Pocklington School
Encyclopedia
Pocklington School, is an independent school
in Pocklington
, East Riding of Yorkshire
, England
. It was founded in 1514 by John Dolman
. The school is situated in 70 acres (283,280.2 m²) of land, on the outskirts of a small market town, 12 miles (19.3 km) from York
and 26 miles (41.8 km) from Hull
. It is an Anglican foundation and Friday morning church is compulsory for years 7-11, although pupils from all faiths are accepted. It is the 67th oldest school in the United Kingdom and will celebrate its 500th birthday in 2014.
The current Headmaster is Mark Ronan, appointed from January 2008. He was previously Deputy Head at Trent College, having taught economics
.
Pocklington, like many private school
s in the United Kingdom
, is based on traditions. Its motto
Virtute et Veritate is Latin for Truth and Virtue (though some translate the motto as Virtue and Manliness) and other traditions, such as the year group naming convention (first form, second form etc.), still remain today.
There are four houses; Dolman (named after the school’s founder John Dolman), Gruggen, Hutton (both named after ex-headmasters Rev. Gruggen and Rev. Hutton) and Wilberforce (named after the 18th/19th century anti-slavery campaigner William Wilberforce who attended the school in his youth). Each accepted child from a new family will be entered into a house, all following siblings enter the same house.
The school prides itself on its armed forces
centre, located on the edge of campus, in what is known as the CCF compound. The CCF
take part in various competitions each year and offer the chance for cadets to take part in camps around the country.
The school sports hall is housed in the trainshed of the former Pocklington railway station
, designed by George Townsend Andrews
.
was the school's most notable pupil. He attended Pocklington School from 1771–76 and is famous as the parliamentary campaigner who brought about the abolition
of the slave trade and the emancipation
of slaves. A statue of a freed slave sculpted by Peter Tatham (1983–93) is in the centre of the St. Nicholas Quadrangle. A bronze statue of Wilberforce as a boy, by York sculptress, Sally Arnup, stands near the school foyer. Erected in commemoration of the 200th anniversary of slave emancipation, Dr John Sentamu unveiled the new statue in autumn 2007. Pocklington School appeared in a TV programme entitled In Search of Wilberforce, made by former BBC
News presenter
Moira Stuart
, first shown on March 16, 2007.
Independent school
An independent school is a school that is independent in its finances and governance; it is not dependent upon national or local government for financing its operations, nor reliant on taxpayer contributions, and is instead funded by a combination of tuition charges, gifts, and in some cases the...
in Pocklington
Pocklington
Pocklington is a small market town and civil parish situated at the foot of the Yorkshire Wolds in the East Riding of Yorkshire, England, approximately east of York....
, East Riding of Yorkshire
East Riding of Yorkshire
The East Riding of Yorkshire, or simply East Yorkshire, is a local government district with unitary authority status, and a ceremonial county of England. For ceremonial purposes the county also includes the city of Kingston upon Hull, which is a separate unitary authority...
, 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 was founded in 1514 by John Dolman
John Dolman
John Dolman, Dowman or Dowlman was an English clergyman and benefactor.John Dolman was the son of William Dowman of Pocklington in the East Riding of Yorkshire. He was educated at Cambridge University, graduating B.Civ.L. in 1488 and D.Civ.L. in 1494. From 1507 until his death he was archdeacon of...
. The school is situated in 70 acres (283,280.2 m²) of land, on the outskirts of a small market town, 12 miles (19.3 km) from York
York
York is a walled city, situated at the confluence of the Rivers Ouse and Foss in North Yorkshire, England. The city has a rich heritage and has provided the backdrop to major political events throughout much of its two millennia of existence...
and 26 miles (41.8 km) from Hull
Kingston upon Hull
Kingston upon Hull , usually referred to as Hull, is a city and unitary authority area in the ceremonial county of the East Riding of Yorkshire, England. It stands on the River Hull at its junction with the Humber estuary, 25 miles inland from the North Sea. Hull has a resident population of...
. It is an Anglican foundation and Friday morning church is compulsory for years 7-11, although pupils from all faiths are accepted. It is the 67th oldest school in the United Kingdom and will celebrate its 500th birthday in 2014.
