Loughborough High School
Encyclopedia
Loughborough High School, also known simply as LHS, is a selective, independent, fee-paying British Public School
for girls in Loughborough
, Leicestershire
, England
. It is one of three Private School
s known collectively as the Loughborough Endowed Schools
, along with Loughborough Grammar School
for boys and Fairfield Preparatory School
. All three of the Endowed Schools are autonomous, and yet they share the same vision and educational ethos, supported by a united board of governors. Founded in 1850, it is believed to be one of the country’s oldest grammar schools for girls.
were founded after Thomas Burton, a prosperous wool merchant from Loughborough
, willed money for priests to pray for his soul upon his death in 1495; these priests went on to found the boys school that would become Loughborough Grammar School
. It was not until 1850 when the boys school moved to a new site to the south of Loughborough
town centre and it became more socially acceptable to educate women that the foundation was extended to girls and hence LHS was founded.
The school celebrated its bicentenary in 2000, when it was visited by HRH The Princess Royal
.
school hymn entitled "Our Father by whose servant(s)" was created specifically for LES by Old Loughburian George Wallace Briggs and in more recent times has also been adopted as a school hymn by several other schools. The servant in the song refers to Thomas Burton, and the "Five Hundred Years Enduring" verse 2 (originally "Four Hundred Years Enduring") is unique to the founding year of Loughborough Endowed Schools.
Also on the other side of Burton Walks (often known as "The Walks") are the gymnasium, science building, dining hall and astroturf pitches, the latter of which is also shared with the rest of the Loughborough Endowed Schools
. Most of the buildings situated on the Burton Walks are primarily owned by the Loughborough Endowed Schools
Campus with Fairfield Preparatory School
located at the mouth, along with the gate house often occupied by the resident LGS deputy headmaster and the Loughborough Endowed Schools
Carpark. At the End of Burton Walks is a T-Junction with LGS located to the left and LHS located to the right. Spreading the walks (situated between both of the schools) are several school houses which house several members of the teaching faculty, including the headmistress of LHS and the headmaster of LGS. A myth within both of the schools is that in between school hours, those within the ages of 10 to 16 are not allowed to fraternise with members of the opposite sex nor be seen within 6 inches of each other along the Burton Walks thus maintaining the all-boy and all-girl school divide.
Girls are entered for GCSE examinations in Upper Fifth (Year 11,) AS-levels in Lower Sixth (Year 12) and A2-levels in Upper Sixth (Year 13.) Girls usually take 9/10 subjects for GCSE, 4 for AS-level and 3 for A-level, including General Studies.
Girls from the High School also regularly appear in joint dramatic productions, usually at the 182-seat Drama Studio, located within the Queen's Building at the Grammar School
. The showing of 'We will rock you' performed by the leavers of 2011 was perhaps the most successful production to date, winning huge acclaim from staff and students alike.
's Award scheme and a number of clubs and societies run regularly, including a Debating Society and a School Magazine. The school also plays Bridge to an extremely high level, and has produced numerous players who have represented the UK in international competitions.
The school engages in regular charity fund-raising events, including non-uniform days and concerts.
The houses are named after notable people within the founding of both the Endowed Schools and the social architecture of Loughborough town centre. Burton after Thomas Burton the founder of the Loughborough Endowed Schools
and Hastings after Henry Hastings, 1st Baron Loughborough
. Storer after Johnathan Storer who in 1713 founded a charity conveying cottages and land in Loughborough to eleven trustees allowing the purchase of wheat to make bread and clothing, which was distributed to poor people living in the town. And finally Fearon for Archdeacon Henry Fearon who in 1870 financed the oldest edifice in Market Square, the drinking fountain, allowing Loughborough to gain its first piped water supply. It is a total mystery as to how these girls are placed, but areas where they live are thought to be a factor. The house system provides internal competition in a number of sporting disciplines as well as extracurricular activities including music and drama. Each house in addition to the Housemaster/Head of House, possess both a House Captain, a Games Captain and a House Secretary.
Public School (UK)
A public school, in common British usage, is a school that is neither administered nor financed by the state or from taxpayer contributions, and is instead funded by a combination of endowments, tuition fees and charitable contributions, usually existing as a non profit-making charitable trust...
for girls in Loughborough
Loughborough
Loughborough is a town within the Charnwood borough of Leicestershire, England. It is the seat of Charnwood Borough Council and is home to Loughborough University...
, Leicestershire
Leicestershire
Leicestershire is a landlocked county in the English Midlands. It takes its name from the heavily populated City of Leicester, traditionally its administrative centre, although the City of Leicester unitary authority is today administered separately from the rest of Leicestershire...
