Information about King Edward Vi School Stratford Upon Avon

King Edward VI Grammar School
Established	13th Century, refounded in 1553 by King Edward VI
School type	Voluntary aided state grammar
Headmaster	Mr T. P. Moore-Bridger
Deputy Headmaster	Mr D. Gajadharsingh
Location	Stratford-upon-Avon, Warwickshire, England
Enrollment	487 boys [1]
Faculty	32 full-time teachers, 12 part-time
Specialist School	Humanities
% achieving 5 A*-C at GCSE	100% (2005)
Ofsted effectiveness rating	Outstanding
Website	www.kingedwardvi.warwickshire.sch.uk

King Edward VI School (commonly shortened to KES) is a grammar school for boys in Stratford-upon-Avon in Warwickshire, England. It is claimed that the poet and playwright William Shakespeare was educated there.

History

There has been an educational facility on the site since at least the early thirteenth century. The school was given money and a regular income from the Stratford-upon-Avon Town Trust, which gained a charter, refounding the school, from King Edward VI nine days before he died in 1553.^[2]

The playwright and poet William Shakespeare is believed to have attended the school between the ages of seven to fourteen^[3]. This is likely as his father, John Shakespeare, a glover and wool dealer of good standing, held the office of Bailiff of the Borough in 1568 and William would have, therefore, been entitled to a free place.

In 2003, there were many celebrations for the 450th anniversary of the school's charter.

In March 2006 the school was granted a specialist Humanities College status, emphasising on English, Drama and Classics.

Buildings

There is a wide variety of architectural styles on the site ranging from the fifteenth century Big School to the multi-purpose Levi Fox Hall, built in 1997.

The old part of the school is still in use. The Guild Hall on the ground floor, where the Town Council of Shakespeare's time met, is currently used as a library, as is the other Council Chamber on the first floor. The second first floor room, known as Big School, is the room in which William Shakespeare is believed to have been taught and is still used for school assemblies and some classes, although it is not ideal as a teaching room due to the poor heating and ancient desks. The building known as Pedagogue's House across the courtyard currently houses the school office and the Headmaster's office as well as the recently founded archive and Deputy Headmaster's Office. Pedagogue's House is attached to The Old Vicarage, where the Headmaster lives. There is also the Guild Chapel, founded by the Guild of the Holy Cross, it is currently used by the school for assemblies and various other school events, such as the annual carol service.

Many of the buildings of the main part of the school date from the 1930s. The newest part of the school is the Levi Fox Hall, which is mostly used for sport, assemblies, school plays, concerts and exams. The Levi Fox Hall was named after the chair of Governors at the time of its construction. Within this facility, there are also three music practice rooms.

Building of new science and ICT blocks was due to start in September 2006 but was delayed. It started in March 2007. Once constructed the old science labs will be turned into English and Drama classrooms.

Student life

KES is a completely selective school: to enter the school, all boys must pass a selective exam, primarily the eleven plus, which is taken in Year 6 (ages 10 and 11) across Warwickshire. KES is a brother school to Stratford-upon-Avon Grammar School for Girls and in the Sixth Form students can attend classes at either school in some subjects. Unlike the Girls' Grammar, however, it is a voluntary aided school, drawing extra funds from other sources. The school has flourishing sporting, music and drama departments. The school's rugby team is very successful and regularly reaches the later stages of the Daily Mail Cup. It also goes on annual international tours. The annual rugby match against Warwick School is well attended. The music department holds termly concerts and many of the students are very talented, with the King Eddie's Revival Big Band being particularly highly praised. The band has played at the prestigious 100 Club, Oxford Street, London. The school puts on an annual play, which are generally performed well. 2005's production was Unman, Wittering and Zigo. 2006's production was Shakespeare's The Winter's Tale.

The school is currently lead by the Headmaster, Mr. Timothy Moore-Bridger MA Cantab, and the Head of Governors, Prof. Ronnie Mulryne. The Head Boy, elected by the Lower Sixth and teachers is currently Sam Nava with deputies James Kay and David Twigg. There is also a team of similarly elected prefects.

There is a School Council, consisting of elected members from each year group, and a Sixth Form Committee, consisting of members of the sixth form, which provide a voice for the students in many different aspects of the running of the school.

Fencing

The school has, in the past, had a prestigous fencing club; with the return of David Kirby KES shall once again become a centre of excellence for fencing in the UK.

External links

• Some old postcards of KES
• King Edward VI School Website

References

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