Wolverhampton Grammar School
Encyclopedia
Wolverhampton Grammar School is a co-educational independent school
located in the city of Wolverhampton
.
Initially Wolverhampton Boys Grammar School, it was founded in 1512 by Sir Stephen Jenyns
, a master of the ancient guild of Merchant Taylors
, who was also Lord Mayor
of London in the year of Henry VIII
's coronation. Jenyns was born in the city of Wolverhampton circa 1448.
In the year 1519 he was one of the wealthiest men in the country and is reported to have paid more tax than any other person in that year.
In 1875, the school moved to its present site on the Compton Road from its previous site on John Street in the centre of Wolverhampton. This move was overseen by the Chairman of Governors, Sir Rupert Kettle.
In September 1984, after 472 years as an all boys school, the school admitted girls to the sixth form and in other embraces of modernity was the largest single user of assisted places funds, with over 40% of pupils in the 1980s and early 1990s reliant upon assisted places funding. This resulted in the school adopting its current name of Wolverhampton Grammar School.
In September 1992, the school became fully co-educational, admitting girls from the age of 11, a move seen as somewhat controversial at the time; however, other mixed grammar schools had existed for many years previously, while other single sex grammar schools had merged to continue as mixed grammar schools or mixed comprehensives.
The current headmaster, Vincent Darby was appointed in September 2008, replacing Dr Bernard Trafford, who had been head since September 1990.
Recently the school has undergone development to improve facilities available to pupils. This included construction of a rock climbing wall, which replaced an Eton Fives
court behind the sports centre. A new large extension to the music block was also completed in 2005, and officially opened by Robert Plant
. In December 2007, a new block for the arts was opened on Merridale Lane, beyond Moreton's Piece, with a production of As You Like It
and an exhibition by artist in residence, Derek Jones. It houses a number of art classrooms on two storeys, a gallery space (The Viner Gallery) and a 150-200 seat studio theatre (The Hutton Theatre, named after the late headmaster Patrick Hutton), a versatile performance space with extensive technical facilities.
In May 2010 Mr Vincent Darby revealed that he was to open a new junior school in September 2011, adding a year 3, 4 and 5. The old art block has subsequently been converted into the new languages suite and the current languages building - the Hallmark - is now the junior school. The new school has been named Wolverhampton Grammar Junior School (WGJS)to reflect consistency with the Wolverhampton Grammar School brand and will be led by Mr Andrew Hymer.
Since Mr Darby's arrival the school uniform has seen a staged improvement: the second phase of this change will take effect from September 2011 when students will once again adopt the grey trousers / grey kilts for years 7 and 8 with year 9 and above wearing grey straight skirts. A quincentenary tie will also be introduced to mark the start of the school's 500th anniversary celebrations.
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...
located in the city of Wolverhampton
Wolverhampton
Wolverhampton is a city and metropolitan borough in the West Midlands, England. For Eurostat purposes Walsall and Wolverhampton is a NUTS 3 region and is one of five boroughs or unitary districts that comprise the "West Midlands" NUTS 2 region...
.
Initially Wolverhampton Boys Grammar School, it was founded in 1512 by Sir Stephen Jenyns
Stephen Jenyns
Sir Stephen Jenyns was a wool merchant from Wolverhampton who became Lord Mayor of London.He was a Sheriff of London in 1499, before becoming Lord Mayor in 1509. He founded Wolverhampton Grammar School in 1512.-References:...
, a master of the ancient guild of Merchant Taylors
Worshipful Company of Merchant Taylors
The Worshipful Company of Merchant Taylors is one of the 108 Livery Companies of the City of London.The Company, originally known as the Guild and Fraternity of St...
, who was also Lord Mayor
Lord Mayor
The Lord Mayor is the title of the Mayor of a major city, with special recognition.-Commonwealth of Nations:* In Australia it is a political position. Australian cities with Lord Mayors: Adelaide, Brisbane, Darwin, Hobart, Melbourne, Newcastle, Parramatta, Perth, Sydney, and Wollongong...
of London in the year of Henry VIII
Henry VIII of England
Henry VIII was King of England from 21 April 1509 until his death. He was Lord, and later King, of Ireland, as well as continuing the nominal claim by the English monarchs to the Kingdom of France...
's coronation. Jenyns was born in the city of Wolverhampton circa 1448.
In the year 1519 he was one of the wealthiest men in the country and is reported to have paid more tax than any other person in that year.
In 1875, the school moved to its present site on the Compton Road from its previous site on John Street in the centre of Wolverhampton. This move was overseen by the Chairman of Governors, Sir Rupert Kettle.
In September 1984, after 472 years as an all boys school, the school admitted girls to the sixth form and in other embraces of modernity was the largest single user of assisted places funds, with over 40% of pupils in the 1980s and early 1990s reliant upon assisted places funding. This resulted in the school adopting its current name of Wolverhampton Grammar School.
