Bridgnorth endowed school
Encyclopedia
Bridgnorth Endowed School is a co-educational secondary school
in the market town of Bridgnorth
in the rural county of Shropshire
, England
, founded in 1503. The Endowed School is a state school and is a specialist Technology College
. The age range of the School is 11–18 years.
The school celebrated the 500th anniversary of its foundation in 2003. Alumni includes the Nobel Prize
winner Professor Peter Bullock, the inspirational soil scientist who as a member of the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change
(IPCC) shared in the award of the 2007 Nobel Peace Prize
.
Bridgnorth Endowed School was founded in the reign of Henry VII
. The Endowed School was established, as a 'common school' by Bridgnorth Town Council in 1503. The revenues of the Chantries of St Leonard's Church
were originally used to support the school. An annual payment of £8 from the exchequer was assigned in perpetuity 'to a Schoolmaster keeping a grammar school' at Bridgnorth after the dissolution of the Chantries in 1548 during the reign of Edward VI. A barn, which had been used as the chapel of St John the Baptist (the new Bridgnorth Town Hall was also built in 1652 using material from a dismantled barn), first housed the school. This stood on the north side of St Leonard's churchyard outside St Leonard's Church. By the end of the sixteenth century the former chapel of St John the Baptist was being described as the 'old school-house'. The former chapel of St John the Baptist was replaced in 1595, in the reign of Elizabeth I, by the present building in St Leonard's Close known as the 'Old Grammar School' (which now houses a firm of accountants). This building appears to have been erected by Sir Rowland Haywood, a sixteenth century inhabitant of Bridgnorth who made a name for himself in business in London and became Lord Mayor of London and a Member of Parliament for the City of London. Indeed, Sir John Haywood in his will of 1635 refers to the School as having been founded by his father, Sir Rowland. Sir Rowland appears to have charged a property at Bridgnorth with an annual payment of £20 to the School, a payment later rendered by the Apley estate after Sir William Whitmore's purchase of the land in question in 1623. In 1785, during the reign of George III, the 'Old Grammar School' was renovated with gifts of £200 each given by the town's Members of Parliament, Major Whitmore and Admiral Pigot. The 'Old Grammar School' building still stands in St Leonard's Close and is currently occupied by a firm of accountants.
In 1639 during the reign of Charles I
Sir William Whitmore had erected on the east side of St Leonard's Church a house of which part was to be occupied, at a nominal rent, by the Headmaster, and the remainder by the Minister of St Leonard's Church. Sir William Whitmore's building still stands in St Leonard's Close. It has been converted into three private town houses with Grade II* listed status. The School was named by Edward Careswell of Bobbington as one of the several free grammar schools in Shropshire, also including Shrewsbury, Newport, Wem, Shifnal and Donnington (the last appears to have had only a short existence) to benefit by his will, which in 1690, during the reign of William III
and Mary II
devoted certain local properties to the maintenance of eighteen, later reduced to ten, scholars from these schools at Christ Church
, Oxford. These Careswell Exhibitions were first awarded in 1746, during the reign of George II. For 160 years Bridgnorth shared in the resulting close connexion between Shropshire and Christ Church
, Oxford, until in 1905 the Exhibitions became tenable elsewhere.
The School was kept clean by the labour of 'a poor boy of the said School' who was paid 4 pence annually by each of his fellows; normal repairs were paid for by the town; the town also added a further £10 to the School's annual income, but when that income had to be divided between the Headmaster and the Usher (who took the younger boys) it was naturally difficult to find and still more so to keep good masters. In 1635, for instance, the School contained only six boys. The reason for the long Headmasterships of Rev. Richard Cornes from 1677 to 1726 and of Rev. Hugh Stackhouse from 1726 to 1743 was that they were both also incumbents of St Mary's Church
. Rev. Stackhouse bequeathed to the Bridgnorth his collection of theological books and his memory is preserved in the name of the Stackhouse Library, the octagonal brick building with a dome, built on the northeast side of St Leonard's Church to house the collection of books which he had begun, and by a marble tablet over the building's fireplace. After 1766 no Usher was appointed; but the emoluments could not now support even a single master unless he could attract boarders to the School. Distinguished eighteenth century alumni of the School include Bishop Thomas Percy, Bishop of Dromore and author of Reliques of Ancient English Poetry
, Sir John Josiah Guest
, the engineer, entrepreneur and Member of Parliament, Dr Thomas Beddoes
, the physician and scientific writer, and Dr William Macmichael
, physician to Kings George IV
and William IV
and author of The Gold-Headed Cane.
