Monmouth School
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
| Monmouth School | |
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| Serve and Obey | |
| Established | 1614 |
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| School type | Public school |
| Headmaster | Dr. Steven Connors |
| Location | Monmouth, Monmouthshire, Wales |
| Website | www.habs-monmouth.org |
Monmouth School is a public school for boys in Monmouth, South Wales. It is run under trust by the Worshipful Company of Haberdashers, one of the Livery Companies. It was founded in 1614 by William Jones, local to the area, and first began teaching in 1615. Its Latin name (which is now out of use) is Schola Grammatica Monmouthensis.
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[edit] History
In 1613 William Jones, a prominent merchant and Haberdasher, gave the Haberdashers’ Company £6,000 and bequeathed a further £3,000 to be expended on charitable works and the founding of a school in Monmouth. Monmouth School was originally a grammar school for boys. It was rebuilt in 1865 and as a result of rising revenues from investments, the original foundation was re-organised in 1891 to support a new girls’ school and an elementary school in the town, as well as a boys grammar school in Pontypool. The elementary school was transferred to County Council control in 1940 with West Monmouth School at Pontypool following in 1955. This left the William Jones’s Schools Foundation responsible for Monmouth School and Haberdashers' Monmouth School for Girls, both of which acquired Direct Grant status in 1946. The schools became independent and fee-paying in 1976.
[edit] The School Today
With 580 pupils at the boys' school (174 boarders and 406 day boys) and 650 at its sister-school, Haberdashers' Monmouth School for Girls(HMSG), the two schools offer boarding and day places as well as preparatory departments in a single sex environment via The Grange and Gilbert Inglefield House respectively. However, to enable a wide range of A and AS level subjects to be taken there is some combined teaching in the Sixth Form. Joint extra-curricular activities in other years include the CCF, foreign expeditions, music and drama events as well as the popular Lion newspaper.
There are four senior boarding houses at Monmouth School; Chapel House, New House, School House and Weirhead House. New House is the current holder of the boarding house cup and also won it in 2004. There are four senior day houses; Hereford House, Monmouth House, Severn House and Town House. Hereford House hold the day house cup, and have done for several years running. There are also three junior houses for Form I and II; Wye, Dean (cup holders) and St. James' (boarding). Placement for day-boys is down to geographical location of their home: boarders choose their own house on progression into Form III (year 9).
Last summer the latest construction at the school, The Blake Theatre, was opened. Funded by Bob Blake, it is used as a venue for performances by both members of the boys' and girls' school but also by external performers. It was recently officially opened by HRH The Prince Edward, Earl of Wessex.
In July 2005, the Headmaster, Tim Haynes, left the school to take up the Headmastership of Tonbridge School. At the start of the Michaelmas Term in 2005, Dr Steven Connors, took up the post of Headmaster at Monmouth. He was previously Second Master at Christ's Hospital.
[edit] Chapel House
Chapel House is a boarding house for Monmouth School. Dating from the 1700s, it is a large Grade II listed building with a terraced garden leading down to the River Monnow. Its panelled walls are of particular interest. It was converted in the mid-1980s to its current use, before which it served as a boarding house for Haberdashers' Monmouth School for Girls. It has also been a home for retired clergymen (hence the name) and it is rumoured to be haunted!
Other boarding houses at Monmouth School are Weirhead House, New House, School House and, the junior boarding house, St James' House.
[edit] Alumni
- Eddie Butler - rugby player / TV commentator
- Derek Ezra - former chairman National Coal Board
- John Gwilliam - rugby player
- Christopher William Herbert - bishop (the present Bishop of St Albans)
- Steve James - England cricketer
- Keith Jarrett - rugby player
- Paul Langford - historian
- Richard Marner - actor (best known for his role as Colonel von Strohm in the sitcom 'Allo 'Allo!)
- Colin Moynihan - politician, sportsman (4th Baron Moynihan)
- Grant Nicholas - guitarist and singer with rock band Feeder
- Tom Price - actor and comedian
- Victor Spinetti - actor
- Cliff Tucker - politician
- Huw Waters - Glamorgan and England age group Cricketer
- Kyle Tudge - Pro Cricketer
- John Vassall - civil servant and soviet spy
- Robin Williams - Amateur Rowing Association, Chief Coach for Great Britain Lightweights; former Chief Coach of Cambridge University Boat Club
