Wolsingham School
![A picture of the lower school building.](http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/7/7a/School_in_Wolsingham_-_geograph.org.uk_-_1511967.jpg/220px-School_in_Wolsingham_-_geograph.org.uk_-_1511967.jpg)
Wolsingham School | |
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Address | |
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Leazes Lane , , DL13 3DN England | |
Coordinates | 54°43′58″N 1°53′28″W / 54.7328°N 1.8911°WCoordinates: 54°43′58″N 1°53′28″W / 54.7328°N 1.8911°W |
Information | |
Type | Academy |
Established | 1614 |
Local authority | Durham County Council |
Trust | Advance Learning Partnership |
Department for Education URN | 148109 Tables |
Ofsted | Reports |
Headteacher | Mr Mitchinson |
Gender | Coeducational |
Age | 11 to 16 |
Enrolment | 802 |
Website | http://www.wolsinghamschool.net |
Wolsingham School is a coeducational secondary school located in Wolsingham, County Durham, England.[1]
The school is situated just off the A689, and near the River Wear in the former district of Wear Valley. This is the former grammar school. In the past the lower site was the site for Key Stage 3, while the upper site was for Key Stage 4. This system no longer exists.
History[]
Wolsingham had two school buildings – 'Wolsingham Grammar School' on Main Road which then became Wolsingham Secondary School, with the addition of a new building opened in 1958 on the site of the school playing fields. This coincided with the abandonment of the 11+ selection process, but the school retained streaming based on ability. The original school was founded in 1614, with new grammar school buildings opening in 1911. The 1958 building has since been demolished and the old building substantially extended to accommodate all pupils.
In June 1964 12-year-old pupil Sanchia Hayes was killed when her school bus hit a lorry in Frosterley.
The school opened its new £6.4 million building in 2016 and was officially opened by the Duke of Gloucester.
Previously a community school administered by Durham County Council, in September 2020 Wolsingham School converted to academy status. The school is now sponsored by the Advance Learning Partnership.
Notable Former Pupils[]
- Ernest Armstrong, Labour MP from 1964-87 of North West Durham
- Harry Beevers (1924-2004), plant physiologist. His siblings attended the school including Leonard Beevers, also a plant physiologist.
- Prof , historian, Professor of Modern History from 1944-66 at Newcastle University
- Air Vice-Marshal Robert Davis CB, Station Commander from 1975-77 of RAF Leuchars and Commander from 1980-83 of British Forces Cyprus
- Prof Brian Foster OBE, Professor of Experimental Physics from 2003-16 at the University of Oxford, and at the University of Bristol from 1996–2003
- Rev Roger Hall MBE QHC, Chaplain to the Chapel Royal of St Peter ad Vincula since 2007
- John James CB OBE, town planner, Professor of Town and Regional Planning from 1967-77 at the University of Sheffield
- Flight Sergeant Thomas Jaye (from Crook, County Durham, 3 October 1922 - 17 May 1943) flew as a navigator with Lancaster AJ-S in the third wave of the Dambusters Raid, and died aged 21, when the aircraft was hit by flak flying to the target over Holland; all the crew died when the aircraft crashed at Gilze-Rijen Air Base at 01.53, piloted by Canadian Pilot Officer Lewis Burpee; he is buried in Bergen op Zoom War Cemetery; there is a memorial at the school, dedicated on 11 November 1998[2]
- Fred Peart, Baron Peart, Labour MP from 1945-76 for Workington, Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food from 1964-68 and 1974-76
- , Chief Administrator from 1976-80 of ADAS
- Sir Harold Shearman, Labour politician, Chairman from 1964-66 of the Greater London Council, and President from 1962-71 of the , and member of the Robbins Committee.
News items[]
References[]
External links[]
- Secondary schools in County Durham
- Academies in County Durham
- Educational institutions established in the 1610s
- 1614 establishments in England
- Wolsingham