John Hampden Grammar School
Encyclopedia
- This article is about the Grammar School in High Wycombe. It should not be confused with the John Hampden School, a primary school in WendoverWendoverWendover is a market town that sits at the foot of the Chiltern Hills in Buckinghamshire, England. It is also a civil parish within Aylesbury Vale district...
, BuckinghamshireBuckinghamshireBuckinghamshire is a ceremonial and non-metropolitan home county in South East England. The county town is Aylesbury, the largest town in the ceremonial county is Milton Keynes and largest town in the non-metropolitan county is High Wycombe....
.
John Hampden Grammar School (known colloquially as "JHGS") is a boys' grammar school
Grammar school
A grammar school is one of several different types of school in the history of education in the United Kingdom and some other English-speaking countries, originally a school teaching classical languages but more recently an academically-oriented secondary school.The original purpose of mediaeval...
in High Wycombe
High Wycombe
High Wycombe , commonly known as Wycombe and formally called Chepping Wycombe or Chipping Wycombe until 1946,is a large town in Buckinghamshire, England. It is west-north-west of Charing Cross in London; this figure is engraved on the Corn Market building in the centre of the town...
, Buckinghamshire
Buckinghamshire
Buckinghamshire is a ceremonial and non-metropolitan home county in South East England. The county town is Aylesbury, the largest town in the ceremonial county is Milton Keynes and largest town in the non-metropolitan county is High Wycombe....
, 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...
. It is named after politician and English Civil War participant John Hampden
John Hampden
John Hampden was an English politician, the eldest son of William Hampden, of Hampden House, Great Hampden in Buckinghamshire, John Hampden (ca. 15951643) was an English politician, the eldest son of William Hampden, of Hampden House, Great Hampden in Buckinghamshire, John Hampden (ca. 15951643)...
.
History
In the early 1890s a fund was set up to raise money for an Art and Technical school in High Wycombe to help support the traditional skills in the town of cabinet making, carving and polishing. Early donations to the fund included a grant of £575 from the School of Art in Kensington Gardens and a further donation from Buckinghamshire County Council's education fund which had benefited from proceeds derived from an unpopular tax imposed on wines and spirits.To make up the shortfall needed to pay for the building the schools' trustees and general committee ran a three day fair in the grounds of Wycombe Abbey, the home of the then Lord Carrington
Robert Wynn Carrington, 1st Marquess of Lincolnshire
Charles Robert Wynn-Carrington, 1st Marquess of Lincolnshire KG, GCMG, PC, DL, JP , known as the Lord Carrington from 1868 to 1895 and as the Earl Carrington from 1895 to 1912, was a British Liberal politician and aristocrat.-Background and education:Born at Whitehall, London, Lincolnshire was the...
. The fête took place in July 1892, with Lady Carrington arriving by a special train from Paddington. The Great Western Railway
Great Western Railway
The Great Western Railway was a British railway company that linked London with the south-west and west of England and most of Wales. It was founded in 1833, received its enabling Act of Parliament in 1835 and ran its first trains in 1838...
also ran excursions from Maidenhead, Thame, Aylesbury and Chinnor and the revelries were led by the band of the 17th Lancers. By the end of the event the committee had raised £800.
The school was originally built on 530 square yards of land in Frogmore Gardens, known now as Frogmoor, purchased from Lord Carrington for £325. The building work cost £1,964 and when the school opened there was still a shortfall of £230, some of which was met by a further bazaar. In 1901 the trustees allowed girls to be taught in separate classes and teachers and this arrangement continued until 1906 when the girls moved to buildings in Benjamin Road ultimately becoming Wycombe High School
Wycombe High School
Wycombe High School is a girls' grammar school in High Wycombe, Buckinghamshire. It is an Academy, taking girls from the age of 11 through to the age of 18. The school has approximately 1,340 pupils...
.
The Science and Art School were limited to evening classes only until 1919, but after the First World War the courses were supplemented by special tuition for ex-soldiers and sailors who had become disabled in the war. In 1919, the majority of departments from Frogmoor were moved to the empty grammar school building which had been vacated by the Royal Grammar School
Royal Grammar School, High Wycombe
See Royal Grammar School for the other schools with the name RGS.The Royal Grammar School High Wycombe is a selective grammar school situated in High Wycombe, Buckinghamshire, England. As a state school it does not charge fees for students to attend, but they must pass an entrance exam...
in Easton Street, High Wycombe, when the latter moved to its present site to the north of the town. The Frogmoor school continued to be used after the move to Easton Street and was finally sold in 1928. In 1920, day time technical classes in metalwork and woodwork were introduced - the first in the country. The schools changed their names to Wycombe Technical Institute and tuition was offered in most subjects (except French).
