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Revision as of 10:14, 8 June 2006 by 212.132.0.11 (talk)(diff) ← Previous revision | Latest revision (diff) | Newer revision → (diff)Old Swinford Hospital is a boys' boarding school and mixed sixth form college at Oldswinford in Stourbridge, England that has been in continuous operation since the 17th Century.
The School
Old Swinford Hospital is a unique and highly successful school. Founded in 1667 by Thomas Foley, a Worcestershire iron master, it is now recognised as one of the country’s leading state schools, placed in the top 5% of schools at GCSE and with a strong record of excellence at Sixth Form level. 98% of students leave to study at university with a good number gaining admission to Oxford and Cambridge.
Some two thirds of the current 590 pupils are boarders from the immediate surrounding area and further afield in the UK. There is also a significant contingent of pupils from overseas as all those with a full UK or EU passport are entitled to apply for admission.
Old Swinford Hospital is, by tradition, a school for boys. However, since September 2004 the Governors have been offering places to girls wishing to study in the Sixth Form as day students.
Old Swinford Hospital is a member of the State Boarding Schools Association (formerly STABIS).
Although the name can be written Old Swinford Hospital School for the sake of clarity, it is generally agreed that the word School is not part of the 'official' title.
History
Old Swinford Hospital opened in the late summer of 1670. It was founded by Thomas Foley, an ironmaster whose estate was at Great Witley in Worcestershire, to educate 60 boys from “poor but honest” families nominated by parishes in Worcestershire, Staffordshire and Warwickshire.
When Thomas Foley died in 1677 he left the manor of Pedmore and a considerable sum of money in trust for the maintenance of the School. The fifteen trustees of this bequest were called Feoffees and included amongst them Thomas’ three sons, Thomas, Philip and Paul. Today there are still fifteen Feoffees who are the trustees of the original foundation. Three of the Feoffees are still direct male descendants of the Founder.
In 1950 the School ceased to be independent and became a Voluntary Aided school under an arrangement with Worcestershire County Council. Numbers in the School began to increase and a Sixth Form was started in the mid 1950s. New buildings, including a gymnasium and Lyttleton block were built to accommodate the enlarged School.
By the late 1970s day boys outnumbered boarders and an ambitious building programme commenced to enhance and extend the boarding provision. This included the construction of Foley House (1982), Witley House (1983), Dudley House (1984) and Baxter House (1990). Facilities have been further improved in more recent years by the construction of a new classroom block and a sports centre.
In September 1989 Old Swinford Hospital became one of the first non-chav Schools, independent of the Local Education Authority. With the ending of that status in 1998, the School reverted to being a Voluntary Aided school. The Governors and Headmaster retain considerable autonomy, however, and the Feoffees, as Foundation Trustees, continue to appoint a majority of the Governors.
The School is remarkable for having had only five Headmasters since 1882. The latest, Mr. Melvyn Roffe, formerly Director of Studies at Monmouth School, took up his appointment in September 2001.
Other Links
External links
- Old Swinford Hospital official website: Old Swinford Hospital official website