SLHS: Grammar School For Boys -Original

Disclaimer

Whilst some care has been taken to check externally linked websites no responsibility is offered nor implied for the suitability, legality or reliability of content therein.

Statements are made here to the best of our knowledge. However no statement here should be regarded as irrefutable fact. Please contact us if you consider otherwise.

History

1295

The Guild of the Holy Cross establishes the School. It appoints a priest called Richard as 'rector scholarum' (schoolmaster) to teach Guild members' sons the basics of reading, writing and the Christian faith.

1482

Schoolmaster and Guild Chaplain Thomas Jolyffe independently endows the School by giving it land in Dodswell and Stratford. The income from this land will be used to support the School.

1545 - 1546

Royal commissioners visit Stratford and take note of the School above the Guildhall.

1547

King Edward VI suppresses the Guild of the Holy Cross and confiscates its assets.

1553

King Edward VI grants the Guild's properties to the people of Stratford in a Royal Charter. He re-founds the old Guild School as The King's New School.

Downstairs is established the Court Of Record which settled petty crimes and disputes. As Bailiff of Stratford John Shakespeare, William’s father, presided for for one year starting 1568. The modern school still has a society which uses this Court.

1560

The School moves into the upper floor of the Guildhall. Most pupils are the sons of prosperous local families who can afford to do without their help at work. The School doesn't charge fees but pupils have to pay for their own candles and firewood.

The entire school was taught in the same room. According to age children sat on planks of wood called a forms with the youngest at the front. This is the origin of the word Form still often used in schools today.

1571

William Shakespeare starts school on the upper floor of the Guildhall at age 7. He and his classmates study English, the classics, the Christian faith and music.

Between 1570-1620 it was quite normal for ‘Strolling Players’ to visit towns throughout Britain and Stratford, now a town, would be on the list. At least 30 performed during William’s lifetime. Before being shown widely his father, being an Alderman, had to preview the material to check that it suitable and not subversive. It’s known that the ‘super star’ artists of the day would perform at this little school. When older it could even have been that William was asked to help prepare an area and it’s props for the troupe’s performance before his father. The young William would most likely have been quite inspired by such drama.

1600s -1700s

The number of pupils at the School rises and falls because of disease and political instability. In 1776 there are only three boys at the School because of a smallpox outbreak in Stratford.

1811

New regulations mean that no more than 20 boys can be on the School register at the same time. Only boys whose parents live within the borough limits can go to School at the Guildhall. They study the classics, English grammar, reading and spelling.

1800’s

Quite amazingly fire engines were stored in the downstairs section of the building.

By 1900

The number of pupils has risen, and the School has taken over the entire Guildhall. New School buildings have been added, and boarders have arrived. King Edward VI School (K.E.S.) became similar to a minor public school.

1944

The Education Act abolishes fees and boarding. Over the next 50 years, major building work provides enough space to teach over 600 boys an advanced curriculum of arts and science subjects.

2012

K.E.S. becomes an academy. This gives the School more freedom to decide on its own curriculum and employ its own teachers.

2013

The school takes in it’s first female Sixth Formers. The first ever Head Girl is elected in 2017.

2016

Shakespeare's Schoolroom & Guildhall opens to the public for the first time. Amazingly, lessons still take place in the Guildhall every day, just as they did in William Shakespeare's time. (2023 - this may not be the case any more ?)


More coming soon..

Further Information..

  1. Official website: King Edward Sixth Grammar School



SLHS Picture & Document Archives..

  1. Picture Vault: Coming soon..

● Oldest Half Timbered School Room in England

● Shakespeare’s School  ● Many notable ‘Old Boys’

Chapel Street

Grammar School For Boys -Modern With Mixed Seniors

Chapel Lane

● Many notable ‘Previous Pupils’

Further Information..

  1. Official website: King Edward Sixth Grammar School


  2. See also: Histories: Guild Chapel


SLHS Picture & Document Archives..

  1. Picture Vault: Old Grammar School

History

Coming soon..

Guided Tours

Members have been on this tour and it’s really well done. Often a performer is there to guide you through the rather strict order that pupils ‘suffered’ in those days ! Discounts to other attractions may apply..

Often significant people give lectures here. Historian Michael Wood called it "one of the most atmospheric, magical and important buildings in the whole of Britain.".

As a visitor attraction it is continuously winning awards.

● These items have aspects that uniquely contribute to national or world history.

SchoolsSchoolsMasterPage.html

To return to Master page click on ‘Schools’ above.

  1. Data Availability

  2. ● Full

  3. ● Partial

  4. ● None

Last update: 31/10/2024

Created: 15/10/2023