The Alice Ottley School
Encyclopedia
The Alice Ottley School was an independent all-girl school in Worcester
which existed between 1883 and 2007 before it was renamed to take the name of the school's first ever headmistress
and became 'The Alice Ottley School'.
Alice Ottley remained Headmistress until 1912. She had already resigned when she fell ill in June 1912. She died in London on 18 September, by coincidence the first day of the new term under her successor, Miss Margaret Spurling. Miss Ottley's funeral was held on 21 September in Worcester and, as a mark of respect, all the shops closed and all blinds were drawn in the City . She was buried at Astwood Cemetery, with the inscription 'In Thy Light we shall see Light'. In 1957, the City of Worcester added its own, more lasting commemoration in the form of a window in the Cloisters of the Cathedral. It remains to this day.
Millest was succeeded by Christine Sibbit in 1986 who led the school until her retirement, when she was succeeded by Morag Chapman. During Sibbit's time, the school closed its boarding houses and became a day school only. Chapman has the distinction of being the last headmistress of the Alice Ottley School.
In the 124 year history, the School had just six Headmistresses and a portrait of each hangs in Main Hall. In the last portrait of Mrs Chapman, she wears an enamel brooch which had belonged to Alice Ottley, depicting a white lily - the emblem of the School.
where the annual Carol Service and Prize–giving were held. The School was associated with two great British artists – the renowned English composer Edward Elgar
and the writer Lewis Carroll
. Elgar was a visiting teacher of the violin in Miss Ottley’s day whilst Lewis Carroll, who wrote ‘Alice in Wonderland’, was a great friend of Miss Ottley’s and regularly visited the school.
Worcester
The City of Worcester, commonly known as Worcester, , is a city and county town of Worcestershire in the West Midlands of England. Worcester is situated some southwest of Birmingham and north of Gloucester, and has an approximate population of 94,000 people. The River Severn runs through the...
which existed between 1883 and 2007 before it was renamed to take the name of the school's first ever headmistress
and became 'The Alice Ottley School'.
History
The Alice Ottley School was founded by Canon William Butler of Wantage and Alice Ottley in 1883. Canon Butler had arrived in Worcester in 1881 and he noted that whilst the provision of education for boys was good (with the Royal Grammar School and the King's School), there was nothing of the same calibre for girls. The school opened on the 21st of June 1883 to 11 pupils. The school operated on a strong Anglican ethos throughout its 124 year history.Alice Ottley remained Headmistress until 1912. She had already resigned when she fell ill in June 1912. She died in London on 18 September, by coincidence the first day of the new term under her successor, Miss Margaret Spurling. Miss Ottley's funeral was held on 21 September in Worcester and, as a mark of respect, all the shops closed and all blinds were drawn in the City . She was buried at Astwood Cemetery, with the inscription 'In Thy Light we shall see Light'. In 1957, the City of Worcester added its own, more lasting commemoration in the form of a window in the Cloisters of the Cathedral. It remains to this day.
After Alice Ottley
Ottley's successor was Margaret Spurling, who was headmistress from 1912 until 1934. Spurling was succeeded by Hilda Roden in 1934, who continued as headmistress until 1964, after Roden retired, Eileene Millest became head. Miss Millest was headmistress from 1964 until 1985 and was the last Headmistress to live in an apartment in Britannia House itself. Under her, the School expanded to around 750 girls, the mix still including daygirls and boarders. As a consequence of the expansion in numbers, her stewardship oversaw a number of building projects, including a sports hall, science laboratories, additional class rooms and food technology rooms.Millest was succeeded by Christine Sibbit in 1986 who led the school until her retirement, when she was succeeded by Morag Chapman. During Sibbit's time, the school closed its boarding houses and became a day school only. Chapman has the distinction of being the last headmistress of the Alice Ottley School.
In the 124 year history, the School had just six Headmistresses and a portrait of each hangs in Main Hall. In the last portrait of Mrs Chapman, she wears an enamel brooch which had belonged to Alice Ottley, depicting a white lily - the emblem of the School.
Links and Connections
The School had well-established links with Worcester CathedralWorcester Cathedral
Worcester Cathedral is an Anglican cathedral in Worcester, England; situated on a bank overlooking the River Severn. It is the seat of the Anglican Bishop of Worcester. Its official name is The Cathedral Church of Christ and the Blessed Mary the Virgin of Worcester...
where the annual Carol Service and Prize–giving were held. The School was associated with two great British artists – the renowned English composer Edward Elgar
Edward Elgar
Sir Edward William Elgar, 1st Baronet OM, GCVO was an English composer, many of whose works have entered the British and international classical concert repertoire. Among his best-known compositions are orchestral works including the Enigma Variations, the Pomp and Circumstance Marches, concertos...
and the writer Lewis Carroll
Lewis Carroll
Charles Lutwidge Dodgson , better known by the pseudonym Lewis Carroll , was an English author, mathematician, logician, Anglican deacon and photographer. His most famous writings are Alice's Adventures in Wonderland and its sequel Through the Looking-Glass, as well as the poems "The Hunting of the...
. Elgar was a visiting teacher of the violin in Miss Ottley’s day whilst Lewis Carroll, who wrote ‘Alice in Wonderland’, was a great friend of Miss Ottley’s and regularly visited the school.
Notable alumnae
- Dr. R Wardle, Internationally Renowned Obstetrician
- Vanessa RedgraveVanessa RedgraveVanessa Redgrave, CBE is an English actress of stage, screen and television, as well as a political activist.She rose to prominence in 1961 playing Rosalind in As You Like It with the Royal Shakespeare Company and has since made more than 35 appearances on London's West End and Broadway, winning...
, actress - Barbara CartlandBarbara CartlandDame Barbara Hamilton Cartland, DBE, CStJ , was an English author, one of the most prolific authors of the 20th century...
, writer - Sheila ScottSheila ScottSheila Scott OBE , was an English aviatrix.Born Sheila Christine Hopkins in Worcester, Worcestershire, England in 1922, educated at the Alice Ottley School, she broke over 100 aviation records through her long distance flight endeavours, which included a "world and a half" flight in 1971...
, the first pilot to make a solo round the world flight - Nicci Gerrard, writer
- Jennifer West British actress who now lives in Sydney.
- Isabel Berwick, Personal finance writer at the Financial Times and a frequent broadcaster on money matters.
- Yvonne Ackrill, Television Director.