Norwich High School for Boys
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Norwich High School for Boys was an independent school in Norwich, England. Founded in 1910, it became the Langley School shortly after World War II.
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[edit] History
Norwich High School for Boys was founded in 1910 by Mr Jeremiah George Chapman. He was born in Panxworth, Norfolk in 1859 and came to Norwich aged 11 to train under Mr J H Tench who became an Inspector of Schools. He started his teaching career at the King Edward VI Middle School, of which ultimately he became house master. In 1910 the King Edward VI Middle School was amalgamated with the Higher Grade School and the Presbyterian School to form the City of Norwich School. At this time, at the request of parents, Mr Chapman started the part boarding, part day school in St Giles, Norwich where he was the principal until his death on the 26th September 1936.[1]
The school started with 80 boys in St Giles’s House, but when the numbers grew Mr Chapman built a new school on an adjoining site. During certain periods as many as 240 boys were in the school, including 40 boarders. Some of them came from different parts of England and others from South America, France and Jersey. The school celebrated its silver jubilee in 1935.[2]
The school later transferred out of Norwich to Langley Park near Loddon in Norfolk and is now known as Langley School.
[edit] Aims of the school
An article in the Eastern Daily Press Newspaper in September 1910 describes an open day for parents to inspect the school and Mr Chapman is quoted as saying “It will be the constant aim and endeavour of the Principal to train boys in correct speech, good behaviour and nice manners, and to teach them to cultivate self-reliance and a gentlemanly and courteous bearing. He is persuaded, too, that parents will appreciate the opportunities which a school of this class affords for ensuring that their boys may be brought into contact only with those whose companionship and friendship shall prove advantageous, not only during their school course, but also in their life.”
The article goes on to describe the aims of the school “With the assistance of an adequate and efficient staff, the Principal proposes to give a thoroughly sound education, which will fit boys either for business or professional life. Every means will be taken to provide very careful and thorough preparation for the Cambridge Local and other public examinations, as well as for the entrance examinations to the Universities and the larger public schools. There will be a special department for little boys from the ages of seven to nine, under the personal supervision of Mrs Chapman, who is a fully certified teacher. The curriculum in the upper school will include English language and literature, Scripture, history, geography, writing, drawing, arithmetic, algebra, geometry, book-keeping, natural science, chemistry, vocal music, Latin, French, and physical drill, and, as the physical side of a boy’s education is considered to be of great importance, ample arrangements will be made for sports, such as cricket, football, tennis, together with swimming and other pastimes, all under competent instructors.”
[edit] Famous Alumni
Famous alumni include the actor John Mills who joined the school in the winter of 1920. He was badly bullied at the school and comments in his Autobiography [3] “After Beccles, Norwich High School for Boys was to me unadulterated hell.” However he goes on to recount a story of getting his own back on the main culprit who was subsequently expelled. “After a full and searching inquiry, the Menace was expelled. An entirely new system of dormitory discipline was introduced. Bullying of that vicious description was entirely wiped out of the school, which goes to show what a danger a small, violent minority can be to any community. (I) received a lecture from the headmaster on control and violence; he was, he stated, quite appalled at the amount of damage I, especially for my size, had managed to inflict on my opponent.
Then I saw another side of a man who, in the next few years, I came to admire greatly. Under the mortar board and gown was a very warm individual with compassion and a sense of humour. His blue eyes twinkled: ‘Well, Mills that is the end of that chapter. I suppose one could say that the school owes you a vote of thanks.’"
[edit] Footnotes
- ^ Obituary of Mr J G Chapman Eastern Daily Press Monday September 28 1936
- ^ Obituary of Mr J G Chapman Eastern Daily Press Monday September 28 1936
- ^ Chapter one “Up in the Clouds, Sir John Mills Gentleman Please” Published by Orion
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