, Oxford, who had been asked to recommend a candidate, proposed as Headmaster 24-year-old Thomas Rowley
of Middleton Scriven, who had himself studied at Christ Church
, Oxford. Under Dr Rowley
's leadership the School's reputation increased. Dr Rowley's success as a teacher of the Classics soon attracted boarders (housed in the Headmaster's House in St Leonard's Close) from far and near. His pupils included not only Bridgnorth boys, but also those from further afield. The numbers rose to about 150. In 1841 Dr Rowley was attacked by some members of the Town Council who complained of the treatment of the day-boys by the boarders and of the School's concentration on the Classics; but the Borough Treasurer wrote in Rowley's defence that the day-boys can hardly not have benefited from the specialist teachers whom Rowley was able to engage. The East Window of the St Leonard's Church was replaced in memory of Dr Rowley. Dr Rowley's successors after 1850 had not his ability, and accordingly the School's numbers and reputation, and their own emoluments, declined. Unsuccessful attempts were made to acquire some of the funds of the Careswell trust for the improvement of the School's buildings and endowments. Distinguished nineteenth century alumni of the School include Bishop James Fraser, the reforming Bishop of Manchester, Lord Lingen, the influential civil servant, Henry John Roby
, the classical scholar, writer on Roman law and Member of Parliament, General Sir Charles Warren
, Commissioner of the Metropolitan Police during the period of the Jack the Ripper
murders and operational commander of British forces at the Battle of Spion Kop
during the Second Boer War
, Reverend Robert William Eyton
, Rector of Ryton and author of The Antiquities of Shropshire, Rev. Osborne Gordon
, the influential Oxford don, and Bishop Francis Henry Thicknesse
, the inaugural Suffragan Bishop of Leicester.
; in 1955 it become voluntary controlled.
The School's name was changed from Bridgnorth Grammar School to Bridgnorth Endowed School in 1974 when it began the transition from a selective to a comprehensive intake. The new name reflected the Endowed School's history, referring to the endowments it had received. In the nineteenth century the terms endowed school and grammar school
were used interchangeably as in the Endowed Schools Act 1869
. In the second half of the twentieth century the Endowed School's buildings and sporting facilities on the Northgate site were greatly expanded with a new Lower School complex and a new Leisure Centre which the Endowed School had sole use of during the school day. Famous twentieth century alumni of the School include Sir Cedric Hardwicke
, the Hollywood and stage actor, Cyril Washbrook
, the cricketer who played for Lancashire and England and who gained a famous record as batsman, Professor Peter Bullock, the inspirational soil scientist who as a member of the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change
(IPCC) shared in the award of the 2007 Nobel Peace Prize
, and the historian John Mason John Mason
, Sir Cedric Hardwicke
, and Cyril Washbrook
, CBE. There are inter-house sporting and other activities with prizes.
, athletics, badminton, basketball, bowls, cricket, cross-country running, dance, darts, gymnastics, hockey, netball, rounders
, rugby football|rugby, snooker, soccer, horse club, craft club, squash, swimming, and tennis. Several pupils have been recently selected for County Cricket and Athletics. There are school trips abroad. Pupils also take part in charity activities. In Autumn 1989 Emma Askins was awarded an Army Scholarship for eventual entry to RMA Sandhurst subject to clearances and examination results.
of the National Curriculum) includes the full range of National Curriculum subjects plus a second foreign language and PHSE. In years nine, ten and eleven (Key Stage 4
of the National Curriculum) all pupils follow an extended core curriculum allowing all pupils to experience a broad range of subject areas up to the age of sixteen as well as reflecting the requirements of the National Curriculum. All pupils in years seven to eleven are expected to wear the school uniform which includes a navy blue blazer with school badge and a house tie. They are extremely tough on your uniform.
