- The Gower' redirects here - for the geographical area of that name see Gower peninsula
The Gower Peninsula is a peninsula on the south west coast of Wales, on the north side of the Bristol Channel in the southwest of the historic county of Glamorgan. Referred to colloquially as 'Gower', this was the first area in the United Kingdom to be designated as an Area of Outstanding Natural...
University College School
, generally known as UCS, is an
Independent schoolAn independent school in the United Kingdom is a school that is not financed by taxpayers or 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 not...
charity situated in
HampsteadHampstead is an area of London, England, located north-west of Charing Cross. It is located within Inner London. It is part of the London Borough of Camden. It is known for its intellectual, artistic, musical and literary associations and for the large and hilly parkland Hampstead Heath...
, north west
London[]London is the capital of England and the United Kingdom. It has been a major settlement for two millennia, and the history of London goes back to its founding by the Romans, when it was named Londinium. London's core, the ancient City of London, the 'square mile', retains its medieval boundaries...
,
EnglandEngland 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 and the North Sea to the east, with the English Channel to the south separating it from continental...
. The school was founded in 1830 by
University College LondonUniversity College London is a British university institution and a constituent college of the University of London, based primarily in Bloomsbury, London...
and inherited many of that institution's progressive and secular views. Remarkably original and probably unique at that time, the School today is increasingly well known and respected for its ethos of inclusivity, liberal scholarship and high academic standards. According to the Good Schools Guide, the school "Achieves impressive exam results with a relaxed atmosphere."
UCS
is a member of boththe Eton GroupThe Eton Group consists of 12 independent schools in the United Kingdom.With histories of academic achievement, the Eton Group are considered to be amongst the elite independent schools in the United Kingdom, continuously dominating the British independent schools league tables. Many of their...
of twelve independent schools and the Headmaster's Conference and it maintains links with a number of other schools in north and west London, including South Hampstead High SchoolSouth Hampstead High School is an all-girls independent school situated in Hampstead, north-west London. The Good Schools Guide described the school as "the only high-achieving, girls' independent in the area." It is a member of the Girls' Day School Trust .-History:Founded in 1876, it was the...
and Westminster AcademyWestminster Academy, is an Academy located in London, England.It is a co-educational school for 11-18 year olds that specialises in International Business and Enterprise...
. It also has strong ties with Equatorial College SchoolEquatorial College School, also known as ECS, is a private secondary school in the Ibanda District of Uganda. It was founded in 2002 by the Chairman of the Board of Directors, Robert Kamasaka, and the current Headmaster is Sebastian Bumbakare...
in UgandaThe Republic of Uganda is a landlocked country in East Africa. It is bordered on the east by Kenya, on the north by Sudan, on the west by the Democratic Republic of the Congo, on the southwest by Rwanda, and on the south by Tanzania...
.
In 2008, the UCS
Sixth Form became co-educational.
The current Headmaster of the school is Kenneth DurhamKenneth Durham is a prominent British educator.Kenneth was educated at St John's School, and studied at Brasenose College, University of Oxford.He taught economics at St...
.
History
According to H.J.K. Usher (author of An Angel without Wings), giving a detailed history of UCS is close to impossible as many of its early records were lost when the archives of
University College LondonUniversity College London is a British university institution and a constituent college of the University of London, based primarily in Bloomsbury, London...
were destroyed during bombing in the Second World War, and because many documents were destroyed or left to rot by a headmaster, C.S. Walton who believed "that tradition began with him".
The following is largely based on the published histories of the School which are given as references at the bottom of the page.
Foundation
UCS was founded in 1830 by what was then the University of London (now University College London). The University of London had been inspired by the work of
Jeremy BenthamJeremy Bentham was an English jurist, philosopher, and legal and social reformer. He was the brother of Samuel Bentham. He was a political radical, and a leading theorist in Anglo-American philosophy of law...
and others to provide opportunities for higher education for people regardless of religious beliefs (if any) - at the time, only members of the
established ChurchThe Church of England is the officially established Christian church in England, the Mother Church of the worldwide Anglican Communion and the oldest among the communion's thirty-eight independent national and regional churches...
could study at
CambridgeThe University of Cambridge , located in the City of Cambridge, Cambridgeshire, United Kingdom, is the second oldest university in the English-speaking world and the fourth oldest in Europe...
and
OxfordThe University of Oxford , located in the UK city of Oxford, is the oldest surviving university in the English-speaking world and is regarded as one of the world's leading academic institutions. Although the exact date of foundation remains unclear, there is evidence of teaching there as far back...
(the only other two universities in
EnglandEngland 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 and the North Sea to the east, with the English Channel to the south separating it from continental...
at the time). Furthermore, the subjects taught at Cambridge and Oxford at the time were very narrow with classical subjects dominating.
University College found that fewer pupils were being admitted than had been expected and that the quality of the school education of many of its applicants was inadequate. Several of the founders of UCL therefore took the decision to establish a school.
Several of the proprietors of the
University of LondonBased primarily in London, England, United Kingdom, the University of London is a federal mega university made up of 31 affiliates: 19 separate university institutions, and 12 research institutes...
are directly associated with the founding of the school; they include
Henry Brougham, 1st Baron Brougham and VauxHenry Peter Brougham, 1st Baron Brougham and Vaux was a British statesman who became Lord Chancellor of the United Kingdom....
(whom appears to be singled out as the ring leader in A tradition for Freedom), Lord Auckland (probably
George Eden, 1st Earl of AucklandGeorge Eden, 1st Earl of Auckland GCB PC was a British Whig politician and colonial administrator. He was thrice First Lord of the Admiralty and also served as Governor-General of India between 1836 and 1842....
),
William Bingham Baring, 2nd Baron Ashburton Bingham Baring, 2nd Baron Ashburton PC, FRS, DL was a British businessman and Tory politician.-Background and education:...