The school motto 'Quit Ye Like Men', adapted from I Corinthians
First Epistle to the Corinthians
The first epistle of Paul the apostle to the Corinthians, often referred to as First Corinthians , is the seventh book of the New Testament of the Bible...
16 v13, was adopted in 1924. It remained the motto even during the co-ed period - girls were admitted in 1925 mainly to study commercial subjects. In 1944, following the introduction of the new Education Act
Education Act 1944
The Education Act 1944 changed the education system for secondary schools in England and Wales. This Act, commonly named after the Conservative politician R.A...
, the Institute became the town's new technical school taking children at 13 plus. By 1954, the combined school and further education centre had become vastly over-subscribed and unwieldy. Consequently the High Wycombe College of Further Education was set up on its present site (now Bucks New Uni) although the final separation of students didn't come about until 1963.
In 1956 the girls transferred to the old Wycombe High School
Wycombe High School
Wycombe High School is a girls' grammar school in High Wycombe, Buckinghamshire. It is an Academy, taking girls from the age of 11 through to the age of 18. The school has approximately 1,340 pupils...
buildings in Benjamin Road to form Lady Verney High School. The boys remained at Easton Street as Wycombe Technical High School for a further 10 years before moving to the present site at the top of Marlow Hill in 1966. The name was changed to John Hampden School in 1970 and John Hampden Grammar School in 1984.
More recent developments gave the school a new façade in September 1995 and the following January work was completed on a sixth-form block to provide specialist teaching rooms, private study rooms, a common room and a new library. In 2006 a new classroom block, used mainly for mathematics teaching and a sports hall were opened by Bob Wilson. This in turn allowed for an extension of the music department and development of a music studio. In June 2011 a new food technology hall was completed, enabling food technology and cooking to be taught for the first time.
Historical Furniture
Most of the valuable historic reminders of the early days of the Technical Institute ended up on a bonfire in the massive clearing out operation when the school moved to Marlow Hill. The only exceptions to this were the headmaster's chair, the headmaster's table, engraved with the school motto, and a carved set of 12 lockers. The lockers were designed in 1920 by Mr Shaw Wilson, head of the wood carving department and created by wounded solders who had returned from the war. Inscribed on the cornice are the words "They counted not their lives dear unto themselves."Headmasters
There have only been six headmasters in the history of the school. The management of the original schools was vested in the trustees who in turn entrusted day-to-day control to art master Henry Bayfield and committee secretary WT Pycraft. The first headmaster W J Stamps ARCA was appointed in 1911. His successor was Mr Arthur Gardham BSc. who joined in 1913 and won the MC with the Royal Garrison ArtilleryRoyal Garrison Artillery
The Royal Garrison Artillery was an arm of the Royal Artillery that was originally tasked with manning the guns of the British Empire's forts and fortresses, including coastal artillery batteries, the heavy gun batteries attached to each infantry division, and the guns of the siege...
during the First World War. The former army captain is remembered by old boys as a man of military bearing with a waxed moustache who held a daily roll call on the Fives Court when he inspected shoes, hands and nails. After the sudden death in post of Mr Gardham at the age of 51, the governors appointed Mr W J Davies BSc. In his wake came Harold Ward who was succeeded after retirement in 1982 by Mr Andrew MacTavish. The present headmaster, Mr Stephen Nokes, was appointed in 2000.
4th November 2010 Fire
On November 4th 2010, a gas explosion occurred in the caretaker's house on the premises. In the incident, the school's caretaker was airlifted to hospital with serious burns. The caretaker, as of July 2011, has returned to the school and is fulfilling his duties as usual.Thames Valley Police cordoned off the A404
A404 road
The A404 is a road in the United Kingdom that starts at Paddington in London and leads to Maidenhead in Berkshire.The road initially follows a course through London and its suburbs including Harlesden, Wembley, Harrow Pinner, and Rickmansworth...
Marlow Hill between the Handy Cross roundabout and the A40 to allow the Fire Service and the Thames Valley and Chiltern Air Ambulance to land at the scene. The roads were then reopened at 3:20pm.
After the explosion the school raised money for the caretaker in his recovery by means of a Mufti Day
Mufti (dress)
for more information see civilians Mufti, or civies/civvies , refers to ordinary clothes, especially when worn by one who normally wears, or has long worn, a military or other uniform.-Origin:...
where the pupils came to school in their own clothes as opposed to the standard uniform.
