Wolverhampton Grammar School

Wolverhampton Grammar School
Name	Wolverhampton Grammar School
Established	1512
Type	Independent day school
Head label	Headmaster
Head	Allan W. G. Ord
City	Wolverhampton
Country	England
Coordinates	52.586, -2.144
Postcode	WV3 9RB
Local authority	City of Wolverhampton
Urn	104285
Gender	Co-educational
Lower age	11
Upper age	18
Colours	Black and white
Publication	The Wolverhamptonian
Free label 1	Former pupils
Free 1	Old Wolverhamptonians

Wolverhampton Grammar School is an independent, day school in Wolverhampton, England. Founded in 1512 by Sir Stephen Jenyns, a former Lord Mayor of London and Master of the Skinners' Company, it is one of the oldest schools in the Midlands. The school became co-educational in 1984 and occupies a site on Compton Road, having moved from its original location in the city centre in 1875.

History

The school was established under a Charter granted by King Henry VIII, with its original endowment linked to the Chapel of St John the Baptist, Wolverhampton. For centuries, it operated as a traditional grammar school under the auspices of the Skinners' Company. Significant expansion occurred in the Victorian era, leading to the relocation to its present Compton Park site, a move championed by headmaster Alfred Button. The school's governance was reformed by the Public Schools Act 1868 and it was a direct grant grammar school under the Direct Grant system until becoming fully independent following the Education Act 1976.

Campus and facilities

The main campus centres on the original Victorian Gothic Revival building designed by Julius Alfred Chatwin. Subsequent developments include the Sir Charles Burrell STEM Centre, the R. D. Martineau Centre for Performing arts, and the Allan Ord Sports Hall. The grounds encompass playing fields, all-weather pitches, and the Wolverhampton Lawn Tennis & Squash Club. The school's Chapel, dedicated to St Michael, contains stained glass by Charles Eamer Kempe.

Academic performance

The school is consistently ranked highly in national league tables, including those published by The Times and The Daily Telegraph. Pupils pursue GCSEs, A-Levels, and the Extended Project Qualification. A significant proportion of sixth form leavers progress to Russell Group universities, including the University of Oxford and the University of Cambridge, and courses in medicine, law, and Engineering at institutions like Imperial College London and University College London.

Extracurricular activities

The school runs an extensive Combined Cadet Force contingent, with sections for the Royal Navy, British Army, and Royal Air Force. Musical activities are centred on the Wolverhampton Symphony Orchestra and various choirs, while dramatic productions are staged in collaboration with the Theatre Royal, Wolverhampton. Sporting success is notable in rugby, cricket, and hockey, with teams competing in national competitions like the NatWest Schools Cup. The school also participates in the Duke of Edinburgh's Award scheme and Model United Nations conferences.

Notable alumni

Alumni, known as Old Wolverhamptonians, include Nobel laureate in Physiology or Medicine Sir John Vane; Chief of the General Staff Sir Richard Dannatt; Poet Laureate Sir John Betjeman; Royal Academician Sir George Clausen; and BBC journalist and presenter John Humphrys. Other distinguished figures are Royal Navy Admiral Sir James Burnell-Nugent; Member of Parliament Sir Geoffrey Shakespeare; and British Army General Sir John Chapple.

Governance and admissions

The school is administered by a Board of Governors, with representation from the Skinners' Company and the University of Oxford. It is a member of the Headmasters' and Headmistresses' Conference and the Independent Schools Council. Entry is via the school's own 11+ and 13+ examinations, with scholarships and bursaries available. The admissions process is overseen by the Independent Schools Inspectorate.

Category:Educational institutions established in the 1510s Category:1512 establishments in England