Monmouth School
Encyclopedia
Monmouth School is an HMC boys' boarding and day school in Monmouth
, Monmouthshire
in south east Wales
. It was founded in 1614 by William Jones. It is run as a trust, the William Jones's Schools Foundation, by the Worshipful Company of Haberdashers
, one of the Livery Companies. The Foundation's returned accounts for 2008/9 show an income of £19,605,000, against an expenditure of £19,116,000.
, gave the Haberdashers’ Company £6,000, followed by a further £3,000 bequethed in his will on his death in 1615, to "ordaine a preacher, a Free-School and Almes-houses for twenty poor and old distressed people, as blind and lame, as it shall seem best to them, of the Towne of Monmouth, where it shall be bestowed". Jones was born at Newland, Gloucestershire and brought up in Monmouth, leaving to make a sizeable fortune as a London merchant engaged in the cloth trade with the continent. Jones' motivations for his bequest appear partly philanthropic and partly evangelical; "the priority given to the preacher illustrates his concern to convert an area in the Marches which was still, when the school opened in 1614, strongly recusant." Nothing remains of the original buildings. In 1865, the school was rebuilt and as, a result of rising revenues from investments, the original foundation was re-organised in 1891 to support a new girls’ school and an elementary school
in the town, as well as a boys grammar school in Pontypool
. The elementary school was transferred to County Council control in 1940 with West Monmouth School
at Pontypool
following in 1955. This left the William Jones’s Schools Foundation responsible for Monmouth School and Haberdashers' Monmouth School for Girls
- also known as HMSG, both of which acquired Direct Grant
status in 1946. In 1976, with the ending of the Assisted Places scheme, the school became fully independent.
In November 2008, a £2.3 million sports pavilion was completed and opened by the former Welsh and British Lions
captain, Eddie Butler
, an old boy of the School. It was designed by the architects Buttress Fuller Alsop Williams. In January 2011, work is scheduled to begin on 'The Heart Project', which will see redevelopments on the main school site, as well as a new boarding house being developed on the site of the old Grange building. Chapel House is also to become the new lower school boarding house whilst St James House is to be sold.
and day places as well as preparatory departments in a single-sex environment. To enable a wide range of A and AS level subjects to be taken, there is some mixed-sex teaching in the Sixth Form
with the sister school, Haberdashers Monmouth School for Girls (HMSG).
In 2004 The Blake Theatre, was opened. Funded by Bob Blake, it is used as a venue for performances by both the boys' and girls' schools, and by external performers. It was officially opened by HRH The Prince Edward, Earl of Wessex
.
The school also possesses a large music school with an auditorium, teaching rooms and practice rooms.
Extra-curricular activities include foreign expeditions, music and drama events as well as the school newspaper, The Lion, and its magazine, The Monmouthian.
The School also boasts a large CCF (Combined Cadet Force) Contingent which has both an Army and RAF Section and is operated in collaboration with HMSG.
Sporting
Public Life
Arts and Entertainment
Monmouth
Monmouth is a town in southeast Wales and traditional county town of the historic county of Monmouthshire. It is situated close to the border with England, where the River Monnow meets the River Wye with bridges over both....
, Monmouthshire
Monmouthshire
Monmouthshire is a county in south east Wales. The name derives from the historic county of Monmouthshire which covered a much larger area. The largest town is Abergavenny. There are many castles in Monmouthshire .-Historic county:...
in south east Wales
Wales
Wales is a country that is part of the United Kingdom and the island of Great Britain, bordered by England to its east and the Atlantic Ocean and Irish Sea to its west. It has a population of three million, and a total area of 20,779 km²...
. It was founded in 1614 by William Jones. It is run as a trust, the William Jones's Schools Foundation, by the Worshipful Company of Haberdashers
Worshipful Company of Haberdashers
The Worshipful Company of Haberdashers is one of the senior Livery Companies of the City of London. The organisation, following on from the Mercers' Company, another Livery Company connected with clothing and haberdashery, received a Royal Charter in 1448...
, one of the Livery Companies. The Foundation's returned accounts for 2008/9 show an income of £19,605,000, against an expenditure of £19,116,000.
History
In 1613, William Jones, a prominent merchant and haberdasherHaberdasher
A haberdasher is a person who sells small articles for sewing, such as buttons, ribbons, zips, and other notions. In American English, haberdasher is another term for a men's outfitter. A haberdasher's shop or the items sold therein are called haberdashery.-Origin and use:The word appears in...
