Colchester Royal Grammar School
Encyclopedia
Colchester Royal Grammar School (CRGS) is a grammar school
in Colchester
, Essex
, founded in AD 1206 and granted two Royal Charters by Henry VIII
(in 1539) and by Elizabeth I
(in 1584).
area of Colchester, with the school's playing fields located nearby on Queens Road / Athelstan Road. It is situated just south of Lexden Road (A1124) in the west of Colchester near Essex County Hospital
. The Colchester Garrison
is not far to the south.
The school has achieved high results, often ranking in the top five schools nationally in A-level and GCSE league tables. The school has around 700 pupils aged 11–18, with girls admitted in the two upper years only. The school features extensive gardens, incorporating Gurney Benham House (named for a former Mayor of Colchester) and Elyanore House, as well as playing fields in Lexden.
The school is officially a specialist science
school, and has recently built a new chemistry block.
In April 2009, CRGS was awarded specialist status for language
.
. In 2004, it was named as the top state school in the country by the BBC
. Headmaster Ken Jenkinson has explained this success by saying that "although as a grammar school the academic success of our students is our principal priority, I tend to see the results as the by-product of an ethos where we encourage students to aim high in all that they do and approach challenges with confidence."
The school's success was recognised by Prime Minister Tony Blair
who in 1999 invited the then headmaster of CRGS, Stewart Francis, among other heads of the country's top schools, to a meeting to discuss the improvement of education in Britain.
The school's 'value added' score is higher than the national average.
for GCSE and A-Level. Between 1994 and 2004 the Greek government funded teaching of the subject, in an effort to halt its decline in the United Kingdom state sector. This was the result of a pupil-led campaign following a decision by the governors to cease teaching the subject following financial difficulties caused by becoming a grant maintained school. All students take Latin
lessons for their first three years, and have the option of Ancient Greek in the second. The school was also the first in the country to teach Classical Civilisation at A Level, as the subject was drawn up at CRGS, indeed "arose from a conversation between Arthur Brown Head of Classic, and the Headmaster one afternoon in 1970."
The eleven plus exam has a variable pass rate of 3% to 20% depending on the set of students.
The new intake in year 7 consists of 96 pupils, split into three classes of 32. The three forms are given the initials of 7C, 7R and 7G. At the end of the year, when pupils are asked to choose between Greek and German as a language, the groups of pupils are changed around. This changing around of forms continues until year 10, when students are placed in permanent forms for their GCSE courses, unless an express wish of a student, his parents or a teacher cause a particular student to be moved forms. However this is extremely rare.
There is also a small intake of four students at age 13 (after Year 8) to make four classes of roughly 25 (the fourth class taking the initial S).
The sixth form has a separate admissions policy, and its forms are not labelled C, R, G and S but instead 12Aa where Aa is the two letter teacher code of the form tutor. All applicants must achieve 3 A grades and 2 B grades at GCSE to be accepted, whilst external applicants are subject to a competitive admissions process.
(numbers in brackets show rooms that are shared between two subjects, e.g. English and Mathematics share a room)
(most are from Hong Kong
and occasionally from elsewhere in the European Union
).
The school is noted for the large number of overseas students, primarily from Asian countries, who come to the school in its sixth form and stay either at the boarding house or under the care of host families.
It is felt by the school that as well as offering excellent opportunities for academic progress, life in the boarding house prepares the student for the future, when he or she is separated from their family and subject to the demands of university life.
, named after past headmasters, are as follows: Dugard's
Named after William Dugard
Head of House: Mr A Livingston
Motto: Dieu Garde ([May] God protect [us]) Harsnett's
Named after Samuel Harsnett
Head of House: Miss H McFadden
Motto: Perge (Forward) Parr's
Named after Samuel Parr
.
Head of House: Mr R Heard
Motto: Tout Prêt (All Prepared) Shaw Jeffrey's (Jay's)
Named after Percy Shaw Jeffrey
Head of House: Mr N Murray
Motto: Dex Aie ([May] God help [us])
The house competition occurs each year, with the shared winners of the 2010-11 competition being Shaw Jeffrey's and Harsnett's .
Points are distributed with the winners of each contest getting 4 points, the next house with 3, the next house with 2 and the losers with 1 point. The points are doubled for the Summer commendations and the Song Competition. At the end of the year the house with the most points wins the house trophy.
Students in the Sixth Form do not wear the uniform, but must instead wear smart clothes, typically a suit. The removal of the need to wear uniform in the Sixth Form happened in 1971 after a campaign by students.
Until 1908 the school blazer had been green - but the same colour was adopted by other schools in the area. Wanting the school to be recognisable, the then Headmaster (Shaw Jeffrey
) approached the main local tailor and asked what the most expensive dye was. Having been told that it was purple, he decreed it to be the colour used in future.
attributed the founding of the school to two key people prior to the granting of its charters:
With the dissolution of the monasteries
by King Henry VIII
, the Royal Charter of 1539 ensured revenues were granted to the bailiffs and commonality of Colchester on the condition that they founded a school; this was then enacted by the Charter of Queen Elizabeth
in 1585, on condition that at least £13 6s 8d be set aside annually for the schoolmaster. Revenue from other property was also granted, but this was later challenged in court during the reign of King William III
, and the arrangements were legally reconfirmed. By 1750, under the stewardship of Philip Morant
, these revenues were worth £45 per annum, as well as providing scholarships for two boys to go up to Cambridge University.
The school was small and run mainly out of the headmaster's house for most of its early life, with only minor changes until 1852 when the "Big School" was built. At this time there was very little secondary education in this part of Essex, and difficulties were exacerbated through friction between the then headmaster of the school and the town's Corporation. Pupils numbers dropped although the school took in a few "parlour boarders" to prepare for Army or University entry. This changed with the appointment of Shaw Jeffrey
to become headmaster in 1900. He took over a school with 29 boarders, and barely any staff. Shaw Jeffrey's reforms rapidly turned the school about; he introduced day boys and a prep school, a cadet corps, orchestra, bugle band, school entertainments and theatrical performances. He was a national pioneer of the teaching of modern European languages through phonetics, employed language teachers from Germany and France, and set up arrangements for foreign study during holidays. He also founded the Old Colcestrian Society to reconnect the school with its old boys, with Councillor William Gurney Benham
chairing its inaugural meeting on 23 June 1901.
The resulting academic success, scholarships and local goodwill that followed thus enabled Shaw Jeffrey to expand the school buildings, inspired by the designs of rival Ipswich
and Earls Colne Grammar School
s. Firstly Mansfield House was bought in 1903 and renamed Gilberd House. In 1908 he convinced the Governors and local Education Board to expand the Big School and build a New School building for £4000 on land that was previously the kitchen gardens. This was designed by architects Newman, Jaques and Round, and was opened by Lord Rosebery
with Colchester Corporation dignitaries in May 1910. In 1911 the school was gifted 12 acres (48,562.3 m²) of playing field, and opened tennis courts and a small rifle range.