. AS and A2 subjects offered to 6th form students in years 12 and 13 include Art, Biology, Business Studies, Chemistry, Design, Drama and Theatre Studies, English Language, English Literature, French, Further Maths, geography, History, Information Technology, Maths, Music, Music Technology, Physical Education, Physics, Psychology, Religious Educatio, and Spanish language|Spanish. Year 12 students take four subjects at AS, and continue with three subjects at A2 in year 13. Sixth form pupils do not wear school uniform.
teacher Ms Joan Lawrence who is now Chairperson of Bridgnorth
and District Historical Society.
in 2003 and 2008. In 2003 the inspectors' overall evaluation was that 'this is a very good school.' In 2008 the inspectors agreed with the School's own self-evaluatuion that the School is providing 'a satisfactory standard of education' and that 'many elements are good'. The 2003 OFSTED inspection had identified modern foreign languages as unsatisfactory. However in 2008 the inspectors noted that there had been a 'great improvement in the leadership of modern foreign languages since the last inspection.' An OFSTED inspetion has recently took place, the school received a 'satisfactory' in most areas, pupil's behavior being one of the best, rated as 'good', while the maths department was the least achievable. OFSTED stated that the improvement in maths and English was a minor improvement and more work should be done to improve. From parents, they noted that many teachers have been on leave, saying that it disrupts their child's learning capabilities.
In 2011 the school got satisfactory (3), many of the student catergories earning good, (2).
Secondary school
Secondary school is a term used to describe an educational institution where the final stage of schooling, known as secondary education and usually compulsory up to a specified age, takes place...
in the market town of Bridgnorth
Bridgnorth
Bridgnorth is a town in Shropshire, England, along the Severn Valley. It is split into Low Town and High Town, named on account of their elevations relative to the River Severn, which separates the upper town on the right bank from the lower on the left...
in the rural county of Shropshire
Shropshire
Shropshire is a county in the West Midlands region of England. For Eurostat purposes, the county is a NUTS 3 region and is one of four counties or unitary districts that comprise the "Shropshire and Staffordshire" NUTS 2 region. It borders Wales to the west...
, 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...
, founded in 1503. The Endowed School is a state school and is a specialist Technology College
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...
. The age range of the School is 11–18 years.
The school celebrated the 500th anniversary of its foundation in 2003. Alumni includes the Nobel Prize
Nobel Prize
The Nobel Prizes are annual international awards bestowed by Scandinavian committees in recognition of cultural and scientific advances. The will of the Swedish chemist Alfred Nobel, the inventor of dynamite, established the prizes in 1895...
winner Professor Peter Bullock, the inspirational soil scientist who as a member of the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change
Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change
The Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change is a scientific intergovernmental body which provides comprehensive assessments of current scientific, technical and socio-economic information worldwide about the risk of climate change caused by human activity, its potential environmental and...
(IPCC) shared in the award of the 2007 Nobel Peace Prize
Nobel Peace Prize
The Nobel Peace Prize is one of the five Nobel Prizes bequeathed by the Swedish industrialist and inventor Alfred Nobel.-Background:According to Nobel's will, the Peace Prize shall be awarded to the person who...
.
16th, 17th and 18th Centuries
Henry VII of England
Henry VII was King of England and Lord of Ireland from his seizing the crown on 22 August 1485 until his death on 21 April 1509, as the first monarch of the House of Tudor....
. The Endowed School was established, as a 'common school' by Bridgnorth Town Council in 1503. The revenues of the Chantries of St Leonard's Church
St Leonard's Church, Bridgnorth
St Leonard's Church, Bridgnorth, is a redundant Anglican church in Bridgnorth, Shropshire, England. It has been designated by English Heritage as a Grade II* listed building, and is under the care of the Churches Conservation Trust.-History:...
were originally used to support the school. An annual payment of £8 from the exchequer was assigned in perpetuity 'to a Schoolmaster keeping a grammar school' at Bridgnorth after the dissolution of the Chantries in 1548 during the reign of Edward VI. A barn, which had been used as the chapel of St John the Baptist (the new Bridgnorth Town Hall was also built in 1652 using material from a dismantled barn), first housed the school. This stood on the north side of St Leonard's churchyard outside St Leonard's Church. By the end of the sixteenth century the former chapel of St John the Baptist was being described as the 'old school-house'. The former chapel of St John the Baptist was replaced in 1595, in the reign of Elizabeth I, by the present building in St Leonard's Close known as the 'Old Grammar School' (which now houses a firm of accountants). This building appears to have been erected by Sir Rowland Haywood, a sixteenth century inhabitant of Bridgnorth who made a name for himself in business in London and became Lord Mayor of London and a Member of Parliament for the City of London. Indeed, Sir John Haywood in his will of 1635 refers to the School as having been founded by his father, Sir Rowland. Sir Rowland appears to have charged a property at Bridgnorth with an annual payment of £20 to the School, a payment later rendered by the Apley estate after Sir William Whitmore's purchase of the land in question in 1623. In 1785, during the reign of George III, the 'Old Grammar School' was renovated with gifts of £200 each given by the town's Members of Parliament, Major Whitmore and Admiral Pigot. The 'Old Grammar School' building still stands in St Leonard's Close and is currently occupied by a firm of accountants.
