Midhurst Grammar School

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Midhurst Grammar School
Motto Labor Omnia Vincit (Toil conquers all things)
Established 1672
Type Voluntary Controlled Comprehensive Secondary
Religious affiliation Church of England
Acting Headteacher Mr J Barrott
Chair of Governors Dr Mitchell
Founder Gilbert Hannam
Specialism Science College
Location North Street
Midhurst
West Sussex
GU29 9DT
England
LEA West Sussex
Ofsted number 126091
Staff 50
Students 850
Gender Mixed
Ages 13 to 18
School colours Navy & Gold          
Website MGS Website
Coordinates: 50°59′27″N 0°44′14″W / 50.9907, -0.7371

Midhurst Grammar School is a comprehensive upper school in Midhurst, West Sussex. It serves pupils aged 13 to 18 who usually join the school from one of the local intermediate schools.

Contents

[edit] History

A school was founded in Midhurst for poor boys in 1672 by local businessman Gilbert Hannam.[1] Initially a school for just 12 pupils, it has varied in size over its 300-year history. The buildings were extended in 1821, but fell into disrepair, with the school closing in 1859. It was re-opened in 1880 as a boys' day and boarding grammar school. By 1944 it was classified as a Voluntary Controlled school, run by West Sussex County Council. Later, in 1956 the school became a mixed school, accepting girls for the first time. Local changes meant that in 1966 the school merged with the then Midhurst County Secondary School to form a comprehensive school, while retaining the historic name. Shortly after this in 1970 local re-organisation saw the school change to become an upper school accepting pupils at age 13 (rather than 11). Younger pupils attended either Midhurst Intermediate School or the Herbert Shiner School in Petworth. Proposals were brought forward by the Local Education Authority in 2002 to revert to a two-tier structure in the area, which would have seen the Grammar School become an 11-18 school once again. However, this was opposed by the local community.[2]

[edit] Campus

The school is based on an unusual campus in the north of the town, after several changes in recent years. Various buildings are spread over a disparate site. Lucas House was added to the school's property in 1997, with a new extension added in 1999, and a further Sports Complex developed in 2006.

[edit] Curriculum

The school is a specialist Science College. However, its pupils follow the National Curriculum in Years 9, 10 and 11. The school is the only 13-18 comprehensive school in the Local Authority, with pupils taking the Year 9 National Curriculum Tests just 8 months after joining the school from one of the local intermediate schools. A level courses are offered in a variety of fields.

[edit] Special measures

The school was inspected by Ofsted in February 2006 was deemed to require Special measures as a failing school.[3] Following the first monitoring visit from the school inspectors the Headteacher resigned. Mr Peter May - Headteacher at The Weald School, Billingshurst was then appointed by the Local Authority as Executive Headteacher, with an Operational Headteacher, Jonathon Barrott, previously the Deputy Teadteacher also in operation at the school.[4]

In their September 2007 report, Ofsted recommended the lifting of Special measures as the school was no longer considered to be failing.[5]

[edit] Current issues

The school grounds (and temporarily the buildings) are being considered as a sight for a new school with academy status (it is important to note that any academy would in fact be considered officially a new school thus meaning the closing of Midhurst Grammar School) The local authority has brought forward proposals in tandem with a consultation on amending the age of transfer in the area. This would lead to a new academy school opening in the town, taking pupils from the age of 11. A leaflet sent to all parents and other stakeholders on the week of the 17th of march specifies that the LEA plans to develop a new academy in three stages commencing September 2008 when the grammar would be closed and reopened as an academy. In September 2009 pupils from year 7 and 8 from the subsidiary schools would join and in 2010/11 a new school building would be complete, this building would be located on the grounds of either the current intermediate school or the grounds of the grammar.[6]

There is considerable opposition to these plans, and a group of local citizens of the Rother Valley, including many former and current students, are formally questioning the plans for many reasons and questioning the fairness consultation procedure, citing a "rushed process", particularly considering length of Midhurst Grammar School's history. Their campaign is known as "NAME" - No Academy in Midhurst or Easebourne.[7]

[edit] Notable alumni

[edit] References

  1. ^ L.F. Salzman (editor) (1953). Midhurst. A History of the County of Sussex: Volume 4: The Rape of Chichester. University of London & History of Parliament Trust. Retrieved on 2008-02-14.
  2. ^ No Change to Age of Transfer in Storrington, Midhurst and Petworth Areas. WSCC website. West Sussex County Council (2003). Retrieved on 2008-02-14.
  3. ^ Midhurst Grammar School: Inspection Report. Ofsted Website. Ofsted (2006). Retrieved on 2008-02-14.
  4. ^ Improvements Will Continue At Midhurst School. WSCC Website. West Sussex County Council (2006). Retrieved on 2008-02-14.
  5. ^ Midhurst Grammar School: Inspection Report. Ofsted Website. Ofsted (2007). Retrieved on 2008-02-14.
  6. ^ Rother Valley could benefit from Academy School. West Sussex Grid for Learning Website. West Sussex County Council (2008). Retrieved on 2008-02-14.
  7. ^ No Academy in Midhurst or Easebourne. No Academy in Midhurst or Easebourne Blog (2008). Retrieved on 2008-03-25.

[edit] External links

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