By 1912 numbers had grown to 144 pupils in the main school, split into four houses (School House, Parr's House - formerly North Town - Harsnett's House - formerly South Town - and Dugard's House), and 169 younger boys in an attached preparatory school
that the headmaster also started as a private venture. Pupils wore different coloured caps depending on their house, until Shaw Jeffrey noted that other local elementary schools were copying the colours. To confound this, he asked the local hatter "what was the most expensive colour and most hard to get", and hence chose purple and gold, which established the colour of the school uniform.
-controlled Colchester Borough Council put forward proposals to close the school and Colchester County High School and move to a comprehensive system but this was rejected by Essex County Council. The educational expansion of the 1960s allowed the construction of new classrooms and gym; but the scholarships were no longer required with the introduction of free university education. The 1960s buildings have mainly been replaced; a new art building was opened in 2003 and the technology block was upgraded. In 2006 a new extension to the science building was completed and two new chemistry laboratories were opened.
In the late 1970s, under legal pressure from the Secretary of State for Education Shirley Williams, all counties with selective schools were made to submit plans to turn them into comprehensives or remove them from the state system. School pupils marched through the town centre in protest. The Labour Party lost the 1979 election, Shirley Williams lost her seat and the relevant part of the Education Act was repealed. Essex County Council's plans were said to have been designed to delay the requirement until a change of government could remove the threat.
The school became grant maintained in the 1980s
.
The Old Colcestrian Society of the School has over 1,200 members. Its objectives are to help members to stay in touch with each other and the school through a variety of events, to support the school and to support past and present students of the school with their studies and their careers. The society was founded during Shaw Jeffrey's term as headmaster. The society raises a cricket team who annually plays against the school's 1st XI.
Some notable OCs include (by order of surname):
, Tunbridge Wells, with Shaw Jeffrey
writing the lyrics to both. It was introduced within his first year at the school and remains sung today, though infrequently, picking up on themes such as the Tudor history of the school and the popularity of the Old Colcestrian (OC) society.
Carmen Colchestriense by Shaw Jeffrey
First Verse:
Now hands about for Colchester
And sing a rousing chorus
In praise of all our comrades here
And those who went before us.
For to this lay all hearts beat true;
The loyal hearts that love us;
So fortune fend each absent friend
While there's a sun above us.
Chorus:
Sing! boys, sing!
Floreat Sodalitas
Little matter, well or ill,
Sentiment is more than skill,
Sing together with a will
Floreat Sodalitas
'tas Colchestriensis
Second Verse:
By mullioned panes the ivy climbs,
On Tudor masks and faces.
So mem'ry adds an evergreen
To well remembered places.
And grave OC's still dream besides
Of days long since departed;
And some have expiated crimes
For which their backs have smarted!
Chorus
Third Verse:
Tradition gives us pride of birth,
Brave hearts and gentle manners,
For we are sons of men who marched
Beneath the Tudor banners!
So as we pass the torch along
Aglow with high endeavour,
One kindly mother we acclaim
That she may stand for ever.
An alternative chorus and third verse were provided in the first issue of the old series of The Colcestrian which also explained that the "Tudor masks and faces" referred to the busts of Henry VIII and Elizabeth I in the mullions of the entrance to Big School (now the Library). The chorus had "Vivat Academia!/Demia Majorum!" in place of the "Floreat Sodalitas" refrain. The third verse was almost entirely different and was closer to that of The Skinners' School:
Then here's a toast before we part,
To Henry's old Foundation
And may its friends be stout of heart
To win your approbation.
So we will pledge our noble selves
To use our best endeavour
That, as the merry world goes round,
Our school may stand for ever.
Grammar school
A grammar school is one of several different types of school in the history of education in the United Kingdom and some other English-speaking countries, originally a school teaching classical languages but more recently an academically-oriented secondary school.The original purpose of mediaeval...
in Colchester
Colchester
Colchester is an historic town and the largest settlement within the borough of Colchester in Essex, England.At the time of the census in 2001, it had a population of 104,390. However, the population is rapidly increasing, and has been named as one of Britain's fastest growing towns. As the...
, Essex
Essex
Essex is a ceremonial and non-metropolitan county in the East region of England, and one of the home counties. It is located to the northeast of Greater London. It borders with Cambridgeshire and Suffolk to the north, Hertfordshire to the west, Kent to the South and London to the south west...
, founded in AD 1206 and granted two Royal Charters by Henry VIII
Henry VIII of England
Henry VIII was King of England from 21 April 1509 until his death. He was Lord, and later King, of Ireland, as well as continuing the nominal claim by the English monarchs to the Kingdom of France...
(in 1539) and by Elizabeth I
Elizabeth I of England
Elizabeth I was queen regnant of England and Ireland from 17 November 1558 until her death. Sometimes called The Virgin Queen, Gloriana, or Good Queen Bess, Elizabeth was the fifth and last monarch of the Tudor dynasty...
(in 1584).
Admissions
The main school buildings are located in the LexdenLexden
Lexden is a suburb of Colchester, Essex, England. It was formerly a village, and has previously been called Lessendon, Lassendene and Læxadyne. Lexden is mentioned in the Domesday Book....
area of Colchester, with the school's playing fields located nearby on Queens Road / Athelstan Road. It is situated just south of Lexden Road (A1124) in the west of Colchester near Essex County Hospital
Colchester Hospital University NHS Foundation Trust
Colchester Hospital University NHS Foundation Trust provides healthcare services to around 370,000 people from Colchester and the surrounding area of north east Essex. In addition it provides radiotherapy and oncology services to a wider population of about 670,000 across north and mid-Essex...
. The Colchester Garrison
Colchester Garrison
Colchester Garrison is located in Colchester in the county of Essex. It has been an important military base since the Roman era. The first permanent military garrison in Colchester was established by Legio XX Valeria Victrix in 43 AD following the Claudian invasion of Britain. Colchester was an...
is not far to the south.
The school has achieved high results, often ranking in the top five schools nationally in A-level and GCSE league tables. The school has around 700 pupils aged 11–18, with girls admitted in the two upper years only. The school features extensive gardens, incorporating Gurney Benham House (named for a former Mayor of Colchester) and Elyanore House, as well as playing fields in Lexden.
The school is officially a specialist science
Science College
Science Colleges were introduced in 2002 as part of the now defunct Specialist Schools Programme in the United Kingdom. The system enabled secondary schools to specialise in certain fields, in this case, science and mathematics...
school, and has recently built a new chemistry block.
In April 2009, CRGS was awarded specialist status for language
Language College
Language Colleges were introduced in 1995 as part of the Specialist Schools Programme in the United Kingdom. The system enables secondary schools to specialise in certain fields, in this case, modern foreign languages...