Charles I of England
Charles I was King of England, King of Scotland, and King of Ireland from 27 March 1625 until his execution in 1649. Charles engaged in a struggle for power with the Parliament of England, attempting to obtain royal revenue whilst Parliament sought to curb his Royal prerogative which Charles...
Sir William Whitmore had erected on the east side of St Leonard's Church a house of which part was to be occupied, at a nominal rent, by the Headmaster, and the remainder by the Minister of St Leonard's Church. Sir William Whitmore's building still stands in St Leonard's Close. It has been converted into three private town houses with Grade II* listed status. The School was named by Edward Careswell of Bobbington as one of the several free grammar schools in Shropshire, also including Shrewsbury, Newport, Wem, Shifnal and Donnington (the last appears to have had only a short existence) to benefit by his will, which in 1690, during the reign of William III
William III of England
William III & II was a sovereign Prince of Orange of the House of Orange-Nassau by birth. From 1672 he governed as Stadtholder William III of Orange over Holland, Zeeland, Utrecht, Guelders, and Overijssel of the Dutch Republic. From 1689 he reigned as William III over England and Ireland...
and Mary II
Mary II of England
Mary II was joint Sovereign of England, Scotland, and Ireland with her husband and first cousin, William III and II, from 1689 until her death. William and Mary, both Protestants, became king and queen regnant, respectively, following the Glorious Revolution, which resulted in the deposition of...
devoted certain local properties to the maintenance of eighteen, later reduced to ten, scholars from these schools at Christ Church
Christ Church, Oxford
Christ Church or house of Christ, and thus sometimes known as The House), is one of the largest constituent colleges of the University of Oxford in England...
, Oxford. These Careswell Exhibitions were first awarded in 1746, during the reign of George II. For 160 years Bridgnorth shared in the resulting close connexion between Shropshire and Christ Church
Christ Church, Oxford
Christ Church or house of Christ, and thus sometimes known as The House), is one of the largest constituent colleges of the University of Oxford in England...
, Oxford, until in 1905 the Exhibitions became tenable elsewhere.
Church of St. Mary Magdalene, Bridgnorth
The Church of St. Mary Magdalene, Bridgnorth, is a Parish Church in the Church of England.-Early history:The College of St. Mary Magdalen, Bridgnorth was founded as a royal free chapel, and its church was in the royal castle at Bridgnorth....
. Rev. Stackhouse bequeathed to the Bridgnorth his collection of theological books and his memory is preserved in the name of the Stackhouse Library, the octagonal brick building with a dome, built on the northeast side of St Leonard's Church to house the collection of books which he had begun, and by a marble tablet over the building's fireplace. After 1766 no Usher was appointed; but the emoluments could not now support even a single master unless he could attract boarders to the School. Distinguished eighteenth century alumni of the School include Bishop Thomas Percy, Bishop of Dromore and author of Reliques of Ancient English Poetry
Reliques of Ancient English Poetry
The Reliques of Ancient English Poetry is a collection of ballads and popular songs collected by Thomas Percy and published in 1765.-Sources:...
, Sir John Josiah Guest
John Josiah Guest
Sir Josiah John Guest, 1st Baronet, known as John Josiah Guest, was a Welsh engineer and entrepreneur.-Life:Born in Dowlais, Merthyr Tydfil, Wales, as the son of Thomas Guest, a partner in the Dowlais Iron Company...
, the engineer, entrepreneur and Member of Parliament, Dr Thomas Beddoes
Thomas Beddoes
Thomas Beddoes , English physician and scientific writer, was born at Shifnal in Shropshire. He was a reforming practitioner and teacher of medicine, and an associate of leading scientific figures. Beddoes was a friend of Samuel Taylor Coleridge, and, according to E. S...
, the physician and scientific writer, and Dr William Macmichael
William Macmichael
William Macmichael was a physician and medical biographer, remembered as the author of The Gold-Headed Cane .-Life and career:...
, physician to Kings George IV
George IV of the United Kingdom
George IV was the King of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland and also of Hanover from the death of his father, George III, on 29 January 1820 until his own death ten years later...
and William IV
William IV of the United Kingdom
William IV was King of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland and of Hanover from 26 June 1830 until his death...
and author of The Gold-Headed Cane.
