Aylesbury Grammar School
Encyclopedia
Aylesbury Grammar School is a single-sex male grammar school
in Aylesbury
, Buckinghamshire
, England
, which educates 1,250 pupils.
taken at the age of 10-11. The school's catchment area inflates house prices.
The school educates boys from the age of 11, in year 7, through to the age of 18, in year 13 (Upper VI). The school has its largest intakes at Year 7 followed by Year 12 (Lower VI). On completing GCSEs, most pupils stay on to complete their A-levels at the school's sixth-form.
It is situated east of the town centre on the southern side of the A41
, between Walton (to the west) and Victoria Park (to the east).
status in Technology
, which it kept until Summer 2007, when it was decided that a more academic specialist subject would be more appropriate for AGS and the school successfully gained Science College
status as its primary specialism. In April 2006 AGS gained a second college status as a Language College
and the gained a second secondary college status in Maths and Computing
in January 2008.
Founded, 1598 in Aylesbury
, Buckinghamshire
by Sir Henry Lee, Aylesbury Grammar School celebrated 100 years on the current site in Walton Road in 2007. It is commonly referred to by its students and staff by the abbreviations 'AGS' or 'The Grammar'.
and is across the road from Aylesbury Grammar School.
The current headmaster is Stephen Lehec who took over from Steve Harvey at the start of the 2008-9 academic year.
Boys are encouraged throughout the year to take part in house events, as well as some individual events. Most of the encouragement comes from their heads of house, who are in charge of 210 pupils on average (or 7 tutor groups, each consisting of 30 pupils).
At the end of each event the houses gain points for their placements in these events; and at the end of the year, these points are totaled up and a winner is declared for each trophy.
, in which pupils are streamed by ability in year 8-9, and by their second Foreign Language choice in year 8-9; until the 2008/9 academic year, where year 7s are now assigned two languages - French and either German or Spanish according to the house (Denson, Hampden and Lee do German; Paterson, Phillips and Ridley do Spanish) and then start learning Latin
in year 8). Tutor groups are also split up into groups of 20 for Design Technology
lessons, and for Art
and Ceramic
s in Years 8-9 as well as Latin in year 9 where they are also streamed by ability.
In Year 10 and above, the year group is reshuffled into 7 smaller sized 'forms' for teaching of the science
s, English
, Maths and P.E.
, whilst pupils' different GCSE choices mean they may not see others from either tutor group or form. From this point onwards, the houses play no significant role other than teams for the Watson or Brodie trophies.
The teaching staff at Aylesbury Grammar School includes Dr. Carol Blyth, who has received a 'Teacher of the Decade' award as well as Dr Kevin Bond, author and Chairman of Examiners for Computing. Dr Bond retired from AGS in December 2009
Image:AylesburyOldGrammarSchool.jpg|The old school site in Aylesbury town centre that hosted the school from 1598 to 1907
Image:AGS_Main_Hall.jpg|The main school hall, used for Upper School Assembly and drama productions, among others, was constructed in the 1950s
Image:AGS_Language_Block.jpg|The Languages block (known as the Tower block until 2003, and still called that informally by students) hosts Modern Foreign Language lessons, as well as the Classics Department
Image:AGS_Sports_Hall.jpg|The John Mason Raven Sports Hall, opened at Easter 2003, is one of the newest constructions and has replaced the Gym as the primary sports facility. The building includes a large viewing balcony
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 Aylesbury
Aylesbury
Aylesbury is the county town of Buckinghamshire in South East England. However the town also falls into a geographical region known as the South Midlands an area that ecompasses the north of the South East, and the southern extremities of the East Midlands...
, 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...
, which educates 1,250 pupils.
Admissions
As a selective state school, its entry requirements are dictated by the examEleven plus
In the United Kingdom, the 11-plus or Eleven plus is an examination administered to some students in their last year of primary education, governing admission to various types of secondary school. The name derives from the age group for secondary entry: 11–12 years...
taken at the age of 10-11. The school's catchment area inflates house prices.
The school educates boys from the age of 11, in year 7, through to the age of 18, in year 13 (Upper VI). The school has its largest intakes at Year 7 followed by Year 12 (Lower VI). On completing GCSEs, most pupils stay on to complete their A-levels at the school's sixth-form.
