Trinity School of John Whitgift

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Trinity School of John Whitgift

The Trinity School of John Whitgift, usually referred to as Trinity School, is a British independent boys' school, located in Shirley Park, Croydon. The current building was originally built in 1965 on the site of the former Shirley Hotel, previously the school had been on a site now occupied by The Whitgift Centre, (http://www.whitgiftshopping.co.uk). It is part of the Whitgift Foundation, along with Whitgift School and Old Palace School for Girls. The Whigift Foundation was founded in 1596 by John Whitgift, Archbishop of Canterbury. His legacy allows the School to provide well above average facilities and an extensive range of bursaries and scholarships, allowing boys from a wide variety of backgrounds to benefit from an independent school education.

Originally called Whitgift Middle School, in 1954 it was renamed Trinity School of John Whitgift, although its Old Boys' Club is still known as The Old Mid-Whitgiftians.

With just under 1000 boys between the ages of 10 and 18, Trinity School offers a largely traditional curriculum of GCSE and A-level subjects, although more recently, Mandarin has become a very popular language option. A number of pupils come each year from overseas to study for A-levels here, in particular from mainland China, where Trinity has several link schools.

As well as in the main sports of rugby union, hockey and cricket, Trinity has also enjoyed regional and national success in sports as diverse as swimming, athletics, water polo, and squash. Trinity has outstanding sporting facilities including a multi-million pound centre with two large halls, squash courts and gym. There are two large astro-turf pitches along with traditional pitches for rugby, cricket, football and athletics as well as further sports pitches in nearby Sandilands.

Trinity is well-known for its outstanding musical achievements, especially through its choristers under the direction of Director of Music, David Swinson. In 2006 alone, boys from Trinity sung at major productions of Glyndebourne and Royal Opera House Covent Garden as well as in Vienna and Rome.

The current headmaster is Mark Bishop, who joined the school in September 2006 following the retirement of Christopher Tarrant.

[edit] Notable Old Mid-Whitgiftians

• Stephen Haddrill, Director General, ABI.
• Laurie Bamford, numismatist
• Gavin Barwell, politician
• Correlli Barnett, military historian
• Mark Butcher, cricketer
• George Chuter, rugby union player
• Alex Codling, rugby union Player
• Andrew Diggle, comic book editor and writer
• Jack Dunnett, Member of Parliament
• Scott Newman, cricketer
• Geoff Paish, English Davis Cup tennis star
• Andrew Pelling, Member of Parliament
• Kieran Roche, rugby union player
• Mike Stroud, doctor, adventurer and educator
• Dane Bowers, former singer from band Another Level
• Lewis Grabban, Milwall F.C. striker.
• David Scarboro, Eastenders actor
• Geoff Smith, mathematician

[edit] Notable ex staff members

• Peter Smith (union leader)

[edit] External links

• Official web site
• History
• Trinity Boys' Choir
• Trinity School Racing
• Old Mid-Whitgiftians Association
• Trinity Careers Website