Introduction
Pupils sit entrance exams in order to join the senior school, years 7–11. After having taken GCSEs, pupils may enter the Pocklington School Sixth Form, providing they meet the required results (at least 5 B-grades). The main points of entry to the senior school are 11+, 13+ and 16+. Entry is subject to examination and references from the pupil’s current school. Academic and music scholarships are available at most entry levels including the sixth form. Pocklington School has a junior section, Lyndhurst Junior School, situated on the same grounds, accepting pupils of ages 8–11.The current Headmaster is Mark Ronan, appointed from January 2008. He was previously Deputy Head at Trent College, having taught economics
Economics
Economics is the social science that analyzes the production, distribution, and consumption of goods and services. The term economics comes from the Ancient Greek from + , hence "rules of the house"...
.
Pocklington, like many private school
Private school
Private schools, also known as independent schools or nonstate schools, are not administered by local, state or national governments; thus, they retain the right to select their students and are funded in whole or in part by charging their students' tuition, rather than relying on mandatory...
s in the United Kingdom
United Kingdom
The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern IrelandIn the United Kingdom and Dependencies, other languages have been officially recognised as legitimate autochthonous languages under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages...
, is based on traditions. Its motto
Motto
A motto is a phrase meant to formally summarize the general motivation or intention of a social group or organization. A motto may be in any language, but Latin is the most used. The local language is usual in the mottoes of governments...
Virtute et Veritate is Latin for Truth and Virtue (though some translate the motto as Virtue and Manliness) and other traditions, such as the year group naming convention (first form, second form etc.), still remain today.
There are four houses; Dolman (named after the school’s founder John Dolman), Gruggen, Hutton (both named after ex-headmasters Rev. Gruggen and Rev. Hutton) and Wilberforce (named after the 18th/19th century anti-slavery campaigner William Wilberforce who attended the school in his youth). Each accepted child from a new family will be entered into a house, all following siblings enter the same house.
The school prides itself on its armed forces
Armed forces
The armed forces of a country are its government-sponsored defense, fighting forces, and organizations. They exist to further the foreign and domestic policies of their governing body, and to defend that body and the nation it represents from external aggressors. In some countries paramilitary...
centre, located on the edge of campus, in what is known as the CCF compound. The CCF
Combined Cadet Force
The Combined Cadet Force is a Ministry of Defence sponsored youth organisation in the United Kingdom. Its aim is to "provide a disciplined organisation in a school so that pupils may develop powers of leadership by means of training to promote the qualities of responsibility, self reliance,...
take part in various competitions each year and offer the chance for cadets to take part in camps around the country.
The school sports hall is housed in the trainshed of the former Pocklington railway station
Pocklington railway station
Pocklington railway station was a station on the York to Beverley Line that served the town of Pocklington, East Riding of Yorkshire, England. It opened on 4 October 1847 and closed on 27 November 1965....
, designed by George Townsend Andrews
George Townsend Andrews
George Townsend Andrews was an English architect born in Exeter. He is noted for his buildings designed for George Hudson's railways, especially the York and North Midland Railway...
.
Recent GCSE Results
96.4% of GCSE entries were graded A* to C in 2010. 50.6% of exam entries were graded A* or A.William Wilberforce
William WilberforceWilliam Wilberforce
William Wilberforce was a British politician, a philanthropist and a leader of the movement to abolish the slave trade. A native of Kingston upon Hull, Yorkshire, he began his political career in 1780, eventually becoming the independent Member of Parliament for Yorkshire...
was the school's most notable pupil. He attended Pocklington School from 1771–76 and is famous as the parliamentary campaigner who brought about the abolition
Abolitionism
Abolitionism is a movement to end slavery.In western Europe and the Americas abolitionism was a movement to end the slave trade and set slaves free. At the behest of Dominican priest Bartolomé de las Casas who was shocked at the treatment of natives in the New World, Spain enacted the first...
of the slave trade and the emancipation
Emancipation
Emancipation means the act of setting an individual or social group free or making equal to citizens in a political society.Emancipation may also refer to:* Emancipation , a champion Australian thoroughbred racehorse foaled in 1979...