, England
England
England is a country that is part of the United Kingdom. It shares land borders with Scotland to the north and Wales to the west; the Irish Sea is to the north west, the Celtic Sea to the south west, with the North Sea to the east and the English Channel to the south separating it from continental...
. It is one of three Private School
Private school
Private schools, also known as independent schools or nonstate schools, are not administered by local, state or national governments; thus, they retain the right to select their students and are funded in whole or in part by charging their students' tuition, rather than relying on mandatory...
s known collectively as the Loughborough Endowed Schools
Loughborough Endowed Schools
Loughborough Endowed Schools is a collective of three selective, independent, fee-paying public schools in the town of Loughborough, Leicestershire, UK. It comprises Loughborough Grammar School, an all-boys' secondary school, Loughborough High School, an all-girls' secondary school, and Fairfield...
, along with Loughborough Grammar School
Loughborough Grammar School
Loughborough Grammar School founded in 1495 by Thomas Burton, is an independent school for boys in Loughborough, Leicestershire, England. It is a day school for over 1100 pupils and a boarding school for nearly 100. It is one of three schools known as the Loughborough Endowed Schools, along with...
for boys and Fairfield Preparatory School
Fairfield Preparatory School
Fairfield Preparatory School is a fee-paying independent mixed preparatory school in Loughborough, Leicestershire, England. It is one of three private schools known collectively as the Loughborough Endowed Schools, along with Loughborough Grammar School for boys and Loughborough High School for...
. All three of the Endowed Schools are autonomous, and yet they share the same vision and educational ethos, supported by a united board of governors. Founded in 1850, it is believed to be one of the country’s oldest grammar schools for girls.
Founding
The Loughborough Endowed SchoolsLoughborough Endowed Schools
Loughborough Endowed Schools is a collective of three selective, independent, fee-paying public schools in the town of Loughborough, Leicestershire, UK. It comprises Loughborough Grammar School, an all-boys' secondary school, Loughborough High School, an all-girls' secondary school, and Fairfield...
were founded after Thomas Burton, a prosperous wool merchant from Loughborough
Loughborough
Loughborough is a town within the Charnwood borough of Leicestershire, England. It is the seat of Charnwood Borough Council and is home to Loughborough University...
, willed money for priests to pray for his soul upon his death in 1495; these priests went on to found the boys school that would become Loughborough Grammar School
Loughborough Grammar School
Loughborough Grammar School founded in 1495 by Thomas Burton, is an independent school for boys in Loughborough, Leicestershire, England. It is a day school for over 1100 pupils and a boarding school for nearly 100. It is one of three schools known as the Loughborough Endowed Schools, along with...
. It was not until 1850 when the boys school moved to a new site to the south of Loughborough
Loughborough
Loughborough is a town within the Charnwood borough of Leicestershire, England. It is the seat of Charnwood Borough Council and is home to Loughborough University...
town centre and it became more socially acceptable to educate women that the foundation was extended to girls and hence LHS was founded.
The school celebrated its bicentenary in 2000, when it was visited by HRH The Princess Royal
Anne, Princess Royal
Princess Anne, Princess Royal , is the only daughter of Elizabeth II and Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh...
.
School Hymn
Loughborough Endowed SchoolsLoughborough Endowed Schools
Loughborough Endowed Schools is a collective of three selective, independent, fee-paying public schools in the town of Loughborough, Leicestershire, UK. It comprises Loughborough Grammar School, an all-boys' secondary school, Loughborough High School, an all-girls' secondary school, and Fairfield...
school hymn entitled "Our Father by whose servant(s)" was created specifically for LES by Old Loughburian George Wallace Briggs and in more recent times has also been adopted as a school hymn by several other schools. The servant in the song refers to Thomas Burton, and the "Five Hundred Years Enduring" verse 2 (originally "Four Hundred Years Enduring") is unique to the founding year of Loughborough Endowed Schools.
