The City of Oxford High School for Boys (a.k.a. Oxford High School for Boys and City of Oxford School) was founded in 1881 by
Thomas Hill Green
Thomas Hill Green (7 April 183626 March 1882), known as T. H. Green, was an English philosopher, political radical and temperance reformer, and a member of the British idealism movement. Like all the British idealists, Green was influen ...
to provide Oxford boys with an education which would enable them to prepare for University.
History
It was administered by the City of Oxford Education Committee, with around 400 boys enrolled. The school finally closed in 1966, when it was combined with what was then
Southfield Grammar School Southfield may refer to:
* Southfield, Jamaica
* Southfield, Massachusetts, village within the town of New Marlborough
* SouthField, Massachusetts (development), planned community near Boston
* Southfield, Michigan
* Southfield, Staten Island, New ...
to form a
grammar school
A grammar school is one of several different types of school in the history of education in the United Kingdom and other English-speaking countries, originally a school teaching Latin, but more recently an academically oriented secondary school ...
, known as Oxford School at that time (the present
Oxford Spires Academy
Oxford Spires Academy is a state funded secondary school for children aged 11–18 in Glanville Road, East Oxford, England formerly known as Oxford Community School and The Oxford School. Formerly sponsored by the CfBT Education Trust it is curr ...
).
The building
The
Victorian stone building, bearing the arms of both the City and University, was designed by
Sir Thomas Jackson
Sir Thomas Graham Jackson, 1st Baronet (21 December 1835 – 7 November 1924) was one of the most distinguished British architects of his generation. He is best remembered for his work at Oxford, including the Oxford Military College at Cowl ...
in
Oxford
Oxford () is a city in England. It is the county town and only city of Oxfordshire. In 2020, its population was estimated at 151,584. It is north-west of London, south-east of Birmingham and north-east of Bristol. The city is home to the ...
, England, and still stands at the corner of
George Street and
New Inn Hall Street
New Inn Hall Street is a street in central Oxford, England, and is one of Oxford's oldest streets. It is a shopping street running north–south parallel and to the west of Cornmarket Street, with George Street to the north and Bonn Square at t ...
. Additional classrooms were later added in the playground, a space that was contained on the south side by an extensive length of the city's mediaeval wall. The school remained here until 1966, when it moved to the Southfield Grammar School site (now occupied by
Oxford Spires Academy
Oxford Spires Academy is a state funded secondary school for children aged 11–18 in Glanville Road, East Oxford, England formerly known as Oxford Community School and The Oxford School. Formerly sponsored by the CfBT Education Trust it is curr ...
) in Glanville Road off
Cowley Road
__NOTOC__
Cowley Road is an arterial road in the city of Oxford, England, running southeast from near the city centre at The Plain near Magdalen Bridge, through the inner city area of East Oxford, and to the industrial suburb of Cowley. The ...
. The George Street building for some years housed the Classics Department of
Oxford University
Oxford () is a city in England. It is the county town and only city of Oxfordshire. In 2020, its population was estimated at 151,584. It is north-west of London, south-east of Birmingham and north-east of Bristol. The city is home to the ...
, but was transferred to the History Faculty in the summer of 2007.
The school's playing fields were in
North Oxford
North Oxford is a suburban part of the city of Oxford in England. It was owned for many centuries largely by St John's College, Oxford and many of the area's Victorian houses were initially sold on leasehold by the College.
Overview
The le ...
, along and beside
Marston Ferry Road
Marston Ferry Road is a link road in north Oxford, England. It is named after the ferry that used to cross the River Cherwell at the village of Marston from at least 1279.
The road links the Banbury Road in North Oxford just south of Summ ...
and which later housed the Old Boy's Rugby Club.
Inscription
The ''George Street'' building has the following inscription on it:
:
Thomas Hill Green
Thomas Hill Green (7 April 183626 March 1882), known as T. H. Green, was an English philosopher, political radical and temperance reformer, and a member of the British idealism movement. Like all the British idealists, Green was influen ...
