Queen Elizabeth Grammar School, Wakefield
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| Queen Elizabeth Grammar School | |
| Motto | Turpe Nescire (Latin:"It is a disgrace to be ignorant") |
| Established | 1591 |
| Type | Private Grammar School |
| Religious affiliation | Christian/None |
| Headmaster | M.R. Gibbons AKC |
| Location | Wakefield West Yorkshire WF1 3QX England  |
| Gender | Boys |
| Ages | 7 to 18 |
| School colours | Black & Gold |
| Former pupils | Old Savilian |
| Website | http://www.wgsf.org.uk/ |
Queen Elizabeth Grammar School (QEGS) is an independent fee-paying school in Wakefield, England. QEGS is distinct from most other schools in that it was founded by Royal Charter of Queen Elizabeth I in 1591 at the request of leading citizens in Wakefield (headed by Thomas Saville and his two sons) 75 in total and some of whom formed the first governing body.[1]
In 1854 QEGS moved to its present site in Northgate, Wakefield, into premises formerly occupied by the West Ridings Preparatory School.
Under the Tripartite System, QEGS was a Direct-Grant school, but following the abandoning of the grammar school system in Yorkshire, it became fully independent again.
The school is part of a foundation, with both QEGS Senior and Junior schools joined together, along with the nearby Wakefield Girls High School, Wakefield Girls Junior School, and Mulberry House, which is a nursery and pre-prep department.
As of 2007, The current headmaster of the school is Mr. Michael R Gibbons, who succeeded Mr Robert Mardling in 2001. The current Deputy-Headmaster is Mr. J S Slack, who replaced Andrew Derbyshire in 2005.
QEGS is a member of the Headmaster's Conference.
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[edit] Education
The school is renowned nationally for attaining excellent pass rates in both A-Levels and GCSE's. In 2006, the pass rate for GCSE (5 or more at Grades A* - C) was 100%, which was matched by the A-Level students who also achieved a 100% pass rate. [2]
[edit] Facilities
A new building (the Saville Building) was opened in 2005 by Ted Wragg, the famous educationalist. The new building provides a new 6th Form Centre, English Department, state-of-the-art Theatre, and Learning Resources Centre for the pupils of QEGS. One of the most popular new developments is a cafe in the 6th Form Centre, which has been nicknamed "Janini's Paninis" by students, a title which has since become the 'official' term for the cafe.
[edit] Sport
The school is often remarked for its sporting ability, having achieved frequent success in a number of sports. Over 83% of the school boys represent QEGS in one sporting event or another. The most popular sport is Rugby Union, followed by Cricket, Hockey, Athletics and Basketball. In 2006, the under-15's Rugby side reached the Daily Mail Cup final, but were unable to match the achievement of the 1996 U-15 team who won at Twickenham. As well as plenty of sporting opportunities, the School also gives students the chance to participate in the Duke of Edinburgh's Award Scheme.
[edit] In Popular Culture
- David Storey's Booker Prize winning novel Saville (1976) includes an account of the experiences of a working class boy at a Yorkshire grammar school in the 1940s. Storey, like the protagonist of Saville a miner's son, is an old boy of QEGS.
- The school is mentioned in the novel Nineteen Seventy-Four by David Peace.
[edit] Notable alumni
[edit] Academia
- John Wolfenden, Baron Wolfenden, Vice Chancellor of the University of Reading, and chair of the Committee on Homosexual Offences and Prostitution, which in 1957 published the Wolfenden Report that recommended the decriminalisation of homosexuality.
- T.D. Barnes, Professor of Classics in the University of Toronto 1976-2007
- Professor Alan M. Taylor, Director, Center for the Evolution of the Global Economy, Department of Economics, University of California, Davis
[edit] The Arts
Music
- Lukas Wooller, keyboardist with the band Maxïmo Park.
- Andrew Cocup, AKA Andy Cato from the band Groove Armada.
- Kenneth Leighton, classical and Anglican church music composer.
- Sam 'Whiskas' Nicholls, guitarist with Leeds alt-rock band ¡Forward, Russia! and founder of Dance to the Radio record label.
- John Scott, famous choirmaster and organist.
- Noel Gay, famous composer of popular music
Literature
- David Storey, playwright and novelist, winner of the Booker Prize in 1976 for Saville.
Film
- David Firth, founder of the website www.fat-pie.com and creator of films such as Devvo and Burnt Face Man
[edit] Politics
- Richard Henry Lee, sixth President of the United States in Congress assembled.
- Jonathan Baume, trade unionist
- William J. Howard, American-born Politician and Free Trade activist.
[edit] Sport
- Mike Harrison, former captain England national rugby union team.
- Mike Tindall, world cup winning rugby union footballer.
- Mike Smith, England and Gloucestershire cricketer
- Ben Woods, flanker for Newcastle Falcons and England Saxons rugby union.
- Greg Wood, former England U19 cricket captain
- Alister MacKenzie, British golf course designer (1870-1934)
- Adam Pearson,Current Derby County Chairman, former commercial director of Leeds United football club and former chairman of Hull City A.F.C.
- Matthew Lynas, current RRC 100km champion
- Andrew Tunningley, former full back with Saracens and England A
[edit] Miscellaneous
- John George Haigh, serial killer in England in the 1940s.
- John Radcliffe, British physician (1652–1714).
[edit] Religion
- The Rt Revd and Rt Hon The Lord Hope of Thornes, former Archbishop of York.
- John Hopkins, Cambridge University academic.
