Coopers' Company and Coborn School
Encyclopedia
The Coopers' Company and Coborn School is a 11-18 school in Upminster
, in the London Borough of Havering
, and is part of Essex.
describe by Ofsted
as "an exceptional school of real excellence". The school excels at Performing Arts and Sports. In 2004 as part of the European Year of Education through Sport it won the award of "Europe's most sport minded school".
There have been no tests since 2001 nor interviews since 2004 for admission. Current applications are made via application form completed by the prospective students' parents and, months later, by a second form completed by the students themselves. This is not an examination but is heavily scrutinised. The school is heavily oversubscribed with approximately 5 applicants for each of the 180 places.
It is situated on St Mary's Lane (B187) about half a mile east of Upminster tube station
, just over a mile west of the M25
, and two miles from junction 29 (A127
).
who earned his living as a grocer. On his death in 1549 Gibson's wife, Avice, took over the running of the school
which could take up to sixty boys. In 1552 she asked the Coopers' Company
to undertake the management of the School for her and thus the school included the Company's title in its name. The school was situated in Ratcliff
, now present-day Stepney
.
Prisca Coborn
, the widow of a brewer, established a coeducational school in Bow
in 1701 as a result of the terms of her will, published in the year of her death.
The school was first housed in a site east of Bow Church
, quickly moving to a site between the church and Bow Bridge. In 1814 the School moved to a site which later became part of the Bryant and May match factory. In 1870 the school moved to a site in Tredegar Square
, later to be occupied by the Coopers' Company's Boys' School.
In 1891 the two foundations were united with the boys moving to Tredegar Square
; Coborn, now an all-girls school, moved to 86 Bow Road. In 1898 Coborn School was moved to 29-31 Bow Road where it remained until the move to Upminster. As a result of the amalgamation of the two schools to form the then voluntary aided school
, the new site was first occupied in Upminster in 1971 and by 1973 the whole school had moved into these new premises.
Upminster
Upminster is a suburban town in northeast London, England, and part of the London Borough of Havering. Located east-northeast of Charing Cross, it is one of the locally important district centres identified in the London Plan, and comprises a number of shopping streets and a large residential...
, in the London Borough of Havering
London Borough of Havering
The London Borough of Havering is a London borough in North East London, England and forms part of Outer London. The principal town in Havering is Romford and the other main communities are Hornchurch, Upminster and Rainham. The borough is mainly characterised by suburban development with large...
, and is part of Essex.
Admissions
The school is (since 2005) a non-selective voluntary aided state comprehensive schoolComprehensive 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...
describe by Ofsted
Ofsted
The Office for Standards in Education, Children's Services and Skills is the non-ministerial government department of Her Majesty's Chief Inspector of Schools In England ....
as "an exceptional school of real excellence". The school excels at Performing Arts and Sports. In 2004 as part of the European Year of Education through Sport it won the award of "Europe's most sport minded school".
There have been no tests since 2001 nor interviews since 2004 for admission. Current applications are made via application form completed by the prospective students' parents and, months later, by a second form completed by the students themselves. This is not an examination but is heavily scrutinised. The school is heavily oversubscribed with approximately 5 applicants for each of the 180 places.
It is situated on St Mary's Lane (B187) about half a mile east of Upminster tube station
Upminster station
Upminster station is a London Underground and National Rail station located in Upminster in the London Borough of Havering and in London fare zone 6. Located east-northeast of Charing Cross, it is the easternmost station on the London Underground network and the eastern terminus of the District...
, just over a mile west of the M25
M25 motorway
The M25 motorway, or London Orbital, is a orbital motorway that almost encircles Greater London, England, in the United Kingdom. The motorway was first mooted early in the 20th century. A few sections, based on the now abandoned London Ringways plan, were constructed in the early 1970s and it ...
, and two miles from junction 29 (A127
A127 road
The A127, also known as the Southend Arterial Road, is one of the trunk roads in England linking London with Southend-on-Sea, the other being the A13. It is a dual carriageway for its entire length, rare on a trunk road since the only others are the A14 and the A282, and is known as the Southend...
).
