St. Nicholas Grammar School
St. Nicholas Grammar School was an English grammar school, located in Northwood Hills, in the London Borough of Hillingdon, England.
| Established | 1955 |
|---|---|
| Closed | 1977 |
| Type | State Grammar School |
| Headmasters | Dr. R.F.E.Watson (1955); L.E.Shearn (1976) |
| Deputies | Dr. P.L.P. Clarke; J.W.Jefford |
| Location | Wiltshire Lane Eastcote Middlesex HA5 2LX England |
| Local authority | Hillingdon Education Authority |
| Staff | 40-45 (full-time) |
| Students | 600 students |
| Gender | Male |
| Ages | 11–18 |
| Houses | Abbotts, Kevere, Bec, Kings |
| Colours | Purple & Gold |
| Publication | St.Nicholas School Magazine (Annually) |
| Head Of Sixth Form Studies | D.Dixon |
| Head Of Middle School | P.J.Cahill |
| Head Of Junior School | H.J.Thompson |
Contents |
[edit] History
The school existed as a grammar school for 22 years from 1955 until 1977 when it joined with the neighbouring St Mary's Grammar School for Girls, to become a co-educational comprehensive school, renamed Haydon School. The school badge was a bishop's mitre surrounded by three money bags, worn on the breast pocket of the blazer, and was also incorporated in senior school ties, and senior prefect badges. Haydon School replaced the design with that of a stylized stag's head in 1978. In 1954 two forms were established at Bourne Secondary Modern to become the nucleus of pupils, forming 2a and 2b at the new building in 1955.
Approval to commence construction of the new grammar school was granted 11 May, 1953, and the work was undertaken by construction firm of Holland, Hannen & Cubitts who had successfully undertaken many public works projects in the London area.
The first headmaster was Dr.Robert Francis Edward Watson (8 March 1910-16 July 2004) who assembled a hand-picked teaching staff during the late Winter and early Spring of 1955. He held his position until retiring at the end of term 1975. Dr.Watson was succeeded by Mr. Leslie Shearn who guided the school through amalgamation with the adjacent girl's school, becoming Haydon School in 1978.
Although quite a small school, St.Nicholas produced a number of pupils who later became well known public figures in the business world and the arts (see Notable alumni, below).
Over 300 former pupils attended the 50th Anniversary Re-union Dinner held in Heston, Middlesex, in 2006. Former Head of the Sixth Form, Mr David Dixon, presided and several former staff members were also in attendance (inc Mrs Broadhead; Mr Easom; Mr Hawley; Mr Cahill; Mr Gibson; Mr Clarke).
St Nicholas is one of the finest grammar schools in north west Middlesex. You boys should be proud to be a part of it
— Mr.Adrian Taylor, Divinity Master , Address to Form 3B, at the beginning of term, Sept 1972
[edit] Houses
There were four houses each with its own staff. A House Assembly was held once per week, on Friday. Each house had its own colours. There were many inter-house competitions throughout the school year, the emphasis being on field sports, though there were also drama, chess and art competitions. Staff indicated as of the 1975 Summer Term.
- Abbotts Red Staff: Mr Birch (HofH), Mr Ford
- Bec Yellow Staff: Mr Charleston (HofH), Mr Taylor, Mr Kraushaar (HofH)
- Kevere Green Staff: Mr Rayner (HofH), Mr Hawley (HofH) Mr R W Noble, Mr Pym
- Kings Blue Staff: Mr Fountain (HofH), Mr Gibson
Traditionally Abbotts excelled in sports and in the overall House Competition achieving first position on a regular basis. Kevere was its strongest challenger, and was noted for its consistently good rugby sides. Bec could really only give Kevere a run for its money, and Kings was generally last. Kings was noted for its chess teams, and Bec generally did well in drama.[citation needed]
[edit] Facilities
Although it was a new school of only moderate size and with modest facilities, it quickly established itself on the sports field and sent several sixth formers to Oxbridge annually.
There was a language laboratory, senior and junior science labs for chemistry and physics, a thriving school orchestra, a surprisingly adequate library, workshops for metalwork and woodwork and several pitches for games. The playing field was shared with St.Mary's Grammar School For Girls and was very extensive.
Largely due to the excellence of its teaching staff St Nicholas Grammar School For Boys did very well in comparison to other, larger and better funded institutions in the area, including public and state secondary modern schools.
[edit] Notable alumni
- Christopher van Kampen, musician. Accomplished professional cellist, for the Nash Ensemble from 1967 until his death in 1997. He played as soloist for London Philharmonic, London Sinfonietta and others.
- Tony Hymas, musician/arranger. Worked with Jeff Beck and others for many years.
- Felix Dennis, publisher. Originally of Oz magazine fame
- Anthony Douglas CBE, Chief Executive, Children and Family Court Advisory and Support Service (CAFCASS) since 2004
- Colin Edwards, businessman. Former Vice President of Finance, North America, GlaxoSmithKline Consumer Healthcare
- Jon Henley, journalist and actor. Lead features writer The Guardian newspaper. Former head of its Paris office.
- Marc Peirson, author, TV scriptwriter and actor. Author of the crime novel Hard Evidence and television series writer (Doctors, Colby Central, Emmerdale)
- Baron Rosser, Trade Union leader. General Secretary of the TSSA from 1989–2004
- John Thompson MBE, Ambassador to Angola from 2002-5
- Michael Burdett, musician, producer and composer. Composer of original music for numerous television programmes, adverts, trailers, theatre productions and TV station idents.
- John Henderson , film and TV director. Credits include The Borrowers and Spitting Image.
- Gary Tibbs, musician and actor. Played bass guitar with The Vibrators, Roxy Music and Adam and The Ants
- David Horn Group Treasurer and International Investment Manager QBE Insurance Group from 1984 to 2001
[edit] References
Morgan, Peter. "The School Houses & Their Names". http://www.snobs.freeuk.com/history.html. Retrieved 2007-10-02.
Burdett, Michael. "Michael Burdett Music". http://michaelburdett.com/. Retrieved 2010-06-23.
"The St. Nicholas Grammar School Magazine, First Edition, 1956". http://docs.google.com/viewer?a=v&q=cache:eg4TOwctbp8J:homepage.ntlworld.com/johnr.watson/RFEW/first%2520school%2520magazine.pdf+st.+nicholas+grammar+school&hl=en&gl=sg&pid=bl&srcid=ADGEESh88Q0qQ_4jAsHrkj7rOu28r4L-W9cPUV7VvTfrifxmNcUkzx48Mkv9_lrZiO5vrg4g_2_zF47GuqICSxkQDivpg0S3SR_x91HvPgJcetSzb-2-HbGBjC8jJHnH1obR58jc-hnM&sig=AHIEtbTzq0KK54Dq8hbS7w7cDa8fWMJrFA. Retrieved 2010-06-23.
- Margeret Campbell, The Independent, 4th October, 1997 (4 October 1997). "Obituary: Christopher van Kampen". London. http://www.independent.co.uk/news/obituaries/obituary-christopher-van-kampen-1233895.html.