It is situated east of the town centre on the southern side of the A41
A41 road
The A41 is a formerly-major trunk road in England that links London and Birkenhead, although it has now largely been superseded by motorways. It passes through or near various towns and cities including Watford, Hemel Hempstead, Aylesbury, Solihull, Birmingham, West Bromwich, Wolverhampton,...
, between Walton (to the west) and Victoria Park (to the east).
Specialist status
In September 1997 the school was awarded specialist schoolSpecialist school
The specialist schools programme was a UK government initiative which encouraged secondary schools in England to specialise in certain areas of the curriculum to boost achievement. The Specialist Schools and Academies Trust was responsible for the delivery of the programme...
status in Technology
Technology College
Technology College is a term used in the United Kingdom for a secondary specialist school that focuses on design and technology, mathematics and science. These were the first type of specialist schools, beginning in 1994. In 2008 there were 598 Technology Colleges in England, of which 12 also...
, which it kept until Summer 2007, when it was decided that a more academic specialist subject would be more appropriate for AGS and the school successfully gained Science College
Science College
Science Colleges were introduced in 2002 as part of the now defunct Specialist Schools Programme in the United Kingdom. The system enabled secondary schools to specialise in certain fields, in this case, science and mathematics...
status as its primary specialism. In April 2006 AGS gained a second college status as a Language College
Language College
Language Colleges were introduced in 1995 as part of the Specialist Schools Programme in the United Kingdom. The system enables secondary schools to specialise in certain fields, in this case, modern foreign languages...
and the gained a second secondary college status in Maths and Computing
Mathematics and Computing College
Mathematics and Computing Colleges were introduced in England in 2002 as part of the Government's Specialist Schools Programme which was designed to raise standards in secondary education. Specialist schools focus specifically on their chosen specialism but must also meet the requirements of the...
in January 2008.
History
Aylesbury
Aylesbury is the county town of Buckinghamshire in South East England. However the town also falls into a geographical region known as the South Midlands an area that ecompasses the north of the South East, and the southern extremities of the East Midlands...
, 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....
by Sir Henry Lee, Aylesbury Grammar School celebrated 100 years on the current site in Walton Road in 2007. It is commonly referred to by its students and staff by the abbreviations 'AGS' or 'The Grammar'.
Single sex school
The school was previously a mixed sex school but then parted in 1959 after a fire which destroyed part of the old school buildings. The girls' school became Aylesbury High SchoolAylesbury High School
Aylesbury High School was founded in 1959, in Aylesbury, Buckinghamshire, when the previously co-educational Aylesbury Grammar School became boys-only. The two schools remain on adjacent sites. The current headteacher is Alan Rosen....
and is across the road from Aylesbury Grammar School.
The current headmaster is Stephen Lehec who took over from Steve Harvey at the start of the 2008-9 academic year.
Houses
Each pupil is placed into one of six houses upon starting at the school. The six houses are:| House | Colour | Current House Leader | Significance |
|---|---|---|---|
| Denson | Sky Blue | E Hill | |
| Hampden | Green | R Rooney | Named after 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)... , leader of the victorious Parliamentarian Roundhead "Roundhead" was the nickname given to the supporters of the Parliament during the English Civil War. Also known as Parliamentarians, they fought against King Charles I and his supporters, the Cavaliers , who claimed absolute power and the divine right of kings... forces in the Battle of Aylesbury Battle of Aylesbury On the 1 November 1642, Royalist forces, under the command of Prince Rupert engaged Aylesbury's Parliamentarian garrison, at Holman's Bridge a few miles to the north of Aylesbury town... in 1642 |
| Lee | Yellow | P Dean | Named after the founder of the school, Sir Henry Lee, Bart of Ditchley |
| Paterson | Maroon | K Chalk | Named after Mrs. Paterson, a long serving member of the Governing body. The newest house, founded in 1981 |
| Phillips | Red | M Goodchild | Named after Henry Phillips of London, influential in the founding of the school |
| Ridley | Dark Blue | J Barrie |
House trophy competitions
Each year, the school houses compete for the Brodie Trophy for sports and the Watson Trophy for all other activities (including art, music and public speaking). The awards are named after former pupils who have made a great contribution to the school's life. The competitions have been taking place for over 300 years, when the 'houses' were groups of boarders living in one building. There is also a defunct trophy called 'Merit Marks', which was abolished due to imbalances in the willingness of various teachers to distribute them.Boys are encouraged throughout the year to take part in house events, as well as some individual events. Most of the encouragement comes from their heads of house, who are in charge of 210 pupils on average (or 7 tutor groups, each consisting of 30 pupils).
