Giggleswick School
Encyclopedia
Giggleswick School is an independent
co-educational boarding school in Giggleswick
, near Settle
, North Yorkshire
, England
.
Priest at the local Parish Church of St Alkelda, for the express purpose of enclosing it and building, at his own expense, one 'Gramar Scole'. By 1512 the school consisted of two small, irregular buildings, next to the local parish church.
The school was run traditionally by the Chantry Priests until Edward VI dissolved the position. The school was saved, however, by the petition of the Kings Chaplain, John Nowell, and in 1553 it received its royal charter
. This granted land to the school, and endowed it with the title: The Free Grammar School of King Edward the VI of Giggleswick. Some locals of a certain age still refer to Giggleswick as 'The Grammar School'.
There is some evidence that there was a school on the same site from an earlier date.
Giggleswick was one of only 27 schools listed in the Public Schools Yearbook of 1889, and certainly has claims to be one of the oldest public schools, although claims vary depending on the precise criteria used.
New boarding accommodation was added, playing fields were laid out, and new classrooms were built.
The only remaining part of the second school, the Covered Courtyard, was later converted into a shooting range, used by the school's Combined Cadet Force
contingent and other Territorial Army units.
It was also Morrison's wish that the building should be completely fitted out and furnished inside, to allow for no unsympathetic alteration in the future.
The interior of the chapel was filled with an astonishing array of expensive fixtures and fittings. The pews were made of imported cypress wood, the floors were covered in marble, and the organ was made by Henry Willis & Sons
, one of the leading organ makers in the country at the time. The organ was rebuilt in 2005 by GO-Organ Builders Ltd.
The dome of the chapel was covered in copper, which developed a covering of a very distinctive green verdigris
for many years, only reverting to its original bronze after major restoration work began in the late 1990s. The interior of the dome was filled with mosaics depicting various angels playing musical instruments, with the four gospel writers at each corner of the base.
The current altar furniture is made of sterling silver and Brazilian rosewood. It was presented to the school in memory of Sir Douglas Glover, an old boy of the school, and later a school governor.
called Catteral Hall (ages 7–13), over the road from the main school buildings, a new boarding house was created from the Georgian Beck House in the village (Style House), and in 1966 another boarding house, called Morrison was opened.
In the 1970s the school went co-educational, the first public school
in the north of England, and for a long time the only public school, to do so.
In the late 1990s a pre-preparatory school called Mill House (ages 3–7) was opened within the grounds of Catteral Hall, and more recent expansion at the school has seen the creation of a new library, dining hall, sports facilities and science laboratories, as well as the refurbishment of the boarding accommodation.
Giggleswick is one of only 18 schools to possess a Royal Marine cadet force, which became affiliated with HMS Bulwark in the Autumn of 2004.
Students from the school (along with pupils from Charterhouse
) have the honour of operating the manual scoreboards at the British golf Open.
The houses Nowell, Paley and Shute are all currently located in the main body of the school, while Morrison, the most recently added boarding house, was purposely built slightly further from the main school campus.
The two girls' houses are:
There is now also a mixed junior boarding house for pupils in years 4-8 which also acts as the house for day pupils in years 7 & 8, this is called Catteral House.
and thus Sir Frank Watson Dyson
, the Astronomer Royal
, was blessed with a wonderful view of the flaming corona of the sun through the whole 23 seconds of its total eclipse.
Allegedly the Three Peaks Walk
was invented in July 1887 by two masters at the school ; D.R.Smith and J.R.Wynne-Edwards (father of Sir Robert Wynne-Edwards - see OG's above).
Independent school (UK)
An independent school is a school that is not financed through the taxation system by local or national government and is instead funded by private sources, predominantly in the form of tuition charges, gifts and long-term charitable endowments, and so is not subject to the conditions imposed by...
co-educational boarding school in Giggleswick
Giggleswick
Giggleswick is a village and civil parish in the Craven district of North Yorkshire, England near the town of Settle. It is the site of Giggleswick School.-Origin of name:A Dictionary of British Place Names contains the entry:...
