Derby Grammar School
 | |
| Motto |
Vita sine litteris mors Latin Life without learning is death |
|---|---|
| Established | 1995 |
| Type | Independent |
| Religion | Church of England |
| Headmaster | Mr Richard Paine BA |
| Location |
Littleover, Derby Derbyshire DE23 4BX England |
| Staff | 45 (approx.) |
| Students | 300 (approx.) |
| Gender | Boys; Coeducational Sixth Form |
| Ages | 7–18 |
| Houses | Derby , Blackton , Bemrose , Atkinson |
| Colours |
Green & Navy Blue |
| Patron | Sir Nigel Rudd FCA DL[1] |
| Former pupils | Old Derbeians |
| Website | www.derbygrammar.co.uk |
Derby Grammar School is a selective independent school in Littleover near the city of Derby, England. Founded as a school for boys in 1995, it takes boys from the age of seven and currently has around three hundred pupils. The Sixth Form has been co-educational since September 2007. Although only recently founded, Derby Grammar School continues the tradition and spirit of Derby School, founded in 1160.
The school is an affiliate member of the Woodard Corporation and is academically selective, admitting those within the top twenty-five percent of the ability range.
Premises
The school occupies Rykneld Hall, a Grade II listed 18th century country house at Littleover, previously Pastures Hospital, which was built circa 1780 for Josias Cockshutt, enlarged in 1803, 1826 and 1881-1883.
A new arts, music and assembly hall, linking with the old quadrangle, were designed by the architects Rothera Goodwin.
The woodland, mature trees, grassland and water areas in the school's grounds are designated as Wildlife Site 38 and safeguarded in the City of Derby's Local Plan, Policy E4 (Nature Conservation). Such sites are "considered irreplaceable".[citation needed]
New school playing fields were officially opened in September 2006 by the England and British and Irish Lions rugby player Sir Clive Woodward.[1]
Curriculum
The curriculum is built around teaching for GCSE and A-level with some subjects being studied through the IB course. Subjects taught include Classics, English, Latin, French, German, Spanish, Maths, Chemistry, Physics, Biology, History, English Literature, Geography. Religious Studies, Art,Music, Design Technology and Economics (the last subject at A-level only).
Sport
The main sports offered at the school are cricket, hockey, and rugby union, plus rowing, cross-country, swimming, squash and badminton.
The 2007 Under-15 rugby team were county champions, beating Chellaston School in the final. The Under-15s have won the county cup twice, and the under 16s once. The 2007 under-16s were the first DGS team to win all their games, although the under-15s later did the same. In 2007, the under-16s reached the fourth round of the Daily Mail Cup, and over half of the team members also played for the First XV. The school's First XV [season '10/'11] were the first ever undefeated first team, with eight recorded victories throughout the season.
The school's rowing team also participate in the ball cup and the 2008 team ( D.Grant, O. Foulds, A Hughes & R Newbould + R.Proctor) came first in the men's coxed four.[2]
Extra-curricular
Activities include school drama productions, the Duke of Edinburgh Award, public speaking, World Challenge, GapForce, debating, a School choir and orchestra, adventure training and the prestigious Arts Award. There are music and drama workshops, some being joint events with Derby High School for girls and HotHouse youth music group.
The School regularly supports the Children in Need Appeal, and in 2012 raised £8,000.
School motto and badge
The school crest, badge and motto are based on, and reminiscent of those of Derby School. The school motto, Vita Sine Litteris Mors (Life without learning is death), is taken from the motto of the former school and is from Seneca's Epistulae morales ad Lucilium.
Old Derbeians
The term "Old Derbeians" once meant only former pupils of Derby School, but the Old Derbeians Society is now open also to ex-pupils of the new school, who are called both New and Old Derbeians.[3]
References
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 Old Derbeians Newsletter for September 2007 online at oldderbeians.org (accessed 28 February 2008)
- ↑ Rowing reward for Foulds' five - Sport - Burton Mail
- ↑ Main page of the Old Derbeian Society web site, accessed 27 February 2008
- Derby Grammar School at BBC Education League Tables
- Derby Grammar School at ISBI
- Derby Grammar School at dfes.gov.uk
- Independent Schools Inspectorate report of Derby Grammar School 2005 inspection
- Derby Grammar School buildings by Rothera Goodwin, website no longer active
- City of Derby Local Plan
External links
- Derby Grammar School - official site
- Web site of the Old Derbeians Society
- "Derby School - the Sixties Revisited" a short film shot in St Helen's House in 2012
Coordinates: 52°53′42″N 1°31′39″W / 52.89500°N 1.52750°W