Adams' Grammar School

Adams' Grammar School
The Free Grammar School of William Adams Esq. at Newport in the County of Salop

Motto	Serve and Obey
Established	1656
Type	Voluntary aided grammar school with boarding
Religion	Church of England
Headmaster	Mr. M J Barratt
Deputy Headmasters	Mr. M Warren-Smith Dr. P Pack Mr. G Hickey
Chairman of Governors	Joff Hamilton
Founder	William Adams Esq
Specialism	Technology, Languages and Training School
Location	High Street Newport, Shropshire TF10 7BD England
Local authority	Telford and Wrekin
DfE URN	123593
Ofsted	Reports
Students	804
Gender	Male (11–16), Co-educational (16–18)
Ages	11–18
Houses	Clive (red)      Darwin (blue)      Talbot (black & white)          Webb (green)
Colours	Traditional colours: Maroon, Navy blue           + either White or Gold
Publication	Formerly: The Novaportan Currently: The Eighth Hour
Former pupils	Old Novaportans
Website	www.adamsgs.org.uk

Adams' Grammar School is a selective state grammar school in Newport, Shropshire, rated by the Office for Standards in Education, Children's Services and Skills as a Grade 1 outstanding school (in all categories), the latest OFSTED report concludes "this is a truly impressive school". Its name is sometimes abbreviated to AGS, although it is often referred to locally as 'Adams' or simply 'The Grammar'.

History

Foundation

Oliver Cromwell first consented to the founding of the school in Newport

Adams' was founded in 1656 by William Adams, a wealthy citizen of the City of London and a haberdasher who was born in the town. The school was first opened on 25 March 1657, during the politically unstable and volatile period of the English Interregnum, therefore, having received permission from Oliver Cromwell to found the school, William Adams sought to further ensure the school's continued existence by appointing the Master and Wardens of the Haberdashers' Company as Governors in perpetuity. As one of the few schools opened during this period, the school's terms of foundation were again confirmed, upon restoration of the monarchy and coronation of Charles II as king, by an act of parliament, a copy of which is held in the school archives.

Adams endowed the school with a large agricultural 900-acre (3.6 km²) estate at Knighton in Shropshire with which to provide funding for its operation well into the future. This estate was eventually sold off in several portions over the course of the 20th century and the proceeds of the final sale were used by the Haberdashers to purchase Longford Hall as a boarding house for the school. The grammar school was initially endowed with 1400 books just after its foundation, this at the time represented one of the largest libraries in England, the average Oxbridge college then having only around 1000 books. Rather unfortunately only seven of these 1400 books are still in the hands of the school, with the rest having been sold at various times when the school has suffered financial hardship.

The school, under the headmastership of Reverend Samuel Lea MA, turned down the services of Dr Samuel Johnson, later to be the pre-eminent scholar of the 18th century.

New buildings

The school has seen significant improvements to the facilities in recent years with the addition of a new sports hall, performing arts centre and science and technology block. The music department was condemned in 2006, and the replacement is still under construction.

Academic performance

The school regularly places in the top 50 schools in the country and top 20 state schools in the country based on GCSE and A-level results. Adam's also ranks within the three best schools for A-level results in Shropshire, along with the prestigious Shrewsbury School and the Newport Girls High School. These figures also represent some of the highest in the West Midlands for predominantly rural counties. In 2011 100% of GCSE were passed at grade A*-C. The school has also developed quite the reputation for a high number of students gaining access into the Russel Group universities, including Oxford and Cambridge. A high proportion of students also go on to study highly competitive subjects such as medicine, law, dentistry and veterinary medicine.

School life

Big School and the school almshouses as seen from the High Street

The current headmaster is Mr Michael Barratt, incumbent since 2008. Mr M Warren-Smith (who was formerly head of Darwin House and Religious Studies) and Dr P Pack, (former head of maths and also the chair of Amnesty International's International Executive Committee.) are the current Deputy Masters. The incumbent master of senior boys' boarding is Mr R Mulhern whilst the junior boys' housemaster is Mr M Skeate.

House system

The school also operates an extra-curricular house system. This system is used as the basis for inter-house sports competitions and has traditionally been a source of pride for the students of its respective houses. Clive House, named after Robert Clive of India sports a bright red and is currently led by its housemaster Dr P Dolding. Darwin house, traditionally sporting Royal blue is named after the famed 19th century naturalist of the same name and is led by housemaster Mr D Tozer. Talbot House, the last of the three original 'Salopian' houses, has traditionally been characterised most by its sporting colours of black and white (arranged in hoops when playing rugby), it is named after the Earl Talbot, one the foremost English Military commanders of the wars in France and is currently led by its housemaster Mr N Robins. Webb house is the youngest of the houses at Adams', founded in 1994 it has since adopted emerald green as its distinguishing colour; the house is named after Dawley-born merchant naval officer and accomplished swimmer Captain Matthew Webb. Webb house has for many years now been led by Mr. Rodney Jones. Throughout the academic year there are many house events, revolving around the arts, sports or academic subjects. These include the House Music Competition, Dixon Cup (drama), Smedley Cup (rugby), House 7's, House Netball and House Speaking. House Geography and Languages also occur.

