schools from 2000-2 (head of chemistry from 1969–77)
Infrastructure
Ashby School is based on three main sites (A, B and C blocks), based on adjacent roads. The school has spent considerable funds on the construction of a new science block, new rooms in the design department, and more recently, a new block built to accommodate music, art, media studies and English. Construction of the new sixth form centre has recently been completed, there is now a social area, a canteen area and an area for relaxing and talking to friends which is referred to as the "airport lounge". The state-of-the-art Centre, costing £740,000, includes wireless computer facilities and a Sixth Form dining area.Houses
The school has eight houses: Ashe, Bullen, Crewe, Erdington, Ferrers, Gylby, Hastings, Loudoun. Each house chooses a charity for the year for which it raises money. They also take part in sports days and inter-house competitions, such as website creation, newsletters, quizzes, art displays. In 2009 two new 'superhouses' were formed, Ashe and Gylby, which joined in the race for the House Cup in 2009/2010. With the two new houses in the running , the competition for the House Cup is going to be much more intense. The House Champions for 2010/2011 were Hastings.Ashe
Ashe's house colour is silver H/M Mr. B Clarke
Bullen
Bullen's house colour is yellow. H/M Mr. E Cooper
Crewe
Crewe's house colour is orange. H/M Miss. J Long
Erdington
Erdington's house colour is red. H/M Mr. L Shepherd
Ferrers
Ferrers house colour is blue. H/M Mrs. H Tookey
Gylby
Gylby's house colour is pink. H/M Mrs. N Raphael
Hastings
Hastings house colour is green. H/M Mr. D Kelly
Loudoun
Loudoun's house colour is purple. H/M Mr P Hayes
Key
H/M = House Manager
Performance
The school adheres to the Ofsted national school grading system and received satisfactory (ranking 2/4) as an average for all areas assessed. The highest rating areas were responsibility of governors, workplace skill development and student well-being where a score of outstanding (rank 1/4) was attained.Academically, the school is average or above the national average in all subjects except GCSE Science, Citizenship, A2 Chemistry & A2 Mathematics.
Gifted and talented
'Da Vinci' is the school's current gifted and talented system. The 'Tip Tops' is a group primary pupils in years 5 and 6 from local primary schools in the Ashby area. They attend after-school sessions in which they are tutored in advanced mathematics, literacy, film studies, science, art, and philosophy by gifted and talented students from Ashby School. The Ashby School's gifted and talented programme was rated three stars by the National Association for Gifted ChildrenNational Association for Gifted Children
The National Association for Gifted Children is an association in the United Kingdom for gifted and talented children, and their parents. It is a registered charity under English law.-Function:...
in 2010. In November 2011 a Russian cosmonaut involved in the planning of the manned mission to Mars visited the school and gave a lecture to the 'G&T'.
Notable alumni
Alumni are known as Old Ashbiens.- Andrew Betts (Former Charlotte Hornets and Bologna Basketballer)
- Kate Bostock, fashion designer, and current Director of Clothing at M & SMarks & SpencerMarks and Spencer plc is a British retailer headquartered in the City of Westminster, London, with over 700 stores in the United Kingdom and over 300 stores spread across more than 40 countries. It specialises in the selling of clothing and luxury food products...
- Henry Dartnall, popular musician
- Pat Ashe, Live Artist
- James Oldham and David GerrardDavid GerrardDavid Gerrard OBE, CNZM , is a sports administrator and sports medicine specialist, and former Olympic Games swimming representative from New Zealand....
, Radio Presenters on Forge Radio - Dorian WestDorian WestDorian Edward West MBE nicknamed "Nobby" is a former English international rugby union footballer.Born in Wrexham, his family moved to England when he was young...
(Former EnglandEngland national rugby union teamThe England national rugby union team represents England in rugby union. They compete in the annual Six Nations Championship with France, Ireland, Scotland, Italy, and Wales. They have won this championship on 26 occasions, 12 times winning the Grand Slam, making them the most successful team in...
Hooker) - The Young KnivesThe Young KnivesYoung Knives are an English indie rock band from Ashby-de-la-Zouch, Leicestershire. The name is based on a misunderstanding of "young knaves", which was found by the band when rummaging through a book....