Ofsted
The school had its most recent full Ofsted inspection in May 2008 and was rated "outstanding." The inspection report noted that"John Hampden Grammar school is an outstanding school. It provides a caring and nurturing environment for its students and prepares them exceptionally well for their future lives. Almost all students in Year 11 stay on in the school's sixth form. Whilst they make good progress between Years 7 and 11 and achieve very high examination results, they make outstanding progress by the end of Year 13, achieve excellent results in A-level examinations and are extremely well prepared for higher education and their future working lives."
A subject inspection in May 2011, in geography, also awarded the department an outstanding rating. The report commented that “Excellent relationships between adults and students means that lessons proceed at a rapid pace. Attainment is exceptionally high and students make rapid progress.”
Academy Status
On June 1st 2011 Michael GoveMichael Gove
Michael Andrew Gove, MP is a British politician, who currently serves as the Secretary of State for Education and as the Conservative Party Member of Parliament for the Surrey Heath constituency. He is also a published author and former journalist.Born in Edinburgh, Gove was raised in Aberdeen...
, the Secretary of State for Education, approved the school's application to become an Academy.
Sport
The school offers 19 different sports from football, hockey and rugby through to climbing and Rock-it-BallRock-It-Ball
Rock-It-Ball is a rapidly growing and fast-moving ball sport which hails from the UK, the rules and competition structure of which is governed by the International Rock-It-Ball Federation...
. It also runs international football
Football (soccer)
Association football, more commonly known as football or soccer, is a sport played between two teams of eleven players with a spherical ball...
, hockey
Hockey
Hockey is a family of sports in which two teams play against each other by trying to maneuver a ball or a puck into the opponent's goal using a hockey stick.-Etymology:...
and rugby
Rugby football
Rugby football is a style of football named after Rugby School in the United Kingdom. It is seen most prominently in two current sports, rugby league and rugby union.-History:...
tours.
In 1986 the under 18 football team won the ESFA trophy and were runners up in 1992. In 2008, the Year 9, under 14 football team won the ESFA Under 14 Schools' Cup again, beating Lancaster School from Leicester
Leicester
Leicester is a city and unitary authority in the East Midlands of England, and the county town of Leicestershire. The city lies on the River Soar and at the edge of the National Forest...
at Huish Park
Huish Park
Huish Park is a football ground in the suburbs of Yeovil, Somerset, England and is the home ground of Yeovil Town Football Club. The stadium replaced the club's previous ground, The Huish famous for numerous FA Cup giant-killings was officially opened on 4 August 1990, with a match against then...
, the home of Coca Cola League 1
Football League One
Football League One is the second-highest division of The Football League and third-highest division overall in the English football league system....
side Yeovil Town F.C.
Yeovil Town F.C.
Yeovil Town F.C. are an English association football team based in Yeovil, Somerset. The club play in League One after having won the League Two championship in 2004–05...
.
Awards
After the 2008 OFSTED report the school was invited to become a language college, having already achieved technology and sports status. The school has been awarded two "Green Flags", the highest award in the Eco-SchoolsEco-Schools
Eco-Schools is an international program of environmental and sustainable developmental education for schools. Foundation for Environmental Education is the founder of the programme and Eco-Schools is just one out of their five programmes....
scheme. It also holds Healthy School status and is a Young Enterprise
Young Enterprise
Young Enterprise is a not-for-profit business and enterprise education charity in the United Kingdom. It is made up of 12 regional organisations, each operating individually under a license agreement...
centre of excellence.
Appearances in the media
John Hampden Grammar School has appeared in the media on a number of occasions. A section of BBC Radio 4BBC Radio 4
BBC Radio 4 is a British domestic radio station, operated and owned by the BBC, that broadcasts a wide variety of spoken-word programmes, including news, drama, comedy, science and history. It replaced the BBC Home Service in 1967. The station controller is currently Gwyneth Williams, and the...
's In Our Time
In Our Time (BBC Radio 4)
In Our Time is a live BBC radio discussion series exploring the history of ideas, presented by Melvyn Bragg since 15 October 1998.. It is one of BBC radio's most successful discussion programmes, acknowledged to have "transformed the landscape for serious ideas at peak listening time"...
was recorded at the school. In 2008 it featured in a BBC Radio 4
BBC Radio 4
BBC Radio 4 is a British domestic radio station, operated and owned by the BBC, that broadcasts a wide variety of spoken-word programmes, including news, drama, comedy, science and history. It replaced the BBC Home Service in 1967. The station controller is currently Gwyneth Williams, and the...
programme about the 11+ examination and social selection.