, near Settle
Settle
Settle is a small market town and civil parish within the Craven district of North Yorkshire, England. It is served by the Settle railway station, which is located near the town centre, and Giggleswick railway station which is a mile away. It is from Leeds Bradford Airport...
, North Yorkshire
North Yorkshire
North Yorkshire is a non-metropolitan or shire county located in the Yorkshire and the Humber region of England, and a ceremonial county primarily in that region but partly in North East England. Created in 1974 by the Local Government Act 1972 it covers an area of , making it the largest...
, 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...
.
Early school
The current Giggleswick school was founded on half an acre of land leased by the Prior and Convent of Durham, to James Carr the ChantryChantry
Chantry is the English term for a fund established to pay for a priest to celebrate sung Masses for a specified purpose, generally for the soul of the deceased donor. Chantries were endowed with lands given by donors, the income from which maintained the chantry priest...
Priest at the local Parish Church of St Alkelda, for the express purpose of enclosing it and building, at his own expense, one 'Gramar Scole'. By 1512 the school consisted of two small, irregular buildings, next to the local parish church.
The school was run traditionally by the Chantry Priests until Edward VI dissolved the position. The school was saved, however, by the petition of the Kings Chaplain, John Nowell, and in 1553 it received its royal charter
Royal Charter
A royal charter is a formal document issued by a monarch as letters patent, granting a right or power to an individual or a body corporate. They were, and are still, used to establish significant organizations such as cities or universities. Charters should be distinguished from warrants and...
. This granted land to the school, and endowed it with the title: The Free Grammar School of King Edward the VI of Giggleswick. Some locals of a certain age still refer to Giggleswick as 'The Grammar School'.
There is some evidence that there was a school on the same site from an earlier date.
Giggleswick was one of only 27 schools listed in the Public Schools Yearbook of 1889, and certainly has claims to be one of the oldest public schools, although claims vary depending on the precise criteria used.
Victorian period
The school continued in its original location until 1867, when it moved slightly further out of the village, and up the hill to its present location. At this point, a major expansion of the school and its facilities began.New boarding accommodation was added, playing fields were laid out, and new classrooms were built.
The only remaining part of the second school, the Covered Courtyard, was later converted into a shooting range, used by the school's 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,...
contingent and other Territorial Army units.
School chapel
In 1897, work began on the new school chapel, a gift from local landowner and school governor Walter Morrison. The eminent architect T.G. Jackson designed the building to Morrison's unusual specifications: a Gothic building with a dome, designed to fit into the surrounding landscape as naturally as possible.It was also Morrison's wish that the building should be completely fitted out and furnished inside, to allow for no unsympathetic alteration in the future.
The interior of the chapel was filled with an astonishing array of expensive fixtures and fittings. The pews were made of imported cypress wood, the floors were covered in marble, and the organ was made by Henry Willis & Sons
Henry Willis & Sons
thumb|250px|St Bees Priory organ, the last major instrument to be personally supervised by "Father" Henry Willis, 1899Henry Willis & Sons is a British firm of pipe organ builders founded in 1845 in Liverpool. Although most of their installations have been in the UK, examples can be found in other...
, one of the leading organ makers in the country at the time. The organ was rebuilt in 2005 by GO-Organ Builders Ltd.
The dome of the chapel was covered in copper, which developed a covering of a very distinctive green verdigris
Verdigris
Verdigris is the common name for a green pigment obtained through the application of acetic acid to copper plates or the natural patina formed when copper, brass or bronze is weathered and exposed to air or seawater over a period of time. It is usually a basic copper carbonate, but near the sea...
for many years, only reverting to its original bronze after major restoration work began in the late 1990s. The interior of the dome was filled with mosaics depicting various angels playing musical instruments, with the four gospel writers at each corner of the base.
The current altar furniture is made of sterling silver and Brazilian rosewood. It was presented to the school in memory of Sir Douglas Glover, an old boy of the school, and later a school governor.