, gave the Haberdashers’ Company £6,000, followed by a further £3,000 bequethed in his will on his death in 1615, to "ordaine a preacher, a Free-School and Almes-houses for twenty poor and old distressed people, as blind and lame, as it shall seem best to them, of the Towne of Monmouth, where it shall be bestowed". Jones was born at Newland, Gloucestershire and brought up in Monmouth, leaving to make a sizeable fortune as a London merchant engaged in the cloth trade with the continent. Jones' motivations for his bequest appear partly philanthropic and partly evangelical; "the priority given to the preacher illustrates his concern to convert an area in the Marches which was still, when the school opened in 1614, strongly recusant." Nothing remains of the original buildings. In 1865, the school was rebuilt and as, a result of rising revenues from investments, the original foundation was re-organised in 1891 to support a new girls’ school and an elementary school
Primary education
A primary school is an institution in which children receive the first stage of compulsory education known as primary or elementary education. Primary school is the preferred term in the United Kingdom and many Commonwealth Nations, and in most publications of the United Nations Educational,...
in the town, as well as a boys grammar school in Pontypool
Pontypool
Pontypool is a town of approximately 36,000 people in the county borough of Torfaen, within the historic boundaries of Monmouthshire in South Wales....
. The elementary school was transferred to County Council control in 1940 with West Monmouth School
West Monmouth School
West Monmouth School is a state-funded and non-selective secondary school in Pontypool, Torfaen, south Wales.-Admissions:Pupils who attend the generally live in the Pontypool area...
at Pontypool
Pontypool
Pontypool is a town of approximately 36,000 people in the county borough of Torfaen, within the historic boundaries of Monmouthshire in South Wales....
following in 1955. This left the William Jones’s Schools Foundation responsible for Monmouth School and Haberdashers' Monmouth School for Girls
Haberdashers' Monmouth School for Girls
Haberdashers' Monmouth School for Girls is an independent school in Monmouth, Wales. The school was established by the Worshipful Company of Haberdashers in 1892, and continues to enjoy their support. There are four houses - Imbert Terry , Mather Jackson , Bagnall Oakely , and Prosser...
- also known as HMSG, both of which acquired Direct Grant
Direct grant grammar school
A direct grant grammar school was a selective secondary school in England and Wales between 1945 and 1976 funded partly by the state and partly through private fees....
status in 1946. In 1976, with the ending of the Assisted Places scheme, the school became fully independent.
Buildings
The rebuilding of the school (1864–1878) was mostly undertaken by William Snooke who built the chapel, two schoolrooms and a classroom in 1864-5, followed in the 1870s by the library, Headmaster's House and the buildings which now form Monmouth House and Hereford House. Snooke also redeveloped the Jones Almhouses, on Almshouse Street, which incorporates a large inscription panel describing the benefactions of the Jones Foundation. School House, with its ceremonial entrance facing the Wye Bridge, was built by Henry Stock in 1894-5. The war memorial, of 1956, is by Francis W. Stephens. More modern developments include the Hall of 1961, redeveloped in the early 21st century and now the Blake Theatre, the Red Lion Block of the same date, and the Science Block of 1981-4.In November 2008, a £2.3 million sports pavilion was completed and opened by the former Welsh and British Lions
British and Irish Lions
The British and Irish Lions is a rugby union team made up of players from England, Scotland, Ireland and Wales...
captain, Eddie Butler
Eddie Butler
Eddie Butler is an Israeli singer. He was born in Dimona and is one of 11 brothers and sisters. His parents came to Israel from Chicago after long wanderings. They belong to the Black Hebrew Israelite community....
, an old boy of the School. It was designed by the architects Buttress Fuller Alsop Williams. In January 2011, work is scheduled to begin on 'The Heart Project', which will see redevelopments on the main school site, as well as a new boarding house being developed on the site of the old Grange building. Chapel House is also to become the new lower school boarding house whilst St James House is to be sold.
The School today
With 600 pupils the school offers boardingBoarding school
A boarding school is a school where some or all pupils study and live during the school year with their fellow students and possibly teachers and/or administrators. The word 'boarding' is used in the sense of "bed and board," i.e., lodging and meals...
and day places as well as preparatory departments in a single-sex environment. To enable a wide range of A and AS level subjects to be taken, there is some mixed-sex teaching in the Sixth Form
Sixth form
In the education systems of England, Wales, and Northern Ireland, and of Commonwealth West Indian countries such as Barbados, Trinidad and Tobago, Belize, Jamaica and Malta, the sixth form is the final two years of secondary education, where students, usually sixteen to eighteen years of age,...
with the sister school, Haberdashers Monmouth School for Girls (HMSG).