.
Academic
The school is consistently placed within the top few state schools in the country for A-level results, being top school nationally by results in 2009 and 2010, and achieves similar success at GCSEGeneral Certificate of Secondary Education
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 14–16 in secondary education in England, Wales and Northern Ireland and is equivalent to a Level 2 and Level 1 in Key Skills...
. In 2004, it was named as the top state school in the country by the BBC
BBC
The British Broadcasting Corporation is a British public service broadcaster. Its headquarters is at Broadcasting House in the City of Westminster, London. It is the largest broadcaster in the world, with about 23,000 staff...
. Headmaster Ken Jenkinson has explained this success by saying that "although as a grammar school the academic success of our students is our principal priority, I tend to see the results as the by-product of an ethos where we encourage students to aim high in all that they do and approach challenges with confidence."
The school's success was recognised by Prime Minister Tony Blair
Tony Blair
Anthony Charles Lynton Blair is a former British Labour Party politician who served as the Prime Minister of the United Kingdom from 2 May 1997 to 27 June 2007. He was the Member of Parliament for Sedgefield from 1983 to 2007 and Leader of the Labour Party from 1994 to 2007...
who in 1999 invited the then headmaster of CRGS, Stewart Francis, among other heads of the country's top schools, to a meeting to discuss the improvement of education in Britain.
The school's 'value added' score is higher than the national average.
Subjects
Subjects studied at the school are:- Astronomy (GCSE only)
- Ancient Greek (from Year 8, choice between Ancient Greek and German)
- Art
- Biology (from Year 8)
- Business Studies (optional additional A level only)
- Chemistry (from Year 8)
- Classical Civilisation (A level only)
- Computing (from GCSE)
- Critical Thinking (optional A/AS level only)
- ICT (only to GCSE)
- Design & Technology
- Drama (Year 7 only, merges into English after that)
- Economics (A level only)
- English
- French
- Further Mathematics (A level only)
- General Studies (A level only)
- Geography
- Geology (optional GCSE only; students taught in a partnership at another local school)
- German (from Year 8, choice between Ancient Greek and German)
- History
- Latin
- Mathematics
- Music
- Physical Education (option to take examinations in at GCSE and A level)
- Physics (from Year 8)
- Politics (optional additional A level only)
- Religious Studies
- Science (year 7 only but with a single science GCSE qualification in year 9 and Additional Science offered at GCSE as an alternative to separate sciences)
- Spanish (A level only, but after school GCSE sessions are also offered)
- Statistics (GCSE only, by set)
Classics
CRGS offers Ancient GreekAncient Greek
Ancient Greek is the stage of the Greek language in the periods spanning the times c. 9th–6th centuries BC, , c. 5th–4th centuries BC , and the c. 3rd century BC – 6th century AD of ancient Greece and the ancient world; being predated in the 2nd millennium BC by Mycenaean Greek...
for GCSE and A-Level. Between 1994 and 2004 the Greek government funded teaching of the subject, in an effort to halt its decline in the United Kingdom state sector. This was the result of a pupil-led campaign following a decision by the governors to cease teaching the subject following financial difficulties caused by becoming a grant maintained school. All students take Latin
Latin
Latin is an Italic language originally spoken in Latium and Ancient Rome. It, along with most European languages, is a descendant of the ancient Proto-Indo-European language. Although it is considered a dead language, a number of scholars and members of the Christian clergy speak it fluently, and...
lessons for their first three years, and have the option of Ancient Greek in the second. The school was also the first in the country to teach Classical Civilisation at A Level, as the subject was drawn up at CRGS, indeed "arose from a conversation between Arthur Brown Head of Classic, and the Headmaster one afternoon in 1970."
Intake and classes
Being a selective school, in the Consortium of Selective Schools in Essex ("CSSE"), entrants are required to pass the eleven plus exam.The eleven plus exam has a variable pass rate of 3% to 20% depending on the set of students.
The new intake in year 7 consists of 96 pupils, split into three classes of 32. The three forms are given the initials of 7C, 7R and 7G. At the end of the year, when pupils are asked to choose between Greek and German as a language, the groups of pupils are changed around. This changing around of forms continues until year 10, when students are placed in permanent forms for their GCSE courses, unless an express wish of a student, his parents or a teacher cause a particular student to be moved forms. However this is extremely rare.
There is also a small intake of four students at age 13 (after Year 8) to make four classes of roughly 25 (the fourth class taking the initial S).
The sixth form has a separate admissions policy, and its forms are not labelled C, R, G and S but instead 12Aa where Aa is the two letter teacher code of the form tutor. All applicants must achieve 3 A grades and 2 B grades at GCSE to be accepted, whilst external applicants are subject to a competitive admissions process.
Facilities
Classrooms and other buildings
The school has the following facilities:- Classrooms:
- English: 3 (+1)
- Modern Foreign Languages: 4
- Mathematics: 3 (+3)
- Geography: 2
- Religious Education: 1
- ICT Suites: 4 (two of which sometimes used for lessons in Mathematics and a third used as a Lecture Room for lessons which require ICT work)
- Science Labs: 2 for each science, plus 3 others
- Technology Block, split into 5 rooms with two rooms complete with ICT facilities as well as a Food Technology room.
- Art Block, split into 2 rooms
- Classics and History Block (2 history rooms, 2 classics)
- Music/Drama Block (Elyanore House, detached from rest of school)
- Elyanore has 11 rooms, three on the ground floor, two on the middle floor, and 6 smaller rooms on the top floor for lessons/rehearsing
- Gurney Benham House (Sixth Form)
- 6 classrooms (2 Economics)
- Connexions (computer suite & careers library)
- Staff Offices
- Sixth Form Girls' Common Room
- Library
- Restaurant
- Takeaway
- Sixth Form Common Room
- Boarding Houses (Gilberd House and School House)
(numbers in brackets show rooms that are shared between two subjects, e.g. English and Mathematics share a room)
Boarding house
One of CRGS's defining characteristics is its boarding house, which is home to 30 sixth form students predominantly from the Far EastFar East
The Far East is an English term mostly describing East Asia and Southeast Asia, with South Asia sometimes also included for economic and cultural reasons.The term came into use in European geopolitical discourse in the 19th century,...
(most are from Hong Kong
Hong Kong
Hong Kong is one of two Special Administrative Regions of the People's Republic of China , the other being Macau. A city-state situated on China's south coast and enclosed by the Pearl River Delta and South China Sea, it is renowned for its expansive skyline and deep natural harbour...
and occasionally from elsewhere in the European Union
European Union
The European Union is an economic and political union of 27 independent member states which are located primarily in Europe. The EU traces its origins from the European Coal and Steel Community and the European Economic Community , formed by six countries in 1958...
).
