Surbiton County Grammar
Encyclopedia
Surbiton County Grammar was a school in Surbiton
on the borders of London
and Surrey
, that having been established in the 1920s, went through a number of changes, moving location and changing name. The school was attended by boys from the whole of north Surrey. It boasted a number of notable alumni.
. The three main buildings were large Victorian mansions called Braemar (where pupils began their school lives), Aysgarth and Albury (School) houses together with their grounds and outbuildings. A stables block once housed a sixth form
classroom. In the early sixties Aysgarth and Braemar were demolished and replaced by purpose built units. It was known for its chess and bridge teams.
a sixth form college, only the second in the country. The old site is now used by Hollyfield School
.
:
, the grounds at Fairmile Lane, Cobham
, were purchased. After the school moved from its original site in Surbiton to Esher as a boys' grammar school, The Braemar Club was created to honour the old school building. The change of name of the school to Esher County Grammar School and more prominently the evolution of the old school into a mixed sixth form college had a significant and detrimental impact on the flow of young players into the Club, which was one of the driving forces behind the club being one of the first in the country to set up a Mini Rugby section, in the Golden Jubilee year of 1980. Mini Rugby spawned a sizeable and flourishing Youth section, which has produced national Champions at various levels. The club was placed in the new 1st division of the new Surrey Leagues when the RFU introduced League Rugby in 1987. Prior to this, the club had enjoyed much success, including a famous unbeaten season of 1963-64, and a Surrey Cup Final appearance in 1976. The club changed its name in 1989 to Cobham Rugby Football Club, to both identify more closely with the immediate surrounding area, and to signify the change to an open membership club. Recent years have seen the clubs' steady progress through the leagues, with four promotions in six seasons in the Leagues since 1987, and success elsewhere in winning the Surrey Shield in 1999. The 1sts now play in London South Division 2 following successive promotions under the stewardship of Head Coach, Billy Davison. Despite its name change, it still recognises its heritage and association with the old school.
Surbiton
Surbiton, a suburban area of London in the Royal Borough of Kingston upon Thames, is situated next to the River Thames, with a mixture of Art-Deco courts, more recent residential blocks and grand, spacious 19th century townhouses blending into a sea of semi-detached 20th century housing estates...
on the borders of London
London
London is the capital city of :England and the :United Kingdom, the largest metropolitan area in the United Kingdom, and the largest urban zone in the European Union by most measures. Located on the River Thames, London has been a major settlement for two millennia, its history going back to its...
and Surrey
Surrey
Surrey is a county in the South East of England and is one of the Home Counties. The county borders Greater London, Kent, East Sussex, West Sussex, Hampshire and Berkshire. The historic county town is Guildford. Surrey County Council sits at Kingston upon Thames, although this has been part of...
, that having been established in the 1920s, went through a number of changes, moving location and changing name. The school was attended by boys from the whole of north Surrey. It boasted a number of notable alumni.
Surbiton
The school was initially on St Marks Hill in SurbitonSurbiton
Surbiton, a suburban area of London in the Royal Borough of Kingston upon Thames, is situated next to the River Thames, with a mixture of Art-Deco courts, more recent residential blocks and grand, spacious 19th century townhouses blending into a sea of semi-detached 20th century housing estates...
. The three main buildings were large Victorian mansions called Braemar (where pupils began their school lives), Aysgarth and Albury (School) houses together with their grounds and outbuildings. A stables block once housed a sixth form
Sixth form
In the education systems of England, Wales, and Northern Ireland, and of Commonwealth West Indian countries such as Barbados, Trinidad and Tobago, Belize, Jamaica and Malta, the sixth form is the final two years of secondary education, where students, usually sixteen to eighteen years of age,...
classroom. In the early sixties Aysgarth and Braemar were demolished and replaced by purpose built units. It was known for its chess and bridge teams.
