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==History==
==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. 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 [[primary education|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{{Citation needed|date=October 2009}}. This left the William Jones’s Schools Foundation responsible for Monmouth School and [[Haberdashers' Monmouth School for Girls]]- also known as HMSG, both of which acquired [[direct grant grammar school|Direct Grant]] status in 1946.
In 1613, William Jones, a prominent merchant and [[haberdasher]], gave the Haberdashers’ Company £6,000, followed by a further £3,00 bequethed in his will on his death in 1615, to "ordaine a preacher, a Free-School and Almes-houses for twenty poor and old distressed people, as blind and lame, as it shall seem best to them, of the Towne of Monmouth, where it shall be bestowed" <ref>K. Kissack Monmouth School and Monmouth 1614-1995, p.12</ref>. 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 [[primary education|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{{Citation needed|date=October 2009}}. This left the William Jones’s Schools Foundation responsible for Monmouth School and [[Haberdashers' Monmouth School for Girls]]- also known as HMSG, both of which acquired [[direct grant grammar school|Direct Grant]] status in 1946.


==Buildings==
==Buildings==

Revision as of 06:19, 4 October 2009

Monmouth School
Location
Map
,
Information
TypePublic school
MottoServe and Obey
Established1614
FounderWilliam Jones
HeadmasterDr. Steven Connors
Number of pupils700 (approx.)
Colour(s)Gold and Chocolate    
Websitewww.habs-monmouth.org

Monmouth School is a HMC boys' boarding and day school in Monmouth, Monmouthshire in south east 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. Its Latin name (which is now out of use) is Schola Grammatica Monmouthensis.

History

In 1613, William Jones, a prominent merchant and haberdasher, gave the Haberdashers’ Company £6,000, followed by a further £3,00 bequethed in his will on his death in 1615, to "ordaine a preacher, a Free-School and Almes-houses for twenty poor and old distressed people, as blind and lame, as it shall seem best to them, of the Towne of Monmouth, where it shall be bestowed" [1]. 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[citation needed]. This left the William Jones’s Schools Foundation responsible for Monmouth School and Haberdashers' Monmouth School for Girls- also known as HMSG, both of which acquired Direct Grant status in 1946.

Buildings

The rebuilding of the school (1864-1878) was mostly undertaken by William Snooke who built the chapel, two schoolrooms and a classroom in 18564-5, followed in the 1870s by the library, Headmaster's House and the buildings which now form Monmouth House and Hereford House. Snook also redeveloped the Jones Almhouses, on Almshouse Street, which incorporates a large inscription panel describing the benefactions of the Jones Foundation. School House, with its ceremonial entrance facing the Wye Bridge, was built by Henry Stock in 1894-5. More modern developments include the Hall of 1961, redeveloped in the early 21st century and now the Blake Theatre, the Red Lion Block of the same date, and the Science Block of 1981-4.

The School today

With 600 pupils the school offers boarding and day places as well as preparatory departments in a single-sex environment. However, to enable a wide range of A and AS level subjects to be taken, there is some mixed-sex teaching in the Sixth Form with the sister school, HMSG. Joint extracurricular activities in other years include the CCF, foreign expeditions, music and drama events as well as the school newspaper, The Lion.

There are four senior boarding and four senior day houses as well two sixth form day houses. There are also two junior day houses and one junior boarding house. All in all the school has 13 houses. Junior boarders progress into one of the Senior boarding houses at the beginning of Form III following Common Entrance Exams.