The school is noted for the large number of overseas students, primarily from Asian countries, who come to the school in its sixth form and stay either at the boarding house or under the care of host families.
It is felt by the school that as well as offering excellent opportunities for academic progress, life in the boarding house prepares the student for the future, when he or she is separated from their family and subject to the demands of university life.
School houses
The four school housesHouse system
The house system is a traditional feature of British schools, and schools in the Commonwealth. Historically, it was associated with established public schools, where a 'house' refers to a boarding house or dormitory of a boarding school...
, named after past headmasters, are as follows: Dugard's
Named after William Dugard
William Dugard
William Dugard, or Du Gard, was a respected schoolmaster and printer. During the English Interregnum, he printed many important documents and propaganda, first in support of Charles I and later of Oliver Cromwell...
Head of House: Mr A Livingston
Motto: Dieu Garde ([May] God protect [us]) Harsnett's
Named after Samuel Harsnett
Samuel Harsnett
Samuel Harsnett , born Samuel Halsnoth, was an English writer on religion and Archbishop of York from 1629.- Early life :...
Head of House: Miss H McFadden
Motto: Perge (Forward) Parr's
Named after Samuel Parr
Samuel Parr
Samuel Parr , was an English schoolmaster, writer, minister and Doctor of Law. He was known in his time for political writing, and as "the Whig Johnson", though his reputation has lasted less well that Samuel Johnson's, and the resemblances were at a superficial level, Parr being no prose stylist,...
.
Head of House: Mr R Heard
Motto: Tout Prêt (All Prepared) Shaw Jeffrey's (Jay's)
Named after Percy Shaw Jeffrey
Percy Shaw Jeffrey
Percy Shaw Jeffrey, FRGS was a respected schoolmaster and author of several books on a range of topics, including significant contributions towards the teaching of phonetics in schools...
Head of House: Mr N Murray
Motto: Dex Aie ([May] God help [us])
The house competition occurs each year, with the shared winners of the 2010-11 competition being Shaw Jeffrey's and Harsnett's .
Awarding of points
There is an annual house competition, with points awarded with reference to Houses' performances in various competitions, including::- House Quiz (Junior, Middle School and Senior)
- Sport (Including rugby, cross country running, football, swimming gala, year eight cricket day, sports day, tug-o-war and hockey)
- Commendations (awarded on behaviour and work, counted at the end of the Autumn term and the Summer term)
- Song Competition (a recent event that has been running for the past few years, based on various themes (including AbbaAbbaABBA is the name of a former Swedish pop music group.Abba may also refer to:* ABBA , a self-titled album by the Swedish pop music group ABBA* "Abba ", a song by Christian pop and rock artist, Rebecca St...
, QueenQueen (band)Queen are a British rock band formed in London in 1971, originally consisting of Freddie Mercury , Brian May , John Deacon , and Roger Taylor...
, the 1960s and boybands/girlbands) - 24 hour famine (a recent event which has only been running for a few years and won by the house donating the most money)
- Shakespeare slam (new for 2007-2008 year)
Points are distributed with the winners of each contest getting 4 points, the next house with 3, the next house with 2 and the losers with 1 point. The points are doubled for the Summer commendations and the Song Competition. At the end of the year the house with the most points wins the house trophy.
Uniform
Pupils in the main school wear a distinctive uniform comprising a purple blazer and tie with house badge, as well as a white shirt and black trousers and socks. Various 'custom' ties are available, recognising achievement or dedication to the school.Students in the Sixth Form do not wear the uniform, but must instead wear smart clothes, typically a suit. The removal of the need to wear uniform in the Sixth Form happened in 1971 after a campaign by students.
Until 1908 the school blazer had been green - but the same colour was adopted by other schools in the area. Wanting the school to be recognisable, the then Headmaster (Shaw Jeffrey
Percy Shaw Jeffrey
Percy Shaw Jeffrey, FRGS was a respected schoolmaster and author of several books on a range of topics, including significant contributions towards the teaching of phonetics in schools...
) approached the main local tailor and asked what the most expensive dye was. Having been told that it was purple, he decreed it to be the colour used in future.
History
Past headmaster Shaw JeffreyPercy Shaw Jeffrey
Percy Shaw Jeffrey, FRGS was a respected schoolmaster and author of several books on a range of topics, including significant contributions towards the teaching of phonetics in schools...
attributed the founding of the school to two key people prior to the granting of its charters:
- Master John, burgess of Colchester and later rector of TendringTendringTendring is a local government district in North East Essex, England. It extends from the River Stour in the north, to the coast and the River Colne in the south, with the coast to the East and the town of Colchester to the west. Its council is based in Clacton-on-Sea. Towns in the district...
, who founded the chantry of St Helen's Chapel in Colchester, in 1322, and - Joseph Elianore, MP for Colchester in 1312 and later Bailiff of Colchester, who founded the chantry of St Mary's, Colchester, in 1348.
With the dissolution of the monasteries
Dissolution of the Monasteries
The Dissolution of the Monasteries, sometimes referred to as the Suppression of the Monasteries, was the set of administrative and legal processes between 1536 and 1541 by which Henry VIII disbanded monasteries, priories, convents and friaries in England, Wales and Ireland; appropriated their...
by King Henry VIII
Henry VIII of England
Henry VIII was King of England from 21 April 1509 until his death. He was Lord, and later King, of Ireland, as well as continuing the nominal claim by the English monarchs to the Kingdom of France...
, the Royal Charter of 1539 ensured revenues were granted to the bailiffs and commonality of Colchester on the condition that they founded a school; this was then enacted by the Charter of Queen Elizabeth
Elizabeth I of England
Elizabeth I was queen regnant of England and Ireland from 17 November 1558 until her death. Sometimes called The Virgin Queen, Gloriana, or Good Queen Bess, Elizabeth was the fifth and last monarch of the Tudor dynasty...
in 1585, on condition that at least £13 6s 8d be set aside annually for the schoolmaster. Revenue from other property was also granted, but this was later challenged in court during the reign of King William III
William III of England
William III & II was a sovereign Prince of Orange of the House of Orange-Nassau by birth. From 1672 he governed as Stadtholder William III of Orange over Holland, Zeeland, Utrecht, Guelders, and Overijssel of the Dutch Republic. From 1689 he reigned as William III over England and Ireland...
, and the arrangements were legally reconfirmed. By 1750, under the stewardship of Philip Morant
Philip Morant
Philip Morant was an English clergyman, author and historian.He was educated at Abingdon School and Pembroke College, Oxford, eventually taking his Masters Degree at Sidney Sussex College, Cambridge in 1729.Ordained in 1722, he began his association with the county of Essex with a curacy at Great...
, these revenues were worth £45 per annum, as well as providing scholarships for two boys to go up to Cambridge University.