In September 1992, the school became fully co-educational, admitting girls from the age of 11, a move seen as somewhat controversial at the time; however, other mixed grammar schools had existed for many years previously, while other single sex grammar schools had merged to continue as mixed grammar schools or mixed comprehensives.
The current headmaster, Vincent Darby was appointed in September 2008, replacing Dr Bernard Trafford, who had been head since September 1990.
Recently the school has undergone development to improve facilities available to pupils. This included construction of a rock climbing wall, which replaced an Eton Fives
Eton Fives
Eton Fives, one derivative of the British game of Fives, is a hand-ball game, similar to Rugby Fives, played as doubles in a three-sided court. The object is to force the other team to fail to hit the ball 'up' off the front wall, using any variety of wall or ledge combinations as long as the ball...
court behind the sports centre. A new large extension to the music block was also completed in 2005, and officially opened by Robert Plant
Robert Plant
Robert Anthony Plant, CBE is an English singer and songwriter best known as the vocalist and lyricist of the iconic rock band Led Zeppelin. He has also had a successful solo career...
. In December 2007, a new block for the arts was opened on Merridale Lane, beyond Moreton's Piece, with a production of As You Like It
As You Like It
As You Like It is a pastoral comedy by William Shakespeare believed to have been written in 1599 or early 1600 and first published in the folio of 1623. The play's first performance is uncertain, though a performance at Wilton House in 1603 has been suggested as a possibility...
and an exhibition by artist in residence, Derek Jones. It houses a number of art classrooms on two storeys, a gallery space (The Viner Gallery) and a 150-200 seat studio theatre (The Hutton Theatre, named after the late headmaster Patrick Hutton), a versatile performance space with extensive technical facilities.
In May 2010 Mr Vincent Darby revealed that he was to open a new junior school in September 2011, adding a year 3, 4 and 5. The old art block has subsequently been converted into the new languages suite and the current languages building - the Hallmark - is now the junior school. The new school has been named Wolverhampton Grammar Junior School (WGJS)to reflect consistency with the Wolverhampton Grammar School brand and will be led by Mr Andrew Hymer.
Since Mr Darby's arrival the school uniform has seen a staged improvement: the second phase of this change will take effect from September 2011 when students will once again adopt the grey trousers / grey kilts for years 7 and 8 with year 9 and above wearing grey straight skirts. A quincentenary tie will also be introduced to mark the start of the school's 500th anniversary celebrations.
Notable alumni (Old Wulfrunians)
- John AbernethyJohn Abernethy (surgeon)John Abernethy FRS was an English surgeon, grandson of the Reverend John Abernethy.He was born in Coleman Street in the City of London, where his father was a merchant. Educated at Wolverhampton Grammar School, he was apprenticed in 1779 to Sir Charles Blicke , a surgeon at St Bartholomew's...
, F.R.C.S.Fellowship of the Royal College of SurgeonsFellowship of the Royal College of Surgeons is a professional qualification to practise as a surgeon in the United Kingdom and Republic of Ireland...
English surgeon - founder of the school of medicine at St Bartholomew's HospitalSt Bartholomew's HospitalSt Bartholomew's Hospital, also known as Barts, is a hospital in Smithfield in the City of London, England.-Early history:It was founded in 1123 by Raherus or Rahere , a favourite courtier of King Henry I... - Thomas AttwoodThomas AttwoodThomas Attwood was a British economist, the leading figure of the underconsumptionist Birmingham School of economists, and, as the founder of the Birmingham Political Union, a leading figure in the public campaign for the Great Reform Act of 1832.He was born in Halesowen, and attended Halesowen...
- founder of the Birmingham Political UnionBirmingham Political UnionThe Birmingham Political Union was a political organisation in Great Britain during the early nineteenth century. Founded by Thomas Attwood, its original purpose was to campaign in favour of extending and redistributing suffrage rights to the working class of the kind set out in the Reform Bill of...
and National Political Union (1829) in 1829, which pushed for democratic reform, feted as a hero after the Great Reform Act 1832Reform Act 1832The Representation of the People Act 1832 was an Act of Parliament that introduced wide-ranging changes to the electoral system of England and Wales...
, later an MP for Birmingham. - Sir Arthur Benson 1907-1987, Chief Secretary to Central African Council, Governor of North Rhodesia 1954 - 1959
- Sir William Congreve, 2nd Baronet (1772-1828), inventor and rocket designer.
- Robert William FelkinRobert FelkinRobert William Felkin was a medical missionary and explorer, a ceremonial magician and member of the Hermetic Order of the Golden Dawn, a prolific author on Uganda and Central Africa, and early anthropologist, with an interest in ethno-medicine and tropical diseases.He was founder in 1903 of the...