Academics

A wide range of subjects is offered with, in the sixth form, over 30 being available for study to AS and A Level, through collaboration with HMSG. This selection is supported by a wide range of facilities such as the School Library, Science laboratories, computer suites, and design technology workshop. Many aspects of the curriculum are further enriched by field trips, such as language trips to foreign countries, and by visiting speakers. Although the teaching is based on the National Curriculum, the school stresses that it is "not constrained by it" and places on increasing importance on independent learning guided by the teachers.[2]

Sport

The school's two main sports are rowing and rugby, in which it enjoys a strong reputation. The sports facilities available have been enhanced by a new sports complex [3] which houses a six-lane swimming pool, indoor sports facilities, a weight and fitness suite, tennis courts, and a full size astroturf pitch which can be used for a variety of activities. The school's sporting tradition is reflected in the fact that many boys play at county or national level, especially in rugby, rowing and cricket. In addition to rowing and rugby the school offers a range of other sports which include Association football, athletics, badminton, canoeing, climbing, cricket, cross country, fencing, fitness training, hockey, golf, sailing, shooting, squash, sub-aqua, swimming, tennis, and water polo.[4]

On Wednesday 12 November, 2008, Monmouth School marked the official opening of its new £2.3 million Sports Pavilion. The Headmaster, Dr Steven Connors, was joined by benefactors, governors, staff, old boys and pupils to celebrate its opening by former Captain of Wales and British Lion, Eddie Butler, an old boy of the School. It was designed by the architects Buttress Fuller Alsop Williams with an aim of creating a "exciting, vibrant design". In addition to changing and shower facilities, the new building has a dining and reception area and a balcony which overlooks the playing fields and surrounding countryside.[5]

Other

In addition to the above, the school also offers other extra-curricular activities such as drama and music.

In 2004, 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 the boys' and girls' schools, and by external performers. It was officially opened by HRH The Prince Edward, Earl of Wessex.[6]

The school also possesses a large music school with an auditorium, teaching rooms and practice rooms.

Houses

There are three main age divisions in the school; lower (forms I and II) middle (forms III, IV, and V) and sixth form (forms VI.1 and VI.2). Within these divisions, pupils are members of different houses as follows:

  • Wye and Dean Houses are the lower school day houses, which are incorporated under one roof in a building at the south of the campus.
  • St. James' Boarding House is the lower school boarding house, located off-site nearby in St. James' Square.
  • Severn House is the newest of the middle school day houses, formed in 2003 as a result of an increase in pupil intake and the redevelopment of the day houses. It is located on the ground floor of the middle school house complex at the north of the campus.
  • Town House became a day house in the late 1960s and moved to its current location on the upper floors (above Severn House) in 2003.
  • Monmouth House is one of the original day houses, currently located below Hereford House in a building which also houses the Classics and Religious Studies departments and is connected to Severn and Town Houses.
  • Hereford House is one of the original day houses, currently located above Monmouth House.
  • Weirhead House a boarding house, located at the south of the campus, near WyeDean
  • New House a boarding house, located next to the administrative buildings in the centre of the campus
  • School House a boarding house, located next to the middle school house complex at the north-east of the complex.
File:P1100012-2.jpg
The rear of Chapel House away from the town in 2001
  • Chapel House is located offsite, on the Hereford Road to the north of the town. Dating from the 1700s, it is a Grade II listed building with a terraced garden leading down to the River Monnow. It was converted to its current use in the mid-1970s, before which it served as a boarding house for Haberdashers' Monmouth School for Girls. Its name is a result of it having been a home for retired clergymen.
  • Tudor House and Glendower House comprise the sixth form centre and are day houses for boys in the sixth form.