Houses
There are three main age divisions in the school; lower (forms I and II) middle (forms III, IV, and V) and sixth form (forms VI.1 and VI.2). Within these divisions, pupils are members of different houses as follows: Wye and Dean Houses, the lower school day houses, which are incorporated under one roof in a building at the south of the campus; St. James' House has been recently moved to chapel house, the lower school boarding house, located off-site nearby in St. James' Square; Severn House, the newest of the middle school day houses, located on the ground floor of the middle school house complex at the north of the campus; Town House; Monmouth House, one of the original day houses, located below Hereford House in a building which also houses the Classics and Religious Studies departments and is connected to Severn and Town Houses; Hereford House, another of the original day houses; Weirhead House, a boarding house, located at the south of the campus; New House, a boarding house, located next to the administrative buildings in the centre of the campus; School House, a boarding house, located next to the middle school house complex at the north-east of the complex; Chapel House, a Grade II listed building, located offsite, on the Hereford Road to the north of the town and Tudor, Glendower and Buchanan Houses, which comprise the sixth form centre and V1.2 boarding.Academics and extra-curricular
The schools offers a range of subjects, over 30 being available for study to AS and A Level, through collaboration with HMSG. This selection is supported by facilities such as the School Library, Science laboratories, computer suites, and design technology workshop.In 2004 The Blake Theatre, was opened. Funded by Bob Blake, it is used as a venue for performances by both the boys' and girls' schools, and by external performers. It was officially opened by HRH The Prince Edward, Earl of Wessex
Prince Edward, Earl of Wessex
Prince Edward, Earl of Wessex KG GCVO is the third son and fourth child of Elizabeth II and The Duke of Edinburgh...
.
The school also possesses a large music school with an auditorium, teaching rooms and practice rooms.
Extra-curricular activities include foreign expeditions, music and drama events as well as the school newspaper, The Lion, and its magazine, The Monmouthian.
The School also boasts a large CCF (Combined Cadet Force) Contingent which has both an Army and RAF Section and is operated in collaboration with HMSG.
Sport
The school's three main sports are rugby, rowing and cricket. The sports facilities include a new sports complex which houses a six-lane swimming pool, indoor sports facilities, a weight and fitness suite, tennis courts, and a full size astroturf pitch which can be used for a variety of activities. The school's sporting tradition is reflected in the fact that many boys play at county or national level, especially in rugby, rowing, and cricket. In addition to rowing and rugby the school offers a range of other sports which include Association football, athletics, badminton, canoeing, climbing, cricket, cross country, fencing, fitness training, hockey, golf, sailing, shooting, squash, sub-aqua, swimming, tennis, and water polo.Other
In June 2009, the school paid out £150,000 to settle a landmark pensions rights case brought by female catering and support staff who claimed that, as part-time workers, they had been unjustly excluded from the school's pension scheme.Headmasters
- 1615 John Owen
- 1617 Humfrey Crewys
- 1639 Nathaniel Taynton
- 1657 Robert Brabourne
- 1658 Robert Frampton
- 1663 John Harmer
- 1663 Charles Hoole
- 1664 William Morrice
- 1672 Thomas Bassett
- 1687 Thomas Wright
- 1691 Thomas Bassett (restored)
- 1713 Andrew Cuthbert
- 1723 James Birt
- 1738 Baynham Barnes
- 1758 John Crowe
- 1780 Thomas Prosser
- 1793 John Powell
- 1823 William Jones
- 1828 John Oakley Hill
- 1832 George Monningtom
- 1844 John Dundas Watherston
- 1859 Charles Manley Roberts
- 1891 Edward Hugh Culley
- 1906 Lionel James
- 1928 Christopher Fairfax Scott
- 1937 Wilfred Roy Lewin
- 1941 Noel Chamberlain Elstob
- 1946 Cecil Howard Dunstan Cullingford
- 1956 John Robert Murray Senior (married to the novelist Susan PleydellSusan PleydellSusan Pleydell was the nom de plume of the Scottish-born novelist Susan Senior, née Susan Syme . She was a schoolmistress by profession and published a number of novels between 1959 and 1977.-Background:...
