Richleigh, Barton Street, Gloucester - geograph

Sir Thomas Rich's School is 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 ...

with academy status for boys (aged 11–18) and girls (aged 16–18, in the

sixth form In the education systems of England, Northern Ireland, Wales, Jamaica, Trinidad and Tobago and some other Commonwealth countries, sixth form represents the final two years of secondary education, ages 16 to 18. Pupils typically prepare for ...

) in

Longlevens Longlevens, originally Longleavens, is a suburb of Gloucester, in the unparished area of Gloucester, in the Gloucester district, in the county of Gloucestershire, England. It developed from a farmstead during the twentieth century, the name ma ...

Gloucester Gloucester ( ) is a cathedral city and the county town of Gloucestershire in the South West of England. Gloucester lies on the River Severn, between the Cotswolds to the east and the Forest of Dean to the west, east of Monmouth and east o ...

, England, locally known as "Tommies". It was founded in 1666 by

Sir Thomas Rich, 1st Baronet Sir Thomas Rich, 1st Baronet (c. 1601 – 15 October 1667) was an English merchant and politician who sat in House of Commons in 1660. He established Sir Thomas Rich's School, a grammar school.Sir Thomas Rich Sir Thomas Rich, 1st Baronet (c. 1601 – 15 October 1667) was an English merchant and politician who sat in House of Commons in 1660. He established Sir Thomas Rich's School, a grammar school.Christ Church Hospital in London." The blue drugget gown and yellow stockings were replaced in 1882 by the modern equivalent, the blue blazer. The uniform now consists of shirt, blazer (two varieties), tie (four varieties), black trousers, black socks and black or dark brown shoes. The school moved to Barton Street in 1889. STRS June 2013

Schooldays between 1910 and 1918

Arthur Stanley Bullock from Longhope, who won a scholarship to Sir Thomas Rich's in about 1910, recalled his pride in starting at the school with the motto 'Garde ta foi' ('Keep your faith') on the cap badge. In his memoir, which also recalls his extraordinary experiences and narrow escapades during World War I, Arthur recorded that the headmaster at this time was called Mr E Price. Among the staff at this period, Arthur paid tribute to: 'Sherwood for arithmetic, Benfield for geography, Freeman for physics, Williams for art, West for English and history, Price for advanced English and Larcombe for mathematics.' He recalled, 'West and Larcombe stand out as absolutely brilliant'. West must have inspired Arthur's lifelong love of history - leading him to write his own historical memoir - and his excellence in mathematics - leading him to become an engineer. Larcombe was a notable author of mathematics books. Arthur also recalls that Larcombe and a number of other teachers joined up after war was declared, and four of them were killed in action.

Modern history

The school moved from the centre of Gloucester in May 1964. Changes included a new quadrangle of classrooms completed in 1994. The school has increased in size since 1990, with the addition of new buildings, such as a second quadrangle, sports hall, swimming pool, language block, music block, food technology block, a sixth form centre and a newly built pavilion. During 2013, the older sections underwent modernisation. During 2020 a new Economics, Entrepreneurship, Careers and Outreach Centre was built with a grant from the Clive and Sylvia Richard’s Charity of £70,000. In February 2020 the school was awarded the National Quality Mark For Careers Guidance.

Facilities

Sports

Opened in 1999, the sports hall is part of the STRS Sports Centre complex which provides sports facilities for the school and

. The school also has a fitness suite that students are able to join for an annual fee.

Arms

References

External links

Official website

Full history of Sir Thomas Rich's School

A potted history of the school
{{authority control Grammar schools in Gloucestershire Schools in Gloucester 1666 establishments in England Educational institutions established in the 1660s Academies in Gloucestershire Gloucester Sir Thomas Rich's School