The school was small and run mainly out of the headmaster's house for most of its early life, with only minor changes until 1852 when the "Big School" was built. At this time there was very little secondary education in this part of Essex, and difficulties were exacerbated through friction between the then headmaster of the school and the town's Corporation. Pupils numbers dropped although the school took in a few "parlour boarders" to prepare for Army or University entry. This changed with the appointment of Shaw Jeffrey
Percy Shaw Jeffrey
Percy Shaw Jeffrey, FRGS was a respected schoolmaster and author of several books on a range of topics, including significant contributions towards the teaching of phonetics in schools...
to become headmaster in 1900. He took over a school with 29 boarders, and barely any staff. Shaw Jeffrey's reforms rapidly turned the school about; he introduced day boys and a prep school, a cadet corps, orchestra, bugle band, school entertainments and theatrical performances. He was a national pioneer of the teaching of modern European languages through phonetics, employed language teachers from Germany and France, and set up arrangements for foreign study during holidays. He also founded the Old Colcestrian Society to reconnect the school with its old boys, with Councillor William Gurney Benham
William Gurney Benham
Sir William Gurney Benham Kt, JP, FSA, FRHistS, was a newspaper editor, published author and three times Mayor of Colchester.Gurney Benham was born on 16 February 1859 and educated at the Merchant Taylors' School until 1873, and thereafter at Colchester Royal Grammar School, a school about which he...
chairing its inaugural meeting on 23 June 1901.
Acquisition of main school buildings
Ipswich
Ipswich is a large town and a non-metropolitan district. It is the county town of Suffolk, England. Ipswich is located on the estuary of the River Orwell...
and Earls Colne Grammar School
Earls Colne Grammar School
Earls Colne Grammar School, the Grammar School of Earls Colne, founded in 1520 and closed in 1975.-Foundation:Earls Colne Grammar School was founded in 1520 when the Reverend Christopher Swallow, vicar of Messing endowed land in trust to the Earl of Oxford, the income from which was to support a...
s. Firstly Mansfield House was bought in 1903 and renamed Gilberd House. In 1908 he convinced the Governors and local Education Board to expand the Big School and build a New School building for £4000 on land that was previously the kitchen gardens. This was designed by architects Newman, Jaques and Round, and was opened by Lord Rosebery
Archibald Primrose, 5th Earl of Rosebery
Archibald Philip Primrose, 5th Earl of Rosebery, KG, PC was a British Liberal statesman and Prime Minister. Between the death of his father, in 1851, and the death of his grandfather, the 4th Earl, in 1868, he was known by the courtesy title of Lord Dalmeny.Rosebery was a Liberal Imperialist who...
with Colchester Corporation dignitaries in May 1910. In 1911 the school was gifted 12 acres (48,562.3 m²) of playing field, and opened tennis courts and a small rifle range.
By 1912 numbers had grown to 144 pupils in the main school, split into four houses (School House, Parr's House - formerly North Town - Harsnett's House - formerly South Town - and Dugard's House), and 169 younger boys in an attached preparatory school
Preparatory 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...
that the headmaster also started as a private venture. Pupils wore different coloured caps depending on their house, until Shaw Jeffrey noted that other local elementary schools were copying the colours. To confound this, he asked the local hatter "what was the most expensive colour and most hard to get", and hence chose purple and gold, which established the colour of the school uniform.
New buildings and expansion in the 1960s
This growth continued through the world wars until, in 1947, under headmaster A S Mason, there were 700 boys, and five scholarships for pupils to pursue university education. An outdoor swimming pool was constructed in the 1920s and remains in use. In 1966 LabourLabour Party (UK)
The Labour Party is a centre-left democratic socialist party in the United Kingdom. It surpassed the Liberal Party in general elections during the early 1920s, forming minority governments under Ramsay MacDonald in 1924 and 1929-1931. The party was in a wartime coalition from 1940 to 1945, after...
-controlled Colchester Borough Council put forward proposals to close the school and Colchester County High School and move to a comprehensive system but this was rejected by Essex County Council. The educational expansion of the 1960s allowed the construction of new classrooms and gym; but the scholarships were no longer required with the introduction of free university education. The 1960s buildings have mainly been replaced; a new art building was opened in 2003 and the technology block was upgraded. In 2006 a new extension to the science building was completed and two new chemistry laboratories were opened.
In the late 1970s, under legal pressure from the Secretary of State for Education Shirley Williams, all counties with selective schools were made to submit plans to turn them into comprehensives or remove them from the state system. School pupils marched through the town centre in protest. The Labour Party lost the 1979 election, Shirley Williams lost her seat and the relevant part of the Education Act was repealed. Essex County Council's plans were said to have been designed to delay the requirement until a change of government could remove the threat.
The school became grant maintained in the 1980s
1980s
File:1980s decade montage.png|thumb|400px|From left, clockwise: The first Space Shuttle, Columbia, lifted off in 1981; American President Ronald Reagan and Soviet leader Mikhail Gorbachev eased tensions between the two superpowers, leading to the end of the Cold War; The Fall of the Berlin Wall in...
.
Headmaster's house
Until 2000 the headmaster was entitled to a residence in the school grounds, but this has since been converted into extra classrooms and boarding facilities. As a result of this change, in 2001 the school was able to sell Lessenden House in Lexden Road (previously the residence of the boarding master).Old Colcestrians
An Old Colcestrian is a person who formerly attended the school. They are also known as 'Old Boys'.The Old Colcestrian Society of the School has over 1,200 members. Its objectives are to help members to stay in touch with each other and the school through a variety of events, to support the school and to support past and present students of the school with their studies and their careers. The society was founded during Shaw Jeffrey's term as headmaster. The society raises a cricket team who annually plays against the school's 1st XI.
Some notable OCs include (by order of surname):
- James AchesonJames AchesonJames Acheson is a British costum designer.Born in Leicester, Acheson has a twin brother, Patrick. In the early 1950s, Acheson was a pupil at St. Marys Convent School, in Priory Street, Colchester, along with his brother...
, Oscar-winning costume designer - George Biddell AiryGeorge Biddell AirySir George Biddell Airy PRS KCB was an English mathematician and astronomer, Astronomer Royal from 1835 to 1881...
(1801–92), Astronomer RoyalAstronomer RoyalAstronomer 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.... - Mike BakerMike Baker (journalist)Mike Baker was the BBC's Education Correspondent from 1989 until 2007. Before that he was a BBC Political Correspondent from 1980 to 1989. He also spent brief periods as a Foreign Correspondent and Deputy Home News Editor at the BBC. Baker is currently a regular columnist for BBC News Online, The...