) - 1959 R H S Hatton
- 1959 Robert Finlay Glover
- 1977 Nicholas Bomford
- 1982 Rupert Lane
- 1995 Peter Anthony
- 1995 Timothy Haynes
- 2005 Steven Connors
Notable alumni
Historical- Angus BuchananAngus BuchananAngus Buchanan, VC, MC was an English recipient of the Victoria Cross, the highest and most prestigious award for gallantry in the face of the enemy that can be awarded to British and Commonwealth forces.-Early life:...
(1894–1944), holder of the Victoria CrossVictoria CrossThe Victoria Cross is the highest military decoration awarded for valour "in the face of the enemy" to members of the armed forces of various Commonwealth countries, and previous British Empire territories....
. - John VassallJohn VassallWilliam John Christopher Vassall was a British civil servant who, under pressure of blackmail, spied for the Soviet Union....
(1924–1996), civil servant and soviet spy
Sporting
- Eddie ButlerEddie Butler (rugby player)Edward Thomas "Eddie" Butler is a journalist, sports commentator, and former Welsh Rugby Union player, who won 16 caps for the team between 1980 and 1984 and scored 2 tries. Butler was educated at Monmouth School and Fitzwilliam College, University of Cambridge...
(born 1957), rugby player / TV commentator. - John GwilliamJohn GwilliamJohn Albert Gwilliam was a Welsh rugby union 'No 8' who played international rugby for Wales and club rugby for Cambridge University, Edinburgh Wanderers, Gloucester, Newport, London Welsh, Llanelli and Wasps...
(born 1923), rugby player. - Steve JamesSteve James (cricketer)Stephen Peter James is a former English cricketer who played two Tests for England in 1998, making 71 runs in four innings. He was captain of Glamorgan for three seasons before retiring in 2003 after 17 seasons with the club, aged 35...
(born 1967), cricketer. - Keith JarrettKeith Jarrett (rugby)Keith Jarrett was a Welsh international rugby centre who played union for Newport and league with Barrow. Jarrett is most notable for his early appearances for the Wales national rugby union team where he set point scoring records...
(born 1948), rugby player. - Tom LucyTom LucyThomas David Lucy is a Welsh international rower from Llangovan near Monmouth. He won a silver medal at the 2008 Summer Olympics for Great Britain in the Mens eight....
(born 1988), Silver Medallist Oarsman in the Mens Eight at the Beijing 2008 Olympic Games. - Kyle TudgeKyle TudgeKyle Daniel Tudge is a Welsh cricketer. He is a right-handed batsman and a slow left-handed bowler who formerly played for Glamorgan....
(born 1987), cricketer. - Huw WatersHuw WatersHuw Thomas Waters is a Welsh cricketer. He is a right-handed batsman and a right-arm fast medium pace bowler who plays for Glamorgan....
(born 1986), cricketer. - David BroomeDavid BroomeDavid McPherson Broome CBE is a retired Welsh show jumping champion.Broome was born in Wales, attended Monmouth School and still maintains his stables at Mount Ballan Manor, Crick, near Chepstow in Monmouthshire...
(born 1940), International and Olympic showjumper - Charlie Wiggin, (born 1951), rower and sculler, bronze medal winner in the coxless pairs 1980 Moscow Olympic Games
- Wayne BarnesWayne BarnesWayne Barnes is an English international rugby union referee. He was educated at Whitecross School in Lydney, where he was head boy, Monmouth School and at the University of East Anglia. He became a professional referee in April 2005, giving up a career in law to do so...
, (born 1979), International rugby union referee - William MarshWilliam Marsh (cricketer)William Edward Marsh was a Welsh cricketer. Marsh was a right-arm fast-medium bowler. He was born at Newbridge, Monmouthshire. He was educated at Monmouth School....
(1917–1978), cricketer
Public Life
- Derek EzraDerek Ezra, Baron EzraDerek Ezra, Baron Ezra MBE is a Liberal Democrat life peer in the United Kingdom House of Lords and former chairman of the National Coal Board...
(born 1919), former chairman, National Coal Board - 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...
(1785–1852), industrialist - Christopher HerbertChristopher HerbertChristopher William Herbert is the former Bishop of St Albans.He was born on 7 January 1944, in Lydney in the Forest of Dean. His father helped run the family road haulage business, but was also very proud of his roots as a foundryman in a local iron works....
