Earls High School
 | |
| Established | 1652 |
|---|---|
| Type | Academy |
| Headteacher | Thomas Johnston |
| Specialism | Arts College, Language College and Leading Edge College |
| Location |
Furnace Lane Halesowen West Midlands B63 3SL England Coordinates: 52°27′10″N 2°03′04″W / 52.4527°N 2.0512°W |
| Local authority | Dudley |
| DfE URN | 137812 Tables |
| Ofsted | Reports |
| Students | 1156 |
| Gender | Co-educational |
| Ages | 11–18 |
| Houses | Cobham, Abbey, Hingley and Shenstone |
| Colours | Royal Blue, Gold and Silver |
| Website | www.earlshighschool.org |
The Earls High School is a secondary school with academy status on Furnace Lane near the A458 in Halesowen, West Midlands.
Information
The School's history dates back to 1652 when a Free Grammar School was founded. There is, however, evidence that a school existed in 1632 as local men are recorded as being benefactors of a Free School in Halesowen. It is unclear whether the Free Grammar School was a new establishment or a new name for an older school.
The Earls High School was created in September 1972 as a result of a re-organisation of education in Halesowen which saw the Grammar School merge with the adjacent Technical School on Furnace Lane. It was formed at a time when Halesowen was replacing the traditional 5−7 infant, 7−11 junior and 11−16/18 secondary schools with 5−9 first, 9−13 middle and 13−18 secondary schools. The Earls High School began life as a 13−18 secondary school with facilities spread between the old Grammar and Technical School buildings.
The School's facilities have been updated over the years with extensions and new teaching blocks added, along with sports halls and a dance centre astro turf pitches and a new cricket pavilion.
The original building present at the time of the School's foundation in 1652 was demolished in 1864 and replaced by a new building on the same site fronting Grammar School Lane. This building was positioned approximately in the centre of what is now The Earls' traffic roundabout.
A further school building (now the oldest building still in existence) was opened on Friday March 1, 1908. The former School hall within this building (now housing the current library) has fine stained glass windows donated by Sir George Hingley in memory of his uncle Sir Benjamin Hingley who was educated at the School.
The current main School building (known as 'A' Block) was opened in 1931. The architect, Mr A.T. Butler F.R.I.B.A. was educated at the School.
The School has a successful House System believed to have been introduced by Mr. R. Dickinson (Headmaster) in around 1910. The names of the Houses (Cobham, Abbey, Shenstone and Hingley) all have connections with Halesowen.
The School motto – Ut Filii Lucis Fiatis ("That We Shall Become Sons of Light") is likely to have been introduced prior to 1905, the date when girls were first admitted to the School.
In September 1982, the Halesowen area (which had become part of the Dudley borough in April 1974) abandoned the three-tier education system and Earls High became an 11-16 school, gaining two younger year groups of 11 and 12 year olds (first and second years) but its sixth form was closed following the establishment of an expanded tertiary college of further education at nearby Halesowen College. In September 1990, the traditional 1-5 year numbers were replaced with a continuous year numbering system which saw the year groups designated as 7, 8, 9, 10 and 11.
The school is among the highest performing in the whole Dudley borough, with the percentage of pupils gaining 5 or more GCSE's at grade C or above regularly passing the 60% mark.[1]
A sixth form centre was added in September 2009, at the same time as a similar unit was opened at nearby Windsor High School, as sixth form education made a return to Halesowen secondary schools after an absence of almost 30 years.[2]
On Thursday 3 November 2011, the school was forced to temporarily close due to the school building which contains the school's phone lines being hit by lightning,resulting in and explosion and multiple injuries. The lightning first hit the second oldest exising block 'B' block,breaking part of the old bell tower by the main entrance causing wood and tiles to fall from the roof, one injuring a year nine child. then the lightning struck the gym at the back of 'B' block causing everything in their to stop and/or be postponed. the lightning then struck the astroturf right by a group of year 8 students. the school then went into lockdown and everyone was ushered inside.the lightning then hit 'A' block and its car park, 'L' block, a language block shattering the windows, 'E' block, the English block and 'C' block the art and music block.[3]
Notable alumni
Alumni are known as Old Halesonians. The school has long been seen as a strong academic institution and sportingly good at rugby union - the old boys team eventually being formed in 1930 and becoming the Halesowen Old Halesonians team, supplying their name.
Halesowen Grammar School
- Thomas Attwood, Liberal politician and economist, champion of the 1832 Reform Bill and first MP for Birmingham
- Jonathan Bloomer, Chief Executive of Prudential plc from 2000−05
- Michael Bradley, cricketer
- Stanley Edge, personal draughtsman to Sir Herbert Austin and designer of many aspects (including the engine) of the Austin 7 motorcar
- John Gowans, General of the Salvation Army from 1999–2002
- Sir Benjamin Hingley, 1st Baronet, Liberal MP for North Worcestershire from 1885–95
- Audrey Kinnon, writer
- Eric Neale, car designer
- Bill Oddie, comedy writer and performer
- John Russell, Chief Executive of Duport plc from 1981−06
- William Shenstone, landscape gardener and poet
- Gary Titley, teacher at this school, MEP and Leader of the EPLP
- Robert Plant, Musician with Led Zeppelin
References
- ↑ http://www.earlshighschool.org/about/
- ↑ http://www.earlshighschool.org/news/?n=45
- ↑ Earls News, on the school's website.
- OfSTED: Earls High School
- Men and Motors of 'The Austin'. Barney Sharratt, 2000.
- The Earls High School - 1652-2000. John Billingham, 2000.