(1832–82). Educationalist, Fellow of
Balliol,
White's Professor of Moral Philosophy
The White's Chair of Moral Philosophy was endowed in 1621 by Thomas White (c. 1550–1624), Canon of Christ Church as the oldest professorial post in philosophy at the University of Oxford.
In 2021, the chair was renamed the Sekyra and White’s ...
, elected (1876) first
University
A university () is an institution of higher (or tertiary) education and research which awards academic degrees in several academic disciplines. Universities typically offer both undergraduate and postgraduate programs. In the United States, t ...
Member of
Oxford City Council
Oxford City Council is the lower-tier local government authority for the city of Oxford in England, providing such services as leisure centres and parking. Social Services, Education and Highways services (amongst others) are provided by Oxfo ...
to help found and establish the High School for Boys (1881–1966), thereby completing the city's 'ladder of learning' from elementary school to university—
:A project dearest to his heart.
:Thus were united town and gown in common cause.
The staff
During the late 1940s, the headmaster was F. C. ("Freddy") Lay (a plaque to him is sited on the back of the New George Street Building as he was the first old boy to become head); he was succeeded by Mr R. W. Bodey in 1962.
Headmasters
* 1881–8 Arthur Pollard
* 1888–1925 Arthur Cave
* 1925–32 Wilfrid Parkinson
School tradition
The school motto "
Labor Vincit Omnia
''Labor omnia vincit'' or ''Labor omnia vincit improbus'' is a Latin phrase meaning "Work conquers all". The phrase is adapted from Virgil's '' Georgics'', Book I, lines 145–6: ''...Labor omnia vicit / improbus'' ("Steady work overcame all th ...
" ('tis work that conquers all) was carved above the prefects' door, and became the basis for the school song that every boy knew by heart:
:''In tranquil days of long ago''
:''Under good Victoria's rule''
:''Their faith in Oxford's youth to show''
:''Our grandsires built a school.''
:''"Labor Vincit Omnia"''
:''Tis work that conquers all.''
:''This gem of ancient Roman lore''
:''Was carved above the prefects' door.''
:''"Nemo Repente Sapit", too, ''
:''Was there beside it in full view, ''
:''Reminding those of slower pace ''
:''That perseverance wins the race. ''
:''Labor Vincit Omnia ''
:''Labor Vincit Omnia ''
Each November, the School Speech Day took place in
Oxford Town Hall
Oxford Town Hall is a public building in St Aldate's Street in central Oxford, England. It is both the seat of Oxford City Council and a venue for public meetings, entertainment and other events. It also includes the Museum of Oxford. Although ...
. First there was a church service in
St Mary's Church on the
High Street
High Street is a common street name for the primary business street of a city, town, or village, especially in the United Kingdom and Commonwealth. It implies that it is the focal point for business, especially shopping. It is also a metonym fo ...
in the morning, then the main event in the afternoon started with a procession of staff in academic robes and hoods. In December, there was a school carol service in the
University Church.
The boy's blazers were chocolate brown, as were the caps. In later years Sixth formers wore blue blazers. The striped tie was brown with red and blue diagonal piping. On entry to the school, every boy became a member of one of the four school houses: Lawrence, Jolliffe, Kerry or Salter.
Legacy
The former pupils of the City of Oxford High School now have their own Old Boys Association, called the City of Oxford School Association (COSA).
Following the merger of the Oxford High School for Boys, and many changes (including loss of grammar school status, a switch to coeducation and becoming a
Foundation School
In England and Wales, a foundation school is a state-funded school in which the governing body has greater freedom in the running of the school than in community schools.
Foundation schools were set up under the School Standards and Framework A ...
), there remains a school at the ''Glanville Road'' site: the
Oxford Spires Academy
Oxford Spires Academy is a state funded secondary school for children aged 11–18 in Glanville Road, East Oxford, England formerly known as Oxford Community School and The Oxford School. Formerly sponsored by the CfBT Education Trust it is curr ...
.