Thames Ditton
In September 1965 the school decamped to new premises in Weston Green Road in Thames Ditton along with a new Headmaster. With this move, the school was soon renamed Esher County Grammar. In 1977 the school became Esher CollegeEsher College
Esher College is a sixth form college located in Thames Ditton, Elmbridge, U.K-Admissions:It has just under 1700 students enrolled. Esher College is very close to Thames Ditton railway station on the northern edge of Surrey...
a sixth form college, only the second in the country. The old site is now used by Hollyfield School
Hollyfield School
Hollyfield School is a co-educational comprehensive foundation school, located in Surbiton, in the Royal Borough of Kingston upon Thames, London – with Technology College status. There are approximately 1,100 students on roll, with 220 in the sixth form...
.
Day Houses
All boys were members of one of four day housesHouse system
The house system is a traditional feature of British schools, and schools in the Commonwealth. Historically, it was associated with established public schools, where a 'house' refers to a boarding house or dormitory of a boarding school...
:
| House | Founded | Colours | Named After | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Coutts | Red | |||
| Egmont | Green | |||
| Lovelace | Purple | |||
| Villiers | Light Blue | |||
Heads
- AGF Willis - 16th Sep 1925 to Dec 1952
- A.J. Doig - Jan 1953 to Jul 1964
- Eric Waller - Sep 1965 to early 1980s
Alumni
Alumni of the school are referred to as Old Surbitonians. They include:- Tony ArbourTony ArbourAnthony Francis Arbour JP , commonly known as Tony Arbour, is a British Conservative Party politician, a Richmond councillor and member of the London Assembly representing South West London....
, Conservative member of the GLA for South WestSouth West (London Assembly constituency)South West is a constituency represented in the London Assembly. It has been represented, since its creation in 2000, by Tony Arbour, a Conservative from Richmond upon Thames....
and transport spokesman, and Leader of Richmond Council from 2002-6 - Michael BasmanMichael BasmanMichael John Basman is an English chess player, chess author and International Master. He was awarded the International Master title in 1980...
, chess player - Felix DennisFelix DennisFelix Dennis is a British magazine publisher, poet, and philanthropist. His privately owned company, Dennis Publishing, pioneered computer and hobbyist magazine publishing in the United Kingdom...
, publisher - Rt Rev Anthony Charles DumperAnthony Charles DumperThe Rt Rev Anthony Charles Dumper was the Bishop of Dudley from 1977 until 1993. Born on 4 October 1923 he was educated at Christ's College, Cambridge and ordained in 1947. He began his ecclesiastical career with a Curacy in Greenwich after which he was Vicar of Perak and then Archdeacon of ...
, Bishop of DudleyBishop of DudleyThe Bishop of Dudley is an episcopal title used by a suffragan bishop of the Church of England Diocese of Worcester, in the Province of Canterbury, England. The title takes its name after the town of Dudley in the West Midlands.-List of the Bishops of Dudley:...
from 1977-93 - Philip Head, Chief Executive from 1991-3 of the Welsh Development AgencyWelsh Development AgencyThe Welsh Development Agency was a QUANGO and later an Assembly Sponsored Public Body established in 1976 to encourage business development and investment in Wales, to clear derelict land and to encourage growth of local businesses...
- David LockDavid LockDavid Anthony Lock QC is a barrister and former Labour Party politician in the United Kingdom. He was educated at Esher Grammar School, Woking Sixth Form College, Jesus College, Cambridge , Polytechnic of Central London and went on to Gray's Inn as a Wilson Scholar in 1985.He was elected as the...
, politician (Esher County Grammar) - Maj-GenMajor-General (United Kingdom)Major general is a senior rank in the British Army. Since 1996 the highest position within the Royal Marines is the Commandant General Royal Marines who holds the rank of major general...
Rowley Mans CBE - Kenneth Miller, Chief Executive from 1989-2000 of Hunting plcHunting plcHunting plc is a leading British-based supplier to the oil and gas industry. Some 27% of the business is owned by the Hunting family. It is headquartered in London and is a constituent of the FTSE 250 Index.-History:...