19th Century
In 1817 the Town increased its subsidy to £30, but in 1821 there were only ten boys, when the Dean of Christ ChurchChrist Church, Oxford
Christ Church or house of Christ, and thus sometimes known as The House), is one of the largest constituent colleges of the University of Oxford in England...
, Oxford, who had been asked to recommend a candidate, proposed as Headmaster 24-year-old Thomas Rowley
Thomas Rowley (headmaster)
Dr Thomas Rowley was a successful headmaster of Bridgnorth Grammar School between 1821 and 1850.-Early life:Thomas Rowley was born in Middleton Scriven in Shropshire...
of Middleton Scriven, who had himself studied at Christ Church
Christ Church, Oxford
Christ Church or house of Christ, and thus sometimes known as The House), is one of the largest constituent colleges of the University of Oxford in England...
, Oxford. Under Dr Rowley
Thomas Rowley (headmaster)
Dr Thomas Rowley was a successful headmaster of Bridgnorth Grammar School between 1821 and 1850.-Early life:Thomas Rowley was born in Middleton Scriven in Shropshire...
's leadership the School's reputation increased. Dr Rowley's success as a teacher of the Classics soon attracted boarders (housed in the Headmaster's House in St Leonard's Close) from far and near. His pupils included not only Bridgnorth boys, but also those from further afield. The numbers rose to about 150. In 1841 Dr Rowley was attacked by some members of the Town Council who complained of the treatment of the day-boys by the boarders and of the School's concentration on the Classics; but the Borough Treasurer wrote in Rowley's defence that the day-boys can hardly not have benefited from the specialist teachers whom Rowley was able to engage. The East Window of the St Leonard's Church was replaced in memory of Dr Rowley. Dr Rowley's successors after 1850 had not his ability, and accordingly the School's numbers and reputation, and their own emoluments, declined. Unsuccessful attempts were made to acquire some of the funds of the Careswell trust for the improvement of the School's buildings and endowments. Distinguished nineteenth century alumni of the School include Bishop James Fraser, the reforming Bishop of Manchester, Lord Lingen, the influential civil servant, Henry John Roby
Henry John Roby
Henry John Roby , was an English classical scholar and writer on Roman law, and a Liberal Member of Parliament.-Early life and Cambridge:...
, the classical scholar, writer on Roman law and Member of Parliament, General Sir Charles Warren
Charles Warren
General Sir Charles Warren, GCMG, KCB, FRS was an officer in the British Royal Engineers. He was one of the earliest European archaeologists of Biblical Holy Land, and particularly of Temple Mount...
, Commissioner of the Metropolitan Police during the period of the Jack the Ripper
Jack the Ripper
"Jack the Ripper" is the best-known name given to an unidentified serial killer who was active in the largely impoverished areas in and around the Whitechapel district of London in 1888. The name originated in a letter, written by someone claiming to be the murderer, that was disseminated in the...
murders and operational commander of British forces at the Battle of Spion Kop
Battle of Spion Kop
The Battle of Spion Kop was fought about west-south-west of Ladysmith on the hilltop of Spioenkop along the Tugela River, Natal in South Africa from 23–24 January 1900...
during the Second Boer War
Second Boer War
The Second Boer War was fought from 11 October 1899 until 31 May 1902 between the British Empire and the Afrikaans-speaking Dutch settlers of two independent Boer republics, the South African Republic and the Orange Free State...
, Reverend Robert William Eyton
Robert William Eyton
-Life and career:Robert William Eyton was born in 1815. He was the son of Reverend John Eyton. He was educated at Bridgnorth Grammar School in Bridgnorth, Shropshire. Eyton then went up to Christ Church College, Oxford. He went on to become the Rector at Ryton, Shropshire. He married Mary Watts in...
, Rector of Ryton and author of The Antiquities of Shropshire, Rev. Osborne Gordon
Osborne Gordon
Osborne Gordon was an influential Oxford college tutor and Church of England Clergyman.- Life :Osborne Gordon was born in Broseley, Shropshire. He was educated at Bridgnorth Grammar School and Christ Church College, Oxford University. He served as proctor, censor at Christ Church and University...
