The King's High School For Girls
Encyclopedia
The King's High School for Girls (also called simply King's High or KHS) is an independent school
for girls in Smith Street
, Warwick
, England
. There are currently 700 girls in years 7-13 (ages 11–18). One of its main feeder schools is Warwick Preparatory School, commonly called The Squirrels, which takes girls from the ages of 3 to 11 and boy
s up to the age of 7.
were drawn up as long ago as 1875, but the school could not get underway until 1879. In this year boy
s from The King's School, Warwick, later to become known as Warwick School
, who were being taught in Landor House, the modern site of the girls' school and the birth-place of the poet
Walter Savage Landor
, finally moved to their new buildings south of the River Avon
. KHS, The Squirrels and Warwick School now form the Warwick Schools Foundation. The King's High School for Girls has suffered throughout its history from being very short of space, and, since its foundation, has taken over the buildings of two neighbouring schools. The premises of one of them, the former King's Middle School (which was only in existence from 1875 to 1906), caught fire in 1970. There are now brand new buildings, including a new sixth form
building, completed in 2006, on the former Middle School site. It was opened in December 2006 by Dame Judi Dench
. Plans are in place to build upon existing buildings in the premises to create new Art, Music and DT facilities. The school also has the lease on the former St Peter's Chapel, known as the Eastgate, situated at the top of Smith Street. There is an astroturf
pitch and over 6 acres (24,281.2 m²) of playing fields on land adjoining Warwick School's own playing fields half a mile to the south.
Increasing levels of co-operation between Warwick School and King's High School for Girls has led to the joint teaching of certain AS Level
and A Level subjects from September 2004, for example drama, physical education and most recently politics. Girls were also admitted to Warwick School Combined Cadet Force
, founded in 1884, in 2003.
inflicting his final torment on the world
, others believe he is the father
of an orphaned child
born in or near Landor House. The second ghost is that of a young boy
on a bicycle
who, if old boarders stories are to be believed, upon a dare from his schoolmates decided to ride his bicycle down Landor stairs and unfortunately fatally injured himself whilst on this dangerous mission. Though these ghosts seem to keep silent during the term-time and hours of day-light at King's High, some pupils and teachers have remarked upon inexplicable temperature changes and odd noises from the top of Landor. One peculiar incident was a series of recordings made through the night at various points around the school for a physics experiment. It was noticed that although elsewhere all was almost silent throughout the night, Landor House had periodic bumpings and bangings. Perhaps Walter Savage Landor
objects to the idea of his old home being used for the education of young women, or maybe it's just the ancient heating system.
Another legend of King's High is that there is an underground pathway from Landor House to the nearby St. Mary's Church. It is rumoured that this pathway was created during World War II
to allow the occupants to escape to the safety of the church during the Blitz
. Others dispute this, claiming the underground walkway was there for decades, or even centuries, before this. Many claim this mythical pathway does not exist and naturally a tour around King's High School does not include this interesting sight. But there is a secret trap door from the top of the Eastgate tower leading to the rooms below!
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...
for girls in Smith Street
A445 road
The A445 road is a road in Warwickshire, England. It runs between the town of Warwick and the A45, also passing through the north of Leamington Spa. The road provides the major link between Leamington/Warwick and north-east Warwickshire, including Rugby and the M45/M1 motorways...
, Warwick
Warwick
Warwick is the county town of Warwickshire, England. The town lies upon the River Avon, south of Coventry and just west of Leamington Spa and Whitnash with which it is conjoined. As of the 2001 United Kingdom census, it had a population of 23,350...
, 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...
. There are currently 700 girls in years 7-13 (ages 11–18). One of its main feeder schools is Warwick Preparatory School, commonly called The Squirrels, which takes girls from the ages of 3 to 11 and boy
Boy
A boy is a young male human , as contrasted to its female counterpart, girl, or an adult male, a man.The term "boy" is primarily used to indicate biological sex distinctions, cultural gender role distinctions or both...
s up to the age of 7.
History
Plans for a girls' school in WarwickWarwick
Warwick is the county town of Warwickshire, England. The town lies upon the River Avon, south of Coventry and just west of Leamington Spa and Whitnash with which it is conjoined. As of the 2001 United Kingdom census, it had a population of 23,350...
were drawn up as long ago as 1875, but the school could not get underway until 1879. In this year boy
Boy
A boy is a young male human , as contrasted to its female counterpart, girl, or an adult male, a man.The term "boy" is primarily used to indicate biological sex distinctions, cultural gender role distinctions or both...
s from The King's School, Warwick, later to become known as Warwick School
Warwick School
Warwick School is an independent school with boarding facilities for boys in Warwick, England, and is reputed to be the third-oldest surviving school in the country after King's School, Canterbury and St Peter's School, York; and the oldest boy's school in England...