Boarding house

The school's Longford Hall junior boarding house from the 1st XV rugby pitch

The school has a number of dedicated boarding houses, they play a significant role in school life as the physical residence of the school's 150 or so junior and senior boarders. The present junior hall (Longford Hall) is located at the school's playing fields about a mile away whilst the three senior boys' boarding houses (Beaumaris, Roddam and Picken) are to be found situated in large Georgian townhouses facing the High Street just 50 metres away from the main gates on the same side of the road as the main school (often referred to as 'Big School').

Combined Cadet Force

AGS' Georgian-era senior boarding houses near Big School on Lower Bar

Due to the CCF, the school sends many recruits to Sandhurst, Royal Air Force College Cranwell and the Britannia Royal Naval College. The CCF play a vital role in the life of the Town, parading every year on Remembrance Sunday. The CCF Marching Band will also be becoming more inolved in the near future and are due to play at the Newport carnival and in the Civic Parade in June. Boys can Join the CCF in January of Second form and will pass out in May of the same year. The aim of the corps is to provide boys with a wide range of military skills, adventurous pursuits and leadership experience. The corps is commanded by Major Matthew Skeate who is supported by second Lieutenant Garthwaite and SSI Wakeman. The RAF section was led by Flight Lieutenant Weaver who was decommissioned in August 2011 and the role has now passed to Flying Officer Harris and Pilot Officer Lambert. The corps has its own building, commonly known as "Noah's Ark" where the stores are housed and NCO Meetings and some lessons take place. The corps fequently hold Overnight Exercises where battle drills and fieldcraft are practiced. These can be either held at Longford Hall, MOD Nesscliffe or MOD Swynnerton. After the Sixth form go on study leave, the CCF prepares for the Annual House CCF Competition, known as the Thompstone Trophy, after Lieutenant Colonel Brian Thompstone. This entails a Drill Competition, Shooting, Command Tasks, Memory Games, Army Related Quizzes, Section Attacks, CQB and an Obs lane.

The oldest known sketch of Big School by Francis Perry who died in 1765

Both the CCF(Army) and CCF(RAF) sections hold summer camps visiting working bases such as RAF Cranwell and Barry Buddon. Cadets can also attend Adventurous Training Camps held annually at Llanbedr and Windermere, Easter camps at RAF Akrotiri, Summer Camps at Ramstein Air Base and Leadership Courses at RAF Cranwell, MOD Nesscliffe or Cadet Training Centre, Frimley Park. The members of the CCF Band can also attend music camps at Britannia Royal Naval College and Altcar. The school also takes a small contingent of cadets to complete the annual Nijmegen March. As well as this, cadets have the opportunity to attend special camps such as the 65th D-Day Landing commemoration and the Cadet 150 Celebrations.

Through the Cadet Vocational Qualifications Organisation (CVQO) the School CCF offers cadets (aged 16–19) and above the opportunity to gain internationally-recognised BTEC First Diploma qualifications in Public Services. Each BTEC First Diploma is the equivalent of 4 GCSEs, grade C – A*.

Admissions

Adams' is a selective state school which admits both boarding and day pupils, thanks to the school's recent academic success it has achieved a relatively high national profile and enjoys at least some recognition on the international stage (with ever increasing numbers of foreign students, notably those from Hong Kong). Adams' is a specialist Technology College as well as a Language College and a Training School. The school, including the sixth form, has approximately 800 pupils, all of whom wear a common uniform, with the exception of sixth formers (both Upper and Lower) who wear a navy blue, as opposed to maroon blazer. It is however, of essentially the same design, with the exception of the addition of gold blazer buttons in the place of plastic marroon ones.

International links

Liceum No. 1 in Bydgoszcz is one of Adams' partner schools abroad

The school currently runs student exchange visit programs with the following schools in France, Germany and Poland:

School	City
Oberschule zum Dom	Lübeck
Collège Roqua	Aubenas
I Liceum Ogólnokształcące im. Cypriana Kamila Norwida	Bydgoszcz

Notable former pupils

See also: Category:People educated at Adams' Grammar School

The School runs an Old Novaportans' Club which arranges many reunions, meals and sporting events throughout the year in which its members can take part. Upon leaving the school, all students are encouraged to join and stay in touch with the school.

Former pupils are known as "Old Novaportans" (initialised as "ON").

Frank Armstrong ON, Assistant Commissioner of the City of London Police in ceremonial full-dress uniform for the Lord Mayor's Show

Sports

• Philip Gittus – Manager, Philippine National Rugby Team
• Charlie Huxley – professional jockey and 2008 winner of the Scottish Grand National
• Graham Kitchener – rugby player for Leicester Tigers & England
• Peter Short – rugby player for Bath Rugby & England Saxons
• Sam Egerton - rugby union Oxford Blue & London Welsh
• Colonel Reginald Tewkesbury-Thwaites – manager of Sheffield Wednesday football club from 1903 to 1912.