- Nathan BuckNathan BuckNathan Liam Buck is an English cricketer. He is a right-handed batsman and right-arm medium-fast bowler who plays for Leicestershire...
(Leicestershire County and England U19 Cricket Player)
Ashby-de-la-Zouch Boys’ Grammar School
- Sir Geoffrey Arthur CMG, Ambassador to Kuwait from 1967-8, and Master of Pembroke College, OxfordPembroke College, OxfordPembroke College is one of the constituent colleges of the University of Oxford in England, located in Pembroke Square. As of 2009, Pembroke had an estimated financial endowment of £44.9 million.-History:...
from 1975–84 - John Bainbridge (astronomer)
- Philip BentPhilip BentLieutenant Colonel Philip Eric Bent VC DSO was a Canadian recipient of the Victoria Cross, the highest and most prestigious award for gallantry in the face of the enemy that can be awarded to British and Commonwealth forces.-Biography:...
, VC - Sir John Bonser, barrister
- William Bradshaw (Puritan)William Bradshaw (Puritan)William Bradshaw was a moderate English Puritan, born in Market Bosworth.He was educated at Ashby-de-la-Zouch, where he met both Anthony Gilby, and his future patron Arthur Hildersham, and at Emmanuel College, Cambridge. He became a Fellow of Sidney Sussex College, Cambridge in 1599, but left...
- Levi FoxLevi FoxDr. Levi Fox OBE, DL, MA, FSA, FRHistS, FRSL , was the son of a Leicestershire smallholder. He became Archivist for the city of Coventry and then Director of the Shakespeare Birthplace Trust, and was a conservationist, local historian, and author.-Early life:After attending Ashby-de-la-Zouch...
, historian - Anthony GilbyAnthony GilbyAnthony Gilby was an English clergyman, known as a radical Puritan and Geneva Bible translator.He was born in Lincolnshire, and was educated at Christ's College, Cambridge, graduating in 1535.-Early life:...
, clergyman - Alexander Henry GreenAlexander Henry GreenAlexander Henry Green FRS was an English geologist.Born at Maidstone, he was the son of the Rev. Thomas Sheldon Green, master of the Ashby Grammar School...
, geologist - Leslie Hale, Baron HaleLeslie Hale, Baron HaleCharles Leslie Hale, Baron Hale was a British Liberal Party then Labour Party politician.-Background:Hale was the son of Benjamin George Hale, a managing director. He went to the Ashby Grammar School and trained to be a solicitor in Leicester...
, Labour MP for OldhamOldham (UK Parliament constituency)Oldham was a parliamentary constituency centred on the town of Oldham, England. It returned two Members of Parliament to the House of Commons of the Parliament of the United Kingdom...
from 1945–50 and Oldham WestOldham West (UK Parliament constituency)Oldham West was a parliamentary constituency centred on the town of Oldham in the north-west of Greater Manchester. It returned one Member of Parliament to the House of Commons of the Parliament of the United Kingdom....
from 1950–68 - Thomas HemsleyThomas HemsleyThomas Jeffrey Hemsley, CBE is an English baritone. He made his debut in 1951 as Purcell's Aeneas at the Mermaid Theatre, London, and debuted at Glyndebourne in 1953....
CBE, baritoneBaritoneBaritone is a type of male singing voice that lies between the bass and tenor voices. It is the most common male voice. Originally from the Greek , meaning deep sounding, music for this voice is typically written in the range from the second F below middle C to the F above middle C Baritone (or... - Dr Barry Heywood, Director of the British Antarctic SurveyBritish Antarctic SurveyThe British Antarctic Survey is the United Kingdom's national Antarctic operation and has an active role in Antarctic affairs. BAS is part of the Natural Environment Research Council and has over 400 staff. It operates five research stations, two ships and five aircraft in and around Antarctica....
from 1994-7 - Sir Joseph Hood, 1st BaronetSir Joseph Hood, 1st BaronetSir Joseph Hood, 1st Baronet, was a British businessman and Conservative Party politician.Born in Ashby de la Zouch, Leicestershire, Hood was educated at the local grammar school...
