Sir William Romney's School, Tetbury

Sir William Romney's School is an 11-16 secondary school with academy status located in Tetbury, Gloucestershire, England. It serves schools around the Tetbury, Leighterton, Stroud, Cirencester, Nailsworth and Avening areas. In 2016 the school achieved a 'Good' rating from Ofsted.[1]

Sir William Romney's School
Location
Tetbury , Gloucestershire , GL8 8AE
Coordinates	51°38′48″N 2°09′37″W
Information
Type	Academy
Established	1610 (as Tetbury Grammar School)
Department for Education URN	136985 Tables
Ofsted	Reports
Headteacher	Jon Bell
Age	11 to 16
Enrolment	484
Houses	Pegasus, Orion, Andromeda
Website	http://swr.gloucs.sch.uk

History

School

• In 1610 Sir William Romney set aside some money in his will for a school to help children read and write.[2]
• In 1837 a new National school was built of Charlton road[3]
• In 1921 grammar school called, Sir Willam Romney's School was opened in Long Street[3]
• In 1952 it had become a comprehensive school [3]
• In 1969 it moved to the current site at the end of Lowfield Road.[2]
• In 2020 Sir William Romney's School joined The Athelstan Trust, a Multi-Academy Trust consisting of Secondary Schools in Wiltshire and Gloucestershire

The school's 400th anniversary was celebrated in 2010.[4]

Headteachers

• 1995-2008 : Eric Dawson
• 2008-2016 : Steven McKay
• 2016–Present : Jon Bell

Performing Arts status

Sir William Romney's was awarded Performing Arts status in 2005.[5]

Pipe Organ

In 2017 a 19th-century pipe organ, built by William Sweetland of Bath, was relocated to the school from Claremont Methodist Chapel, Bath.[6] The 2 manual organ is situated in the main hall and comprises 13 speaking stops. The cost of relocating the organ was met by the generous sponsorship of parents and friends of the school. The organ relocation was carried out by Head of Music Mr P Dillon, assisted by a retired organ builder.

Specification

Pedal Bourdon 16'

Great Open Diapason 8' Dulciana 8' Clarabella 8' Principal 4' Flute 4' Fifteenth 2'

Swell (Fully enclosed) Open Diapason 8' Lieblich Gedact 8' Salicional 8' Vox Celeste 8' Principal 4' Oboe 8'

Organ Scholars

Each year the school seeks to appoint an organ scholar from its students. The organ scholar is awarded lessons in exchange for performance at school events.

Sixth form

Despite a fight to keep the school's sixth form from closing, Sir William Romney's 16 to 18 provision was shut down in 2006.[7] The nearest sixth forms are now Cirencester College and Downfield Sixth Form in Stroud.

References

1. "Sir William Romney's School". Gloucestershire Live. 20 June 2019. Archived from the original on 27 August 2020. Retrieved 27 August 2020.
2. Shepherd, Charlotte (9 November 2010). "400 years at Tetbury school". Wilts and Gloucestershire Standard. Archived from the original on 27 August 2020. Retrieved 27 August 2020.
3. "Tetbury: Education Pages 281-282 A History of the County of Gloucester: Volume 11, Bisley and Longtree Hundreds". British History Online. Victoria County History. Archived from the original on 27 August 2020. Retrieved 27 August 2020.
4. Shepherd, Charlotte (26 September 2010). "400 year anniversary marked in style at Tetbury school". Wilts and Glos Standard. Archived from the original on 17 February 2018. Retrieved 16 February 2018.
5. "Sir William Romney's School". TES. Archived from the original on 27 August 2020. Retrieved 27 August 2020.
6. "Nexus Methodist Church". Nexus Methodist Church. Archived from the original on 27 August 2020. Retrieved 27 August 2020.
7. "Reprieved sixth form set to close". BBC. Archived from the original on 27 August 2020. Retrieved 27 August 2020.

External links

• School website