, Sir
Isaac Lyon GoldsmidSir Isaac Lyon Goldsmid, Baronet was a financier and one of the leading figures in the Jewish emancipation in the United Kingdom....
,
Henry HallamHenry Hallam was an English historian.-Life:The only son of John Hallam, canon of Windsor and dean of Bristol, Henry Hallam was educated at Eton and Christ Church, Oxford, graduating in 1799...
,
Leonard HornerLeonard Horner , Scottish geologist, brother of Francis Horner, was born in Edinburgh.Horner was a 'radical educational reformer' who was involved in the establishment of University College School....
(The
Royal Society of EdinburghThe Royal Society of Edinburgh is Scotland's national academy of science and letters. The membership consists of over 1400 peer-elected fellows, who are known as Fellows of the Royal Society of Edinburgh, denoted FRSE in official titles. It provides annual grants totalling over half a million...
has described UCS as his 'monument'
http://www.edinburghacademy.org.uk/curriculum/history/enlightenment.htm),
James MillJames Mill was a Scottish historian, economist, political theorist, and philosopher. He was the father of influential philosopher of classical liberalism, John Stuart Mill.-Life:...
, Viscount Sandon (probably either
Dudley Ryder, 1st Earl of HarrowbyDudley Ryder, 1st Earl of Harrowby, PC, FSA was a prominent British politician of the Pittite faction and the Tory party.-Background and education:...
or
Dudley Ryder, 2nd Earl of HarrowbyDudley Ryder, 2nd Earl of Harrowby KG, PC, FRS , styled Viscount Sandon between 1809 and 1847, was a British politician...
), James Lock Esq, Stephen Lushington D.C.L. M.P., John Smith Esq M.P., and Henry Waymouth Esq.
According to A Tradition for Freedom
, further inspiration for the School came from an elderly Jeremy BenthamJeremy Bentham was an English jurist, philosopher, and legal and social reformer. He was the brother of Samuel Bentham. He was a political radical, and a leading theorist in Anglo-American philosophy of law...
who had attacked the traditional education he had been given, and Church of England schools in Chrestomathia.
The first headmaster was The Reverend Henry Browne, who quickly caused controversy, by publishing a prospectus for the School which appeared to include some type of communal worship. This was quickly replaced with a new version which also stated that the School would not use corporal punishment (highly unusual at the time).
The School opened at 16 Gower Street (from where the sobriquet 'Old Gower
' derives) on November 1 1830, under the name 'The London University School
'. Browne soon resigned from his position and was replaced by John Walker (an assistant Master).
By February 1831 it had outgrown its quarters, in October 1831, the Council of UCL agreed to formally take over the school and it was brought within the walls of the College in 1832, with a joint headmastership of Professors
Thomas Hewitt KeyThomas Hewitt Key , English classical scholar, was born in London.He was educated at St John's and Trinity Colleges, Cambridge, and graduated 19th wrangler in 1821...
and
Henry MaldenHenry Malden was a prominent 19th Century academic. He was the son of Jonas Malden, a Putney surgeon.- Education :Malden attended Preston's School and was a scholar at Trinity College, Cambridge where he obtained a B.A. in 1822 and an M.A. in 1825)...
.
The School was very original - it was never a
boarding schoolA boarding school is a school where some or all pupils not only study, but also live during term time, with their fellow students and possibly teachers. The word 'boarding' is used in the sense of "bed and board", that is, food and lodging...
(though there were at times pupils who boarded in private lodgings or with teachers), it was one of the first schools to teach
modern languageA modern language is any human language that is currently in use. The term is used in a language education context to distinguish between languages such as French and German, which are spoken by millions of people and are learned for their usefulness as tools of communication or lingua franca, and...
s, and
scienceScience is in its broadest sense to any systematic knowledge-base or prescriptive practice that is capable of resulting in a prediction or predictable type of outcome...
s, and it was one of the first to abolish
corporal punishmentCorporal punishment is the deliberate infliction of pain as retribution for an offence, or for the purpose of disciplining or reforming a wrongdoer, or to change an undesirable attitude or behaviour...
. It has also been noted that, in fact, UCS had a gymnasium before the school that is generally credited with having the first gym. Originally, there were no compulsory subjects and no rigid form system. Most boys learnt
LatinLatin is an Italic language originally spoken in Latium and Ancient Rome. Through the Roman conquest, Latin spread throughout the Mediterranean and a large part of Europe...
and
FrenchFrench is a Romance language globally spoken by about 65 million people as a first language , by 50 million as a second language, and by about another 200 million people as an acquired foreign language, with significant speakers in 57 countries. Most native speakers of the language live in France,...
, and many learnt
GermanGerman is a West Germanic language, thus related to and classified alongside English and Dutch. It is one of the world's major languages and the most widely spoken first language in the European Union. Around the world, German is spoken by approximately 105 million native speakers and also by...
(a highly unusual subject to teach at that time).
MathematicsMathematics is the science and study of quantity, structure, space, and change. Mathematicians seek out patterns, formulate new conjectures, and establish truth by rigorous deduction from appropriately chosen axioms and definitions....
,
ChemistryChemistry is the science concerned with the composition, behavior, structure, and properties of matter, as well as the changes it undergoes during chemical reactions...
, Classical Greek and
EnglishEnglish is a West Germanic language that developed in England during the Anglo-Saxon era. As a result of the military, economic, scientific, political, and cultural influence of the British Empire during the 18th, 19th, and early 20th centuries, and of the United States since the mid 20th century,...
were also taught. There was no religious teaching.
Further Developments
In the mid nineteenth century, the government of Japan sent a number of pupils to the School (see
Kikuchi DairokuBaron was a mathematician, educator, and educational administrator in Meiji period Japan.- Kikuchi's life and career :Kikuchi was born in Edo , as the second son of Mitsukuri Shuhei...
and
Hayashi Tadasuwas a career diplomat and cabinet minister in Meiji period Japan. Baron Matsumoto Ryōjun, the onetime private physician to Tokugawa Yoshinobu and founder of the Imperial Japanese Army Medical Corps, was Hayashi’s brother.- Early life :...
