Wirral Grammar School for Boys
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| Wirral Grammar School for Boys |
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| Motto: Sapientia Ianua Vitae "Wisdom is the Gateway to Life" |
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| Established | 1931 |
| Type | Selective all-male secondary and sixth form |
| Headmaster | David Hazeldine |
| Students | 1008 |
| Grades | 7–11, and Sixth Form |
| Location | Bebington, Wirral England |
| Colours | Navy Blue, White |
| Website | [1] |
Wirral Grammar School for Boys was founded in 1931, situated on Cross Lane, Bebington, on the Wirral. British Prime Minister Harold Wilson was the school's first Head Boy, and attended the Sixth Form there. Today it is one of the few remaining state grammar schools in England, and remains one of the highest achieving schools in the area.
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[edit] Houses
The school has four houses, which are:
- Barber - indicated by a white stripe in the school tie,
- Dodds - indicated by a red stripe in the school tie,
- Hodgson - indicated by a green stripe in the school tie,
- Lever - indicated by a yellow stripe in the school tie.
The choice of House-names was not a matter for long debate when the school opened, although their significance today, with a single exception, is lost to pupils.
Mr. John Barber was a long-serving councillor and alderman in local politics.
Mr. Stephen Roxby Dodds was the first Chairman of the Governors who from 1922-29 had been the Liberal Member of Parliament for Wirral.
Sir William Hodgson was the Chairman of Cheshire County Council and Mayor of Crewe.
Lord Leverhulme was the son of the founder of Lever Brothers and Port Sunlight Village.
The name of the fourth house is a matter of some confusion for students. Many assume it to be named Leverhulme, based on Lord Leverhulme. In fact, the House is named Lever, which was the real name of the first Viscount Leverhulme (whose title was based on his own name, and his wife's maiden name of Hulme).
Another form (class) has since been introduced called Wilson. This was originally the form known as Mixed (a reference to the presence of boys from a mixture of the four houses) which was renamed on the death of Harold Wilson. This was so extra pupils could be admitted and to comply with government class size regulations.
[edit] Achievements
The school has a high achievement in both sport and academic results. Recently, through the direction of Mr Geoff "Frombie" Hinde, it has produced a number of acclaimed plays and musicals jointly with the neighbouring girls' school. Recent productions have seen "Guys and Dolls", "Into the Woods", "Les Misérables, and "Lord of the Flies" enacted on stage. Upon the success of these musicals, "Oliver!" was 2006's production. 2007's production will be "Fame The Musical". The school also has a choir, concert band and orchestra, as well as several smaller musical groups, and holds three concerts a year.
The school has been known for its great success on the sporting field, especially in Rugby. Years of dominance on the local stage have cemented the school's reputation nationwide as having a strong rugby tradition. The most notable achiever in recent years is Phil Davies of the Sale Sharks. Other sporting success has come on the hockey field, most recently the First Eleven became only the second WGSB side to win the Wirral Cup, usually a stonewall victory for rival school Calday Grange Grammar School. Alex Bailey represented North West England, while Richard Little represented Bowden in the National Hockey League. More recently, Chris Scott represented North West England in goal last season and, along with Adam Liu, currently represents Wirral Grammar at county level (06-07).
Mostly recently, the school has received the best GCSE results yet. 100% of pupils gained at least five A*-C grades. This success was most similar to this year's A-Level results.
[edit] Events
The school has a great reputation for the production of many musicals, as well as seasonal music concerts, hosted by the Music Society. Every other year, the Music Society holds tours around the world for the Concert Band and the Full Choir. Recent trips include Germany 1997 Canada 1999, Italy 2001, Spain 2003, Austria 2005 and in 2007 the Black Forest in Germany. It also has been known for its success with sports, including rugby and cricket, and other seasonal sports, since the school opened. The P.E. department also holds Rugby tours, most recently to Australia and America. Barry Williams represented England in the Commonwealth Games in the Hammer and held the British record.
[edit] YouTube Controversy
In November of 2006 videos appeared on YouTube and Badsite.org showing a staged 'wrestling' match between a group of 12-13 year old pupils. A local free rag, The Wirral Globe, ran a front page story in which it insinuated more sinister motives. An investigation by the school confirmed that the video was nothing more than a misguided prank. The ringleader was suspended for three-and-a-half days and the other perpetrators placed in detention. The article featured on the front of the local newspaper, is also on their website. Wirral Globe article
[edit] Plans
Earlier this year, The Wirral LEA secured a £3.1 million grant in order to replace the mobiles (on the school site since the 70's). They will be replaced by a full-brick building (on the site of the old 'Spitfire' technology block, demolished several years ago) hosting the Mathematics department, some History/Geography rooms and another 2 Science laboratories, as well as a new Music Centre and several ICT suites. Building for this plan will commence in January 2007. Another upcoming highlight planned for the school by current headteacher Mr David Hazeldine, as well as the upcoming building plans, is an improved sixth form common room.