, the influential Oxford don, and Bishop Francis Henry Thicknesse
Francis Henry Thicknesse
Francis Henry Thicknesse was the inaugural Suffragan Bishop of Leicester from 1888 until 1903.He was born Francis Henry Coldwell, son of the Revd William Edward Coldwell, Prebendary of Lichfield and Rector of Stafford...
, the inaugural Suffragan Bishop of Leicester.
20th Century
In 1909 the School passed into the control of Shropshire County Council, the new Grammar School building at Northgate having been built in 1908. (This building still forms the core of present day School and in 2003 a clock was placed on the outside of the building to mark the School's 500th anniversary.) In the years immediately previous to 1908 classes were held in three places - the Headmaster's House in St Leonard's Close, the Foster Memorial Institute in the High Street, and the 'Old Grammar School' building in St Leonard's Close. Until 1929 the Bridgnorth Girl's Public High School led an independent existence in the new Grammar School building at Northgate. The Grammar School and the Bridgnorth Girl's Public High School were finally combined in 1929. The mixed School was 'transitionally aided' under the Education Act 1944Education Act 1944
The Education Act 1944 changed the education system for secondary schools in England and Wales. This Act, commonly named after the Conservative politician R.A...
; in 1955 it become voluntary controlled.
The School's name was changed from Bridgnorth Grammar School to Bridgnorth Endowed School in 1974 when it began the transition from a selective to a comprehensive intake. The new name reflected the Endowed School's history, referring to the endowments it had received. In the nineteenth century the terms endowed school and grammar school
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...
were used interchangeably as in the Endowed Schools Act 1869
Endowed Schools Act 1869
The Endowed Schools Act 1869 was introduced in Britain during William Ewart Gladstone’s first ministry.An Endowed Schools Commission was created to draw up new schemes of distribution for schools which received funding from the government; previous endowments had been seen as poorly distributed and...
. In the second half of the twentieth century the Endowed School's buildings and sporting facilities on the Northgate site were greatly expanded with a new Lower School complex and a new Leisure Centre which the Endowed School had sole use of during the school day. Famous twentieth century alumni of the School include Sir Cedric Hardwicke
Cedric Hardwicke
Sir Cedric Webster Hardwicke was a noted English stage and film actor whose career spanned nearly fifty years...
, the Hollywood and stage actor, Cyril Washbrook
Cyril Washbrook
Cyril Washbrook was an English cricketer, who played for Lancashire and England. He had a long career, split by World War II, and ending when he was aged 44. Washbrook, who is most famous for opening the batting for England with Len Hutton, which he did fifty one times, played a total of 592...
, the cricketer who played for Lancashire and England and who gained a famous record as batsman, Professor Peter Bullock, the inspirational soil scientist who as a member of the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change
Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change
The Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change is a scientific intergovernmental body which provides comprehensive assessments of current scientific, technical and socio-economic information worldwide about the risk of climate change caused by human activity, its potential environmental and...
(IPCC) shared in the award of the 2007 Nobel Peace Prize
Nobel Peace Prize
The Nobel Peace Prize is one of the five Nobel Prizes bequeathed by the Swedish industrialist and inventor Alfred Nobel.-Background:According to Nobel's will, the Peace Prize shall be awarded to the person who...
, and the historian John Mason John Mason
The House System
The Endowed School's three houses are named Rowley (red), Hardwicke (yellow) and Washbrook (green), after Dr Thomas RowleyThomas Rowley (headmaster)
Dr Thomas Rowley was a successful headmaster of Bridgnorth Grammar School between 1821 and 1850.-Early life:Thomas Rowley was born in Middleton Scriven in Shropshire...
, Sir Cedric Hardwicke
Cedric Hardwicke
Sir Cedric Webster Hardwicke was a noted English stage and film actor whose career spanned nearly fifty years...
, and Cyril Washbrook
Cyril Washbrook
Cyril Washbrook was an English cricketer, who played for Lancashire and England. He had a long career, split by World War II, and ending when he was aged 44. Washbrook, who is most famous for opening the batting for England with Len Hutton, which he did fifty one times, played a total of 592...
, CBE. There are inter-house sporting and other activities with prizes.
Extra-Curricular Activities
The Endowed School offers a wide range of extra-curricular activities. Pupils can partake in modern, classical and musical drama productions. Instrumental lessons are also available to pupils. Pupils can take part in aerobicsAerobics
Aerobics is a form of physical exercise that combines rhythmic aerobic exercise with stretching and strength training routines with the goal of improving all elements of fitness...