Campus
LHS is based on a multi-acre campus on the south side of Loughborough town centre; the three Endowed Schools are adjacent to one another, laid out along Burton Walks. The main bulk of the LHS part of the campus faces onto a central quadrangle. The east-side of the quad, closest to the main access of Burton Walks, is occupied by what is the oldest building but seems to be nameless, being referred to as the 'Main building', and housing the administrative aspects of the school including the Headmistress' study and also the Cope library (formerly the dormitory when the school accepted boarders). This building continues around the north side but here contains the great hall, art studios, technology rooms and a lecture theatre. Attached to the end of this building are the Cloisters and Rokeby which largely comprise of classrooms and a sixth form common room. Within the centre of the quad is a large patch of grass that up until recent years was used as two grass tennis courts. Other general classroom buildings facing the quad are the Chesterton Building to the west and the Charles Block to the south. The drama building is to the south, and in addition on the other side of Burton Walks, the 2006 newly built Loughborough Endowed Schools Music School, a separate 'school' shared between all three of the endowed schools as a separate music facility.Also on the other side of Burton Walks (often known as "The Walks") are the gymnasium, science building, dining hall and astroturf pitches, the latter of which is also shared with the rest of the Loughborough Endowed Schools
Loughborough Endowed Schools
Loughborough Endowed Schools is a collective of three selective, independent, fee-paying public schools in the town of Loughborough, Leicestershire, UK. It comprises Loughborough Grammar School, an all-boys' secondary school, Loughborough High School, an all-girls' secondary school, and Fairfield...
. Most of the buildings situated on the Burton Walks are primarily owned by the Loughborough Endowed Schools
Loughborough Endowed Schools
Loughborough Endowed Schools is a collective of three selective, independent, fee-paying public schools in the town of Loughborough, Leicestershire, UK. It comprises Loughborough Grammar School, an all-boys' secondary school, Loughborough High School, an all-girls' secondary school, and Fairfield...
Campus with Fairfield Preparatory School
Fairfield Preparatory School
Fairfield Preparatory School is a fee-paying independent mixed preparatory school in Loughborough, Leicestershire, England. It is one of three private schools known collectively as the Loughborough Endowed Schools, along with Loughborough Grammar School for boys and Loughborough High School for...
located at the mouth, along with the gate house often occupied by the resident LGS deputy headmaster and the Loughborough Endowed Schools
Loughborough Endowed Schools
Loughborough Endowed Schools is a collective of three selective, independent, fee-paying public schools in the town of Loughborough, Leicestershire, UK. It comprises Loughborough Grammar School, an all-boys' secondary school, Loughborough High School, an all-girls' secondary school, and Fairfield...
Carpark. At the End of Burton Walks is a T-Junction with LGS located to the left and LHS located to the right. Spreading the walks (situated between both of the schools) are several school houses which house several members of the teaching faculty, including the headmistress of LHS and the headmaster of LGS. A myth within both of the schools is that in between school hours, those within the ages of 10 to 16 are not allowed to fraternise with members of the opposite sex nor be seen within 6 inches of each other along the Burton Walks thus maintaining the all-boy and all-girl school divide.
Pupils
LHS is an all-girls School, educating those from the ages of 11 to 18, however there are some joint lessons in the sixth form with the all-boys LGS. In the past it was (like the present Grammar School) also a boarding school, however in recent years all female boarding has gradually ceased.Academics
Candidates sit an entrance examination to gain admission to the school, usually at the age of 10, so as to enter Upper Third (year 7) at the age of 11. There is also a 13+ exam, for those wishing to enter at Upper Fourth (Year 9), and a 16+ exam for girls wishing to enter at Sixth Form level (Year 12.)Girls are entered for GCSE examinations in Upper Fifth (Year 11,) AS-levels in Lower Sixth (Year 12) and A2-levels in Upper Sixth (Year 13.) Girls usually take 9/10 subjects for GCSE, 4 for AS-level and 3 for A-level, including General Studies.
Music and Drama
The Construction of a new Music School by the Endowed Schools in 2006 enabled a greater level of co-operation than had previously been possible. Two orchestras, a choir and a number of swing/jazz bands are amongst the ensembles run at the Music School, and these perform regularly at school concerts and elsewhere. The Endowed Schools Big Band and Concert Band have competed nationally at the English Concert Band Festival, and these bands also tour abroad regularly.Girls from the High School also regularly appear in joint dramatic productions, usually at the 182-seat Drama Studio, located within the Queen's Building at the Grammar School
Loughborough Grammar School
Loughborough Grammar School founded in 1495 by Thomas Burton, is an independent school for boys in Loughborough, Leicestershire, England. It is a day school for over 1100 pupils and a boarding school for nearly 100. It is one of three schools known as the Loughborough Endowed Schools, along with...
. The showing of 'We will rock you' performed by the leavers of 2011 was perhaps the most successful production to date, winning huge acclaim from staff and students alike.
