Wirral Grammar School for Boys

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Wirral Grammar School for Boys
School crest
Motto Sapientia Ianua Vitae
"Wisdom is the Gateway to Life"
Established 1931
Type Selective all-male secondary and sixth form
Headmaster David R Hazeldine
Students 1008
Grades 7–11, and Sixth Form
Location Bebington, England
Colours Navy Blue, White
Website [1]

Wirral Grammar School for Boys was founded in 1931, situated on Cross Lane, Bebington, on the Wirral. It is a foundation school, located within the Metropolitan Borough of 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[not specific enough to verify].

Contents

[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 1922-1929 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

Student Entrance to Wirral Grammar School for Boys
Student Entrance to Wirral Grammar School for Boys

The school has a high achievement in both sport and academic results[not specific enough to verify]. Recently, through the direction of Mr Geoff Hinde, it has produced a number of acclaimed[citation needed] 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[citation needed] of these musicals, "Oliver!" was 2006's production. 2007's production will be "Fame The Musical". In 2001, the then Head of English, David Yates wrote and directed his own play "The Triumphant Return" which was very school-centric and thus received much internal acclaim[not specific enough to verify]. 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[not specific enough to verify], especially in Rugby. Years of dominance on the local stage have cemented the school's reputation nationwide as having a strong rugby tradition[dubious — see talk page]. 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(2005-2006). Iain Lednor has also represented North West England, as well as Cheshire U21s at the age of 16. As well as this, Iain has represented Cheshire in rugby at U18 level. Adam Liu (U17), Harry Bush, Kieran Riddiough and Matthew Walker (U15),currently represent Wirral at county level (06-07).

Mostly recently, the school has received the best GCSE results yet[citation needed]. 100% of pupils gained at least five A*-C grades. This success was most similar to this year's A-Level results[not specific enough to verify].

[edit] Events

The school has a great reputation for the production of many musicals[not specific enough to verify], 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 (Concert Band only) Canada 1999, Italy 2001, Spain 2003, Austria 2005 and in 2007 the Black Forest in Germany. Its continually reinforced reputation for sporting success[not specific enough to verify], primarily in Rugby Union but also cricket and other seasonal sports, since the school opened adds weight to its standing on the national stage[not specific enough to verify]. The PE department also holds Rugbytours, most recently to Australia and The United States Barry Williams represented England in the Commonwealth Games in the Hammer and held the British record.

[edit] YouTube Controversy

In November 2006 videos appeared on YouTube and Badsite.org showing a choreographed wrestling match between a group of 12-13 year old pupils, during a single lunchtime at school. A local newspaper, The Wirral Globe, ran the story [2] on the front page. The school investigated the video and suspended one boy involved for three-and-a-half days and the others involved were placed in detention.

[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 1970s). 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, Business Studies facilities, some History/Geography rooms, an extra Modern Foreign Languages room and another 2 Science laboratories, as well as a new Music Centre and several ICT suites. In addition, there will be an exterior Science area, along with a greenhouse, as well as refurbishment to the main building, including two Sixth Form History and Politics classrooms. Building for this plan has started, marked by the demolishment of Rooms 1 (Religious Studies classroom), 20 and 21 (Mathematics classrooms). Foundations and the construction of the building are to follow after the Easter holidays. Another upcoming highlight planned for the school by current headteacher Mr David Hazeldine, as well as the current building plans, is an improved sixth form common room ready in the summer of 2008. The common room has currently been taken out of use, and split into two seperate classrooms, as a result of the demolishment of the classrooms. In addition, the Lecture Theatre will be used for teaching.

Recently, the announcement was made that the school was to become a Business and Enterprise College, improving ICT facilities and the Business Studies department. This will be marked with improved ICT facilities, both for students and for the community, including summer classes for ICT, Photography and Business basics, as well as several ICT suites and Business Studies classrooms in the new building.

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. However, the sixth form car park will be used as a car park for staff, due to the construction on the current car park.

[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. At the beginning of the school's life, French was taught along with Latin. Pupils were later given a choice between French and German. Greek was also given to pupils who showed strength of languages. The previous headmaster, Anthony Cooper, at one point served as a Latin Master at the school, as well as English Master and Careers Master.

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

Mr David Hazeldine, current headteacher of Wirral Grammar School for Boys
Mr David Hazeldine, current headteacher of Wirral Grammar School for Boys

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. There was also a "vote of confidence" against him by many members of staff. Only a handful of staff voted for him.

1996-2006 Mr Anthony M. 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. On the last day of the year's term, the students and teachers had grouped together to purchase the leaving present of a personal computer for Mr Cooper.

2006-present Mr David R. Hazeldine - formerly headteacher of Hazel Grove High School, Stockport. 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, upcoming Building Programme, taking place early this year.

[edit] Notable Alumni

[edit] Further reading

  • The History of Wirral Grammar School for Boys 1931 - 1991, Murphy, Pete (1991)

[edit] External links

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