Modern school
In 1934, the school was enlarged again, by the addition of a prep schoolPreparatory school (UK)
In English language usage in the former British Empire, the present-day Commonwealth, a preparatory school is an independent school preparing children up to the age of eleven or thirteen for entry into fee-paying, secondary independent schools, some of which are known as public schools...
called Catteral Hall (ages 7–13), over the road from the main school buildings, a new boarding house was created from the Georgian Beck House in the village (Style House), and in 1966 another boarding house, called Morrison was opened.
In the 1970s the school went co-educational, the first public school
Public School (UK)
A public school, in common British usage, is a school that is neither administered nor financed by the state or from taxpayer contributions, and is instead funded by a combination of endowments, tuition fees and charitable contributions, usually existing as a non profit-making charitable trust...
in the north of England, and for a long time the only public school, to do so.
In the late 1990s a pre-preparatory school called Mill House (ages 3–7) was opened within the grounds of Catteral Hall, and more recent expansion at the school has seen the creation of a new library, dining hall, sports facilities and science laboratories, as well as the refurbishment of the boarding accommodation.
Giggleswick is one of only 18 schools to possess a Royal Marine cadet force, which became affiliated with HMS Bulwark in the Autumn of 2004.
Students from the school (along with pupils from Charterhouse
Charterhouse School
Charterhouse School, originally The Hospital of King James and Thomas Sutton in Charterhouse, or more simply Charterhouse or House, is an English collegiate independent boarding school situated at Godalming in Surrey.Founded by Thomas Sutton in London in 1611 on the site of the old Carthusian...
) have the honour of operating the manual scoreboards at the British golf Open.
Boarding houses
There are four boys' boarding houses:- Morrison, named after Walter Morrison,
- Nowell, named after John Nowell,
- Paley, named after William PaleyWilliam PaleyWilliam Paley was a British Christian apologist, philosopher, and utilitarian. He is best known for his exposition of the teleological argument for the existence of God in his work Natural Theology, which made use of the watchmaker analogy .-Life:Paley was Born in Peterborough, England, and was...
, - Shute, named after Josias ShuteJosias ShuteJosias Shute was an English churchman, for many years rector of St Mary Woolnoth in London, archdeacon of Colchester, and elected a member of the Westminster Assembly.-Life:...
.
The houses Nowell, Paley and Shute are all currently located in the main body of the school, while Morrison, the most recently added boarding house, was purposely built slightly further from the main school campus.
The two girls' houses are:
- Carr, named after James Carr,
- Style, named after George Style
There is now also a mixed junior boarding house for pupils in years 4-8 which also acts as the house for day pupils in years 7 & 8, this is called Catteral House.
1927 Eclipse
The grounds of Giggleswick School (near the Chapel) were selected as the official observation post for the 1927 solar eclipseSolar eclipse
As seen from the Earth, a solar eclipse occurs when the Moon passes between the Sun and the Earth, and the Moon fully or partially blocks the Sun as viewed from a location on Earth. This can happen only during a new moon, when the Sun and the Moon are in conjunction as seen from Earth. At least...
and thus Sir Frank Watson Dyson
Frank Watson Dyson
Sir Frank Watson Dyson, KBE, FRS was an English astronomer and Astronomer Royal who is remembered today largely for introducing time signals from Greenwich, England, and for the role he played in testing Einstein's theory of general relativity.- Biography :Dyson was born in Measham, near...
, the Astronomer Royal
Astronomer Royal
Astronomer Royal is a senior post in the Royal Household of the Sovereign of the United Kingdom. There are two officers, the senior being the Astronomer Royal dating from 22 June 1675; the second is the Astronomer Royal for Scotland dating from 1834....
, was blessed with a wonderful view of the flaming corona of the sun through the whole 23 seconds of its total eclipse.
Notable alumni
Notable alumni, who are known as Old Giggleswickians, include:- General Sir Noel BirchNoel BirchGeneral Sir James Frederick Noel Birch KCB KCMG was a British Cavalry Officer during the Second Boer War and World War I and subsequently Master-General of the Ordnance...
