Royal Grammar School, Guildford
The Royal Grammar School is an independent public school in Guildford, Surrey, United Kingdom. It is situated on the high street in Guildford.
The school was originally built in 1509 after Robert Beckingham left an order in his will for a free school to be established in Guildford. In 1512, Beckingham's executors gave the lands in the will to a body of trustees, who included the Mayor of Guildford and four former mayors. With the rents, they were able to make a free grammar school.
Later on, the Mayor of Guildford petitioned Edward VI to grant him further money to improve the school. In 1552, Edward VI ordered that there was to be 'one Grammar School in Guildford called the Free Grammar School of King Edward VI for the education, institution and instruction of boys and youths in grammar at all future times forever to endure'.
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Timeline
- 1509 Robert Beckingham's Will leaves money for setting up of the school.
- 1512 Foundation of the governing body of school.
- 1552 The granting of the charter.
- 1555 Purchase of the high street site.
- 1557 Construction of the school began.
- 1586 Building of the old school completed.
- 1888 Restoration of the Old Building and its continuation as a day school only.
- 1944 Education Act under which the school adopted Voluntary Controlled status; tuition was free; and entry was to be by common entrance examination at the age of eleven.
- 1958 The construction of the New Building started on Allen House Field.
- 1977 The school withdrew from the government maintained system and became independent and fee-paying.
- 1978 Acquisition of Lanesborough Preparatory School.
House System
There are six houses at the RGS. These being:
- Austen
- Beckingham
- Hammonde
- Nettles
- Powell
- Valpy
These six houses are named after various benefactors of the school who, at various times in history, helped the school.
At the end of the school year, the points from all the events done during the school year are added up and the house which has the most points wins the Cock House Cup.
Notable Past Pupils
All past pupils are known as Old Guildfordians.
Religion
- George Abbot - Archbishop of Canterbury
- Robert Abbot - Bishop of Salisbury
- Henry Cotton - Bishop of Norwich
- William Cotton - Bishop of Exeter
- Robert Horne - Bishop of Winchester
Military
- Sir Thomas Byam Martin - Admiral of the Fleet
- Lord Mark Kerr - Vice-Admiral
- Sir John Allison - Air Chief Marshal
- Sir William Thomas Furse - General
- Algernon G. Durand - Lieut.-Colonel
Politics
- Sir George Edward Grey - Prime Minister of New Zealand
- Arthur Onslow - Speaker of the House of Commons, Treasurer of the Navy
- John Rickman - Creator of the Census
Sciences
- Mark Hovell - Doctor to Emperor Frederick III of Germany
- John Vincent - President of the Royal College of Surgeons
Sport
- Bob Willis - England Cricket Captain
- Jeremy Spencer - England Rugby Football International
- A.E. Knight - Captain of England Association Football Team
- K. Lintott - England Association Football International
Administration
- D.W. Stable - Director of the Prudential Assurance Company
- W.B. Clode - Chairman of the Railway Commission
Arts
- Terry Jones - star of Monty Python's Flying Circus, Film Director
- John Russell - Painter, member of the Royal Academy