, and Chairman since 2000 of Colt GroupColt GroupThe Colt Group is a family owned business, founded in 1931, that designs and supplies climate control, smoke control, natural ventilation, solar shading and daylight technology.... - Martin ParrMartin ParrMartin Parr is a British documentary photographer, photojournalist and photobook collector. He is known for his photographic projects that take a critical look at aspects of modern life, in particular provincial and suburban life in England...
, photographer - Graham Pirnie, Ambassador to Paraguay from 1995-8
- Prof Peter Pulzer, Gladstone Professor of Government and Public Administration from 1985-96 to University of OxfordUniversity of OxfordThe University of Oxford is a university located in Oxford, United Kingdom. It is the second-oldest surviving university in the world and the oldest in the English-speaking world. Although its exact date of foundation is unclear, there is evidence of teaching as far back as 1096...
- Rear AdmRear AdmiralRear admiral is a naval commissioned officer rank above that of a commodore and captain, and below that of a vice admiral. It is generally regarded as the lowest of the "admiral" ranks, which are also sometimes referred to as "flag officers" or "flag ranks"...
Hugh Rickard CBE, Chief Executive from 2004-6 of the Royal Anniversary Trust - Andrew StunellAndrew StunellRobert Andrew Stunell, known as Andrew Stunell, OBE is a Liberal Democrat politician in the United Kingdom. He is the Member of Parliament for Hazel Grove, and was first elected at the 1997 general election...
, Lib Dem MP since 1997 for Hazel GroveHazel Grove (UK Parliament constituency)Hazel Grove 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 :... - Ed WhitlockEd WhitlockEd Whitlock is a Canadian long-distance runner, and the first person over 70 years old to run a marathon in less than three hours with a time of 2:59:10 in 2003....
, marathon runner, age group record holder - David Wright OBE, Ambassador to Qatar from 1997-2002
Old Surbitonians RFC - Cobham Rugby Football Club
The club was formed in 1930 as Old Surbitonians RFC by the first group of school leavers from Surbiton County Grammar School for Boys. In 1949, as a memorial to those Old Boys who perished in the Second World WarWorld War II
World War II, or the Second World War , was a global conflict lasting from 1939 to 1945, involving most of the world's nations—including all of the great powers—eventually forming two opposing military alliances: the Allies and the Axis...
, the grounds at Fairmile Lane, Cobham
Cobham
- Towns or districts :* Cobham, Kent, England* Cobham, Surrey, England* Cobham, Virginia , multiple places- Other place names :* Cobham Intermediate School* Cobham Sports and Social Club...
, were purchased. After the school moved from its original site in Surbiton to Esher as a boys' grammar school, The Braemar Club was created to honour the old school building. The change of name of the school to Esher County Grammar School and more prominently the evolution of the old school into a mixed sixth form college had a significant and detrimental impact on the flow of young players into the Club, which was one of the driving forces behind the club being one of the first in the country to set up a Mini Rugby section, in the Golden Jubilee year of 1980. Mini Rugby spawned a sizeable and flourishing Youth section, which has produced national Champions at various levels. The club was placed in the new 1st division of the new Surrey Leagues when the RFU introduced League Rugby in 1987. Prior to this, the club had enjoyed much success, including a famous unbeaten season of 1963-64, and a Surrey Cup Final appearance in 1976. The club changed its name in 1989 to Cobham Rugby Football Club, to both identify more closely with the immediate surrounding area, and to signify the change to an open membership club. Recent years have seen the clubs' steady progress through the leagues, with four promotions in six seasons in the Leagues since 1987, and success elsewhere in winning the Surrey Shield in 1999. The 1sts now play in London South Division 2 following successive promotions under the stewardship of Head Coach, Billy Davison. Despite its name change, it still recognises its heritage and association with the old school.