) which had been recommended on the advice of
Edward Stanley, 15th Earl of DerbyEdward Henry Stanley, 15th Earl of Derby KG, PC, FRS , known as Lord Stanley from 1844 to 1869, was a British statesman...
, who was the British Foreign Secretary at the time.
Under the University College London (Transfer) Act 1905, University College London became part of the federal University of London, and the School was created as a separate corporation.
UCS moved away to new purpose built buildings in Frognal in
HampsteadHampstead is an area of London, England, located north-west of Charing Cross. It is located within Inner London. It is part of the London Borough of Camden. It is known for its intellectual, artistic, musical and literary associations and for the large and hilly parkland Hampstead Heath...
in 1907, which were opened by HM King
Edward VIIEdward VII was King of the United Kingdom and the British Dominions and Emperor of India from 22 January 1901 until his death on 6 May 1910...
with the
Archbishop of CanterburyAlso see Leaders of ChristianityThe Archbishop of Canterbury is the chief bishop and principal leader of the Church of England, the symbolic head of the worldwide Anglican Communion and the diocesan bishop of the Diocese of Canterbury, the see that churches must be in communion with in order to be...
in attendance on July 27.
Kikuchi DairokuBaron was a mathematician, educator, and educational administrator in Meiji period Japan.- Kikuchi's life and career :Kikuchi was born in Edo , as the second son of Mitsukuri Shuhei...
was invited to the first annual prize giving at Frognal where he represented those who had received their prizes at Gower Street.
The Sixth Form Centre, which also houses the Theatre, was opened by the HRH The
Duke of KentDuke of Kent is a title which has been created various times in the peerages of Great Britain and the United Kingdom, most recently as a royal dukedom for the fourth son of George V.-Pre-history:...
in 1974.
In 1980 Her Majesty Queen
Elizabeth IIElizabeth II is the queen regnant of sixteen independent states known informally as the Commonwealth realms: the United Kingdom, Canada, Australia, New Zealand, Jamaica, Barbados, the Bahamas, Grenada, Papua New Guinea, the Solomon Islands, Tuvalu, Saint Lucia, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines,...
visited the school to celebrate its 150th Anniversary and to inaugurate the rebuilt hall which had been destroyed by fire in 1978.
In 1993 a new library, music school, lecture theatre, computer laboratory, sports hall, geography block, mathematics School and further classrooms were added to the senior school site. The Junior Branch buildings were also refurbished, with the addition of an Art & Technology Centre.
In 2005 UCS announced a four year £12 million development programme.
The Sir
Roger BannisterSir Roger Gilbert Bannister, CBE is an English former athlete best known as the first man in history to run the mile in less than 4 minutes...
Sports Centre was officially opened by Sir Roger (himself an Old Gower) in December 2006. A new Art, Design Technology and Modern Languages building came into use from November 2007 and, in a gesture of respct to one of the School's intellectual founding fathers, was formally opened as the
Jeremy BenthamJeremy Bentham was an English jurist, philosopher, and legal and social reformer. He was the brother of Samuel Bentham. He was a political radical, and a leading theorist in Anglo-American philosophy of law...
building by The Duke of Gloucester on 22 May 2008. Also in 2008, the Sixth Form Centre was completely renovated along with most of the School's interior and classrooms were renovated. In September 2008, the first intake of girls into the sixth form entered UCS.
Council
The governing Council consists of 20 members.
The Universities of Oxford, Cambridge and London each nominate representatives on the Council, as do
University College LondonUniversity College London is a British university institution and a constituent college of the University of London, based primarily in Bloomsbury, London...
, the
Worshipful Company of GrocersThe Worshipful Company of Grocers is one of the Livery Companies of the City of London.-History:The Company was founded in the fourteenth century as the Guild of Pepperers, which was first known in the twelfth century . By 1373 , the Guild was known as the Company of Grocers of London.In 1428 ,...
and the
London Borough of CamdenThe London Borough of Camden is a borough of London, England, which forms part of Inner London. The southern reaches of Camden form part of Central London.-History:...
.
The Chairman of the Council is currently Sir
Brian LevesonThe Right Honourable Sir Brian Leveson was called to the Bar in 1970. He took Silk in 1986, and has been a Bencher since 1995. He acted as a Recorder between 1988 and 2000 and as a Deputy High Court Judge between 1998 and 2000...
.
Academic results
As policy, UCS
does not measure academic success by exam result league tables, however the school is firmly based in the top of the national league tables as shown below;
2008
93.7% of A level exams were graded A/B and 81.1% of GCSEs (including IGCSE maths and science) were graded A*/A.
UCS
came 25th of all schools nationally according to The Times. In terms of schools which were for boys only, UCS
came 5th. http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/life_and_style/education/a_level_gcse_results/.
The Financial TimesThe Financial Times is a British international business newspaper. It is a morning daily newspaper published in London and is printed at 22 sites...
rated UCS
the 17th Best School in England in its September 2008 report http://www.ft.com/reports/independentschools2008.
2006
93% of A level exams were graded A/B and 83% of GCSEs were graded A*/A.
UCS
came 25th in the Telegraph independent school A-Level league table (within the 'Premier League'). http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/graphics/2006/08/26/ngcse.pdf.
In terms of independent schools for boys, UCS
came within the top 10 schools nationally. http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/graphics/2006/08/26/ngcse.pdf.
The Times ranked UCS
as the 45th best School in England for GCSE results 2006. http://www.timesonline.co.uk/displayPopup/0,,115677,00.html. This ranked the school as 19th in terms of schools where boys can attend. For schools which accept only boys the school was ranked 15th.