(born 1944), ecclesiastic (the former Bishop of St AlbansBishop of St AlbansThe Bishop of St Albans is the Ordinary of the Church of England Diocese of St Albans in the Province of Canterbury. The bishop is supported in his work by two suffragan bishops, the Bishop of Hertford and the Bishop of Bedford, and three archdeacons....
). - Colin MoynihanColin MoynihanColin Berkeley Moynihan, 4th Baron Moynihan PC is a former Olympic coxswain who became a businessman, politician and sports administrator.-Early life:...
(born 1955), politician and sportsman (4th Baron MoynihanBaron MoynihanBaron Moynihan, of Leeds in the County of York, is a title in the Peerage of the United Kingdom. It was created on 19 March 1929 for the surgeon Sir Berkeley Moynihan, 1st Baronet, the son of the Victoria Cross recipient Andrew Moynihan. Sir Berkeley had already been created a Baronet, of Carr...
). Coxed the Great Britain silver medal winning Mens VIII at the 1980 Moscow Olympic Games - Cliff TuckerCliff TuckerClifford Lewis Tucker was a British industrial relations executive, magistrate and politician.He was educated at Monmouth School and St David's College, Lampeter...
(1912–1993), politician - Roger Pinney (1971–1978), BBC journalist.
- Paul LangfordPaul LangfordProfessor Paul Langford is a British historian, currently Rector of Lincoln College, Oxford.Educated at Monmouth School and Hertford College, Oxford, he was elected to a Junior Research Fellowship in modern history at Lincoln College in 1969, becoming a tutorial fellow in 1970...
(born 1945), historian.
Arts and Entertainment
- Richard MarnerRichard MarnerRichard Marner, born Alexander Molchanoff was a Russian-born British actor. He was probably best known for his role as Colonel Kurt Von Strohm in the British sitcom Allo 'Allo!.-Early life:...
(1921–2004), actor best known for his role as Colonel von Strohm in the sitcom 'Allo 'Allo!'Allo 'Allo!'Allo 'Allo! is a British sitcom broadcast on BBC One from 1982 to 1992 comprising eighty-five episodes. It is a parody of another BBC programme, the wartime drama Secret Army, and was created by David Croft, who also wrote the theme music, and Jeremy Lloyd. Lloyd and Croft wrote the first 6...
. - Richard PearsonRichard PearsonLieutenant-Colonel Richard Lyons Otway Pearson CB was Assistant Commissioner of the London Metropolitan Police from 1881 to 1890....
(1918-2011), actor - famous for his character roles, but who also undertook leading parts, including opening Harold PinterHarold PinterHarold Pinter, CH, CBE was a Nobel Prize–winning English playwright and screenwriter. One of the most influential modern British dramatists, his writing career spanned more than 50 years. His best-known plays include The Birthday Party , The Homecoming , and Betrayal , each of which he adapted to...
's The Birthday Party in 1958. - Grant NicholasGrant NicholasGrant Nicholas is a Welsh musician, best known as the lead singer and lead guitarist of the rock band Feeder, along with bassist Taka Hirose and drummer Karl Brazil.-Early years:...
(born 1967), guitarist and singer with rock band FeederFeeder-Technology:* Feeder , any of several devices used in apiculture to supplement or replace natural food sources* Feeder , another name for a riser, a reservoir built into a metal casting mold to prevent cavities due to shrinkage... - Tom PriceTom Price (actor)Tom Price is a British actor, voice over artist and stand up comedian. He is married to TV producer Beth Morrey, who is most noted for being the creator of hit Channel 4 quiz format Wogan's Perfect Recall.-TV and Film Career:...
- actor and comedian - Victor SpinettiVictor SpinettiVictor Spinetti is a Welsh comic actor.-Early life:Spinetti was born in Cwm, Ebbw Vale, Wales of Welsh and Italian heritage from a grandfather who was said to have walked from Italy to Wales to work as a coal miner...
(born 1933), actor. - Glyn WorsnipGlyn WorsnipGlyn Worsnip was a British radio and television presenter. Born in Highnam, Gloucestershire, he was most famous for his appearances on That's Life! and on Nationwide.He attended Monmouth School and after two years service in the RAF as a Photographic Intelligence Officer he graduated...
(1938–1996), actor and broadcaster - Daniel Llewelyn-Williams, actor
- Paul GrovesPaul GrovesPaul Groves is an English former footballer who notably captained and managed Grimsby Town. He was naturally a central midfield player, but later in his career was used as a central defender...
(born 1947), poet