In May 2010, the school featured on Channel 4
Channel 4
Channel 4 is a British public-service television broadcaster which began working on 2 November 1982. Although largely commercially self-funded, it is ultimately publicly owned; originally a subsidiary of the Independent Broadcasting Authority , the station is now owned and operated by the Channel...
in a programme
Heston's Feasts
Heston's Feasts is a television cookery programme starring chef Heston Blumenthal and produced by Optomen for Channel 4. The programme follows Blumenthal as he conceptualizes and prepares unique feasts for the entertainment of celebrity guests...
presented by Heston Blumenthal
Heston Blumenthal
Heston Marc Blumenthal OBE is an English chef and owner of The Fat Duck, a three-Michelin-starred restaurant in Bray, Berkshire voted Best Restaurant in the UK by The Good Food Guide 2007 and 2009, and voted best restaurant in the world by Restaurant magazine in 2005...
, a former pupil at the school. In the programme, the chef, made famous for his restaurant in Bray, The Fat Duck
The Fat Duck
The Fat Duck is a restaurant run by chef Heston Blumenthal in Bray, Berkshire, England. The restaurant is known for its menu of unusual dishes, created following the principles of molecular gastronomy examples include: "snail porridge", "sardine on toast sorbet", "bacon and egg ice cream", and...
, cooked spam fritters with members of the school's kitchen staff.
In 2003 the Royal Grammar School
Royal Grammar School, High Wycombe
See Royal Grammar School for the other schools with the name RGS.The Royal Grammar School High Wycombe is a selective grammar school situated in High Wycombe, Buckinghamshire, England. As a state school it does not charge fees for students to attend, but they must pass an entrance exam...
was used as the location for two seasons of the television series That'll Teach 'em
That'll Teach 'Em
That'll Teach 'Em is a British reality television documentary series produced by Twenty Twenty Television for the Channel 4 network in the UK....
for Channel 4
Channel 4
Channel 4 is a British public-service television broadcaster which began working on 2 November 1982. Although largely commercially self-funded, it is ultimately publicly owned; originally a subsidiary of the Independent Broadcasting Authority , the station is now owned and operated by the Channel...
. The then head teacher was the retired head of the John Hampden Grammar School, Andrew MacTavish.
Notable former pupils
- Heston BlumenthalHeston BlumenthalHeston Marc Blumenthal OBE is an English chef and owner of The Fat Duck, a three-Michelin-starred restaurant in Bray, Berkshire voted Best Restaurant in the UK by The Good Food Guide 2007 and 2009, and voted best restaurant in the world by Restaurant magazine in 2005...
, chef - Simon Burnett, swimmer
- Kenton CoolKenton CoolKenton Cool is an English mountaineer, alpinist and UIAGM mountain guide. Kenton is one of Britain’s leading alpine climbers with record hard first ascents and nine successful Everest summits, including leading Sir Ranulph Fiennes' 2008 and 2009 Expeditions...
, mountain guide - Kevin KeenKevin KeenKevin Keen is a football coach, manager and former professional footballer who played as a midfielder for Wycombe Wanderers, West Ham United, Wolves, Stoke City and Macclesfield Town...
, Liverpool 1st team coach and former professional footballer - Terry PratchettTerry PratchettSir Terence David John "Terry" Pratchett, OBE is an English novelist, known for his frequently comical work in the fantasy genre. He is best known for his popular and long-running Discworld series of comic fantasy novels...
, author - David ShaylerDavid ShaylerDavid Shayler is a British journalist and former MI5 officer. Shayler earned notoriety after being prosecuted under the Official Secrets Act 1989 for his passing secret documents to the Mail on Sunday in August 1997 that alleged that MI5 was paranoid about socialists, and that it had previously...
, member of MI5MI5The Security Service, commonly known as MI5 , is the United Kingdom's internal counter-intelligence and security agency and is part of its core intelligence machinery alongside the Secret Intelligence Service focused on foreign threats, Government Communications Headquarters and the Defence...
prosecuted under the Official Secrets Act 1989Official Secrets Act 1989The Official Secrets Act 1989 is an Act of the Parliament of the United Kingdom. It repeals and replaces section 2 of the Official Secrets Act 1911. It is said to have removed the public interest defence created by that section.... - Edward Savage, actor
- Nick Catlin, England and GB hockey player
- Robin DayRobin Day (designer)Robin Day, OBE, FCSD was a British chartered industrial and furniture designer, best-known for the injection moulded polypropylene stacking chair, more than 20 million of which have been manufactured...
, Furniture Designer best known for his injection moulded polypropylene stacking chairPolypropylene stacking chairThe Polypropylene stacking chair or Polyprop is a chair manufactured in an injection moulding process using polypropylene. It was designed by Robin Day in 1963 for S.Hille & Co... - Simon WiggSimon WiggSimon Wigg was a speedway, grasstrack and Longtrack rider who finished runner-up in the Speedway World Championship in 1989....
, World Longtrack Champion - Colin Wratten, TV producer