The Pilgrims' School
The Pilgrim's School | |
---|---|
Motto | To be a Pilgrim |
Religious affiliation(s) | Church of England |
Established | 1931 |
Founder | Humphrey Salwey , Dean Gordon Selwyn |
Local authority | Hampshire |
Chair of Governors | Jeremy Griffith |
Head | Tim Butcher |
Gender | Boys |
Age | 4 to 13 |
Enrolment | 269 |
Capacity | 280 |
Houses | Monks, Normans, Romans, Saxons, Wrens |
Choirs | Winchester Cathedral Choir Winchester College Chapel Choir |
Website | The Pilgrims School |
The Pilgrims' School is a 4–13 boys
.The official date of establishment for the cathedral school is unknown but historical records indicate that choristers of Winchester Cathedral's renowned choir have been educated in the Close as early as the 7th century.[1] The current school was opened in 1931.[2] As it also educates choristers of the Winchester College Chapel Choir, the school maintains close links with the college.
History
The Pilgrims' School can be traced back through the schools associating with the Cathedral Choir to the Alta Schola which was established around 676
The school moved to its present site and became a full preparatory school in 1931.[2] It was officially registered as opened on 1 January 1935.[3] The main building, redesigned by Sir Christopher Wren in the 17th century, is on the site of a former Roman villa, and includes a medieval hall and barn.[4]
A pre-preparatory department was opened in 2007 to meet the growing demand for an early years programme.[5]
Overview
Architecture
The school hall contains England's oldest surviving wood double hammer-beamed roof, which used to accommodate the
School Houses
Upon entry, each boy is allocated to one of the 5 houses, known as 'Sets'. They compete in inter-set competitions and points are given for good conduct and academic performance, etc.[8]
- Romans
- Saxons
- Normans
- Monks
- Wrens
Boarding houses
Most boys are day pupils but the boarding programme is open to all. Cathedral Choristers or Quiristers generally board full-time while others return home for the weekend.
Main School
There are eight
Q School
Q School, short for 'Quiristers School', is the property of Winchester College, because the Quiristers sing in the College Choir and used to be taught separately in this building when they were a full part of the Winchester College community. However, in the 1960s it became uneconomical for the college to organise a separate school and curriculum from the rest of the boys, who were from Years 9–13, and so from 1966 onwards The Pilgrims' School welcomed Quiristers to be educated with the 'Commoners'.[4] They still, however, have 4 dormitories for the Quiristers and some Commoners. The Quiristers continue to sing and rehearse at Winchester College, but are educated at The Pilgrims' School; staff at Q School are now solely members of staff at The Pilgrims' School.
Q School is situated on Kingsgate Street in Winchester, close to the main school site.
Admissions
In February 2023, 240 boys were enrolled at the school, with 163 day pupils, 77 boarders, 7 in the Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS) , 85 in the Junior School and 148 in the Senior School.[9] The schools main points for entry are currently Reception (for boys aged 4+), Years 3 and 4 (for boys aged 8+/9+). Boys sometimes join the school in other year groups, and at various times in the year, subject to places being available. [10]
Headmasters
Years in appointment | Headmaster |
---|---|
1931-1963 | Humphrey Salwey |
1963-1969 | Rodney Blake |
1969-1974 | Martin Briggs |
1975-1983 | Stephen McWatters |
1983-1997 | Michael Kefford |
1997-2011 | Brian Rees |
2011-2013 | Patrick Watson |
2014 | Jeremy Griffith |
2015-2020 | Tom Burden |
2020-2022 | Sarah Essex |
2022-2023 | Alistair Duncan (Interim) |
2023- | Tim Butcher |
Alumni
- Jules Knight, actor
- Hugh Mitchell, actor
- Stephen Barton, composer
- Johnny Flynn, musician
- Jamie Byng, publisher
- Jack Dee, comedian
- Patrick Gale, author
- Jon Snow, broadcaster
- Anthony Smith, sculptor
See also
- List of the oldest schools in the world
References
- ^ The Pilgrims School, retrieved 5 February 2021
- ^ a b c "Our History".
- ^ "The Pilgrims School - GOV.UK". www.get-information-schools.service.gov.uk. Retrieved 6 February 2021.
- ^ a b "History of the School | The Pilgrims' School". www.thepilgrims-school.co.uk. Archived from the original on 14 January 2016.
- ^ "The Pre-Preparatory | The Pilgrims' School". www.thepilgrims-school.co.uk. Archived from the original on 18 September 2015.
- ^ "About Us". The Pilgrims School. Retrieved 21 November 2023.
- ^ "About Us". The Pilgrims School. Retrieved 21 November 2023.
- ^ http://www.thepilgrims-school.co.uk/Sets
- ^ "The Pilgrims School, Winchester" (PDF). Independent Schools Inspectorate. Retrieved 21 November 2023.
- ^ "Admissions at Pilgrims". The Pilgrims School. Retrieved 21 November 2023.
External links
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