of slaves. A statue of a freed slave sculpted by Peter Tatham (1983–93) is in the centre of the St. Nicholas Quadrangle. A bronze statue of Wilberforce as a boy, by York sculptress, Sally Arnup, stands near the school foyer. Erected in commemoration of the 200th anniversary of slave emancipation, Dr John Sentamu unveiled the new statue in autumn 2007. Pocklington School appeared in a TV programme entitled In Search of Wilberforce, made by former BBC
BBC
The British Broadcasting Corporation is a British public service broadcaster. Its headquarters is at Broadcasting House in the City of Westminster, London. It is the largest broadcaster in the world, with about 23,000 staff...
News presenter
News presenter
A news presenter is a person who presents news during a news program in the format of a television show, on the radio or the Internet.News presenters can work in a radio studio, television studio and from remote broadcasts in the field especially weather...
Moira Stuart
Moira Stuart
Moira Clare Ruby Stuart OBE is a British journalist who was the first African-Caribbean female newsreader on British television...
, first shown on March 16, 2007.
Notable former pupils
- Richard Annand, V.C.Victoria CrossThe Victoria Cross is the highest military decoration awarded for valour "in the face of the enemy" to members of the armed forces of various Commonwealth countries, and previous British Empire territories....
1925–32, awarded the Victoria Cross in 1940 during the battle for France. His most recent visit to the School was in 2002 to unveil a copy of his citation. This can be seen in the Senior School Reception entrance. He died in December 2004. The new CCF Centre, opened in 2009, is named after him.
- Jason Carr, 1980–85, Composer, lyricist, arranger and musical director. Studied composition at the Guildhall School of Music and Drama. He has written and directed music for many Chichester FestivalChichester Festival TheatreChichester Festival Theatre, located in Chichester, England, was designed by Philip Powell and Hidalgo Moya, and opened by its founder Leslie Evershed-Martin in 1962. Subsequently the smaller and more intimate Minerva Theatre was built nearby in 1989....
productions. He has composed the music for over 40 plays including London productions of Tennessee Williams' "Glass Menagerie", "Rose Tattoo" and "Camino Real". Other compositions include songs and dance numbers for the Paris Lido world tour. He has also written various musicals including: Born Again (a musical of Ionesco's RhinocerosRhinocerosRhinoceros , also known as rhino, is a group of five extant species of odd-toed ungulates in the family Rhinocerotidae. Two of these species are native to Africa and three to southern Asia....
), The Water BabiesThe Water BabiesThe Water Babies may refer to:* The Water-Babies, A Fairy Tale for a Land Baby, a novel published in 1863* The Water Babies , a 1978 animated film based on the novel* Water Babies , a 1976 album by Miles Davis...
, and, Six Pictures of Lee MillerLee MillerElizabeth 'Lee' Miller, Lady Penrose was an American photographer. Born in Poughkeepsie, New York in 1907, she was a successful fashion model in New York City in the 1920s before going to Paris where she became an established fashion and fine art photographer...
. He opened the refurbished Music School in 2003.
- Sir Tom StoppardTom StoppardSir Tom Stoppard OM, CBE, FRSL is a British playwright, knighted in 1997. He has written prolifically for TV, radio, film and stage, finding prominence with plays such as Arcadia, The Coast of Utopia, Every Good Boy Deserves Favour, Professional Foul, The Real Thing, and Rosencrantz and...
, O.M.Order of MeritThe Order of Merit is a British dynastic order recognising distinguished service in the armed forces, science, art, literature, or for the promotion of culture...
, C.B.E.Order of the British EmpireThe Most Excellent Order of the British Empire is an order of chivalry established on 4 June 1917 by George V of the United Kingdom. The Order comprises five classes in civil and military divisions...
, 1950–54, playwrightPlaywrightA playwright, also called a dramatist, is a person who writes plays.The term is not a variant spelling of "playwrite", but something quite distinct: the word wright is an archaic English term for a craftsman or builder...
. His portrait, presented to the school by Peter Stoppard (1949–53), hangs in the senior school reception entrance.