At the end of each event the houses gain points for their placements in these events; and at the end of the year, these points are totaled up and a winner is declared for each trophy.
Prefects
There are various levels of prefects at AGS.- In Year 11, boys can apply to become a junior prefect. Appointment to this role is generally based on contribution to school activities and behaviour. The position acts as a level of recognition rather than extra responsibility. They can be recognised by a red badge with the school logo.
- In the lower sixth, boys get their first chance to apply to become a school prefect. This is the first level of prefects where successful applicants are assigned extra responsibility within school. For example, school prefects can work in the school canteen, library, etc. They can also be assigned a tutor group to look after lower down the school prior to morning registration and during break times. School prefects are identified by a yellow stripe above each of their blazer pockets.
- At the end of the lower sixth, school prefects can apply to become senior prefects. This role is an advanced version of the school prefect role where students will be required to take on extra responsibilities. They are also relied on more by staff members to do tasks around school. They can be identified by maroon stripes above each of their blazer pockets.
- Each house also assigns three senior prefects in the upper sixth to become head and deputy head boys of house. They have the same responsibility as senior prefects but also are involved in organising house activities and house assemblies. They aid the staff head of house in the running of the house. The can be identified by "Head/Deputy Head Boy of House" badges.
Head Boys
The school appoints three members of the Upper Sixth to the positions of Head Boy and two Deputy Head Boys. The students are picked for these roles by staff and members of the senior leadership team based on maturity, behaviour, attitude, academic achievements and contribution to school and house events. They are identified by maroon stripes around the cuffs of the blazer.Teaching system
In the first three years of the school, pupils are almost exclusively taught in their houses, or 'tutor groups' (with the exceptions of MathsMathematics
Mathematics is the study of quantity, space, structure, and change. Mathematicians seek out patterns and formulate new conjectures. Mathematicians resolve the truth or falsity of conjectures by mathematical proofs, which are arguments sufficient to convince other mathematicians of their validity...
, in which pupils are streamed by ability in year 8-9, and by their second Foreign Language choice in year 8-9; until the 2008/9 academic year, where year 7s are now assigned two languages - French and either German or Spanish according to the house (Denson, Hampden and Lee do German; Paterson, Phillips and Ridley do Spanish) and then start learning Latin
Latin
Latin is an Italic language originally spoken in Latium and Ancient Rome. It, along with most European languages, is a descendant of the ancient Proto-Indo-European language. Although it is considered a dead language, a number of scholars and members of the Christian clergy speak it fluently, and...
in year 8). Tutor groups are also split up into groups of 20 for Design Technology
Design Technology
Design and Technology is a school subject offered at all levels of primary and secondary school. In some countries such as England it is a part of the National Curriculum. It is offered in many countries around the world such as Brunei, Bermuda, Singapore, Australia, New Zealand, Ireland, Jordan...
lessons, and for Art
Art
Art is the product or process of deliberately arranging items in a way that influences and affects one or more of the senses, emotions, and intellect....
and Ceramic
Ceramic
A ceramic is an inorganic, nonmetallic solid prepared by the action of heat and subsequent cooling. Ceramic materials may have a crystalline or partly crystalline structure, or may be amorphous...
s in Years 8-9 as well as Latin in year 9 where they are also streamed by ability.
In Year 10 and above, the year group is reshuffled into 7 smaller sized 'forms' for teaching of the science
Science
Science is a systematic enterprise that builds and organizes knowledge in the form of testable explanations and predictions about the universe...
s, English
English language
English is a West Germanic language that arose in the Anglo-Saxon kingdoms of England and spread into what was to become south-east Scotland under the influence of the Anglian medieval kingdom of Northumbria...
, Maths and P.E.
Physical education
Physical education or gymnastics is a course taken during primary and secondary education that encourages psychomotor learning in a play or movement exploration setting....
, whilst pupils' different GCSE choices mean they may not see others from either tutor group or form. From this point onwards, the houses play no significant role other than teams for the Watson or Brodie trophies.
The teaching staff at Aylesbury Grammar School includes Dr. Carol Blyth, who has received a 'Teacher of the Decade' award as well as Dr Kevin Bond, author and Chairman of Examiners for Computing. Dr Bond retired from AGS in December 2009
Academic performance
In 2009, the school received the best A-level results in Buckinghamshire LEA, and some distance better than the girls' school, which also receives good results. Buckinghamshire LEA (the county council) is based in Aylesbury.Notable former pupils
- Jake ArnottJake ArnottJake Arnott is a British novelist, author of The Long Firm and other novels. Most of his works are crime novels, and include homosexual characters...