History
The Nicholas Gibson Free School was founded in 1536 by a prominent citizen of the City of LondonCity of London
The City of London is a small area within Greater London, England. It is the historic core of London around which the modern conurbation grew and has held city status since time immemorial. The City’s boundaries have remained almost unchanged since the Middle Ages, and it is now only a tiny part of...
who earned his living as a grocer. On his death in 1549 Gibson's wife, Avice, took over the running of the school
School
A school is an institution designed for the teaching of students under the direction of teachers. Most countries have systems of formal education, which is commonly compulsory. In these systems, students progress through a series of schools...
which could take up to sixty boys. In 1552 she asked the Coopers' Company
Worshipful Company of Coopers
The Worshipful Company of Coopers is one of the Livery Companies of the City of London. The organisation of Coopers existed in 1422; it received a Royal Charter of incorporation in 1501...
to undertake the management of the School for her and thus the school included the Company's title in its name. The school was situated in Ratcliff
Ratcliff
Ratcliff or Ratcliffe is a former hamlet lying by the north bank of the River Thames between Shadwell and Limehouse. It is now a district in the London Borough of Tower Hamlets, and is located to the south of Stepney.-Etymology:...
, now present-day Stepney
Stepney
Stepney is a district of the London Borough of Tower Hamlets in London's East End that grew out of a medieval village around St Dunstan's church and the 15th century ribbon development of Mile End Road...
.
Prisca Coborn
Prisca Coborn
Prisca Coborn was a wealthy widow who established a coeducational school in Bow in 1701, namely Coopers'_Company_and_Coborn_School through the terms of her will...
, the widow of a brewer, established a coeducational school in Bow
Bow, London
Bow is an area of London, England, United Kingdom in the London Borough of Tower Hamlets. It is a built-up, mostly residential district located east of Charing Cross, and is a part of the East End.-Bridges at Bowe:...
in 1701 as a result of the terms of her will, published in the year of her death.
The school was first housed in a site east of Bow Church
Bow Church
Bow Church is the parish church of St Mary and Holy Trinity, Stratford, Bow. It is located on an island site in Bow Road , in Bow, London Borough of Tower Hamlets. There has been a church on the same site for approximately 700 years...
, quickly moving to a site between the church and Bow Bridge. In 1814 the School moved to a site which later became part of the Bryant and May match factory. In 1870 the school moved to a site in Tredegar Square
Tredegar Square
Tredegar Square is a well-preserved Georgian square in the Mile End district of the London Borough of Tower Hamlets. It is located immediately north of the Mile End Road, to the east of, and is a few minutes' walk from Mile End tube station...
, later to be occupied by the Coopers' Company's Boys' School.
In 1891 the two foundations were united with the boys moving to Tredegar Square
Tredegar Square
Tredegar Square is a well-preserved Georgian square in the Mile End district of the London Borough of Tower Hamlets. It is located immediately north of the Mile End Road, to the east of, and is a few minutes' walk from Mile End tube station...
; Coborn, now an all-girls school, moved to 86 Bow Road. In 1898 Coborn School was moved to 29-31 Bow Road where it remained until the move to Upminster. As a result of the amalgamation of the two schools to form the then voluntary aided school
Voluntary aided school
A voluntary aided school is a state-funded school in England and Wales in which a foundation or trust owns the school buildings, contributes to building costs and has a substantial influence in the running of the school...
, the new site was first occupied in Upminster in 1971 and by 1973 the whole school had moved into these new premises.
Notable alumni
- Elizabeth KucinichElizabeth KucinichElizabeth Kucinich is director of public affairs for the Physicians Committee for Responsible Medicine, and wife of the U.S. Congressman and former Democratic Presidential candidate Dennis Kucinich.-Early life and education:...
, (née Harper), wife of US Congressman and former Democratic Presidential candidate Dennis KucinichDennis KucinichDennis John Kucinich is the U.S. Representative for , serving since 1997. He was furthermore a candidate for the Democratic nomination for President of the United States in the 2004 and 2008 presidential elections.... - Lorne SpicerLorne SpicerLorne Spicer is an English television presenter best known for presenting reality shows on the BBC's current daytime output....
, journalist and TV presenter - Jenny WatsonJenny WatsonJenny Watson is the chair of the United Kingdom Electoral Commission.A long term campaigner for women's rights , she had a 20+ year career in the not for profit sector. She started out at Liberty, and then political campaigners Charter88, before moving to Victim Support...
, Chairman of the Electoral CommissionElectoral Commission (United Kingdom)The Electoral Commission is an independent body set up by the UK Parliament. It regulates party and election finance and sets standards for well-run elections...
since 2009, and from 2005-7 of the Equal Opportunities CommissionEqual Opportunities CommissionThe Equal Opportunities Commission was an independent non-departmental public body, in the United Kingdom, which tackled sex discrimination and promoted gender equality... - Rochelle WisemanRochelle WisemanRochelle Eulah Eileen Wiseman is an English singer, actress and television presenter. She is best known for her work in pop groups S Club 8 and The Saturdays...