Alumni
*
Ronnie Barker
Ronald William George Barker (25 September 1929 – 3 October 2005) was an English actor, comedian and writer. He was known for roles in British comedy television series such as '' Porridge'', ''The Two Ronnies'', and ''Open All Hours''.
...
, comedian.
* Dr
Cyril Beeson
Cyril Frederick Cherrington Beeson CIE, D.Sc. (1889–1975) was an English entomologist and forest conservator who worked in India. Beeson was an expert on forest entomology who wrote numerous papers on insects, and whose book on Indian for ...
, entomologist and antiquarian horologist.
* Prof.
Rupert E. Billingham
Rupert Everett Billingham Fellow of the Royal Society, FRS (15 October 1921 – 16 November 2002) was a British biologist who did significant research in the fields of reproductive immunology and organ transplantation. "He made numerous fundam ...
, Professor of Cell Biology from 1971 to 1986 at the
University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center
The University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center (UT Southwestern or UTSW) is a public academic health science center in Dallas, Texas. With approximately 18,800 employees, more than 2,900 full-time faculty, and nearly 4 million outpatient vi ...
, did important early work with Sir
Peter Medawar
Sir Peter Brian Medawar (; 28 February 1915 – 2 October 1987) was a Brazilian-British biologist and writer, whose works on graft rejection and the discovery of acquired immune tolerance have been fundamental to the medical practice of tissue ...
on organ transplantation, and President from 1974–6 of the Transplantation Society.
*
Theodore William Chaundy
Theodore William Chaundy (19 January 1889 – 14 April 1966) was an English people, English mathematician who introduced Burchnall–Chaundy theory.
Chaundy was born to widowed businessman John Chaundy and his second wife Sarah Pates in their ...
, mathematician.
*
Brian Cobby
Brian Cobby (12 October 192931 October 2012) was an English actor and telephone exchange worker who, in 1985, became the first male voice of the British speaking clock.
Early life
Cobby was born in Gravesend, Kent, the son of Amy and Sydney Co ...
, voice of the British
speaking clock
A speaking clock or talking clock is a live or recorded human voice service, usually accessed by telephone, that gives the correct time. The first telephone speaking clock service was introduced in France, in association with the Paris Observato ...
.
*
John Drinkwater, poet and playwright.
*
Jack Gibbons
Jack Gibbons (born 2 March 1962) is an English classical composer and virtuoso pianist.
Biography
Gibbons was born in England. His father was a scientist and his mother a visual artist. He began his piano studies in Stockton-on-Tees, later ...
, pianist and composer.
*
Arthur Hawes, Archdeacon of Lincoln.
* Rt. Rev.
Alan Hopes
Alan Stephen Hopes (born 17 March 1944) is a British Roman Catholic prelate, and former Anglican priest. From 2013 - 2022 he served as the Bishop of East Anglia and is currently the Apostolic Administrator of the same diocese until the installat ...
, Roman Catholic
Bishop of East Anglia
The Bishop of East Anglia is the Ordinary (Catholic Church), Ordinary of the modern Roman Catholic Diocese of East Anglia in the Province of Westminster, England.
The incumbent is Bishop Peter Collins (bishop), Peter Collins, who was installed o ...
.
*
The Baron Hunt of Kings Heath, OBE, Labour peer and former Minister in
DEFRA DEFRA may refer to:
* Deficit Reduction Act of 1984, United States law
* Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, United Kingdom government department
{{Disambiguation ...
and the
DECC, and President from 1998–9 of the
Family Planning Association
FPA (Family Planning Association) was a UK registered charity (number 250187) working to enable people to make informed choices about sex and to enjoy sexual health. It was the national affiliate for the International Planned Parenthood Federat ...
.
*
Tony Juniper
Anthony Juniper (born 24 September 1960) is a British campaigner, writer, sustainability advisor and environmentalist who served as Executive Director of Friends of the Earth, England, Wales and Northern Ireland. He was Vice Chair of Friends ...
, campaigner, writer, and environmentalist.