G.B.E. K.C.M.G., C.B. (1865–1939), Soldier. ADC to The King. - Jon BlundyJon BlundyJonathan David Blundy FRS , is Professor of Petrology, in the Department of Earth Sciences at the University of Bristol. -Life:...
(b. 1961) - geologist, Professor of Petrology at University of BristolUniversity of BristolThe University of Bristol is a public research university located in Bristol, United Kingdom. One of the so-called "red brick" universities, it received its Royal Charter in 1909, although its predecessor institution, University College, Bristol, had been in existence since 1876.The University is... - Lewis Booth (1909–1942), England Rugby International
- James Bowden (1931–2002), England and Great Britain Rugby League International
- Major General Sir Duncan CummingDuncan CummingMajor General Sir Duncan Cumming K.B.E., C.B.E., O.B.E. , was a twentieth century British colonial administrator. m 1930, Nancy Acheson Houghton ; one d-Education:...
K.B.E., C.B.E., O.B.E. (1903–1979), England Rugby International, Barbarians Rugby Club, Governor of Kordojan Province, Sudan - Anthony DanielsAnthony DanielsAnthony Daniels is an English actor. He is best known for his role as the droid C-3PO in the Star Wars series of films made between 1977 and 2005.-Early life:...
(1946– ), Star Wars actor - Charles DarbishireCharles DarbishireCharles William Darbishire was a British Liberal politician and East India merchant.-Early life and family:Darbishire was born in London, the son of Colonel C. H. Darbishire of Plas Mawr, Penmaenmawr in North Wales. He was educated at Giggleswick School in Yorkshire...
(1875–1925) East Indian Merchant and Liberal M.P. - Keith DuckworthKeith DuckworthDavid Keith Duckworth, , was an English mechanical engineer. He is most famous for designing the Cosworth DFV engine, an engine that revolutionised the sport of Formula One....
O.B.E. (1933–2005), Engineer, joint founder of Cosworth Engineering - Sarah FoxSarah FoxSarah Fox is an English operatic soprano who has performed at several of the world’s leading opera houses, notably the Royal Opera House Covent Garden. She was educated at the University of London and the Royal College of Music in London...
International Operatic Soprano - Owen Francis C.B. (1913–2005), Under-Secretary for Fuel & Power, later Chairman London Electricity Board, father of Clare Francis yachtswoman and author (72-76)
- William GauntWilliam GauntWilliam Charles Anthony Gaunt is an English actor, sometimes credited as Bill Gaunt.-Early life:...
(1937– ), Actor - Sir Douglas GloverDouglas GloverDouglas Glover may refer to:* Douglas Glover , British politician* Douglas Glover , Canadian writer presently living in New York state...
T.D.(1908–1982), Conservative M.P. - Douglas Hacking,O.B.E., P.C., D.L. 1st Lord Hacking (1884–1950), Conservative M.P.
- Sir James Hacking (1871–??), Businessman, Mayor of Bury
- Sir John Hare (1844–1921), Actor & Manager of the Garrick Theatre
- George HowsonGeorge HowsonGeorge William Saul Howson MA was an English educationalist and writer, reforming headmaster of Gresham's School from 1900 to 1919.-Early life:...
(1860–1919), reforming headmaster of Gresham's SchoolGresham's SchoolGresham’s School is an independent coeducational boarding school in Holt in North Norfolk, England, a member of the HMC.The school was founded in 1555 by Sir John Gresham as a free grammar school for forty boys, following King Henry VIII's dissolution of the Augustinian priory at Beeston Regis... - John Saul HowsonJohn Saul HowsonJohn Saul Howson , English divine, was born at Giggleswick-on-Craven, Yorkshire.-Biography:After receiving his early education at Giggleswick School, of which his father was head-master, he went to Trinity College, Cambridge. Graduating BA in 1837 and MA in 1840, he became private tutor at...
(1815–1885), Theologian. - James JakesJames Jakes- T-Cars :Jakes started his racing career in 2002 competing in 5 rounds of the T-Car Championship. In 2003 James continued in T-cars, finishing 2nd in the championship.- Formula Renault :...