Sport
The school has excellent sporting facilities. Teams in hockey, netball, cross country and athletics compete to national level and regularly win leagues and championships. Badminton, rounders, football, rugby, tennis, lacrosse, golf and swimming are also taught.Other
The school runs an active Duke of EdinburghDuke of Edinburgh
The Duke of Edinburgh is a British royal title, named after the city of Edinburgh, Scotland, which has been conferred upon members of the British royal family only four times times since its creation in 1726...
's Award scheme and a number of clubs and societies run regularly, including a Debating Society and a School Magazine. The school also plays Bridge to an extremely high level, and has produced numerous players who have represented the UK in international competitions.
The school engages in regular charity fund-raising events, including non-uniform days and concerts.
House system
The school operates a house system; every girl is placed in one of four houses:- Burton (Yellow)
- Hastings (Green)
- Storer (Blue)
- Fearon (Purple)
The houses are named after notable people within the founding of both the Endowed Schools and the social architecture of Loughborough town centre. Burton after Thomas Burton the founder of the Loughborough Endowed Schools
Loughborough Endowed Schools
Loughborough Endowed Schools is a collective of three selective, independent, fee-paying public schools in the town of Loughborough, Leicestershire, UK. It comprises Loughborough Grammar School, an all-boys' secondary school, Loughborough High School, an all-girls' secondary school, and Fairfield...
and Hastings after Henry Hastings, 1st Baron Loughborough
Henry Hastings, 1st Baron Loughborough
Henry Hastings, 1st Baron Loughborough was an English Royalist army commander in the Midlands during the English Civil War.-Life:...
. Storer after Johnathan Storer who in 1713 founded a charity conveying cottages and land in Loughborough to eleven trustees allowing the purchase of wheat to make bread and clothing, which was distributed to poor people living in the town. And finally Fearon for Archdeacon Henry Fearon who in 1870 financed the oldest edifice in Market Square, the drinking fountain, allowing Loughborough to gain its first piped water supply. It is a total mystery as to how these girls are placed, but areas where they live are thought to be a factor. The house system provides internal competition in a number of sporting disciplines as well as extracurricular activities including music and drama. Each house in addition to the Housemaster/Head of House, possess both a House Captain, a Games Captain and a House Secretary.
Notable former pupils
Like their counterparts at the Grammar School, they may be known as Old Loughburians or separately as Old Girls. These include:- Dorothy HartleyDorothy HartleyDorothy Rosaman Hartley was an English social historian, illustrator, and author. Daughter of a clergyman, she studied art, which she later taught. Her interest in history led her into writing...
(1893–1985) historian. - Dorothée PullingerDorothée PullingerDorothée Aurélie Marianne Pullinger MBE AMI MECHE was an Anglo-French automobile engineer and businesswoman, and a pioneering woman engineer....
(1894–1986), engineer. - Sheila RodwellSheila RodwellSheila Rodwell OBE , known professionally by her first married name Sheila Bingham, was a British nutritional epidemiologist known for conducting detailed studies into clarify the biological mechanisms underlying the effects of different diets on health and disease, especially cancer.Born in St...
(1947–2009), aka Sheila Bingham, nutritional epidemiologist. - Victoria BarnsleyVictoria BarnsleyVictoria Barnsley, The Hon. Mrs Howard OBE is a British businesswoman and entrepreneur. She founded the publishing house Fourth Estate 1984-2000 and since 2000 has been the UK CEO of HarperCollins....
OBE, (1954-) CEO and Publisher of HarperCollins UK and International - Sarah ClacksonSarah ClacksonSarah Joanne Clackson was a British Coptologist.Born in Leicester, she was educated at Loughborough High School and St John's College, Cambridge where she studied classics and Egyptology. She obtained a PhD from UCL in 1996...
(1965–2003), Coptologist. - Jessica LeeJessica Lee (politician)Jessica Katherine Lee is a British politician. A member of the Conservative Party, she was elected as the Member of Parliament for the constituency of Erewash in Derbyshire in 2010...
(1976-), Conservative MP for Erewash - Hester FinchHester FinchHester Finch is an English painter and portrait artist.Finch was born in Ealing, London but moved to the East Midlands in her teens.After schooling at Loughborough High School, Finch progressed to study fine art at The Ruskin, Oxford University in St Edmund Hall College.Finch is represented by the...
(b.1980), Painter - Alice BoweAlice BoweAlice Bowe is an English garden designer and columnist for The Times.Bowe grew up in Dorking, Surrey before moving to the small village of Osgathorpe in Leicestershire at the age of 9....
(b.1980), Garden Designer, Broadcaster and Writer - Jo Dyer (1983–2007), Army officer killed in Iraq.