The Crypt School

The Crypt School is a grammar school with academy status located in the city of Gloucester, Gloucestershire. Founded in 1539 under a charter from King Henry VIII, it is one of the oldest schools in the United Kingdom. The school educates pupils from Year 7 to Year 13 and maintains a strong reputation for academic achievement and a wide range of extracurricular pursuits.

History

The school was established in 1539 by John Cooke, a wealthy merchant and former Lord Mayor of London, who was born in Gloucester. His endowment was granted under a charter from King Henry VIII, created during the Dissolution of the Monasteries. Originally situated near Gloucester Cathedral, the school was housed in the medieval crypt of St Mary de Crypt Church, from which it derives its name. It moved to its current site in Podsmead in the 1960s, transitioning from a voluntary aided school to a grammar school and later to academy status. Key historical figures associated with its governance include Richard Pate, founder of Cheltenham College, and the school has longstanding connections with the Worshipful Company of Haberdashers.

Campus and facilities

The school's main campus is located on Pod'smead Road in the Podsmead area of Gloucester, with playing fields extending towards the River Severn. The original Victorian building from the 1960s has been supplemented by significant modern developments, including a dedicated Sixth form centre, a sports hall, and specialist facilities for the sciences, music, and drama. Recent capital projects have enhanced its information technology infrastructure and library resources. The school also maintains a historic link with St Mary de Crypt Church in central Gloucester, where annual services and events are held.

Academic performance

Consistently ranked among the top performing schools in Gloucestershire, it achieves exceptional results at both GCSE and A-Level. The school regularly features in national performance tables published by the Department for Education, with a significant proportion of pupils progressing to Russell Group universities, including Oxford and Cambridge. The curriculum emphasizes STEM subjects, with strong departments in mathematics, the sciences, and modern foreign languages. It holds specialist status as a Science College and is a lead school for the Gloucestershire Initial Teacher Training partnership.

Extracurricular activities

A broad programme of activities includes strong traditions in rugby union, cricket, and hockey, with teams regularly competing in national competitions like the Daily Mail Cup. The school's Combined Cadet Force contingent, affiliated with the British Army, is one of the oldest in the country. There are active clubs for debating, chess, and The Duke of Edinburgh's Award, and a renowned music department that performs at venues such as Gloucester Cathedral and the Royal Albert Hall. Students also participate in exchanges with partner schools in France and Germany.

Notable alumni

Known as Old Cryptians, alumni include the composer Gustav Holst, who wrote The Planets; the Victoria Cross recipient John Henry Stephen Dimmer; and the Royal Navy admiral Sir Ian Garnett. In politics, former Member of Parliament for Gloucester, Sally Oppenheim-Barnes, and Conservative Party politician Sir John Cordle are alumni. Figures from broadcasting and journalism include BBC presenter Hugh Scully and The Guardian journalist Simon Hoggart. In academia, Regius Professor of History at Oxford, Sir John Elliott, and physicist Sir Charles Frank are also former pupils.

Category:Grammar schools in Gloucestershire Category:Educational institutions established in the 1530s Category:Academy schools in Gloucestershire