The Times 'Parent Power' 2006 Survey ranked UCS
27th in the secondary school category for independent schools.http://www.times-archive.co.uk/onlinespecials//topindependentsecondaryschools.pdf. For boys schools UCS
was ranked 10th. It was also wrongly labelled as mixed.
The Good Schools Guide
named UCS
as the best English school (points score) for any pupils taking classical Greek A-level in 2006. http://www.goodschoolsguide.co.uk/cgi-bin/gsgdir.cgi?GUIDELINKSLIST&OL=Yes&SiteS=LAR&Resource=Y&Link=wowschools_2006.htm
UCS
was separately named best boys independent school for classical Greek A-Level 2006. http://www.goodschoolsguide.co.uk/cgi-bin/gsgdir.cgi?GUIDELINKSLIST&OL=Yes&SiteS=LAR&Resource=Y&Link=wowschools_2006.htm
UCS was also named best independent school (points score) for boys for Logic / Philosophy A-Level 2006.
http://www.goodschoolsguide.co.uk/cgi-bin/gsgdir.cgi?GUIDELINKSLIST&OL=Yes&SiteS=LAR&Resource=Y&Link=wowschools_2006.htm
'Beyond Words' Festival
The school's annual
Beyond Words' UCS Festival has received press attention in recent years because of the number of celebrities that attend; in 2006,
The TimesThe Times is a daily national newspaper published in the United Kingdom since 1785 when it was known as The Daily Universal Register....
placed the festival at the top of its list of 'Top Cultural Places To Be' that week. The festival has also appeared several times in Time Out magazine, rated as one of London's top cultural attractions of the season.
The 2006 festival welcomed many household names including
Lord FalconerCharles Leslie Falconer, Baron Falconer of Thoroton, PC, QC is a British barrister and Labour Party politician. In June 2003 he became the Lord Chancellor and the first Secretary of State for Constitutional Affairs...
,
Zadie SmithZadie Smith is an English novelist. To date she has written three novels. In 2003, she was included on Granta's list of 20 best young authors.-Early life:...
(who, according to reports mentioned that one of the characters in her second book was based on an Old Gower),
Matthew PinsentSir Matthew Clive Pinsent CBE is an English rowing champion, four-time Olympic gold medallist and broadcaster...
and
Rupert EverettRupert James Hector Everett is an English actor and singer. He first came to public attention in 1981, when he was cast in Julian Mitchell's play and subsequent film Another Country as an openly homosexual student at an English public school, set in the 1930s...
, as well as a multitude of journalists, actors, authors, musicians, economists, and many more. Highlights of the 2007 festival included
Sophie DahlSophie Dahl is an English author and former model. She is the daughter of actor Julian Holloway and writer Tessa Dahl. Her maternal grandparents were the author Roald Dahl and the actress Patricia Neal...
, the ULU Jazz Band, Anton Edelmann and
Bombay Bicycle ClubBombay Bicycle Club are an indie rock band from Crouch End, London. The band is composed of Jack Steadman , Jamie MacColl , Ed Nash and Suren de Saram ....
.
In 2008, University College School again welcomed a wide and varied range of contributors including
Raymond BlancRaymond Blanc is a French chef, born in Besançon, France.Blanc is the owner and chef at Le Manoir aux Quat' Saisons, a hotel-restaurant in Great Milton, Oxfordshire, England...
,
Imelda StauntonImelda Mary Philomena Bernadette Staunton, OBE, is an English actress best known for her performances in the British comedy television series Up the Garden Path and the films Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix and Vera Drake...
,
Hugh PymHugh Pym is a British journalist, sportsman, academic and author.-Early life:Pym was educated at Marlborough College and Christ Church, Oxford, graduating with a degree in Philosophy, Politics, and Economics in 1981...
,
Ben MacintyreBen Macintyre is an author, historian and columnist writing for The Times newspaper. His columns range from current affairs to historical controversies. In July 2006, Macintyre wrote an article in The Times entitled , criticising the limitations of Wikipedia...
,
Charlie HigsonCharles Murray Higson , more commonly known as Charlie Higson, is an English actor, comedian and author. He has also written and produced for television.-Biography:...
,
Martin BellMartin Bell, OBE, is a British UNICEF Ambassador, a former broadcast war reporter and former independent politician.-Background:...
, Nabeel Yasin,
Daljit NagraDaljit Nagra is a British poet whose debut collection, Look We Have Coming to Dover! — a title alluding to W. H. Auden's Look, Stranger!, D. H. Lawrence's Look! We have come through! and by epigraph also to Matthew Arnold's 'Dover Beach' — was published by Faber in February 2007...
,
Anjum AnandAnjum Anand is a British Indian food writer and TV chef of Indian cuisine. She is considered one of the first food writers to create Indian recipes to cater for the health conscious cook....
,
Camila BatmanghelidjhCamila Batmanghelidjh is a psychotherapist and social entrepreneur whose work focuses on children marginalised by society. She is the founder and director of Kids Company, a charity based in south London devoted to 'lone' children, i.e...
,
Derek LandyDerek Landy is an Irish author and screenwriter. He has written two screenplays that have been made into films -- the IFTA award winning Dead Bodies and the IFTA nominated Boy Eats Girl starring Samantha Mumba. Landy himself was nominated for an IFTA for Best Script...
, Alex Lifschutz, William Eccleshare,
Ziauddin SardarZiauddin Sardar is a London-based scholar, writer and cultural-critic who specializes in the future of Islam, science and cultural relations...
, amongst many others. The Beyond Words Festival now includes pupils from the entire UCS foundation.
Community action
A major part of the contemporary school culture is community action, where for about six weeks a year students raise money for various charities (2008 total - £20,000).
School motto, colours, songs etc
The school motto is "Paulatim sed firmiter", roughly translated as "Steadily but surely". The school song is called Paulatim.