(1987–), IndyCar Driver - Thomas Kidd (1770–1850), Classical scholar.
- John King (1883–1916), England Rugby International (12 caps)
- Reverend John LanghorneJohn Langhorne (King's School Rochester).Reverend John Langhorne was headmaster of The King's School, Rochester and an educational innovator there...
(1836–1911), Educationalist, headmaster of The King's School, Rochester - Maurice Latey O.B.E. (1915–1991), Senior BBC Journalist
- Arnold LeeseArnold LeeseArnold Spencer Leese was a British veterinarian and fascist politician. He was born in Lytham St Annes, Lancashire, England and educated at Giggleswick School....
(1877–1956), British fascist - Robert Marshall D.S.C. (1917–1945), England Rugby International, Naval Officer
- Henry MaudsleyHenry MaudsleyHenry Maudsley was a pioneering British psychiatrist.-Biographical sketch:Henry Maudsley was born on an isolated farm near Giggleswick in the North Riding of Yorkshire and educated at University College London. He was an outstandingly brilliant medical student, collecting ten Gold Medals and...
C.M.G., C.B.E., K.C.M.G. (1835–1918 ) Founder of the Maudsley Hospital - O. S. Nock (1904–1994), Railway historian.
- Joseph Mycock (1914–2004), England Rugby Captain, also Captain of Lancs., Sale and Harlequins
- Sir George Ogden O.B.E., C.B.E. (1914–1983), First Chief Executive of Greater Manchester Metropolitan Council
- William PaleyWilliam PaleyWilliam Paley was a British Christian apologist, philosopher, and utilitarian. He is best known for his exposition of the teleological argument for the existence of God in his work Natural Theology, which made use of the watchmaker analogy .-Life:Paley was Born in Peterborough, England, and was...
(1743–1805), Theologian. - Thomas Procter (1753–1794), Painter & Sculptor
- Major Gustav RenwickGustav RenwickMajor Gustav Adolph Renwick was a British industrialist, greyhound and racehorse owner and Conservative politician.He was born in 1883, and was the fourth son of Sir George Renwick, 1st Baronet. He was educated at Giggleswick School before succeeding his father as chairman of the Manchester Dry...
(1833–1956), Industrialist and M.P. - Nigel RoebuckNigel RoebuckNigel Roebuck is an English journalist. Since 1971 he has reported on Formula One, and is considered one of the sport's most influential writers...
(1946– ) Motor racing journalist - Charles Rycroft (businessman)Charles Rycroft (businessman)Charles Louis Rycroft was a wealthy English businessman, an important contributor to the development of the Malayan rubber industry, and a major philanthropist and benefactor of the Durrell Wildlife Conservation Trust....
(1901 - 1998) Millionaire & Philanthropist - Lt-Col Harry Schofield V.C. (1865–-?) Soldier.
- Norman Sharpe O.B.E. Businessman & School Benefactor
- Tom Skeffington-Lodge (1905–1994) Former Labour M.P.
- Sir Matthew Smith (artist)Matthew Smith (artist)Sir Matthew Smith was a British painter of nudes, still-life and landscape.-Biography:Matthew Arnold Bracy Smith was born on 22 October 1879 in Halifax, the son of a wire-manufacturer...
(1879–1959) Artist - John SykesJohn Sykes (UK politician)John David Sykes , was British Conservative Member of Parliament for Scarborough from 1992 to 1997. Following boundary changes at the 1997 general election, Sykes contested the redrawn seat of Scarborough and Whitby, but in an upset lost to the Labour candidate Lawrie Quinn.- External links :...
(1956–) Conservative M.P. for ScarboroughScarborough (UK Parliament constituency)Scarborough was the name of a constituency in Yorkshire, electing Members of Parliament to the House of Commons, at two periods. From 1295 until 1918 it was a parliamentary borough consisting only of the town of Scarborough, electing two MPs until 1885 and one from 1885 until 1918...
1992-97 - Sir Matthew Thompson Bt. (1820–1891) Liberal M.P., Mayor of Bradford, Chairman of The Midland Railway etc.
