Parmiter's School
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| Parmiter's School | |
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| Motto | Nemo Sibi Nascitur (Latin: "No man is born unto himself an island") |
| Established | 1681 in Bethnal Green 1977 at current site |
| School type | Co-educational, Specialist School in Technology and Music |
| Headmaster | Brian Coulshed |
| Location | Garston, Watford, Hertfordshire, UK |
| Enrollment | 1250 students including 300 in Sixth Form |
| Staff | 80 teaching and 50 support-staff |
| Badges | Phoenix Diagonal Cross Diamonds |
| Founder | Thomas Parmiter 1681 |
| Colors | Burgandy, Sky Blue, White and Navy Blue |
| Homepage | www.parmiters.herts.sch.uk |
Parmiter's School is a co-educational mixed ability school in Garston near Watford, Hertfordshire, England with a long an interesting history. Although it is mixed ability it is partially selective (see below). It is currently the most oversubscribed school in Hertfordshire, and has often been recognised by the DfES for being one of the highest performing schools in the country by value added and raw score as a mixed ability school.
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[edit] History
The School has its origins in the Will of Thomas Parmiter, silk merchant, in 1681. In his last testament he left property to endow six almshouses and "one free school house or room" in Bethnal Green, London. Ten students were intended to benefit from his generosity.
Over the years the Trustees of Thomas Parmiter's Estate looked after its investments carefully. By 1880 the number of students had risen to 70, and it was decided to move the School to larger premises in Bethnal Green, and these were completed in 1887. Further additional buildings were provided and in 1976 Parmiter's Grammar School accommodated 525 boys.
In that year the Governors placed a proposal before the Secretary of State for Education and Science to move the Foundation from London to a new site in Garston. In February 1977 the Secretary of State's approval was received. The first intake of 1st Year students entered the Hertfordshire School in September 1977 and expanded by annual intakes until the full complement of Forms from 1st Year (Year 7) to Upper Sixth (Year 13) had been achieved in September 1983. Parmiter's School in Garston was officially opened by Her Majesty The Queen in December 1981, the year of the Tercentenary of Thomas Parmiter's bequest. Due to heavy oversubscription and the acquisition of Grant Maintained Status in 1991, the School continued to expand to its current roll of 1200 students, including 260 in the Sixth Form.
Though Parmiter's has been in Hertfordshire since 1977, historical and sentimental ties with the East End of London have been nurtured. Links are retained through the Old Parmiterians' Society and through the Almshouses and Pensioners Charities of Parmiter's Foundation, and the Headmaster is Educational Adviser to the Bethnal Green Educational Fund. Traditional events such as Pensioners' Day, when Parmiter's Pensioners (as well as local elderly people) are entertained in Garston by members of the School are important events in the School Year. Other traditions which maintain associations with the long history of the School include Speech Night, Founder's Day, the Service of Nine Lessons and Carols as well as functions involving the Old Parmiterians' Society and the Parmiter's Almshouses Foundation.
During its long and rich history Parmiter's has been a Charity School, Public School, Endowed Grammar School, Voluntary Aided Grammar School, Grant Maintained and a Voluntary Aided all-ability School. From September 1999 Parmiter's returned to Voluntary Aided status.
The School is now funded through the Hertfordshire Local Education Authority by the Department for Education and Skills, and continues to accept boys and girls across the full ability range. Its organisation, ethos and management are directed by the Headmaster who is responsible to the Governing Body made up of Foundation Governors and representatives of Parents and Staff, and of which he is a member.
Parmiter's is also supported financially by Parmiter's Foundation Charity whose resources are dedicated to the enhancement of educational provision for Parmiter's students in the spirit of Thomas Parmiter's original bequest.
In both 2005 and 2006, the current Year 10 football team reached the final of the ESFA National Cup, narrowly losing twice.
[edit] Admissions
The school used to be highly selective (though always taking siblings regardless of ability, so making it technically a non-selective school), however following a judgment by the School Adjudicator for England the school was forced to cap its intake based on academic ability at 35%.
Last year therefore the school took pupils as follows:
| Criterion | Limit | Number 2005 |
|---|---|---|
| Siblings | Unlimited | 90 |
| Medical/Public Care | Unlimited | 5 |
| Proximity to the School | Up to 10% | 18 |
| Academic Assessment | Up to 35% | 65 |
| Aptitude at Music | Up to 10% | 7 |
| Parent Employed by School | Unlimited | 7 |
| Proximity to the School | Remainder | 0 |
[edit] Famous alumni
Nick Leeson (single-handedly responsible for the bankruptcy Baring's bank)
Tommy Walsh (TV gardener, Ground Force)
Alp Mehmet (UK Ambassador to Iceland)
Jordan Parkes (Watford F.C. footballer)
Stuart Bates(teacher) (member of pop band The Divine Comedy)
Terence Knapp (actor, director, educator, and author)
Captain Everything! (Punk Rock Band)
[edit] Trivia
- The School is one of "the most charitable schools in the country". English teacher Mr Biggs had his famous beard shaved off live on Blue Peter to raise money for charity.
- For Red Nose Day 2007 the school held many events. A slave auction at lunch, a red nose disco (which was shown for 3 seconds on the Red Nose Day program) and english teacher Mr Haynes lost his infamous sideburns.