Paulatim Lyrics
Back in the old time, the morning time, the brave time,
Earnest hearts once labour'd for the halls we tread;
Paulatim, Paulatim, Paulatim!
Paulatim, blow on blow,
They laid intolerance low,
Up, up and let us follow where our founders led,
Up, up and let us follow where our founders led.
Now in the new time, the noontide time, the brave time,
Lightsome hearts are beating in the halls we tread;
Paulatim, Paulatim, Paulatim!
Paulatim, blow on blow,
Let us lay ignorance low,
And broaden out the pathway where our founders led,
And broaden out the pathway where our founders led.
On in far time, the twilight time, the brave time,
Hearts will hold an echo of the halls we tread;
Paulatim, Paulatim, Paulatim!
Paulatim, blow on blow,
May they lay tyrannies low,
Tho' they fall beside the highway where our founders led,
Tho' they fall beside the highway where our founders led.
Old Gowers (old boys) are entitled to use the
post-nominal lettersPost-nominal letters, also called post-nominal initials or post-nominal titles, are letters placed after the name of a person to indicate that the individual holds a position, educational degree, accreditation, office, or honour. An individual may use several different sets of post-nominal letters...
"OG".
The school's colours are maroon and black. On blazers these are in vertical stripes.
There have been numerous songs written about UCS
. The film Wondrous OblivionWondrous Oblivion is a 2003 British film directed and written by Paul Morrison and produced by Jonny Persey.Set in suburban south London in 1960, several themes run through the film, though the main storyline concerns the friendship between a young boy, David Wiseman who is the son of European...
is thought to have been partly inspired by Paul MorrisonPaul Morrison is the name of:* John Paul Morrison , aka Paul Morrison or J. Paul Morrison, Canadian computer programmer* Paul Morrison , British film director & screenwriter...
's experiences at UCS
.
The annual Speech Day, at which boys are awarded various prizes, has been hosted by many famous speakers, including Rory BremnerRoderick "Rory" Keith Ogilvy Bremner FKC is a Scottish impressionist, playwright and comedian, noted for his work in political satire.-Early life:...
, Gary LinekerGary Winston Lineker OBE is a retired English international football striker and is currently a sports broadcaster for the BBC and Eredivisie Live...
, Henry OlongaHenry Khaaba Olonga is a former cricketer for Zimbabwe. He made his international debut in a Test match against Pakistan at Harare in 1995, at age 18 years, 212 days, becoming the youngest player to represent Zimbabwe. He helped Zimbabwe to its first ever Test victory in that game...
, Sir Tim RiceSir Timothy Miles Bindon Rice is an English Academy Award, Golden Globe Award, Tony Award and Grammy Award-winning lyricist, author, radio personality and television gameshow panellist....
, Sir Roger BannisterSir Roger Gilbert Bannister, CBE is an English former athlete best known as the first man in history to run the mile in less than 4 minutes...
OG, Stephen FryStephen John Fry is a British actor, writer, comedian, author, television presenter and film director. With Hugh Laurie, as the comedy double act Fry and Laurie, he co-wrote and co-starred in A Bit of Fry and Laurie, and the duo also played the title roles in Jeeves and Wooster...
, Lord Coe (2007), Professor Malcolm Grant (President and Provost of UCL) and in 2009, Sir Michael ParkinsonSir Michael Parkinson, CBE is an English broadcaster and journalist. He presented his interview programme, Parkinson, from 1971 to 1982 and from 1998 to 2007.- Early life :...
UCS publishes a termly newsletter called The Frognal
and a yearly magazine called The Gower
; both publications are sent to current and past students for free. The latest editions are available on the school website. The website also allows people to sign up for a monthly E-zine newsletter.
A Masonic lodge (the Paulatim Lodge) exists, which former pupils or those with links to the school may join.
Arrangement
The UCS Foundation is composed of three main entities:
- "The Phoenix School", co-educational for ages 3 to 7. This was acquired by UCS in 2003.
- "The Junior Branch", boys ages 7 to 11 (primary
A primary school is an institution where 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,...
). This is also known as "Holly Hill", or "The JB".
- "The Senior School", boys ages 11–16 and co-educational for ages 16–18.(secondary
Secondary education is the stage of education following primary school. Secondary education is generally the final stage of compulsory education. However, secondary education in some countries includes a period of compulsory and a period of non-compulsory education. The next stage of education is...
). This is commonly referred to as just "UCS".
The Senior School site is divided into seven buildings:
- The main building, housing English, History, Maths (since June 2008) and Politics classrooms, and also the ICT, learning Support and Geography departments in the crypt (basement). The building also houses the Headmaster's office, main School office and the Common Room.
- The "Science Block", housing Chemistry, Physics and Biology laboratories.
- The "North Block", housing the 'Enav Library', the Refectory (dining hall) Eonomics and Business Studies and The Bursary.
- The "Giles Slaughter Wing" ('GS Wing'), housing Classics (since June 2008), Information Technology (ICT), Music and the Lecture Theatre.
- The "Jeremy Bentham Building" housing Art, DT, Philosophy and Modern Languages.
- The "Kent Building", housing the 'Lund Theatre' and the Sixth Form Centre.
- The "Sir Roger Bannister Sports Centre". Completed in the second half of 2006, the centre contains a 6 lane swimming pool, two indoor sports areas, a fully equipped gym and the Sixth Form Costa Coffee cafe. This is open to the 6th Form and members using the UCS Active health and fitness club.
Location
The Senior School site is located on Frognal, in
HampsteadHampstead is an area of London, England, located north-west of Charing Cross. It is located within Inner London. It is part of the London Borough of Camden. It is known for its intellectual, artistic, musical and literary associations and for the large and hilly parkland Hampstead Heath...
- a suburb of
London[]London is the capital of England and the United Kingdom. It has been a major settlement for two millennia, and the history of London goes back to its founding by the Romans, when it was named Londinium. London's core, the ancient City of London, the 'square mile', retains its medieval boundaries...
