Ermysted's Grammar School

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Ermysted's Grammar School
image:ermystedsshield.jpg
Suivez La Raison
Established 1492
School type Grammar
Headmaster Mr T L Ashworth
Deputy Headmasters Mr D G Clough and Mr G Hamilton
Location Gargrave Road, Skipton, North Yorkshire, BD23 1PL,
Students ~650
Teaching staff 50
Colours Various, but dark blue is common to all ties
Email
Telephone
Fax
admin@ermysteds.n-yorks.sch.uk
01756 792186
01756 793714
Website http://www.ermysteds.n-yorks.sch.uk/
A view of the old building from the School Drive
Enlarge
A view of the old building from the School Drive

Ermysted's Grammar School is a LEA-funded selective Boy's Grammar School in Skipton, North Yorkshire teaching over 600 pupils.

It is the seventh oldest state school in Britain and was founded by Peter Toller in the 15th century. The first official record of the school was seen in Peter Toller's will in 1492. Therefore the school records its establishment as the same year.

The motto of the school is "Suivez La Raison" . Translation from the French is roughly 'Follow the Reason / Right Path'. The school operates a house system with inter-house competition in sports, and an annual house quiz held around Christmas. The four houses, Toller (blue tie), Ermysted (yellow tie), Petyt (green tie) and Hartley (red tie), are named after key figures in the school's history.

The current Headmaster is Mr. Thomas Ashworth, who has been serving since 1998.

Contents

[edit] Brief History

1492- Peter Toller's Will confirmed that he had already founded a school in his chantry of St Nicholas in the Parish Church

1548- Edward VI's Government took over all chantry lands. William Ermysted re-founded the school with new lands and moved it to the bottom of Shortbank Road

1707 + 1719 Wills of Old Boys William and Sylvester Petyt were responsible for gifts to the school as well as foundation of the Petyt Library and Petyt Trust

1773- Leeds to Liverpool Canal reached Skipton, partly built on E.G.S. land

1839- New School House begun on Shortbank Road site

1875- Gargrave Road building begun for 50 day boys and 50 boarders

1876-1907- Mr E T Hartley Head Master at the new school

1882- Pool & Old Gym (now 6th form common room) begun

1895- Science block built (A.P.L. + Quiet Room)

1924- First World War Memorial Library set up by Old Boy's Society (Now Room 1 & Library office)

1929- First award of Cook Cup for champion house (Won by Hartley)

1933- "New Buildings" Opened (Rooms A-H, Staff Room and Science Laboratories).

1959- Memorial Hall (to those in the Second World War)

1989- School House closes its doors to boarders. The last two: Chris Bass and Steve Wilmers live in the lap of luxury for their final year.

1982-1998- Mr D M Buckroyd Head Master

1992- Quincentenary Celebrations - visit by H.R.H. The Princess Royal; Pagent; New Sports Hall

1998- Mr T L Ashworth Head Master (incumbent)

2003- New English/CDT Block. Opened by the H.R.H. The Duke of Gloucester

[edit] OFSTED Inspections

In the 2000 OFSTED inspection, the school's results were 'very high' against the national average, especially upon entry, where year 7's (age 11/12) work to a level 'expected of pupils aged 14.' It has an 'outstanding' 6th Form with a wide range of subjects.

The school is 'very successful' at allowing pupils to reach high academic standards, and the quality of teaching is 'good.' The school offers 'good value for money.'

In the past decade the school has ranked among the top few state schools in England for 'A'-level results.

[edit] Events

The school and its PTA run a number of popular events. These include a Quiz Night, Wassail Evening (an evening of Wine- and Carol- based merriment), Founders' Day (a celebration of the history of the school), Speech Day (prizegiving and recapitulation of school year), and an annual Summer Fayre amongst other events.

[edit] School songs

The School's main hymns

God, whose city's sure foundation
God, whose city's sure foundation
Stands upon his Holy hill
By His mighty inspiration
Chose of old and choseth still
Men of every race and nation
His good pleasure to fulfil...
C. A. Alington (1872-1955)
Full hymn can be found here - however the school chooses to put the hymn to a different tune
Our God, our help in ages past
Our God, our help in ages past,
Our hope for years to come,
Our shelter from the stormy blast,
And our eternal home...
Isaac Watts (1674-1748), based on Psalm 90
Full hymn found here.
Immortal, invisible, God only wise
Immortal, invisible, God only wise,
In light inaccessible hid from our eyes,
Most blessèd, most glorious, the Ancient of Days,
Almighty, victorious, Thy great Name we praise.
Wal­ter C. Smith, 1876. Set to St. Den­io (Welsh mel­o­dy), from Can­ai­dau y Cyssegr, by John Ro­berts, 1839.
Full hymn found here.

[edit] Sport

Sport is a major part of Ermysted's life. The school competes in Rugby Union, Cross-Country, Orienteering, Cricket and Football tournaments with teams, and gain considerable success in most events entered.

Team colours Team colours Team colours
Team colours
Team colours
Rugby Kit
Team colours Team colours Team colours
Team colours
Team colours
Football Kit

[edit] Music

The school's successful Big Band has toured Germany under the tutelage of music teacher Simon Gregory and regularly performs in concerts at school. Music is heavily involved in annual plays that are organised alongside neighbouring Skipton Girls High School.

[edit] Famous alumni

[edit] Trivia

  • John Wesley, the famous Methodist preacher, once applied to become headmaster of Ermysted's - he was rejected.
  • Old boy Harry Tindall is the grandfather of England Rugby Union hero Mike Tindall.
  • Ermysted's United, a six-a-side team which was fielded by the 2005-06 Upper Sixth in a local league, finished bottom in each of the two seasons it competed.

[edit] External links