(b. 1961) author, left school at 16 - Richard BaronRichard BaronRichard Baron is a philosopher living in London. He was educated at Aylesbury Grammar School and at Selwyn College, Cambridge.His first book, Projects and Values, argues for a foundationalist virtue ethic, against the background of a structured approach to the cultural relativity of value-concepts...
, philosopher - Simon BeattieSimon BeattieSimon Beattie is a British antiquarian bookseller.Beattie was educated at Aylesbury Grammar School and the University of Exeter, where he took a double first in German and Russian and subsequently studied for an MA in Lexicography , which he passed with Distinction...
(b. 1975), antiquarian bookseller - Tim BesleyTim BesleyTimothy John Besley, CBE served on the Bank of England's Monetary Policy Committee from September 2006 to August 2009 and is Kuwait professor of economics and political science at the London School of Economics, Director of the Suntory-Toyota International Centres for Economics and Related...
, economist and former Member of the Bank of England's 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... - Angela BillinghamAngela Billingham, Baroness BillinghamAngela Theodora Billingham, Baroness Billingham JP is a British Labour politician.-Early life:Born Angela Theodora Case in Liverpool, she was educated at Aylesbury Grammar School, the Institute of Education and the Department of Education, Oxford University...
(b. 31 July 1939), politician - Rutland BoughtonRutland BoughtonRutland Boughton was an English composer who became well known in the early 20th century as a composer of opera and choral music....
(1878 – 1960), composer - Richard BracewellRichard BracewellRichard Bracewell is an English film director with UK feature film production company Punk Cinema, which he set up in 2004 with co-producer and brother Tony Bracewell....
(b. 1969), director, producer and scriptwriter - Kevin CecilKevin CecilKevin Robert Cecil is a British screenwriter.Writing alongside Andy Riley , he has won two BAFTA awards, the first for writing the Comic Relief one-off special, Robbie the Reindeer, in 2000, and the second for Black Books in 2005...
, (b. 1969), scriptwriter - John Edwards OBE (1904 – 1959), Labour MP from 1950-9 for Brighouse and SpenboroughBrighouse and Spenborough (UK Parliament constituency)Brighouse and Spenborough was a parliamentary constituency in the West Riding of Yorkshire, comprising the areas of the two municipal boroughs of Brighouse and Spenborough...
- Derek Dick (Fish)Fish (singer)Derek William Dick, better known as Fish, is a Scottish progressive rock singer, lyricist and occasional actor, best known as the former lead singer of Marillion.-Biography:...
(b. 1958), singer (briefly) - John Edwards (1904 – 1959), politician
- David GurrDavid Gurr (cricketer)David Roberts Gurr, born 27 March 1956, played first-class cricket for Oxford University and Somerset between 1976 and 1979. He was born at Whitchurch, Buckinghamshire.-Cricket career:...
(b. 1956), cricketer for Oxford University and Somerset - Tim HarfordTim HarfordTim Harford is an English economist and journalist, residing in London. He is the author of four economics books, presenter of BBC television series Trust Me, I'm an Economist, and writer of a humorous weekly column called "Dear Economist" for The Financial Times, in which he uses economic theory...
(b. 1973), journalist and presenter - Peter JukesPeter JukesPeter Jukes is a British author, screenwriter, playwright, literary critic and blogger.-Television:Jukes' television writing has mainly been in genre of prime time thrillers or TV detective fiction, with 90 minute or two hour long stories originally broadcast on the BBC, retransmitted abroad in the...
(b. 1960), author & scriptwriter - Richard LeeRichard Lee (footballer)Richard Anthony Lee is an English footballer. He is a goalkeeper and currently plays for Brentford.-Playing career:...
(b.1982), goalkeeper for league one side Brentford F.C.Brentford F.C.Brentford Football Club are a professional English football club based in Brentford in the London Borough of Hounslow. They are currently playing in Football League One....
, currently number 1 keeper for this league one side. - David MillarDavid MillarDavid Millar is a British road racing cyclist riding for . He has won three stages of the Tour de France, two of the Vuelta a España and one Stage of the Giro d'Italia. He was the British national road champion and the national time trial champion, both in 2007...