- Sir Edward ClayEdward ClaySir Edward Clay KCMG is a retired British diplomat, formerly a High Commissioner and ambassador.During his time as British High Commissioner in Kenya, Sir Edward earned a reputation for his willingness to speak out against corruption at high levels of the Kenyan government...
, C.M.G.Order of St Michael and St GeorgeThe Most Distinguished Order of Saint Michael and Saint George is an order of chivalry founded on 28 April 1818 by George, Prince Regent, later George IV of the United Kingdom, while he was acting as Prince Regent for his father, George III....
, 1955–63, British High CommissionerHigh CommissionerHigh Commissioner is the title of various high-ranking, special executive positions held by a commission of appointment.The English term is also used to render various equivalent titles in other languages.-Bilateral diplomacy:...
to KenyaKenyaKenya , officially known as the Republic of Kenya, is a country in East Africa that lies on the equator, with the Indian Ocean to its south-east...
- Sir James CobbanJames CobbanSir James Macdonald Cobban, CBE, DL was an English educator and headmaster, as well as a prominent lay leader in the Church of England...
, 1920–29, educationalist, headmaster of Abingdon SchoolAbingdon SchoolAbingdon School is a British day and boarding independent school for boys situated in Abingdon, Oxfordshire , previously known as Roysse's School. In 1998 a formal merger took place between Abingdon School and Josca's, a preparatory school four miles to the west at Frilford...
, 1947–70
- Martin CrimpMartin CrimpMartin Andrew Crimp is a British playwright.Sometimes described as a practitioner of the "in-yer-face" school of contemporary British drama, Crimp though rejects the label...
, 1968–74, playwright
- Jack Daniel, 1931–37, artist and illustrator in The EagleThe Eagle-Athletes:* Eddie Belfour, the Canadian ice-hockey goalkeeper in the NHL* Michael Edwards, better known as Eddie "The Eagle" Edwards, the British ski jumper-Entertainment:* The Eagle , a silent film starring Rudolph Valentino...
, The Illustrated London NewsIllustrated London NewsThe Illustrated London News was the world's first illustrated weekly newspaper; the first issue appeared on Saturday 14 May 1842. It was published weekly until 1971 and then increasingly less frequently until publication ceased in 2003.-History:...
and The FieldThe Field (magazine)The Field is the world's oldest country and field sports magazine, having been published continuously since 1853.The famous sportsman Robert Smith Surtees, the creator of Jorrocks, was the driving force behind the initial publication...
. He also sculpted the war memorialWar memorialA war memorial is a building, monument, statue or other edifice to celebrate a war or victory, or to commemorate those who died or were injured in war.-Historic usage:...
in Chelsea BarracksChelsea BarracksChelsea Barracks was a British Army barracks located in the City of Westminster, London, adjacent to Chelsea, on Chelsea Bridge Road.-History:The barracks was originally built in the 1860s to house two battalions of troops...
and drew the Wheelbarrow Hero, a scene depicting Richard Annand's heroism, which is displayed in the foyer of the Stoppard Centre.
- Adrian EdmondsonAdrian EdmondsonAdrian Charles "Ade" Edmondson is an English comedian. He is probably best known for his comedic roles in the television series The Young Ones and Bottom , for which he also wrote together with his long-time collaboration partner Rik Mayall.-Early life:Edmondson, the second of four children, was...
1969–75, author and co writer / actor of Bottom and The Young Ones.
- Stewart Eldon C.M.G.Order of St Michael and St GeorgeThe Most Distinguished Order of Saint Michael and Saint George is an order of chivalry founded on 28 April 1818 by George, Prince Regent, later George IV of the United Kingdom, while he was acting as Prince Regent for his father, George III....
, O.B.E., 1966–71, British AmbassadorAmbassadorAn ambassador is the highest ranking diplomat who represents a nation and is usually accredited to a foreign sovereign or government, or to an international organization....
to the Republic of IrelandRepublic of IrelandIreland , described as the Republic of Ireland , is a sovereign state in Europe occupying approximately five-sixths of the island of the same name. Its capital is Dublin. Ireland, which had a population of 4.58 million in 2011, is a constitutional republic governed as a parliamentary democracy,...