. The main campus and the Great Hall are noted examples of Edwardian architecture. Inside the hall is a magnificent
pipe organThe pipe organ is a musical instrument that produces sound by driving pressurized air through pipes selected via a keyboard. Because each organ pipe produces a single pitch, the pipes are provided in sets called ranks, each of which has a common timbre and loudness throughout the keyboard compass...
, used for school concerts, professional recordings and other festivities.
Outdoor sports, including
RugbyRugby football may refer to a number of sports through history descended from a common form of football developed in different areas of the United Kingdom. Today it refers to either rugby league or rugby union.- History :...
,
FootballAssociation football, more commonly known as football or soccer, is a team sport played between two teams of eleven players using a spherical ball...
,
CricketCricket is a bat-and-ball team sport that is first documented as being played in southern England in the 16th century. By the end of the 18th century, cricket had developed to the point where it had become the national sport of England. The expansion of the British Empire led to cricket being...
,
AthleticsTrack and field athletics is a collection of sports events that involve running, throwing, jumping and walking. Organised athletics are traced back to the Ancient Olympic Games from 776 BC, and most modern events are conducted by the member clubs of the International Association of Athletics...
and
Field hockeyField hockey is a team sport in which a team of players attempt to score goals by hitting, pushing or flicking the ball with hockey sticks into the opposing team's goal. Its official name is simply hockey, and this is the common name for it in many countries...
, take place at the games fields on Ranulf Road in West Hampstead. Swimming,
TennisTennis is a sport played between two players or between two teams of two players each . Each player uses a strung racquet to strike a hollow rubber ball covered with felt over a net into the opponent's court....
and
FivesFives is a British sport believed to derive from the same origins as many racquet sports. In fives, a ball is propelled against the walls of a special court using gloved or bare hands as though they were a racquet.-Background:...
take place at Frognal.
The Junior Branch and the Phoenix School are located on two separate campuses in Hampstead. The Junior Branch has its own Library, Science Laboratory, Music, Computer and Drama rooms.
Both the Phoenix School and the JB use the School playing fields as well as the Sir Roger Bannister sports centre at Frognal.
Year names and Demes
The Senior School is divided into three schools by age, and each year has a unique name:
| Lower School |
| Entry |
Year 7 |
| Shell |
Year 8 |
| Middle School |
| Lower Remove |
Year 9 |
| Remove |
Year 10 |
| Upper Remove |
Year 11 |
| Upper School |
| Transitus |
Lower Sixth (Year 12) |
| Sixth Form |
Upper Sixth (Year 13) |
Students in the Middle School and Upper School are arranged into Demes, each named after a former prominent member of staff. This is similar to a school
houseThe house system is a traditional feature of British schools, and schools in ex-British colonies. Historically it was associated with established public schools, where a 'house' refers to a boarding house or dormitory of a boarding school...
. In the Middle School, there is one form (class) per year in each Deme, and in the Upper School there are two forms per year in each Deme. There are regular inter-Deme competitions in sports throughout the year. In the Middle School the distinctive school blazer carries a coloured school logo on the breast pocket depicting the pupil's Deme. There are currently six Demes:
- Baxters --- Blue
- Black Hawkins --- Yellow
- Evans --- Black (Pink Badge)
- Flooks --- Green
- Underwoods --- Purple
- Olders (Girls Deme, 6th Form Only) --- Red
Admissions
There are 5 main points of entry for prospective pupils:
- Phoenix School, at age 3 (Nursery), offered to siblings and UCS connections in first instance. Entry at 4+, 5+, 6+ by assessmentt by Headmistress.
- Junior Branch, at ages 7 or 8, judged by combination of internal exam and interview.
- Lower School, at age 11, judged by combination of internal exam and interview.
- Middle School, at age 13, judged by combination of internal exam and interview.
- Upper School, at age 16, judged by subject-specific exams and interviews, conditional upon GCSE
The General Certificate of Secondary Education is an academic qualification awarded in a specified subject, generally taken in a number of subjects by students aged 15–16 in secondary education in England, Wales, and Northern Ireland...
results. This is only available for a handful of boys (and, from 2008, girls).
Since the acquisition of the Phoenix School, a pupil transfer between the school and the Junior Branch is in place at age 7 for those "displaying academic potential".
Notable Old Gowers (Old Boys)
Notable Old Gowers
include people in the following broad categories:
Politics / Judiciary
4 UK Cabinet Ministers, a Viceroy of India, a Speaker of the British House of CommonsIn the United Kingdom, the Speaker of the House of Commons is the presiding officer of the House of Commons, and is seen historically as the First Commoner of the Land. The present Speaker is John Bercow, who was elected on 22 June 2009, following the resignation of Michael Martin.The Speaker...
, a Lord Chief Justice, a Master of the RollsThe Keeper or Master of the Rolls and Records of the Chancery of England, known as the Master of the Rolls, is the third most senior judge in England and Wales, after the President of the Supreme Court of the United Kingdom and the Lord Chief Justice...
, 2 Japanese Cabinet Ministers, a Premier of Tasmania, and a Prime Minister of New ZealandThe Prime Minister of New Zealand is New Zealand's head of government consequent on being the leader of the party or coalition with majority support in the Parliament of New Zealand...
.
Academia / Medicine
Vice-ChancellorA vice-chancellor of a university in England, Wales, Northern Ireland, New Zealand, Australia, India, Sri Lanka other Commonwealth countries, and some universities in Hong Kong, is the chief executive of the University...
s of the University of LondonBased primarily in London, England, United Kingdom, the University of London is a federal mega university made up of 31 affiliates: 19 separate university institutions, and 12 research institutes...
(3), Victoria, Dacca and University of CambridgeThe University of Cambridge , located in the City of Cambridge, Cambridgeshire, United Kingdom, is the second oldest university in the English-speaking world and the fourth oldest in Europe...