, athletics, badminton, basketball, bowls, cricket, cross-country running, dance, darts, gymnastics, hockey, netball, rounders
Rounders
Rounders is a game played between two teams of either gender. The game originated in England where it was played in Tudor times. Rounders is a striking and fielding team game that involves hitting a small, hard, leather-cased ball with a round wooden, plastic or metal bat. The players score by...
, rugby football|rugby, snooker, soccer, horse club, craft club, squash, swimming, and tennis. Several pupils have been recently selected for County Cricket and Athletics. There are school trips abroad. Pupils also take part in charity activities. In Autumn 1989 Emma Askins was awarded an Army Scholarship for eventual entry to RMA Sandhurst subject to clearances and examination results.
The Lower and Middle Schools
The curriculum followed throughout years seven, eight and nine (Key Stage 3Key Stage 3
Key Stage 3 is the legal term for the three years of schooling in maintained schools in England and Wales normally known as Year 7, Year 8 and Year 9, when pupils are aged between 11 and 14...
of the National Curriculum) includes the full range of National Curriculum subjects plus a second foreign language and PHSE. In years nine, ten and eleven (Key Stage 4
Key Stage 4
Key Stage 4 is the legal term for the two years of school education which incorporate GCSEs, and other exams, in maintained schools in England, Wales, and Northern Ireland—normally known as Year 10 and Year 11 in England and Wales, and Year 11 and Year 12 in Northern Ireland, when pupils are...
of the National Curriculum) all pupils follow an extended core curriculum allowing all pupils to experience a broad range of subject areas up to the age of sixteen as well as reflecting the requirements of the National Curriculum. All pupils in years seven to eleven are expected to wear the school uniform which includes a navy blue blazer with school badge and a house tie. They are extremely tough on your uniform.
The Sixth Form
Around 150 students attend the sixth formSixth 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,...
. AS and A2 subjects offered to 6th form students in years 12 and 13 include Art, Biology, Business Studies, Chemistry, Design, Drama and Theatre Studies, English Language, English Literature, French, Further Maths, geography, History, Information Technology, Maths, Music, Music Technology, Physical Education, Physics, Psychology, Religious Educatio, and Spanish language|Spanish. Year 12 students take four subjects at AS, and continue with three subjects at A2 in year 13. Sixth form pupils do not wear school uniform.
Notable Staff
Notable staff of recent times includes historyHistory
History is the discovery, collection, organization, and presentation of information about past events. History can also mean the period of time after writing was invented. Scholars who write about history are called historians...
teacher Ms Joan Lawrence who is now Chairperson of Bridgnorth
Bridgnorth
Bridgnorth is a town in Shropshire, England, along the Severn Valley. It is split into Low Town and High Town, named on account of their elevations relative to the River Severn, which separates the upper town on the right bank from the lower on the left...
and District Historical Society.
OFSTED Inspections
The Endowed School was inspected by OFSTEDOfsted
The Office for Standards in Education, Children's Services and Skills is the non-ministerial government department of Her Majesty's Chief Inspector of Schools In England ....
in 2003 and 2008. In 2003 the inspectors' overall evaluation was that 'this is a very good school.' In 2008 the inspectors agreed with the School's own self-evaluatuion that the School is providing 'a satisfactory standard of education' and that 'many elements are good'. The 2003 OFSTED inspection had identified modern foreign languages as unsatisfactory. However in 2008 the inspectors noted that there had been a 'great improvement in the leadership of modern foreign languages since the last inspection.' An OFSTED inspetion has recently took place, the school received a 'satisfactory' in most areas, pupil's behavior being one of the best, rated as 'good', while the maths department was the least achievable. OFSTED stated that the improvement in maths and English was a minor improvement and more work should be done to improve. From parents, they noted that many teachers have been on leave, saying that it disrupts their child's learning capabilities.
In 2011 the school got satisfactory (3), many of the student catergories earning good, (2).
Notable alumni
Former pupils are known as 'Old Bridgnorthians'.- Ross AntonyRoss AntonyRoss Anthony Catterall ; is a British-German musical actor; better known by his stage name Ross Antony. He attended Bridgnorth Endowed School. He rose to fame as a member of the R&B/Pop group Bro'Sis...
(1974-), singer. - Dr Thomas BeddoesThomas BeddoesThomas Beddoes , English physician and scientific writer, was born at Shifnal in Shropshire. He was a reforming practitioner and teacher of medicine, and an associate of leading scientific figures. Beddoes was a friend of Samuel Taylor Coleridge, and, according to E. S...
