Wilson's School
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Wilson's School is a boys grammar school in Wallington, in the London Borough of Sutton, UK. It moved there from Camberwell, where it had been since 1615, in 1975. Boys of any faith are admitted on an equal basis, based on performance in the entrance test. The school became Voluntarily Aided in 1997 and is regarded as one of the best state schools in the UK.
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[edit] Early History
The school was founded by Edward Wilson in 1615 and was located in Camberwell, now part of Greater London but at that time a small village of cottages, homesteads, inns and larger buildings grouped around a village green. Wilson was born around 1550 in Cartmel, Lancashire, which had its own grammar school, from where he passed on to the Cambridge University. No record remains of him taking a degree, although it is known that he went into the Church, being appointed Deacon at Ely in Norfolk in 1576. He subsequently became Vicar of the Parish of Camberwell, which was presented to him by the Queen in person. This would indicate that he favoured the settlement of the Church of England which Elizabeth I was resolved to make. His nephew Peter Danson became a governor of the new school at its founding. Peter was also vicar of Carshalton in Surrey, ironically only one mile from the present site of the school. A further member of the Wilson family, a namesake of Edward Wilson, is named in the Charter of the School as the Master.
At the time, the establishment of a grammar school in England required the assent of the crown. This was obtained after the first school buildings were constructed. The original Charter bearing this assent has since been lost, although in 1929 the governors of the school obtained a certified extract from the Patent Rolls. This requirement for the agreement of the Crown explains the text "Founded in 1615 by Royal Charter" written on the outside wall of the hall, visible from the main entrance. This was by King James I, who had succeeded his cousin Elizabeth by this time.
[edit] Further History
In 1845 the school disappeared, the results of a financial scandal. Following an Order in Council of Queen Victoria in 1880, which superseded the previous Royal Charter, the school was rebuilt on a different site in Camberwell, opening in 1883. It again catered to the need for schooling of boys in Camberwell, which by this time had built up considerably from its sleepy origins. Its working population largely consisted of men working in the professions, clerks, journalists, tradesmen and labourers. Naturally, a grammar school provided an asset to the neighbourhood, with the prospect for boys to go on to University education.
[edit] Move to Wallington
The new building was to be used until 1975, when the school moved to Wallington to the south. This was motivated by growing dissatisfaction with the school's buildings (the Great Hall could only accommodate half the school), government policy being against grammar schools at the time, and the wishes of the London Borough of Sutton to introduce another grammar school.
[edit] After the Move to Wallington
A Coat of Arms was introduced by the School authorities in 1883, although the official granting of this was not made until 1985.
In 1997, a new Sixth Form Centre was constructed, to the eastern side of the main buildings.
Wilson's School was one of the first British state schools to be designated a specialist in Mathematics and Computing in 2002 and in April 2007 added a second specialism in the Arts.
In 2005 construction began on the new sports hall. The old swimming pool was replaced with a multi-purpose sports hall, which supplements the original gymnasium. At the same time construction also began on the Foundation Building, neighbouring the Sixth Form Centre, which houses the Mathematics, I.T. and Media Studies departments. The school is now also a recognised Badminton Academy.
Wilson's currently has approximately 700 students in years 7-11 and about 300 in the sixth form.
[edit] Academic Performance
According to information supplied by the Department for Education and Skills in January 2007, Wilson's had the 18th best GCSE results and 19th best A-Level results in the UK.
The school was subject to an OFSTED report in March 2003, which stated:
- "This is an outstandingly effective school. Leadership and management are very strong. The considerable contribution made by staff creates a purposeful atmosphere in which all pupils are encouraged to achieve the highest possible standards. It is a very inclusive school. Pupils achieve excellent standards. An effective teaching and learning partnership is established. Pupil's attitudes to learning are a significant contributory factor to the standards achieved. Behaviour, personal development and relationships are all very good. Enrichment and extra-curricular activities are excellent."
[edit] Houses
There are currently five houses in the school. They are
- Brecon
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Brecon is so called because of the school's relationship, from its field study centre in Talybont-on-Usk, South Wales, to the Brecon Beacons.
- Camberwell
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This house is named after the school's original location in south-east London.
- Greencoat
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This was named after an elementary mixed school in Camberwell that closed in 1959 and whose assets passed on to Wilson's.
- Hayes
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This house is named after the school's alumni sports club, located in Hayes, Kent.
- Southwark
- Southwark was added in recent years. The house is named after the Church of England's Diocese of Southwark, with which the school has historical links and which has representatives on the school's Board of Governors.
[edit] Uniform
The School Uniform consists of a white shirt, black trousers and black blazer emblazoned with the school badge on the left chest pocket. The tie is black with alternating thin white and yellow stripes. In the summer, with the permission of the headmaster, shirt-sleeves may be worn without a blazer or tie.
[edit] Combined Cadet Force
The Officer team of the CCF is headed by Captain Burton, who is also a Design Technology teacher.
[edit] Old Boys
Noted Old Boys include:
- Rt. Revd. H.A Wilson, CBE DD, former Bishop of Chelmsford
- Sir Norman Reid, former director of the Tate Gallery
- Harry Golombek, OBE, Chess Grandmaster
- Sir Alan Cobham, KBE, AFC, pioneer aviator
- Capt. Harold Auten, VC, DSC, RD, "Q-Ship" Commander in World War I.
- Sir Maurice Micklewhite (more commonly known as Sir Michael Caine), actor.
- Dr WR Matthews, KCVO, DD, DLit, former Dean of St Paul's Cathedral.
- Sir James Jeans, OM, MA, DSc, ScD, distinguished astronomer.
- John Galliano, Fashion Designer
[edit] External links
[edit] References
Allport, D.H. & Friskney, N.J. "A Short History of Wilson's School", Ernest G. Bond Ltd, 1987.