, Dublin
- Christopher Elliott C.B. M.B.E.Order of the British EmpireThe Most Excellent Order of the British Empire is an order of chivalry established on 4 June 1917 by George V of the United Kingdom. The Order comprises five classes in civil and military divisions...
, 1960–65, Major GeneralMajor GeneralMajor general or major-general is a military rank used in many countries. It is derived from the older rank of sergeant major general. A major general is a high-ranking officer, normally subordinate to the rank of lieutenant general and senior to the ranks of brigadier and brigadier general...
, responsible for current doctrine in the British Army
- Michael Elsworth 1941–51, actor, Gondorian archivist in the film The Lord of the RingsThe Lord of the Rings film trilogyThe Lord of the Rings is an epic film trilogy consisting of three fantasy adventure films based on the three-volume book of the same name by English author J. R. R. Tolkien. The films are The Fellowship of the Ring , The Two Towers and The Return of the King .The films were directed by Peter...
and CírdanCírdanCírdan the Shipwright is a fictional character created by J. R. R. Tolkien. He was a Telerin Elf, a great mariner and shipwright, and lord of the Falas during much of the First Age. He was the bearer of the Great Ring Narya, which he in turn gave to Gandalf.He had a beard, which was rare for...
in The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring.
- Andrew FarquharAndrew FarquharMajor-General Andrew Peter Farquhar CBE DL is a former British Army officer who commanded 5th Division.-Military career:...
C.B.E.Order of the British EmpireThe Most Excellent Order of the British Empire is an order of chivalry established on 4 June 1917 by George V of the United Kingdom. The Order comprises five classes in civil and military divisions...
, DL 1966–72, Major General, General Officer Commanding 5th Division, awarded the Legion of MeritLegion of MeritThe Legion of Merit is a military decoration of the United States armed forces that is awarded for exceptionally meritorious conduct in the performance of outstanding services and achievements...
by the U.S.A. in 2005.
- Brian Fenwick-Smith, 1943–54, entrepreneur and school benefactor. He donated a large sum of the money for the Fenwick-Smith boarding house, opened in 2007.
- Mark FisherMark Fisher (architect)Mark Fisher OBE MVO is a British architect. He was born in Warwickshire, England.Fisher graduated from the Architectural Association School of Architecture in London in 1971. He was a Unit Master at the AA School from 1973 to 1977. In 1984 he set up the Fisher Park Partnership with Jonathan Park...
O.B.E., M.V.O., 1958–65, Architect, designer of rock concerts for Pink FloydPink FloydPink Floyd were an English rock band that achieved worldwide success with their progressive and psychedelic rock music. Their work is marked by the use of philosophical lyrics, sonic experimentation, innovative album art, and elaborate live shows. Pink Floyd are one of the most commercially...
, The Rolling StonesThe Rolling StonesThe Rolling Stones are an English rock band, formed in London in April 1962 by Brian Jones , Ian Stewart , Mick Jagger , and Keith Richards . Bassist Bill Wyman and drummer Charlie Watts completed the early line-up...
& U2U2U2 are an Irish rock band from Dublin. Formed in 1976, the group consists of Bono , The Edge , Adam Clayton , and Larry Mullen, Jr. . U2's early sound was rooted in post-punk but eventually grew to incorporate influences from many genres of popular music...
. Chief designer of the opening and closing ceremonies for the Beijing 2008 Olympic Games.
- Robert Horner, 1947–55, president of the Rugby Football UnionRugby Football UnionThe Rugby Football Union was founded in 1871 as the governing body for the sport of rugby union, and performed as the international governing body prior to the formation of the International Rugby Board in 1886...
, 2003–04
- Sebastian HorsleySebastian HorsleySebastian Horsley was a London artist best known for having undergone a voluntary crucifixion. Horsley's writing often revolved around his dysfunctional family, his drug addictions, sex, and his reliance on prostitutes.-Background:Horsley was born in Holderness in the East Riding of Yorkshire...
, artist and writer, best known for having undergone a voluntary crucifixion.