* Professor
The Baron Krebs, Principal since 2005 of
Jesus College, Oxford
Jesus College (in full: Jesus College in the University of Oxford of Queen Elizabeth's Foundation) is one of the constituent colleges of the University of Oxford in England. It is in the centre of the city, on a site between Turl Street, Ship St ...
, and President from 1993–4 of the
Association for the Study of Animal Behaviour The Association for the Study of Animal Behaviour (ASAB) is a British organization founded in 1936 to promote ethology, and the study of animal behaviour. ASAB holds conferences, offers grants, and publishes a peer-reviewed journal, ''Animal Behavio ...
.
*
Col.
Colonel (abbreviated as Col., Col or COL) is a senior military officer rank used in many countries. It is also used in some police forces and paramilitary organizations.
In the 17th, 18th and 19th centuries, a colonel was typically in charge of ...
T. E. Lawrence
Thomas Edward Lawrence (16 August 1888 – 19 May 1935) was a British archaeologist, army officer, diplomat, and writer who became renowned for his role in the Arab Revolt (1916–1918) and the Sinai and Palestine Campaign (1915–1918 ...
, better known as 'Lawrence of
Arabia
The Arabian Peninsula, (; ar, شِبْهُ الْجَزِيرَةِ الْعَرَبِيَّة, , "Arabian Peninsula" or , , "Island of the Arabs") or Arabia, is a peninsula of Western Asia, situated northeast of Africa on the Arabian Plate. ...
', and his youngest brother
Prof. A. W. Lawrence
Arnold Walter Lawrence (2 May 1900 – 31 March 1991) was a British authority on classical sculpture and architecture. He was Laurence Professor of Classical Archaeology at Cambridge University in the 1940s, and in the early 1950s in Accra he ...
,
Laurence Professor of Classical Archaeology
The Laurence Professorship of Classical Archaeology at the University of Cambridge was established in 1930 as one of the offices endowed by the bequest of Sir Perceval Maitland Laurence.Cambridge University
, mottoeng = Literal: From here, light and sacred draughts.
Non literal: From this place, we gain enlightenment and precious knowledge.
, established =
, other_name = The Chancellor, Masters and Schola ...
.
*
Ken Messer
Ken J. Messer (1931–2018) was a British watercolour painter and draughtsman.
Ken Messer was born in Newport, South Wales, and was educated at the City of Oxford High School for Boys in Oxford, where he spent much of his time during his ...
, watercolourist and draughtsman.
*
The 1st Baron Salter, British politician and academic, Member of Parliament 1937–1950 and 1951–1953
* Rt. Rev.
Russell Berridge White
Russell Berridge White was the inaugural Bishop of Tonbridge from 1959 to 1968.
Born on 13 December 1896 he was educated at the City of Oxford School and (after wartime service with the Queen's Own Oxfordshire Hussars) St Edmund Hall, Oxford. Af ...
,
Bishop of Tonbridge
The Bishop of Tonbridge is an episcopal title used by a suffragan bishop of the Church of England Diocese of Rochester in the Province of Canterbury, England. The title takes its name after Tonbridge, a market town in Kent; the see was erected ...
from 1959 to 1968.
*
Heinz Wolff
Heinz Siegfried Wolff, (29 April 1928 – 15 December 2017) was a German-born British scientist as well as a television and radio presenter. He was best known for the BBC television series '' The Great Egg Race''.
Early life
Wolff was born ...
, scientist.
One of the four school houses was named after Lawrence. Large photographs of Lawrence and Drinkwater were displayed to the right and left of the main hall, to inspire pupils during morning assembly – Lawrence is now above the main staircase.
References
External links
City of Oxford High School, George Street, OxfordCity of Oxford School Association website
{{authority control
Boys' schools in Oxfordshire
Educational institutions established in 1881
Educational institutions disestablished in 1966
Schools in Oxford
History of Oxford
Defunct grammar schools in England
Defunct schools in Oxfordshire
1881 establishments in England
1966 disestablishments in England