, singer, S Club 8S Club 8S Club 8, previously known as S Club Juniors, was a spin-off of the UK pop group S Club 7. The group's members, Jay Asforis, Daisy Evans, Calvin Goldspink, Stacey McClean, Aaron Renfree, Hannah Richings, Rochelle Wiseman and Frankie Sandford, were all in their early teens or younger when they were...
and The SaturdaysThe SaturdaysThe Saturdays are a British and Irish pop girl group based in London, United Kingdom. The group consists of five members Una Healy, Mollie King, Frankie Sandford, Vanessa White and Rochelle Wiseman. In 2007 the band were formed through Fascination Records which gave them an instant record deal with...
Coopers Company Grammar School
- Sir William Sydney AtkinsWilliam Sydney AtkinsSir William Sydney Albert Atkins CBE was the founder of Atkins, one of the United Kingdom's largest engineering consultancies.-Career:...
CBE, founder of WS Atkins, one of Britain's largest civil engineering companies - Peter Belton, Professor of Biomaterials Science from 2001-8 at the University of East AngliaUniversity of East AngliaThe University of East Anglia is a public research university based in Norwich, United Kingdom. It was established in 1963, and is a founder-member of the 1994 Group of research-intensive universities.-History:...
, and President from 2003-5 of the Institute of Food Science and Technology - Bernard BresslawBernard BresslawBernard Bresslaw was an English actor. He is best remembered for his comedy work, especially as a member of the Carry On team.-Biography:...
, actor - David BrewertonDavid BrewertonDavid Brewerton is an English author and journalist. He was born in London, England which is still his home city. He was educated in the East End of London at Coopers' Company School.-Career:...
, journalist and former City Editor of The IndependentThe IndependentThe Independent is a British national morning newspaper published in London by Independent Print Limited, owned by Alexander Lebedev since 2010. It is nicknamed the Indy, while the Sunday edition, The Independent on Sunday, is the Sindy. Launched in 1986, it is one of the youngest UK national daily... - Arthur Godman, former PoWPrisoner of warA prisoner of war or enemy prisoner of war is a person, whether civilian or combatant, who is held in custody by an enemy power during or immediately after an armed conflict...
- Prof Tim HoltTim Holt (statistician)David Holt CB is a British statistician who is Professor Emeritus of Social Statistics at the University of Southampton...
CB, Director from 1996-2000 of the Office for National StatisticsOffice for National StatisticsThe Office for National Statistics is the executive office of the UK Statistics Authority, a non-ministerial department which reports directly to the Parliament of the United Kingdom.- Overview :...
and Registrar GeneralRegistrar GeneralGeneral Register Office, in England and Wales, Scotland, Ireland, and many Commonwealth nations, is the government agency responsible for civil registration - the recording of vital records such as births, deaths, and marriages...
for England and Wales, President from 2005-7 of the Royal Statistical SocietyRoyal Statistical SocietyThe Royal Statistical Society is a learned society for statistics and a professional body for statisticians in the UK.-History:It was founded in 1834 as the Statistical Society of London , though a perhaps unrelated London Statistical Society was in existence at least as early as 1824...
, and Leverhulme Professor of Social Statatistics from 1980-2005 at the University of SouthamptonUniversity of SouthamptonThe University of Southampton is a British public university located in the city of Southampton, England, a member of the Russell Group. The origins of the university can be dated back to the founding of the Hartley Institution in 1862 by Henry Robertson Hartley. In 1902, the Institution developed... - Prof Anthony Legon FRS, Professor of Physical Chemistry from 2005-8 at the University of BristolUniversity of BristolThe University of Bristol is a public research university located in Bristol, United Kingdom. One of the so-called "red brick" universities, it received its Royal Charter in 1909, although its predecessor institution, University College, Bristol, had been in existence since 1876.The University is...
and from 1984-2005 at the University of ExeterUniversity of ExeterThe University of Exeter is a public university in South West England. It belongs to the 1994 Group, an association of 19 of the United Kingdom's smaller research-intensive universities.... - Prof Monty Losowsky, expert on liver diseasesHepato-biliary diseasesHepato-biliary diseases affect the liver and/or biliary tract, and are studied in the branch of medicine called Hepatology.-Viral hepatitis:* Acute hepatitis A* Acute hepatitis B...