Politics

Thomas Parker, 1st Earl of Macclesfield ON, Lord Chancellor, Lord Chief Justice and one-time regent of Great Britain

• Peter Butler – former Conservative MP for North East Milton Keynes from 1992–7, current Chief Executive of Flying Scotsman plc
• Robert Charnock – conspirator who planned to kill King William III, Dean of Magdalen College Oxford
• Jeremy Corbyn – Labour Party MP since 1983 for Islington North
• John Leveson-Gower, 1st Earl Gower – Lord Privy Seal 1742–54, the 1st major Tory to enter government since the coronation of King George I in 1714.
• Rev. Jon Green – local fame within Cardiff for work with the homeless and poor.
• Thomas Hanmer – MP for Ludlow, Lord Lieutenant of Flintshire
• Charles Silvester Horne (1865–1914) – MP for Ipswich and father of Kenneth Horne.
• Thomas Hollis – benefactor of Harvard, political propagandist, patron of Canaletto & other artists
• Thomas Parker, 1st Earl of Macclesfield PC MP – Lord Chancellor, Lord Chief Justice, temporary Regent and Sovereign of Great Britain
• Peter Price – Conservative MEP
• Sir Richard Whitworth, JP, MP – High Sheriff of Staffordshire aged 21, MP for Stafford 1774–1780

Business

• Richard Burge – Chief Executive of Wilton Park since 2009, and of the Countryside Alliance from 1999 to 2003, and Director of the Zoological Society of London from 1995–9
• Roger Holmes – Chief Executive from 2002–4 of Marks & Spencer, Managing Director from 1997–9 of Woolworths, and of Change Capital Partners since 2005
• Nick Jenkins - Chief Executive of moonpig.com, former Glencore commodities trader

Arts

• Simon Bates – radio disc jockey
• Michael J. Bassett – film director and scriptwriter
• Barrington J. Bayley – science fiction author
• Tom Brown – satirist
• Ben Day – radio & TV Presenter
• Ewen Henderson – sculptor
• Thomas Percy – Bishop of Dromore, poet, editor & author

Academia

Sir Oliver Joseph Lodge ON, first principal of the University of Birmingham

• Prof Donald Court CBE – James Spence Professor of Child Health from 1955 to 1972 at Newcastle University, President from 1973–6 of the British Paediatric Association
• William Cureton – orientalist
• Sir Oliver Lodge – inventor & first principal of Birmingham University.
• James E. Quibell – leading British Egyptologist
• Prof David Goulson – Professor of Biological Sciences, University of Stirling (born 1965), world renowned expert on Bumblebees and founder of the British Bumblebee Conservation Trust
• Prof William Holmes – Professor of Physiology since 1964 at the University of California
• Prof Helmut Koenigsberger – Professor of History from 1973 to 1984 at Kings College London
• Prof Maurice Stacey CBE (1907–94) – worked alongside Sir Norman Haworth to artificially synthesize Vitamin C
• Peter D Wootton – recipient of the 1st Deans' Commendation from Manchester Metropolitan University and active coordinator with the Unite Against Fascism Movement.

Miscellaneous

• Frank Armstrong – assistant Commissioner of the City of London Police
• Captain Thomas Ashburnham (1855–1913) – 6th Earl Ashburnham
• Major Patrick Allen – Philanthropist & Army Officer
• Keith Jones – Dean of York
• Major General Sir James Lumley KCB – Adjutant General
• Matthew Smith – 17th-century spy, intriguer and writer
• Gerald Lander – Bishop of Victoria, Hong Kong
• General Sir George Colt Langley KCB (1810–96) – General, British Army
• Major General Francis Ventris CB – General Officer Commanding British Forces in China
• Rear Admiral Harry Wilson – Rear Admiral, Royal Navy

See also

• Longford Hall – Junior boarding house and sports fields owned by the school, about one mile (1.6 km) away from the main school site, in the village of Longford.

Former Staff

• Rev. John Heawood – Housemaster, mathematician and father of Percy John Heawood.
• Ryan Palmer – Maths teacher and ex-Jamaican National Chess Champion.
• Agnes Miller Parker – Former art teacher, engraver and illustrator.
• Alec Peterson – Former Headmaster, founder of the International Baccalaureate

References

• Sims, Graham (2008) Oftsed; Adams' Grammar School Inspection Report, 2008 Ofsted. Retrieved on 8 March 2010
• Peter Pack | Amnesty International Amnesty International. Retrieved on 8 March 2010
• Taylor D, Taylor R (2002) Mr Adams' Free Grammar School. Philimore: London. (ISBN 978-1-86077-221-4)

External links

• Adams' Grammar School website
• EduBase