, BBCBBCThe British Broadcasting Corporation is a British public service broadcaster. Its headquarters is at Broadcasting House in the City of Westminster, London. It is the largest broadcaster in the world, with about 23,000 staff...
journalist and BBCi Education Correspondent - William Gurney BenhamWilliam Gurney BenhamSir William Gurney Benham Kt, JP, FSA, FRHistS, was a newspaper editor, published author and three times Mayor of Colchester.Gurney Benham was born on 16 February 1859 and educated at the Merchant Taylors' School until 1873, and thereafter at Colchester Royal Grammar School, a school about which he...
(1859–1944), mayor of Colchester, author, and local notable - Charles BenhamCharles BenhamCharles Edwin Benham JP was a journalist, editing for many years the Essex County Standard, a published author of works such as Essex Ballads and an amateur scientist-cum-inventor, which led him to create Benham's top, which was named after him....
(1860–1929), inventor of Benham's disc and published amateur scientist - Dr Laurie BristowLaurie BristowDr. Laurie Bristow is a British diplomat. He is the Consul General in MilanLaurie Bristow attended Trinity College, Cambridge where he obtained a BA in 1986. He achieved a PhD, awarded by University of Cambridge in 1990, with his thesis called "Ezra Pound: Poetry and Public Speaking. Bristow...
, Ambassador to Azerbaijan from 2004-7 - Peter Currell BrownPeter Currell BrownPeter Currell Brown is the author of the cult classic 1965 surrealist novel, Smallcreep's Day.He was born in Colchester, Essex, and went to Colchester Royal Grammar School, which he left at fifteen...
, novelist - David ClaryDavid ClaryDavid Clary, FRS is a British theoretical chemist. He has been President of Magdalen College, Oxford since 2005.-Life:He attended Colchester Royal Grammar School from 1964–71. He has a BSc from the University of Sussex and a PhD and ScD from the University of Cambridge, where he was at Corpus...
, theoretical chemist and President of Magdalen College, OxfordMagdalen College, OxfordMagdalen College is one of the constituent colleges of the University of Oxford in England. As of 2006 the college had an estimated financial endowment of £153 million. Magdalen is currently top of the Norrington Table after over half of its 2010 finalists received first-class degrees, a record...
, and President from 2006-9 of the Royal Society of ChemistryRoyal Society of ChemistryThe Royal Society of Chemistry is a learned society in the United Kingdom with the goal of "advancing the chemical sciences." It was formed in 1980 from the merger of the Chemical Society, the Royal Institute of Chemistry, the Faraday Society and the Society for Analytical Chemistry with a new... - Tim CongdonTim CongdonTim G. Congdon CBE ) is an economist, educated at Colchester Royal Grammar School and St. John's and Nuffield colleges at the University of Oxford, with a long record of commenting on public policy issues, including writing sympathetically about the monetarist approach to macroeconomic policy...
, economist and former member of the Treasury Panel of Independent Forecasters (the so-called "wise men") which advised the Chancellor of the ExchequerChancellor of the ExchequerThe Chancellor of the Exchequer is the title held by the British Cabinet minister who is responsible for all economic and financial matters. Often simply called the Chancellor, the office-holder controls HM Treasury and plays a role akin to the posts of Minister of Finance or Secretary of the...
on economic policy - Nick Elam CMG, Ambassador to Luxembourg from 1994-8
- John Eldred MP, an early MP for HarwichHarwich (UK Parliament constituency)Harwich was a parliamentary constituency represented in the House of Commons of the Parliament of the United Kingdom. Until its abolition for the 2010 general election it elected one Member of Parliament by the first past the post system of election....
- Edward Campbell Fisk (1924–77), principal trombonist in the Moscow State Orchestra
- Rev. Canon Prof. Leslie Francis, Professor of Religions and Education at the University of WarwickUniversity of WarwickThe University of Warwick is a public research university located in Coventry, United Kingdom...
and CanonCanon (priest)A canon is a priest or minister who is a member of certain bodies of the Christian clergy subject to an ecclesiastical rule ....
Theologian of Bangor CathedralBangor CathedralBangor Cathedral is an ancient place of Christian worship situated in Bangor, Gwynedd, north-west Wales. It is dedicated to its founder, Saint Deiniol.... - Benjamin Furley, an early Quaker and founder of Towamencin Township, PennsylvaniaTowamencin Township, PennsylvaniaTowamencin Township is a township in Montgomery County, Pennsylvania, United States. The population was 17,578 at the 2010 census. It is part of the North Penn School District. Towamencin has residential neighborhoods, historic farmhouses, recreational facilities, many schools, and open spaces. ...
in 1703 - William Gilbert (1544–1603), physician to Queen Elizabeth I and King James I of England and natural philosopher
- Charles Gray (MP)Charles Gray (MP)Charles Gray FRS was a lawyer, antiquary and Tory Member of Parliament for Colchester....
(1696–1782), lawyer, antiquary, and MP for ColchesterColchester (UK Parliament constituency)Colchester is a parliamentary constituency represented in the House of Commons of the Parliament of the United Kingdom. It elects one Member of Parliament by the first past the post system of election.-History:... - Paul Handley, Editor since 1995 of Church TimesChurch TimesThe Church Times is an independent Anglican weekly newspaper. It is published in the United Kingdom on Fridays.The Church Times was founded in 1863 to campaign for Anglo-Catholic principles and has always been independent of the Church of England hierarchy. It was a family concern The Church Times...
- Francis HauksbeeFrancis HauksbeeFrancis Hauksbee the elder , also known as Francis Hawksbee, was an 18th-century English scientist, and a Fellow of the Royal Society...
(1660–1713), natural philosopher and scientist - Robin Hewes, Finance Director (2000–2001) and then Chief Executive (2001) of the New Millennium Experience CompanyMillennium DomeThe Millennium Dome, colloquially referred to simply as The Dome or even The O2 Arena, is the original name of a large dome-shaped building, originally used to house the Millennium Experience, a major exhibition celebrating the beginning of the third millennium...
, worked as a civil servant and then for Lloyd's of LondonLloyd's of LondonLloyd's, also known as Lloyd's of London, is a British insurance and reinsurance market. It serves as a partially mutualised marketplace where multiple financial backers, underwriters, or members, whether individuals or corporations, come together to pool and spread risk...
(nominated member of the Lloyd's of London#Council of Lloyd's (1993–1994); awarded Lloyds Silver Medal in 1996) - Sir Tom Hickinbotham (1903–1983), Governor and Commander-in-Chief of AdenAdenAden is a seaport city in Yemen, located by the eastern approach to the Red Sea , some 170 kilometres east of Bab-el-Mandeb. Its population is approximately 800,000. Aden's ancient, natural harbour lies in the crater of an extinct volcano which now forms a peninsula, joined to the mainland by a...