, Professor of Medicine and Head of University Department of Medicine from 1969-96 at St James's University Hospital, LeedsSt James's University Hospital, LeedsSt. James's University Hospital in Leeds, West Yorkshire, England, popularly known as Jimmy's, is one of the United Kingdom's most famous hospitals...
, and President from 1993-4 of the British Society of GastroenterologyBritish Society of GastroenterologyThe British Society of Gastroenterology is a British professional organisation of gastroenterologists, surgeons, pathologists, radiologists, scientists, nurses, dietitians and others amongst its members, which number over 3,000. It was founded in 1937, and is a registered charity...
(BSG) - Richard MadeleyRichard and JudyRichard and Judy is the name informally given to Richard Madeley and Judy Finnigan, a married couple who are both British television presenters and columnists. Since their marriage, their television appearances have been largely made as a couple. They are best known for presenting This Morning and...
, TV presenter - Sir Allen Mawer, Baines Professor of English Language from 1921-9 at the University of LiverpoolUniversity of LiverpoolThe University of Liverpool is a teaching and research university in the city of Liverpool, England. It is a member of the Russell Group of large research-intensive universities and the N8 Group for research collaboration. Founded in 1881 , it is also one of the six original "red brick" civic...
, President from 1936-7 of the Philological SocietyPhilological SocietyThe Philological Society, or London Philological Society, is the oldest learned society in Great Britain dedicated to the study of language. The society was established in 1842 to "investigate and promote the study and knowledge of the structure, the affinities, and the history of languages"...
and of the Modern Language AssociationModern Language AssociationThe Modern Language Association of America is the principal professional association in the United States for scholars of language and literature...
from 1932-9 - Ronald RichardsonRonald RichardsonRonald Alfred Richardson was an English cricketer. Richardson was a left-handed batsman. He was born in North Duffield, Yorkshire....
CBE, electrical engineer and Chairman from 1969-70 of the National Inspection Council for Electrical Installation ContractingNational Inspection Council for Electrical Installation ContractingThe National Inspection Council for Electrical Installation Contracting or NICEIC is one which regulates the training and work of electrical enterprises in the UK...
, and of the North Western Electricity BoardNORWEBNorweb PLC, originally the North West Electricity Board, was a British electricity supply and distribution company. It supplied electricity to about 4.7 million industrial, commercial and domestic customers in the North West of England. The Board was originally formed in 1948 as part of the...
from 1964–71 - Arnold ShawArnold ShawArnold John Shaw was a British Labour Party politician.Shaw was educated at the Trafalgar Square primary school, Stepney, Coopers' Company School and University College, Southampton...
, Labour MP for Ilford SouthIlford South (UK Parliament constituency)Ilford South is a borough 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 :...
from 1966–70 and 1974-9 - Prof Michael Spyer, Sophia Jex-BlakeSophia Jex-BlakeSophia Louisa Jex-Blake was an English physician, teacher and feminist. She was one of the first female doctors in the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland, a leading campaigner for medical education for women and was involved in founding two medical schools for women, in London and in...
Professor of Physiology since 1980 at the UCL Medical School - Eustace Turner, Professor of Chemistry from 1944-60 at Bedford College (London)
- Jack WarnerJack Warner (actor)Jack Warner OBE was an English film and television actor. He is closely associated with the role of PC George Dixon, which he played until the age of eighty....
OBE, actor, Dixon of Dock GreenDixon of Dock GreenDixon of Dock Green was a popular BBC television series that ran from 1955 to 1976, and later a radio series. Despite being a drama series, it was initially produced by the BBC's light entertainment department.-Overview:...
(1955–76) - Jack WatlingJack WatlingJack Watling was a British actor.-Early life:Watling trained at the Italia Conti Academy of Theatre Arts as a child and made his stage debut in Where the Rainbow Ends at the Holborn Empire in 1936...
, actor - Christopher WickingChristopher WickingChristopher Wicking was a screenwriter often in the horror and fantasy genres, notably for the British arm of American International Pictures and with Hammer Film Productions, for whom he was the last 'resident script editor'.-Background:Wicking was educated at Coopers' Company's...
, screenwriter - R. D. WingfieldR. D. WingfieldRodney David Wingfield was an English author and radio dramatist. He is best remembered for creating the character of Detective Inspector Jack Frost, who was later played by Sir David Jason in A Touch of Frost....
, radio dramatist