- Richard WhiteleyRichard WhiteleyJohn Richard Whiteley, OBE DL , usually known as Richard Whiteley, was an English broadcaster and journalist. He was famous for his twenty-three years as host of Countdown, a letters and numbers arrangement game show broadcast most weekdays on Channel 4...
, (1943–2005) CountdownCountdown (game show)Countdown is a British game show involving word and number puzzles. It is produced by ITV Studios and broadcast on Channel 4. It is presented by Jeff Stelling, assisted by Rachel Riley, with regular lexicographer Susie Dent. It was the first programme to be aired on Channel 4, and over sixty-five...
presenter - Sir Anthony Wilson, (1928–) Head of the Government Accountancy Service, Chief Accounting Adviser to HM Treasury
- Gary WolstenholmeGary WolstenholmeGary P. Wolstenholme is an English professional golfer known for his long amateur career.Wolstenholme was born in Egham, Surrey. His father was Guy Wolstenholme a professional golfer. He has won The Amateur Championship twice as well as many other amateur tournaments around the world...
M.B.E., Formerly a leading amateur golfer, has now turned professional - Sir Robert Wynne-EdwardsRobert Wynne-EdwardsSir Robert Meredydd Wynne-Edwards CBE, DSO, MC and bar was a British civil engineer and army officer. Wynne-Edwards was born in Cheltenham and educated at Giggleswick School and Leeds Grammar School before being commissioned into the Royal Welch Fusiliers at the outbreak of the First World War...
C.B.E., D.S.O., M.C.& Bar, Army Officer and Civil Engineer (MD of Costain)
Headmasters
Notable former masters
- David Chapman (scientist)David Chapman (scientist)David Leonard Chapman FRS was an English physical chemist, whose name is associated with the Chapman-Jouget treatment and the Gouy-Chapman layer...
, FRS, Physical Chemist - Ronald EyreRonald EyreRonald Eyre was an English theatre director, actor and writer.Eyre was born at Mapplewell, near Barnsley, Yorkshire and he taught at Giggleswick School. He became a leading director for the cinema, opera, television and the theatre...
Theatre Director, Writer and Actor. - Russell HartyRussell HartyRussell Harty was an English television presenter of arts programmes and chat shows.-Early life:Born Frederick Russell Harty in Blackburn, Lancashire, he was the son of a fruit and vegetable stallholder on the local market...
, a BBC2BBC TwoBBC Two is the second television channel operated by the British Broadcasting Corporation in the United Kingdom. It covers a wide range of subject matter, but tending towards more 'highbrow' programmes than the more mainstream and popular BBC One. Like the BBC's other domestic TV and radio...
chat show host in the 1980s from Blackburn, taught English at the school, notably to Richard WhiteleyRichard WhiteleyJohn Richard Whiteley, OBE DL , usually known as Richard Whiteley, was an English broadcaster and journalist. He was famous for his twenty-three years as host of Countdown, a letters and numbers arrangement game show broadcast most weekdays on Channel 4...
. Harty and Whiteley entered television at the same time in the late 1960s. - John Langhorne (senior) was mathematics and writing master for thirty years, leaving in about 1859.
- William Wyamar VaughanWilliam Wyamar VaughanWilliam Wyamar Vaughan was a British educationalist.Vaughan was the son of Sir Henry Halford Vaughan, Regius Professor of Modern History at Oxford. In 1898 he married Margaret Symmonds, daughter of John Addington Symonds; they had two sons and a daughter. Their daughter was noted physiologist,...
. Headmaster, a position he later held at Wellington and Rugby schools - David E.W Morgan (Modern Languages and Careers for 38 years)
Allegedly the Three Peaks Walk
Yorkshire three peaks
The mountains of Whernside , Ingleborough and Pen-y-ghent are collectively known as the Three Peaks. The peaks, which form part of the...
was invented in July 1887 by two masters at the school ; D.R.Smith and J.R.Wynne-Edwards (father of Sir Robert Wynne-Edwards - see OG's above).