Bishop Gore School

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Bishop Gore is a secondary school in Swansea, Wales established in 1682.

Bishop Gore School
Founded: 1682 by Hugh Gore
Address: Bishop Gore School
De La Beche Road
Sketty
Swansea
SA2 9AP
Headmaster: Mr. Ryan Davies
Previous Headmaster: Mr. P.V.Wilcox (1994 - 2007)
Last Inspection: Oct 2003
Pupils on Roll: 1579 Pupils
6th Form: 213 Pupils

Bishop Gore School was founded on 14 September 1682 by Hugh Gore (1613-1691), Bishop of Waterford and Lismore. Established initially as a Free Grammar School for "the gratuitous instruction of twenty boys, sons of the most indigent burgesses, and, in the event of a dissolution of the corporation, to sons of the poorest inhabitants of the town" it has since known several names and locations. Previously known as the boys-only Swansea Grammar School, Bishop Gore Grammar school and briefly Bishop Gore Comprehensive School. It has been on its current Sketty site since 1952 with a large extension built in the 1970s and further Design and Technology extensions in the 1990s. A previous 18th century building designed by Benjamin Bucknall on Goat Street in Swansea city centre was bombed by the Luftwaffe during World War II. The building was largely gutted by incendiary bombs although some of the original buildings remain as part of the Swansea Metropolitan University.

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[edit] School today

Currently Bishop Gore has around 1600 male and female students aged 11-18. The school also has a Sixth Form with its own Lounge, facilities and uniform. The headmaster currently is Mr. Ryan Davies. Set in a beautiful location just at the head of Singleton Park, close to the village of Sketty and the seafront Bishop Gore remains a highly popular school in Swansea. Built around two quadrangles the red brick building has in the centre the second largest hall in Swansea, second only to the Brangwyn Hall. Each pupil is assigned to a House system-Gwynne, Mansel, Aberdare or Gore which they retain throughout their time at the school. Highlights of the school year include the Eisteddfod, the inter-house sports tournaments, the high quality productions by Bishop Gore Theatre Company, the annual old boys match at St. Helen's cricket and rugby ground and the end of year Balls for the senior students. The close proximity to Swansea University has always ensured a diverse school and there are students with many different ethnic backgrounds including Arab, Chinese, Japanese, Indian, Bangla, Korean, American, African, Italian, Spanish, Swedish etc.

[edit] Dylan Thomas and Bishop Gore

The most famous alumnus of Bishop Gore is almost certainly the poet, playwright and author Dylan Thomas. His father, David John (D.J.) Thomas was Senior English Master at the school, then known as Swansea Grammar School. Not a distinguished pupil, he nonetheless gained attention through winning the school's annual one-mile race, and in 1926 publishing his first poem: "The Song Of The Mischievous Dog". He left in 1931 to begin work at the The South Wales Daily Post as a junior reporter.

[edit] School Motto

Virtue and Good Literature

[edit] School Colours

Years 7-11 Maroon and Gold Years 12-13 Navy

[edit] Old Goreans

There have been a number of famous Old Gorians, including:

In addition, a number of Old Gorians have played rugby for Wales, including, Andy Booth, Paul Arnold, Stuart Davies, Haydn Mainwaring, Roger Blyth, Geoff Wheel, Richie Pugh (Wales 7s Captain at the 2006 Commonwealth Games) and Alun Wyn Jones.

[edit] External links

Coordinates: 51°36′55.00″N, 3°59′18.00″W