(b. 1977), cyclist - Kris NeedsKris NeedsKris Needs is a British journalist and author, primarily known for his writings on the music scene from the 1970s onwards. He became editor of ZigZag Magazine in August 1977, at the relatively young age of 23, and has written biographies of numerous rock and dance stars including Primal Scream,...
(b. 1954), journalist and author - Andy RileyAndy RileyAndy Riley is a British author, cartoonist, comics scriptwriter, and television screenwriter.Riley has written several best-selling cartoon books, The Book of Bunny Suicides , Return of the Bunny Suicides, The Bumper Book of Bunny Suicides, Dawn of the Bunny Suicides, Great Lies To Tell Small...
, (b. 1970), author and scriptwriter - Peter Rost, Conservative MP from 1983-92 for ErewashErewash (UK Parliament constituency)Erewash 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:The constituency covers the borough of Erewash....
and from 1970-83 for South East DerbyshireSouth East Derbyshire (UK Parliament constituency)South East Derbyshire was a parliamentary constituency in Derbyshire. It returned one Member of Parliament to the House of Commons of the Parliament of the United Kingdom, elected by the first past the post voting system.... - Horace RoyeHorace RoyeHorace Roye was one of the 20th century's pioneering photographers. Roye's photo Tomorrow's Crucifixion, depicting a nude model wearing a gas mask while pinned to a crucifix caused controversy when published in the North London Recorder in August 1938, but is now recognised as one the major...
, photographer - Kevin SacreKevin SacreKevin Sacre is a British actor. He is most famous for his performance as Jake Dean in the British Channel 4 soap opera Hollyoaks, a role he played from 2002 to 2010.-Early life:...
, actor - Rob StringerRob StringerRob Stringer is Chairman of the Columbia Records, which is part of Sony Music Entertainment.He is the younger brother of Sir Howard Stringer, who is Chairman and CEO of Sony Corporation.-References:...
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, and brother of Sir Howard StringerHoward StringerSir Howard Stringer is a Welsh-born American businessman and the chairman, president and CEO of Sony Corporation.-Personal life:... - Frederick TaylorFrederick Taylor (historian)Frederick Taylor is a British historian and author of such works as Dresden: Tuesday, February 13, 1945 about the bombing of Dresden in World War II....
, historian - Shailesh Vara, Conservative MP since 2005 for North West Cambridgeshire
- Alex WilkieAlex WilkieAlex Wilkie FRS is a British mathematician known for his contributions to Model theory and logic. Previously Reader in Mathematical Logic at the University of Oxford, he was appointed to the Fielden Chair of Pure Mathematics at the University of Manchester in 2007.Wilkie attended Aylesbury...
FRS, (b. 1948) mathematician - Theo JamesTheo JamesTheo James is an English actor, known for portraying Jed Harper in Bedlam and Kemal Pamuk in Downton Abbey.-Background:James was born in Oxford...
, (b. 1984), actor - Scott DaviesScott Davies (footballer born 1988)Scott Myles E. Davies is a footballer who plays for Aldershot Town on loan from Crawley Town.-Early career:Born in Aylesbury, Buckinghamshire and attending Aylesbury Grammar School, Davies started his career with Watford's youth system after being spotted whilst playing for Aylesbury senior...
, (b. 1988), Professional Footballer - Dr Theodore ZeldinTheodore ZeldinTheodore Zeldin CBE , President of the Oxford Muse Foundation, is an English philosopher, sociologist, historian, writer and public speaker....
CBE, author and historian
Photos of the school
Image:AylesburyOldGrammarSchool.jpg|The old school site in Aylesbury town centre that hosted the school from 1598 to 1907
Image:AGS_Main_Hall.jpg|The main school hall, used for Upper School Assembly and drama productions, among others, was constructed in the 1950s
Image:AGS_Language_Block.jpg|The Languages block (known as the Tower block until 2003, and still called that informally by students) hosts Modern Foreign Language lessons, as well as the Classics Department
Image:AGS_Sports_Hall.jpg|The John Mason Raven Sports Hall, opened at Easter 2003, is one of the newest constructions and has replaced the Gym as the primary sports facility. The building includes a large viewing balcony
External links
- Department for Education Performance Tables 2009 (GCSE and equivalent)
- Department for Education Performance Tables 2009 (Post-16)
- Aylesbury Grammar School Debating Society
- EduBase