(1951–1956) - Nick Hodges, Chief Executive from 1993-9 of London International Group (became SSL InternationalSSL InternationalSSL International plc was a British manufacturer of healthcare products. Its best known brands were Durex and Scholl; other significant brands were Sauber and Mister Baby. The company's name was an abbreviation of Seton Scholl London International, its predecessor businesses. Since November 2010,...
in 1999) - Philip Jones, television sales executive - sold The Muppet ShowThe Muppet ShowThe Muppet Show is a British television programme produced by American puppeteer Jim Henson and featuring Muppets. After two pilot episodes were produced in 1974 and 1975, the show premiered on 5 September 1976 and five series were produced until 15 March 1981, lasting 120 episodes...
to Australia - William St Lawrence, 12th Baron HowthWilliam St Lawrence, 12th Baron HowthWilliam St Lawrence, 12th Baron Howth was an Irish nobleman of the Restoration period. He was an intelligent and popular man who would no doubt have played an influential role in Irish politics but for his premature death....
, enrolled 1639. - Colonel Richard KempRichard KempColonel Richard Justin Kemp CBE served in the British Army from 1977 to 2005. He was Commander of British Forces in Afghanistan, an infantry battalion Commanding Officer, worked for the Joint Intelligence Committee and COBR and completed 14 operational tours of duty around the globe.After retiring...
CBE, best-selling author of "Attack State Red", an account of combat in Afghanistan, and former commander of British forces in Afghanistan - Dr. Samuel Kinns (1826–1903), astronomer, Highbury New Park College and anti-evolutionary author
- Prof Geoffrey MartinGeoffrey Martin (historian)Professor Geoffrey Haward Matin CBE was a respected British academic, historian and from 1982 until 1988 Keeper of Public Records of the UK.-Early life:Geoffrey Haward Martin was born in Essex, 27 September 1928...
CBE, Keeper of Public Records at the Public Record OfficePublic Record OfficeThe Public Record Office of the United Kingdom is one of the three organisations that make up the National Archives... - William Miller, Courtauld Professor of Animal Husbandry from 1935-46 at the Royal Veterinary CollegeRoyal Veterinary CollegeThe Royal Veterinary College is a veterinary school located in London, United Kingdom and a constituent college of the federal University of London. The RVC was founded in 1791 and joined the University of London in 1949...
- Dr Jeremy Mynott, Chief Executive from 1999-2002 of Cambridge University PressCambridge University PressCambridge University Press is the publishing business of the University of Cambridge. Granted letters patent by Henry VIII in 1534, it is the world's oldest publishing house, and the second largest university press in the world...
, ornithologistOrnithologyOrnithology is a branch of zoology that concerns the study of birds. Several aspects of ornithology differ from related disciplines, due partly to the high visibility and the aesthetic appeal of birds...
, author. - John Napier, Chairman since 2003 of RSA Insurance Group, and Aegis Group since 2008
- Matthew NewcomenMatthew NewcomenMatthew Newcomen was an English nonconformist churchman.His exact date of birth is unknown. He was educated at St John's College, Cambridge . In 1636 he became lecturer at Dedham in Essex, and led the church reform party in that county. He assisted Edmund Calamy the Elder in writing Smectymnuus ,...
, nonconformist churchman - Philip Norrey, Chief Executive since 2006 of Devon County Council, and its Director of Education from 2003-6
- Ven. Leonard Olyott (1926–2005), Archdeacon of Taunton (1977–1992), then Archdeacon Emeritus
- Prof Robin OsborneRobin OsborneRobin Osborne is an English historian of classical antiquity, who is particularly interested in Ancient Greece. He grew up in Little Bromley, attending Little Bromley County Primary School and then Colchester Royal Grammar School...
, Professor of Ancient History since 2001 at the University of CambridgeUniversity of CambridgeThe University of Cambridge is a public research university located in Cambridge, United Kingdom. It is the second-oldest university in both the United Kingdom and the English-speaking world , and the seventh-oldest globally... - Louis Pegler (1852–1927), surgeonSurgeonIn medicine, a surgeon is a specialist in surgery. Surgery is a broad category of invasive medical treatment that involves the cutting of a body, whether human or animal, for a specific reason such as the removal of diseased tissue or to repair a tear or breakage...
and Fellow of the Royal Society of MedicineRoyal Society of MedicineThe Royal Society of Medicine is a British charitable organisation whose main purpose is as a provider of medical education, running over 350 meetings and conferences each year.- History and overview :...
, Vice-President of Laryngological Section of that organisation; collection of fossil plants donated to the Natural History MuseumNatural History MuseumThe Natural History Museum is one of three large museums on Exhibition Road, South Kensington, London, England . Its main frontage is on Cromwell Road... - Prof John Percival OBE (1937–2007), Professor and Head of School of History from 1988-96 at Cardiff UniversityCardiff UniversityCardiff University is a leading research university located in the Cathays Park area of Cardiff, Wales, United Kingdom. It received its Royal charter in 1883 and is a member of the Russell Group of Universities. The university is consistently recognised as providing high quality research-based...
- Maj-GenMajor-General (United Kingdom)Major general is a senior rank in the British Army. Since 1996 the highest position within the Royal Marines is the Commandant General Royal Marines who holds the rank of major general...
Sir Farndale Phillips CBE CB (1905–1961), Commander from 1951-2 of 3 Commando Brigade3 Commando Brigade3 Commando Brigade is a commando formation of the British Armed Forces and the main manoeuvre formation of the Royal Marines. Its personnel are predominantly Royal Marines, supported by units of Royal Engineers, Royal Artillery, The Rifles, and the Fleet Air Arm, together with other Commando...
, and Chief of Amphibious Warfare from 1954-7 - Jan PinkavaJan PinkavaDr. Jan Jaroslav Pinkava, Ph.D. is the director and writer of the Pixar Oscar-winning 1997 short film Geri's Game and the originator and co-director of Pixar's Oscar-winning 2007 film Ratatouille....
, film director and writer - John PlutheroJohn PlutheroJohn Pluthero was the Chief Executive Officer and Executive Director , UK of Cable and Wireless, having joined following the sale of Energis having been its CEO...
, Executive Chairman since 2006 of Cable & WirelessCable & WirelessCable & Wireless Worldwide PLC is a global telecommunications company headquartered in Bracknell, United Kingdom. Cable & Wireless specialises in providing communication networks and services to large corporates, governments, carrier customers and resellers...
, Chief Executive from 2002-5 of EnergisEnergisEnergis Communications Limited, briefly Telecom Electric, or more usually just Energis was a 'technology driven communications company' based in the UK and Ireland...
, and founder of FreeserveFreeserveFreeserve was a British Internet Service Provider, founded in 1998. It was once a constituent of the FTSE 100 Index but merged into the Wanadoo group in 2000, itself a subsidiary of France Telecom...
plc and its Chief Executive from 1998–2002 - William Samuel Powell (1717–75), Vice-Chancellor of Cambridge University
- Admiral Sir Bertram RamsayBertram RamsayAdmiral Sir Bertram Home Ramsay KCB, KBE, MVO was a British admiral during World War II. He was an important contributor in the field of amphibious warfare.-Early life:...