, who were being taught in Landor House, the modern site of the girls' school and the birth-place of the poet
Poet
A poet is a person who writes poetry. A poet's work can be literal, meaning that his work is derived from a specific event, or metaphorical, meaning that his work can take on many meanings and forms. Poets have existed since antiquity, in nearly all languages, and have produced works that vary...
Walter Savage Landor
Walter Savage Landor
Walter Savage Landor was an English writer and poet. His best known works were the prose Imaginary Conversations, and the poem Rose Aylmer, but the critical acclaim he received from contemporary poets and reviewers was not matched by public popularity...
, finally moved to their new buildings south of the River Avon
River Avon, Warwickshire
The River Avon or Avon is a river in or adjoining the counties of Leicestershire, Northamptonshire, Warwickshire, Worcestershire and Gloucestershire in the Midlands of England...
. KHS, The Squirrels and Warwick School now form the Warwick Schools Foundation. The King's High School for Girls has suffered throughout its history from being very short of space, and, since its foundation, has taken over the buildings of two neighbouring schools. The premises of one of them, the former King's Middle School (which was only in existence from 1875 to 1906), caught fire in 1970. There are now brand new buildings, including a new 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,...
building, completed in 2006, on the former Middle School site. It was opened in December 2006 by Dame Judi Dench
Judi Dench
Dame Judith Olivia "Judi" Dench, CH, DBE, FRSA is an English film, stage and television actress.Dench made her professional debut in 1957 with the Old Vic Company. Over the following few years she played in several of William Shakespeare's plays in such roles as Ophelia in Hamlet, Juliet in Romeo...
. Plans are in place to build upon existing buildings in the premises to create new Art, Music and DT facilities. The school also has the lease on the former St Peter's Chapel, known as the Eastgate, situated at the top of Smith Street. There is an astroturf
AstroTurf
AstroTurf is a brand of artificial turf. Although the term is a registered trademark, it is sometimes used as a generic description of any kind of artificial turf. The original AstroTurf product was a short pile synthetic turf while the current products incorporate modern features such as...
pitch and over 6 acres (24,281.2 m²) of playing fields on land adjoining Warwick School's own playing fields half a mile to the south.
Increasing levels of co-operation between Warwick School and King's High School for Girls has led to the joint teaching of certain AS Level
GCE Advanced Level
The Advanced Level General Certificate of Education, commonly referred to as an A-level, is a qualification offered by education institutions in England, Northern Ireland, Wales, Cameroon, and the Cayman Islands...
and A Level subjects from September 2004, for example drama, physical education and most recently politics. Girls were also admitted to Warwick School Combined Cadet Force
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,...
, founded in 1884, in 2003.
Headmistresses
- 1879 - 1895 M Fisher
- 1896–1913 M Lea
- 1913–1921 E M Edgehill
- 1921–1922 G Gargner
- 1922–1944 V E L Doorly
- 1945–1947 G M Wiseman
- 1948–1970 W Hare
- 1970–1987 M Leahy
- 1987–2001 J M Anderson
- 2001–present E S Surber
King's High Legends
Supposedly there are two ghosts that haunt King's High School. Both are in occupancy in Landor House. The first, the aptly named Landor Ghost, is, according to legend, the ghost of a young man who haunts the highest rooms of Landor House. In especial he prefers two peculiar conjoining rooms that were rumoured to be an old nursery. Some believe "Landor Ghost" is that of the young Walter Savage LandorWalter Savage Landor
Walter Savage Landor was an English writer and poet. His best known works were the prose Imaginary Conversations, and the poem Rose Aylmer, but the critical acclaim he received from contemporary poets and reviewers was not matched by public popularity...
inflicting his final torment on the world
World
World is a common name for the whole of human civilization, specifically human experience, history, or the human condition in general, worldwide, i.e. anywhere on Earth....