(1760–1808), physician and scientific writer. - Professor Peter Bullock (1937–2008), Nobel Prize winning soil scientist.
- Rev. Robert William EytonRobert William Eyton-Life and career:Robert William Eyton was born in 1815. He was the son of Reverend John Eyton. He was educated at Bridgnorth Grammar School in Bridgnorth, Shropshire. Eyton then went up to Christ Church College, Oxford. He went on to become the Rector at Ryton, Shropshire. He married Mary Watts in...
(1815–1881), Rector of Ryton and author of The Antiquities of Shropshire (1853–60). - Bishop James Fraser (1818–1885), reforming Bishop of Manchester.
- Sir John Josiah GuestJohn Josiah GuestSir Josiah John Guest, 1st Baronet, known as John Josiah Guest, was a Welsh engineer and entrepreneur.-Life:Born in Dowlais, Merthyr Tydfil, Wales, as the son of Thomas Guest, a partner in the Dowlais Iron Company...
, 1st Baronet, MP (1785–1852), engineer, entrepreneur, and Member of Parliament. - Sir Cedric HardwickeCedric HardwickeSir Cedric Webster Hardwicke was a noted English stage and film actor whose career spanned nearly fifty years...
, KBE (1893–1964), Hollywood and stage actor. - Lord Lingen, 1st Baron Lingen of Lingen (1819–1905), permanent secretary of the treasury.
- Dr William MacmichaelWilliam MacmichaelWilliam Macmichael was a physician and medical biographer, remembered as the author of The Gold-Headed Cane .-Life and career:...
(1783–1839), physician to Kings George IV and William IV and author of The Gold-Headed Cane (1827). - Rev. Osborne GordonOsborne GordonOsborne Gordon was an influential Oxford college tutor and Church of England Clergyman.- Life :Osborne Gordon was born in Broseley, Shropshire. He was educated at Bridgnorth Grammar School and Christ Church College, Oxford University. He served as proctor, censor at Christ Church and University...
(1813–83), influential Oxford don. - John MasonJohn Mason (historian)-Life:John Mason was born in Pembrokeshire, west Wales, on 9 June 1920. He studied at Bridgnorth Grammar School in Shropshire, and then at Jesus College, Oxford, where he was a scholar. His university studies were interrupted by the Second World War: he won his scholarship in 1937, but did not...
(1920-2009), Librarian of Christ Church, Oxford. - Bishop Thomas Percy (1729–1811), Bishop of Dromore and author of Reliques of Ancient English Poetry (1765).
- Max Rafferty (1983-), guitarist.
- Henry John RobyHenry John RobyHenry John Roby , was an English classical scholar and writer on Roman law, and a Liberal Member of Parliament.-Early life and Cambridge:...
, MP (1830–1915), classical scholar, writer on Roman law, and Member of Parliament. - Bishop Francis Henry ThicknesseFrancis Henry ThicknesseFrancis Henry Thicknesse was the inaugural Suffragan Bishop of Leicester from 1888 until 1903.He was born Francis Henry Coldwell, son of the Revd William Edward Coldwell, Prebendary of Lichfield and Rector of Stafford...
(1829–1921), inaugural Suffragan Bishop of Leicester. (born Francis Henry Coldwell) - General Sir Charles WarrenCharles WarrenGeneral Sir Charles Warren, GCMG, KCB, FRS was an officer in the British Royal Engineers. He was one of the earliest European archaeologists of Biblical Holy Land, and particularly of Temple Mount...
GCMG, KCB, FRS (1840–1927), Metropolitan Police Commissioner during the Jack the Ripper murders. - Cyril WashbrookCyril WashbrookCyril Washbrook was an English cricketer, who played for Lancashire and England. He had a long career, split by World War II, and ending when he was aged 44. Washbrook, who is most famous for opening the batting for England with Len Hutton, which he did fifty one times, played a total of 592...
, CBE (1914–1999), cricketer who played for Lancashire and England.
See also
- List of the oldest schools in the United Kingdom
- List of the oldest schools in the world
- List of Old Bridgnorthians
Further reading
- Maureen Jones (ed), Bridgnorth grammar and endowed schools : five hundred years of change 1503-2003 (Oxford, 2003)
- J. F. A. Mason, The Borough of Bridgnorth 1157-1957 (Bridgnorth, 1957)