RN (1883–1945), commanded the 1940 evacuation from Dunkirk - Kenneth RichesKenneth RichesKenneth Riches was an Anglican Bishop during the second half of the 20th century. Educated at Colchester Royal Grammar School and Corpus Christi College, Cambridge, he was ordained in 1933. His first post was at St Mary’s Portsea, after which he became Chaplain at Sidney Sussex College, Cambridge...
(1908–1999), Anglican BishopBishopA bishop is an ordained or consecrated member of the Christian clergy who is generally entrusted with a position of authority and oversight. Within the Catholic Church, Eastern Orthodox, Oriental Orthodox Churches, in the Assyrian Church of the East, in the Independent Catholic Churches, and in the... - Andrew SangerAndrew SangerAndrew Sanger is a British freelance journalist and travel writer, known for many popular travel guides to France and the French regions, although he has also authored more than twenty guides to other locations....
, travel writer - P.E.G. 'Gerry' SayerGerry SayerFlight Lieutenant Phillip Edward Gerald Sayer OBE , was Chief Test Pilot for Gloster Aircraft as well as a serving RAF officer. Gerry Sayer flew Britain's maiden jet flight in Sir Frank Whittle's Gloster E.28/39 , an aircraft designed by George Carter, on 15 May 1941.-Early life:He was born in...
, first British person to fly a jet aircraft - David Sexton, Literary Editor since 1997 of the Evening StandardEvening StandardThe Evening Standard, now styled the London Evening Standard, is a free local daily newspaper, published Monday–Friday in tabloid format in London. It is the dominant regional evening paper for London and the surrounding area, with coverage of national and international news and City of London...
- William Ashwell ShenstoneWilliam Ashwell ShenstoneWilliam Ashwell Shenstone FIC FRS was a chemist, schoolmaster and published author....
(1850–1908), chemist and schoolmaster - David Smith, rugby player for Northampton SaintsNorthampton SaintsNorthampton Saints are a professional rugby union club from Northampton, England. The Northampton Saints were formed in 1880. They play in green, black and gold colours. They play their home games at Franklin's Gardens, which has a capacity of 13,591....
- Giles SmithGiles SmithGiles Smith is a British journalist and former musician. In 1998 he was named sports journalist of the year.Smith was one of the two members of the band Orphans of Babylon who in 1983 produced the cassette Pinch Me - I Think I'm In Kent.This cassette featured 36 tracks including "Helluva Break By...
, Guardian writer - Paul Smith, Chief Executive since 2006 of Swansea CouncilSwanseaSwansea is a coastal city and county in Wales. Swansea is in the historic county boundaries of Glamorgan. Situated on the sandy South West Wales coast, the county area includes the Gower Peninsula and the Lliw uplands...
, and Gloucester City Council from 2001-6 - Albert Charles Sparrow (1925–2005), leading member of the Chancery Bar with a strong interest in archeology which led to his campaign for reform of Treasure TroveTreasure troveA treasure trove may broadly be defined as an amount of money or coin, gold, silver, plate, or bullion found hidden underground or in places such as cellars or attics, where the treasure seems old enough for it to be presumed that the true owner is dead and the heirs undiscoverable...
- Andrew Strathern, Andrew Mellon Professor of Anthropology since 1987 at the University of PittsburghUniversity of PittsburghThe University of Pittsburgh, commonly referred to as Pitt, is a state-related research university located in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, United States. Founded as Pittsburgh Academy in 1787 on what was then the American frontier, Pitt is one of the oldest continuously chartered institutions of...
- John Sutherland (author), Emeritus Lord Northcliffe Professor of Modern English Literature at University College LondonUniversity College LondonUniversity College London is a public research university located in London, United Kingdom and the oldest and largest constituent college of the federal University of London...
- Thomas TwiningThomas Twining (scholar)Thomas Twining was an English classical scholar and cleric.-Scholarship:...
(1735-1804), Classical scholar and cleric - Derek Murray WyattDerek WyattDerek Murray Wyatt FRSA is a British Labour Party politician who was the Member of Parliament for Sittingbourne and Sheppey from 1997 to 2010, having previously been a councillor in the London Borough of Haringey.-Early life:...
, Labour MP for Sittingbourne and Sheppey from 1997 to 2010 - Peter Snow (1940 - ), President, The Chartered Institute of Logistics and Transport in New Zealand (2007–2009)and Chair Mission to Seafarers, Wellington, Melvin Jones Fellow (Lions Clubs International Foundation).
School song
The school song greatly resembles that of The Skinners' SchoolThe Skinners' School
The Skinners' School , is a British grammar school for boys located in the town of Royal Tunbridge Wells, Kent...
, Tunbridge Wells, with Shaw Jeffrey
Percy Shaw Jeffrey
Percy Shaw Jeffrey, FRGS was a respected schoolmaster and author of several books on a range of topics, including significant contributions towards the teaching of phonetics in schools...
writing the lyrics to both. It was introduced within his first year at the school and remains sung today, though infrequently, picking up on themes such as the Tudor history of the school and the popularity of the Old Colcestrian (OC) society.
Carmen Colchestriense by Shaw Jeffrey
First Verse:
Now hands about for Colchester
And sing a rousing chorus
In praise of all our comrades here
And those who went before us.
For to this lay all hearts beat true;
The loyal hearts that love us;
So fortune fend each absent friend
While there's a sun above us.
Chorus:
Sing! boys, sing!
Floreat Sodalitas
Little matter, well or ill,
Sentiment is more than skill,
Sing together with a will
Floreat Sodalitas
'tas Colchestriensis
Second Verse:
By mullioned panes the ivy climbs,
On Tudor masks and faces.
So mem'ry adds an evergreen
To well remembered places.
And grave OC's still dream besides
Of days long since departed;
And some have expiated crimes
For which their backs have smarted!
Chorus
Third Verse:
Tradition gives us pride of birth,
Brave hearts and gentle manners,
For we are sons of men who marched
Beneath the Tudor banners!
So as we pass the torch along
Aglow with high endeavour,
One kindly mother we acclaim
That she may stand for ever.
An alternative chorus and third verse were provided in the first issue of the old series of The Colcestrian which also explained that the "Tudor masks and faces" referred to the busts of Henry VIII and Elizabeth I in the mullions of the entrance to Big School (now the Library). The chorus had "Vivat Academia!/Demia Majorum!" in place of the "Floreat Sodalitas" refrain. The third verse was almost entirely different and was closer to that of The Skinners' School:
Then here's a toast before we part,
To Henry's old Foundation
And may its friends be stout of heart
To win your approbation.
So we will pledge our noble selves
To use our best endeavour
That, as the merry world goes round,
Our school may stand for ever.