Recently, the announcement was made that the school was to become a Business and Enterprise College, improving ICT facilities and the Business Studies department.
Furthermore, the school has also secured a Multi-activity centre, to be built on the Sixth Form car park, to be used by the school itself, as well as the local community and the Scouts.
[edit] Subjects
At the moment, the school teaches a wide range of subjects. The most recent alteration to the syllabus was the introduction of Spanish - as was the case with German, Spanish is compulsory in Years 8 and 9. Also in Year 8, the three Sciences - Chemistry, Biology and Physics - are separated out (having been taught as a combined science course in Year 7). Other subjects include: English, Mathematics, French, History, Geography, Technology, Art, Music, Information Technology, Religious Studies, P.E. and Games (which involves rugby, hockey, badminton, cricket and cross-country running, as well as a number of other sports).
Also in Year 8, pupils are set for Mathematics. In Year 9, class sizes are made smaller for the Sciences and pupils are set for French. GCSE classes for English and Sciences also employ sets.
The school teaches both French and Spanish. The latter subject was introduced in September 2004, replacing the long-taught German (which was unilaterally removed from the curriculum in line with the retirement of the last German teacher, Dr Gopsill, who also taught Chinese to pupils). Earlier in the school's history, Latin, some Greek, Russian and Spanish were taught for some time. The previous headmaster, Anthony Cooper, at one point served as a Latin Master at the school.
The following subjects can be taken, as well as the above, for GCSE and/or A-Level: Business Studies, Economics, Electronics, Geology, Law, Media Studies, Politics, Sociology (AS only), Psychology and General Studies, which also includes a GCSE in Latin, GCSE Astronomy, Critical Thinking and Philosophy and Ethics.
When the school first opened, these were the given subjects:
(1) Classics: Latin, Greek and Ancient History
(2) Modern Studies: English Literature, French or Geography, German or History
(3) Science: Mathematics, Physics and Chemistry
[edit] Headmasters
1931-1954 Mr James M. Moir - The first headmaster (although he had previously been headmaster at another school). He had fought in the first world war, and acquired a limp; students nicknamed him after the number of a local tilting bus.
1955-1972 Mr Bernard H. T. Taylor - an external appointment. He notably died whilst still in service as Headmaster, collapsing and dying one morning during school hours in his office (according to one version of the story, told by former Music Department Head Mr Hams, he died in the arms of his secretary). He now has a memorial bench in the remnants of the Inner Quad.
1972-1986 Mr Peter A. Fishwick - very much an internal appointment: Fishwick was an Old Boy, who had been taught at Wirral Grammar, and who had returned to Wirral as a teacher (having previously taught at Ellesmere Port Grammar School for Boys) some time before the death of Mr Taylor.
1986-1995 Mr Bernard J. Treacy - an external appointment, Treacy was to prove unpopular with his staff: several staff members quarrelled with him, others were offended by his refusal to listen to their arguments or views regarding the running of the school. During the latter portion of his tenure and the years following his retirement, he became the subject of various stories and folk-tales spread by students and teachers - a distinction apparently not earned by any other headmaster.
1996-2006 Mr Anthony Cooper - an internal appointment, having served in various roles (including Latin Master, English Teacher, and Careers Counsellor) since 1967. He proved, on the whole, reasonably popular. However, towards the end of his tenure, he was criticised for an unwillingness to make changes in various areas: for example, he refused to make changes to the Sixth Form Common Room, to tighten the Sixth Form entry standards, and to take a tougher line towards misbehaving students. He was also perennially criticised by students due to his dismissal of their requests and criticisms in the School (Student) Council (an organisation which students generally came to treat contemptuously or ignored as they progressed through the school and became disenchanted with the idea). His final years saw Mr Andrew Hall, Cooper's disciplinary Deputy Head, be appointed Headmaster of rival school Calday Grange. The last 3-4 years also saw a markedly increased staff turnover.
2006-present Mr David R. Hazeldine - formerly headteacher of Hazel Grove High School, Southport. Mr Hazeldine joined the school in the academic year 2006/2007, at a height in the school's history, including the recent Specialist School Status in Business and Enterprise, and the new Building Programme.
[edit] Notable Alumni
- Harold Wilson - Labour Prime Minister 1964-1970 and 1974-1976 (only attended the sixth form)
- Paul Usher - Actor
- Ted Robbins - Comedian and actor
- Kenneth Halliwell - Writer and also mentor, lover and the eventual murderer of playwright Joe Orton
- Alex Cox - Film director
- Steve Jones - Professor of genetics at Galton laboratory of University College London.
[edit] Further reading
- The History of Wirral Grammar School for Boys 1931 - 1991, Murphy, Pete (1991)