(2). Provosts of University College LondonUniversity College London is a British university institution and a constituent college of the University of London, based primarily in Bloomsbury, London...
, a Rector of Imperial CollegeThe Rector of Imperial College is the highest academic official of Imperial College London. The Rector is the chief executive, elected by the Council of the college and Chairman of the Senate. The position is currently head by Sir Roy Anderson who replaced Sir Richard Sykes in July 2008...
and two Honorary Surgeons to the King. Many fellows of the Royal SocietyThe Royal Society of London for the Improvement of Natural Knowledge, known simply as the Royal Society, or even the Royal, is a learned society for science that was founded in 1660 and is considered by most to be the oldest such society still in existence...
. Several academic OGs have been inducted into the Order of MeritThe Order of Merit
is an order recognizing distinguished service in the armed forces, science, art, literature, or for the promotion of culture...
.
The Arts
A president of the Royal AcademyThe Royal Academy of Arts is an art institution based in Burlington House on Piccadilly, London, England. The Royal Academy of Arts has a unique position in being an independent, privately funded institution led by eminent artists and architects whose purpose is to promote the creation, enjoyment...
and several members of it, one of the four founders of the BBC, at least one Academy Award winner, film and television stars, broadcasters, musicians, artists, playwrights and composers.
Military
A recipient of the Victoria CrossThe Victoria Cross is the highest military decoration which is, or has been, awarded for valour "in the face of the enemy" to members of the armed forces of various Commonwealth countries, and previous British Empire territories. It takes precedence over all other orders, decorations and medals...
, a Marshal of the Royal Air ForceMarshal of the Royal Air Force is the highest rank in the Royal Air Force. In peacetime it was granted to RAF officers in the appointment of Chief of the Defence Staff, and to retired Chiefs of the Air Staff, who were promoted to it on their last day of service. Promotions to the rank have ceased...
- the highest rank in the Royal Air ForceThe Royal Air Force is the United Kingdom's air force, the oldest independent air force in the world. Formed on 1 April 1918, the RAF has taken a significant role in British military history ever since, playing a large part in World War II and in more recent conflicts.The RAF operates almost 1,109...
and Chief of the Air Staff, an Air Vice Marshal, many Generals (including 'the originator' of the Tank), and several Admirals.
Sport
An England CricketCricket is a bat-and-ball team sport that is first documented as being played in southern England in the 16th century. By the end of the 18th century, cricket had developed to the point where it had become the national sport of England. The expansion of the British Empire led to cricket being...
er (and Wisden Cricketer of the YearThe Wisden Cricketers of the Year are cricketers selected for the honour by the annual publication Wisden Cricketers' Almanack, based primarily on their "influence on the previous English season." The award began in 1889 with the naming of "Six Great Bowlers of the Year", and continued with the...
), a leading Mountaineer-Sports:*Mountaineering, the sport, hobby or profession of walking, hiking, trekking and climbing up mountains, also known as alpinism-University athletic teams and mascots:*Eastern Oregon University, the mountaineer is the official athletic mascot...
and the first man to run the sub 4 minute mile.
Religion
Several Archbishops including a Primate of All Canada and Bishops including a General Secretary of the British Council of Churches who also deputised for the Archbishop of CanterburyAlso see Leaders of ChristianityThe Archbishop of Canterbury is the chief bishop and principal leader of the Church of England, the symbolic head of the worldwide Anglican Communion and the diocesan bishop of the Diocese of Canterbury, the see that churches must be in communion with in order to be...
as chairman of the board of governors of the Church CommissionersThe Church Commissioners is a body managing the historic property assets of the Church of England. It was set up in 1948 combining the assets of Queen Anne's Bounty, a fund dating from 1704 for the relief of poor clergy, and of the Ecclesiastical Commissioners formed in 1836...
.
A Chief RabbiChief Rabbi is a title given in several countries to the recognized religious leader of that country's Jewish community, or to a rabbinic leader appointed by the local secular authorities...
of the UK as well as the current head MasortiThe Masorti movement is the name given to Conservative Judaism in Israel and other countries outside Canada and U.S. It is part of the Conservative movement. Masorti means "traditional" in Hebrew...
Rabbi of the UK.
A Christian spiritualist leader.
Business
A CEO of the UK's leading ATM deployer, a Chairman of British AirwaysBritish Airways plc is the flag carrier airline of the United Kingdom. It is headquartered in Waterside near its main hub at London Heathrow Airport and is the largest airline in the UK based on fleet size, international flights and international destinations. Its second hub is London Gatwick...
, one of the founders of PricewaterhouseCoopersPricewaterhouseCoopers is one of the world's largest professional services firms. It was formed in 1998 from a merger between Price Waterhouse and Coopers & Lybrand, both formed in London....
, the founder of Yarrows, a proprietor of the Daily Telegraph.
Rolo Mulchandani
Notable faculty
Former staff include:
- John Lewis Alexander Paton, Headmaster 1888-1903, Stayed only five years. He left due to constant arguments with the Council of University College London
University College London is a British university institution and a constituent college of the University of London, based primarily in Bloomsbury, London...
about money and the school's need to move out of central London. He left to become Head Master of Manchester Grammar SchoolThe Manchester Grammar School is the largest independent day school for boys in the UK . It is based in Manchester, England...
(1903-24), according to the Manchester Grammar School website, he was eventually recognised as one of the most renowned school masters of the 20th century and refused a Knighthood and a CHCH can mean:Business* Bemidji Airlines IATA code* Carolina Herrera, a fashion designer based in New York.Entertainment and sports* Channel...
.
- Sir William Smith
-Early life:Born at Enfield in 1813 of Nonconformist parents, he was originally destined for a theological career, but instead was articled to a solicitor. In his spare time he taught himself classics, and when he entered University College London he carried off both the Greek and Latin prizes...