, 1853-1926, LRCS (Edinburgh), MD (Marburg), FRSE, FRGS, medical missionary, ceremonial magician and member of the Hermetic Order of the Golden DawnHermetic Order of the Golden DawnThe Hermetic Order of the Golden Dawn was a magical order active in Great Britain during the late 19th and early 20th centuries, which practiced theurgy and spiritual development...
, author on UgandaUgandaUganda , officially the Republic of Uganda, is a landlocked country in East Africa. Uganda is also known as the "Pearl of Africa". It is bordered on the east by Kenya, on the north by South Sudan, on the west by the Democratic Republic of the Congo, on the southwest by Rwanda, and on the south by...
and Central Africa, early anthropologist. - Chris KellyChris Kelly (British politician)Christopher Kelly , known as Chris Kelly, is a Conservative Party politician in England. He is the Member of Parliament for the Dudley South constituency in the West Midlands of England. He was elected to Parliament at the 2010 general election in the constituency represented for the previous 16...
, ConservativeConservative Party (UK)The Conservative Party, formally the Conservative and Unionist Party, is a centre-right political party in the United Kingdom that adheres to the philosophies of conservatism and British unionism. It is the largest political party in the UK, and is currently the largest single party in the House...
MPMember of ParliamentA Member of Parliament is a representative of the voters to a :parliament. In many countries with bicameral parliaments, the term applies specifically to members of the lower house, as upper houses often have a different title, such as senate, and thus also have different titles for its members,...
for Dudley South at 2010 general election, attended from 1989 to 1996 including sixth form.http://www.conservativesintouch.com/uploaded/files/chriskelly/cv.pdf - Mervyn Allister King - Current Governor of the Bank of EnglandGovernor of the Bank of EnglandThe Governor of the Bank of England is the most senior position in the Bank of England. It is nominally a civil service post, but the appointment tends to be from within the Bank, with the incumbent grooming his or her successor...
and Chairman of the Monetary Policy CommitteeMonetary Policy CommitteeThe Monetary Policy Committee is a committee of the Bank of England, which meets for two and a half days every month to decide the official interest rate in the United Kingdom . It is also responsible for directing other aspects of the government's monetary policy framework, such as quantitative...
. - Sir David WrightDavid Wright (diplomat)Sir David John Wright GCMG LVO is a former British diplomat who served as British Ambassador to Japan 1996-1999.-Early life:David Wright was educated at Wolverhampton Grammar School, and at Peterhouse, University of Cambridge....
, a British diplomat, ambassador to JapanJapanJapan is an island nation in East Asia. Located in the Pacific Ocean, it lies to the east of the Sea of Japan, China, North Korea, South Korea and Russia, stretching from the Sea of Okhotsk in the north to the East China Sea and Taiwan in the south...
1996-1999. - Sir Norman Brook, 1st Baron NormanbrookNorman Brook, 1st Baron NormanbrookNorman Craven Brook, 1st Baron Normanbrook GCB, PC , known as Sir Norman Brook between 1946 and 1964, was a British civil servant...
of Chelsea 1902-1967, Head of the British Civil ServiceBritish Civil ServiceHer Majesty's Home Civil Service, also known as the Home Civil Service, is the permanent bureaucracy of Crown employees that supports Her Majesty's Government - the government of the United Kingdom, composed of a Cabinet of ministers chosen by the prime minister, as well as the devolved...
in the late 1950s and 1960s. Described by the Oxford Dictionary of National Biography as "the great technician of cabinet government in the mid twentieth century", also Chairman of the BBCBBCThe 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...
Board of Governors 1963-1967. - Augustus Edward Hough LoveAugustus Edward Hough LoveAugustus Edward Hough Love FRS , often known as A. E. H. Love, was a mathematician famous for his work on the mathematical theory of elasticity...
, Mathematician. Developer of the theory of Love Waves. - Sir Owen Rowlands, didact
- Mark MooreMark Moore (Clifton College)Mark J Moore is currently the headmaster of Clifton College in Bristol - he succeeded Stephen Spurr in 2005. Clifton College is a co-educational independent school and has around 720 children in the Upper School of which about a third are girls.Moore was educated at Wolverhampton Grammar School...
, headmaster of Clifton CollegeClifton CollegeClifton College is a co-educational independent school in Clifton, Bristol, England, founded in 1862. In its early years it was notable for emphasising science in the curriculum, and for being less concerned with social elitism, e.g. by admitting day-boys on equal terms and providing a dedicated...
. - Sathnam SangheraSathnam Sanghera-Early life and education:Sathnam Sanghera was born to Punjabi parents in Wolverhampton in 1976. His parents had emigrated to the UK in 1968. He was raised as a Sikh. At the age of ten he worked part-time in a sewing factory. He attended Wolverhampton Grammar School and graduated from Christ's...
, Times journalist and author.