Headmasters

  • 1615 John Owen
  • 1617 Humfrey Crewys
  • 1639 Nathaniel Taynton
  • 1657 Robert Brabourne
  • 1658 Robert Frampton
  • 1663 John Harmer
  • 1663 Charles Hoole
  • 1664 William Morrice
  • 1672 Thomas Bassett
  • 1687 Thomas Wright
  • 1691 Thomas Bassett (restored)
  • 1713 Andrew Cuthbert
  • 1723 James Birt
  • 1738 Baynham Barnes
  • 1758 John Crowe
  • 1780 Thomas Prosser
  • 1793 John Powell
  • 1823 William Jones
  • 1828 John Oakley Hill
  • 1832 George Monningtom
  • 1844 John Dundas Watherston
  • 1859 Charles Manley Roberts
  • 1891 Edward Hugh Culley
  • 1906 Lionel James
  • 1928 Christopher Fairfax Scott
  • 1937 Wilfred Roy Lewin
  • 1941 Noel Chamberlain Elstob
  • 1946 Cecil Howard Dunstan Cullingford
  • 1956 John Robert Murray Senior
  • 1959 R H S Hatton
  • 1959 Robert Finlay Glover
  • 1977 Nicholas Bomford
  • 1982 Rupert Lane
  • 1995 Peter Anthony
  • 1995 Timothy Haynes
  • 2005 Stephen Connors

Notable alumni

Notes

  1. ^ K. Kissack Monmouth School and Monmouth 1614-1995, p.12
  2. ^ http://www.habs-monmouth.org/index.cfm?alias=M_academic
  3. ^ http://www.mssportsclub.com/
  4. ^ http://www.habs-monmouth.org/index.cfm?alias=M_sports
  5. ^ Ibid.
  6. ^ "Prince stages a visit". Newsquest Media Group Newspapers. 2005-04-21. Retrieved 2008-09-23.
  7. ^ Hill, A. V. "J. D. Griffith Davies, 1899-1953 (Assistant Secretary of the Royal Society, 1937-1946)", Notes and Records of the Royal Society of London, Vol. 11, No. 2 (March 1955), pp. 129-133. Accessed September 22, 2008.
  8. ^ "Eddie Butler", The Observer. Accessed September 22, 2008.
  9. ^ "Personnel Profile - John Gwilliam", Newport RFC. Accessed September 22, 2008.
  10. ^ "Bishop of St Albans", Cathedral & Abbey Church of St Alban. Accessed September 22, 2008.
  11. ^ Llewellyn, David. "BOOK OF THE WEEK: Third Man To Fatty's Leg - An Autobiography by Steve James", The Independent, July 26, 2004. Accessed September 22, 2008.
  12. ^ "Personnel Profile - Keith Jarrett", Newport RFC. Accessed September 22, 2008.
  13. ^ Swain, Harriett and Williams, Lynne. "Paul Langford", Times Higher Education. Accessed September 22, 2008.
  14. ^ "Olympics 2008", BBC, August 13, 2008. Accessed September 22, 2008.
  15. ^ Barker, Dennis. "Richard Marner: Actor best known for his role as the German Colonel Kurt von Strohm in the TV sitcom 'Allo 'Allo", The Guardian, March 25, 2004. Accessed September 22, 2008.
  16. ^ "Moynihan in call to state schools to provide morecompetitors for Britain’s 2012 Olympic team", Inside the games, Newsletter 34, July 10, 2006. Accessed September 22, 2008.
  17. ^ Massingberd, Hugh. "'My pages were pinned to poor Irene's mound of Venus'", The Daily Telegraph, December 11, 2006. Acecssed September 22, 2008.
  18. ^ Staff. "Tudge makes his first-class debut", Glamorgan County Cricket Club, August 2, 2006. Accessed September 22, 2008.
  19. ^ Llewellyn, David. "Cricket: Glamorgan chances ebb after Waters' flow; KENT 587 GLAMORGAN 306 & 96-5", The Independent, August 6, 2005. Accessed September 22, 2008.

References

  • Keith Kissack, Monmouth School and Monmouth 1614 - 1995, Lapridge Publications, 1995
  • Michael Eveleigh Hitting the Right Note - A Review of Music at Monmouth School 1946 - 1986, Dovecote Press,1992
  • John Newman, The Buildings of Wales: Gwent/Monmouthshire, Penguin Books, 2000, pages 402-3

51°48′40″N 2°42′43″W / 51.811°N 2.712°W / 51.811; -2.712