Derby School

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Derby School
Motto: Vita Sine Litteris Mors (Life without Learning is Death)
Established	1160
Type
Location	Derby, Derbyshire England

Derby School is situated in Derby in the English Midlands. It was founded in 1160 by a local businessman Walkelin and his wife Goda and is believed to be the second oldest grammar school in England. It received a Royal Charter in 1544 from Queen Mary.

For a long period up to the 19th centry, it was housed in a building which is now the Heritage Centre of St. Peter's Church [[1]].

For many years after the second world war it was a boys-only grammar school occupying the historic house known as St Helen's House, in King Street in the centre of Derby. In 1967 the school moved to a new site on Moorway Lane, Littleover where it later became a co-educational secondary school. The St. Helens House Building, which had been deemed dangerous, because of falling tiles and masonry, still stands today however, and is used by the council as an educational centre. In front of A block stands the war memorial to past students. A statue of Gillard, a famous teacher who died in ... after continuing teaching part-time long beyond retirement, was moved to the new school grounds. The possible renovation of St. Helens House is currently under discussion.

1 St Helen's House Period
2 Moorway Lane Period
3 The current Derby Grammar School
4 Famous Old Boys

[edit] St Helen's House Period

Although the school's home during this period was know as St Helen's House [[2]], this was only one of the buildings occuppied by the school. Most of the accomodation was in the annex built next to St Helen's House. There was also an annex nearby and games were played at Parker's Piece. Notable Teachers during this period were:

'Rock Allit' (Physics) ( around 1960-65)
'Bronco' Lane (Chemistry) (around 1960-65)
'Alf' Rhodes (Physics and RE)
Towers (Chemistry)
Molson (Biology)
Elliot (English)

St. Helen's house was notable for its Fives Court, which has since been demolished, and for the fire escape outside Big School (as the school's assembly hall on the first floor of the St. Helen's house annex was known). Young boys would prove their courage by climbing to the outside of this and sliding down one of the supporting poles.

[edit] Moorway Lane Period

Derby School moved from St. Helen's House to Moorway Lane, Littleover in 1967. Prior to the move, many boys vandalised their Geography text books by adding a T to the end of Philips A New School Atlas. The Headmaster of the school at this time was 'Norman' Elliot who taught Maths. Deputy Headmaster was Bulter.

This later become Derby Moor Community School and the mantle of Derby School passed on to Derby Grammar School