, others believe he is the father
Father
A father, Pop, Dad, or Papa, is defined as a male parent of any type of offspring. The adjective "paternal" refers to father, parallel to "maternal" for mother...
of an orphaned child
Child
Biologically, a child is generally a human between the stages of birth and puberty. Some vernacular definitions of a child include the fetus, as being an unborn child. The legal definition of "child" generally refers to a minor, otherwise known as a person younger than the age of majority...
born in or near Landor House. The second ghost is that of a young boy
Boy
A boy is a young male human , as contrasted to its female counterpart, girl, or an adult male, a man.The term "boy" is primarily used to indicate biological sex distinctions, cultural gender role distinctions or both...
on a bicycle
Bicycle
A bicycle, also known as a bike, pushbike or cycle, is a human-powered, pedal-driven, single-track vehicle, having two wheels attached to a frame, one behind the other. A person who rides a bicycle is called a cyclist, or bicyclist....
who, if old boarders stories are to be believed, upon a dare from his schoolmates decided to ride his bicycle down Landor stairs and unfortunately fatally injured himself whilst on this dangerous mission. Though these ghosts seem to keep silent during the term-time and hours of day-light at King's High, some pupils and teachers have remarked upon inexplicable temperature changes and odd noises from the top of Landor. One peculiar incident was a series of recordings made through the night at various points around the school for a physics experiment. It was noticed that although elsewhere all was almost silent throughout the night, Landor House had periodic bumpings and bangings. Perhaps Walter Savage Landor
Walter Savage Landor
Walter Savage Landor was an English writer and poet. His best known works were the prose Imaginary Conversations, and the poem Rose Aylmer, but the critical acclaim he received from contemporary poets and reviewers was not matched by public popularity...
objects to the idea of his old home being used for the education of young women, or maybe it's just the ancient heating system.
Another legend of King's High is that there is an underground pathway from Landor House to the nearby St. Mary's Church. It is rumoured that this pathway was created during World War II
World 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...
to allow the occupants to escape to the safety of the church during the Blitz
The Blitz
The Blitz was the sustained strategic bombing of Britain by Nazi Germany between 7 September 1940 and 10 May 1941, during the Second World War. The city of London was bombed by the Luftwaffe for 76 consecutive nights and many towns and cities across the country followed...
. Others dispute this, claiming the underground walkway was there for decades, or even centuries, before this. Many claim this mythical pathway does not exist and naturally a tour around King's High School does not include this interesting sight. But there is a secret trap door from the top of the Eastgate tower leading to the rooms below!
Notable former pupils
- Dr Barbara AnsellBarbara AnsellBarbara Mary Ansell CBE, FRCP, FRCS was the founder of paediatric rheumatology.Born in Warwick, Warwickshire, England, and educated at King's High School for Girls there, Ansell qualified at Birmingham in 1946 and did her post-graduate training at Hammersmith...
UK founder of paediatric rheumatologyRheumatologyRheumatology is a sub-specialty in internal medicine and pediatrics, devoted to diagnosis and therapy of rheumatic diseases. Clinicians who specialize in rheumatology are called rheumatologists...
. - Kim HartmanKim HartmanKim Lesley Hartman is an English actress, best known for her role as Private Helga Geerhart in the British television series Allo 'Allo!.Born in London, she was educated at the King's High School For Girls....
Actress, most notably Private Helga GeerhartPrivate Helga GeerhartPrivate Helga Geerhart is a fictional character in the BBC sitcom Allo 'Allo!, which ran from 1982 to 1992. She was played by the actress Kim Hartman....
in 'Allo 'Allo!'Allo 'Allo!'Allo 'Allo! is a British sitcom broadcast on BBC One from 1982 to 1992 comprising eighty-five episodes. It is a parody of another BBC programme, the wartime drama Secret Army, and was created by David Croft, who also wrote the theme music, and Jeremy Lloyd. Lloyd and Croft wrote the first 6...
. - Catherine BottCatherine BottCatherine Bott is a British soprano and a baroque specialist.Following her studies at The King's High School For Girls, and Guildhall School of Music and Drama, with Arthur Reckless, she began her career as a member of the English baroque-jazz crossover group, The Swingle Singers...
SopranoSopranoA soprano is a voice type with a vocal range from approximately middle C to "high A" in choral music, or to "soprano C" or higher in operatic music. In four-part chorale style harmony, the soprano takes the highest part, which usually encompasses the melody...
Singer and Radio Presenter - June TaborJune TaborJune Tabor is an English folk singer.- Early years :June Tabor was inspired to sing by hearing Anne Briggs' EP Hazards of Love in 1965. "I went and locked myself in the bathroom for a fortnight and drove my mother mad. I learned the songs on that EP note for note, twiddle for twiddle. That's how I...
Folk singer