, Conservative MP from 1918-24 for WimbledonWimbledon (UK Parliament constituency)Wimbledon is one of two parliamentary constituencies in the London Borough of Merton in south-west London. It elects one Member of Parliament to the House of Commons of the Parliament of the United Kingdom, by the first-past-the-post voting system.... - Sir James HuntJames Hunt (judge)Sir Patrick James Hunt was an English barrister and High Court judge.Hunt was born in Coalville in Leicestershire, where his father was a solicitor. He was educated at the Boys' Grammar School in Ashby de la Zouch, and read modern history at Keble College, Oxford...
, judge - Reginald JacquesReginald JacquesThomas Reginald Jacques was an English choral and orchestral conductor. His legacy includes various choral music arrangements, but he is not primarily remembered as a composer....
CBE, conductor - James Jennings, Vice-Chancellor from 1917-20 of the University of PatnaUniversity of PatnaThe Patna University, Hindi: पटना विश्वविद्यालय, the first university in Bihar, was established in 1917 during the British Raj, and is the seventh oldest university of the Indian subcontinent. At that time, the jurisdiction of the university extended to Bihar, Orissa, and the Kingdom of Nepal...
- David TaylorDavid Taylor (British politician)David Leslie Taylor was an English Labour Co-operative politician, who was the Member of Parliament for North West Leicestershire from 1997 until his death in 2009.-Biography:...
, Labour MP from 1997-2009 for North West LeicestershireNorth West Leicestershire (UK Parliament constituency)North West Leicestershire is a county constituency represented in the House of Commons of the Parliament of the United Kingdom. It elects one Member of Parliament by the first-past-the-post system of election.- Boundaries :... - Bernard VannBernard VannLieutenant Colonel Bernard William Vann VC MC & Bar) was an English recipient of the Victoria Cross, the highest and most prestigious award for gallantry in the face of the enemy that can be awarded to British and Commonwealth forces.-Early life:Vann was born in Rushden, Northamptonshire and...
, VC - Sir John Walker CMG OBE, Ambassador to Norway from 1961-2, and to Venezuela from 1955–60
- David Wilson, Chairman from 1987–2007, and founder of Wilson BowdenWilson BowdenWilson Bowden plc was a British housebuilding and general construction company headquartered in Coalville in central England.-History:Wilson Bowden was the holding company for David Wilson Homes and its commercial property subsidiary, Wilson Bowden Properties, the name being adopted at the time of...
(based in CoalvilleCoalvilleCoalville is a town in North West Leicestershire, England, with a population estimated in 2003 to be almost 33,000. It is situated on the A511 trunk road between Leicester and Burton upon Trent, close to junction 22 of the M1 motorway where the A511 meets the A50 between Ashby-de-la-Zouch and...
and bought by Barratt DevelopmentsBarratt DevelopmentsBarratt Developments PLC is one of the largest residential property development companies in the United Kingdom. It was founded in 1958 as Greensitt Bros. but control was later assumed by Sir Lawrie Barratt. It was originally based in Newcastle upon Tyne but is now located at David Wilson's former...
in 2007)
Ashby-de-la-Zouch Girls’ Grammar School
- Dora Briggs, Principal, Whyalla Campus, University of South AustraliaUniversity of South AustraliaThe University of South Australia is a public university in the Australian state of South Australia. It was formed in 1991 with the merger of the South Australian Institute of Technology and Colleges of Advanced Education. It is the largest university in South Australia, with more than 36,000...
, 1990-1994 - Averil Burgess OBE, President of the Girls' Schools AssociationGirls' Schools AssociationThe Girls' Schools Association is the professional association of the heads of independent girls' schools in the UK and overseas and is a constituent member of the Independent Schools Council .-History:...
from 1988-9 - Nora David, Baroness David
- Clare HollingworthClare HollingworthClare Hollingworth is a British journalist and author who is noted as the first war correspondent to report the outbreak of World War II.-Career:...
, journalist - Prof Diane Reay, Professor of Education since 2005 at the University of CambridgeUniversity of CambridgeThe University of Cambridge is a public research university located in Cambridge, United Kingdom. It is the second-oldest university in both the United Kingdom and the English-speaking world , and the seventh-oldest globally...