, Lexicographer and Teacher
- The Rev Henry Browne, Headmaster
- Thomas Hewitt Key
Thomas Hewitt Key , English classical scholar, was born in London.He was educated at St John's and Trinity Colleges, Cambridge, and graduated 19th wrangler in 1821...
, Headmaster
- Henry Malden
Henry Malden was a prominent 19th Century academic. He was the son of Jonas Malden, a Putney surgeon.- Education :Malden attended Preston's School and was a scholar at Trinity College, Cambridge where he obtained a B.A. in 1822 and an M.A. in 1825)...
, Headmaster
- Thomas Archer Hirst
Thomas Archer Hirst FRS was a 19th century mathematician, specialising in geometry. He was awarded the Royal Society's Royal Medal in 1883.-Life:...
FRS, Teacher 1860 - 1864. Nominated and admitted to the Royal society whilst teaching at UCS. Later, Professor of Physics, University College LondonUniversity College London is a British university institution and a constituent college of the University of London, based primarily in Bloomsbury, London...
.
- Augustus De Morgan
Augustus De Morgan was a British mathematician and logician. He formulated De Morgan's laws and introduced the term mathematical induction, and made its idea rigorous. The crater De Morgan on the Moon is named after him....
Distinguished mathematician. First Professor of Mathematics, University College LondonUniversity College London is a British university institution and a constituent college of the University of London, based primarily in Bloomsbury, London...
, according to The British Society for the History of Mathematics, taught pupils when the distinctions between the school and college were somewhat blurred. Believed to have taught James Joseph SylvesterJames Joseph Sylvester was an English mathematician. He made fundamental contributions to matrix theory, invariant theory, number theory, partition theory and combinatorics...
. De Morgan was the first President of the London Mathematical SocietyThe London Mathematical Society is one of the UK's learned societies for mathematics .- History :...
. The De Morgan MedalThe De Morgan Medal is a prize for outstanding contribution to mathematics, awarded by the London Mathematical Society. The Society's most prestigious award, it is given in memory of Augustus De Morgan, who was the first President of the society....
is named in his honour. It has been awarded to at least one Old Gower - Sir Roger PenroseSir Roger Penrose, OM, FRS is an English mathematical physicist and Emeritus Rouse Ball Professor of Mathematics at the Mathematical Institute, University of Oxford and Emeritus Fellow of Wadham College...
.
- John Williams
John Christopher Williams is a Grammy Award winning Australian-born British classical guitarist. He is widely regarded as one of finest guitarists of his generation.-Biography:...
, taught at UCS post World War II, first Master of Music at St Peter ad Vincula, Tower of London, which was then a royal chapel. Professor at the Royal College of MusicThe Royal College of Music is a conservatoire located in the South Kensington district of London, England.-Background:The Royal College of Music's building, designed by Sir Arthur Blomfield, is situated on Prince Consort Road in the district of South Kensington, next to Imperial College, directly...
. Honorary fellow of the Royal College of Music and Fellow of The Royal Society of Arts.
- George Baxter
George Baxter was an English artist and printer based in London. He is credited with the invention of commercially viable colour printing....
MBE, Vice-Master (1938-53).
- Alan Barker, Headmaster, Husband of Jean Barker, Baroness Trumpington
Jean Alys Barker, Baroness Trumpington, DCVO, PC is a Conservative member of the House of Lords.Born Jean Alys Campbell-Harris to Major Arthur Campbell-Harris and Doris Robson, she was educated privately. During World War II, she worked in Naval intelligence at Bletchley Park...
.
- John Story Masterman, Assistant-Master, mountaineer and one of the three pioneers of British Geography.
- Thomas Nolan Miller, Fellow of Queens' College, Cambridge
Queens' College is a constituent college of the University of Cambridge, England.The college was first founded in 1448 by Margaret of Anjou , and refounded in 1465 by Elizabeth Woodville...
(1862-68), classical lecturer.
- J.J. Walker F.R.S.
- G. S. Carr
George Shoobridge Carr wrote Synopsis of Pure and Applied Mathematics . This book, first published in England in 1880, was read and studied closely by Srinivasa Aiyangar Ramanujan when he was a teenager....
, according to BSHM.
- Alexander William Williamson
Alexander William Williamson FRS was an English chemist of Scottish descent. He is best known today for the Williamson ether synthesis.-Biography:...
, according to A Tradition for Freedom he taught pupils at the school.
- Carey Foster
George Carey Foster was a chemist and physicist, born at Sabden in Lancashire,The Carey Foster bridge is named after him: it is used to measure very low resistances, although it can be used to find, for example, small differences between large resistances...
, Professor of Physics at University College LondonUniversity College London is a British university institution and a constituent college of the University of London, based primarily in Bloomsbury, London...
.
- Mordaunt Shairp (taught drama 1920-33), left UCS to become a successful play / screenwriter.
Further reading
- A Tradition for Freedom The Story Of University College School by Nigel Watson, James and James (Publishers) Ltd 2007.
- An angel without wings: The history of University College School 1830-1980 by H. J. K. Usher, C. D. Black-Hawkins and G. J. Carrick, edited by G. G. H. Page (University College School, 1981).
- University College School Register for 1860-1931 : with a short history of the school by Leathes, Stanley with an introduction from S.N. Carvalho (Published 1931)
- From Gower Street to Frognal: a short history of University College School from 1830 to 1907 by Felkin, F.W. (Published Arnold Fairbairns 1909)
- University College School Register, 1901-63 compiled by N.Holland (Published 1964)
- University College School Register for 1831-1891 edited by Orme, Temple Augustus (published H.W. Lawrence [1892?])
- University College School Roll of Honour and War List 1914-18 compiled by Cockman, Charles Roadnight and Thomas, Cyril Leonard Ross (published St. Albans Campfield Press 1922)
External links