- Steven KYFFIN, Professor, 1970-1977 Industrial design, University Of Northumbria at Newcastle, Royal College of Art, Director of Design Research, Philips Design, The Netherlands. Awarded Innovation Design Award UNN 2008.
- Xavier PickXavier PickXavier Pick was born in York, England in 1972. He was brought up in Yorkshire and attended Pocklington School. He studied at the Glasgow School of Art and The Royal College of Art.He has won critical acclaim for his visual story telling...
1980-1990 Illustration Glasgow School of Art, Royal College of Art. Official War Artist, Iraq 2008/9
- Ted Maidment, 1951–61, headmaster of Shrewsbury SchoolShrewsbury SchoolShrewsbury School is a co-educational independent school for pupils aged 13 to 18, founded by Royal Charter in 1552. The present campus to which the school moved in 1882 is located on the banks of the River Severn in Shrewsbury, Shropshire, England...
, 1988–2001
- Lord MoranLord MoranCharles McMoran Wilson, 1st Baron Moran, MC is most famous for being Sir Winston Churchill's personal physician....
, 1910–19, personal physician to Winston ChurchillWinston ChurchillSir Winston Leonard Spencer-Churchill, was a predominantly Conservative British politician and statesman known for his leadership of the United Kingdom during the Second World War. He is widely regarded as one of the greatest wartime leaders of the century and served as Prime Minister twice...
, author of The Anatomy of Courage and The Struggle for Survival, his personal accounts of looking after Churchill
- Sir Charles Reece, 1938–42, formerly technical director I.C.I. and chairman, Committee for European Development of Science and Technology
- Sir Stephen Robson, 1955–62, H.M. Treasury, director Cazenove Group Plc & Xstrata Plc.
- Robin SkeltonRobin SkeltonRobin Skelton was a British-born academic, writer, poet, and anthologist.Born in Easington, Yorkshire, Skelton was educated at the University of Leeds and Cambridge University. From 1944 to 1947, he served with the Royal Air Force in India. He later taught at Manchester University...
, 1937–43, poet and literary scholar, author of more than 100 books of criticism, biography and poetry
- Frank SmailesFrank SmailesFrank Smailes was an English cricketer, who played first-class cricket for Yorkshire, and one Test for England...
, 1924–27, YorkshireYorkshire County Cricket ClubYorkshire County Cricket Club represents the historic county of Yorkshire as one of the 18 major county clubs which make up the English and Welsh domestic cricket structure....
and EnglandEnglish cricket teamThe England and Wales cricket team is a cricket team which represents England and Wales. Until 1992 it also represented Scotland. Since 1 January 1997 it has been governed by the England and Wales Cricket Board , having been previously governed by Marylebone Cricket Club from 1903 until the end...
cricketerCricketerA cricketer is a person who plays the sport of cricket. Official and long-established cricket publications prefer the traditional word "cricketer" over the rarely used term "cricket player"....
. Smailes took all ten wickets in a match against DerbyshireDerbyshire County Cricket ClubDerbyshire County Cricket Club is one of the 18 major county clubs which make up the England and Wales domestic cricket structure, representing the historic county of Derbyshire...
in 1939
- Peter WalkerPeter Walker (RAF officer)Air Marshal Peter Brett Walker CB CBE is a former Royal Air Force officer who is now Lieutenant Governor of Guernsey.-RAF career:Educated at Pocklington School and Durham University, Walker joined the Royal Air Force in 1975. He served as a fighter pilot flying the Phantom FGR2 and Tornado F3...
, C.B.Order of the BathThe Most Honourable Order of the Bath is a British order of chivalry founded by George I on 18 May 1725. The name derives from the elaborate mediæval ceremony for creating a knight, which involved bathing as one of its elements. The knights so created were known as Knights of the Bath...
, C.B.E.Order of the British EmpireThe Most Excellent Order of the British Empire is an order of chivalry established on 4 June 1917 by George V of the United Kingdom. The Order comprises five classes in civil and military divisions...
, 1959–68, Air MarshalAir MarshalAir marshal is a three-star air-officer rank which originated in and continues to be used by the Royal Air Force...
, is director, Joint Warfare Centre, Europe