Sir Thomas Rich's School

Sir Thomas Rich's School is a grammar school with academy status for boys (aged 11–18) and girls (aged 16–18, in the sixth form) in Longlevens, Gloucester, England, locally known as "Tommies".^[1] It was founded in 1666 by Sir Thomas Rich, 1st Baronet.^[2]

Sir Thomas Rich's School
Address
Oakleaze Longlevens, Gloucester , Gloucestershire , GL2 0LF England
Coordinates	51°52′23″N 2°12′21″W / 51.872954°N 2.20585°W / 51.872954; -2.20585Coordinates: 51°52′23″N 2°12′21″W / 51.872954°N 2.20585°W / 51.872954; -2.20585
Information
Type	Grammar school; Academy
Motto	Garde Ta Foy (Keep The Faith)
Established	1666; 357 years ago (1666)
Founder	Sir Thomas Rich
Authority	Gloucestershire County Council
Department for Education URN	136306 Tables
Ofsted	Reports
Head teacher	Matthew S.R. Morgan
Gender	Male, with a mixed Sixth Form
Age	11 to 18
Enrolment	1010
Houses	Northgate   Eastgate   Southgate   Westgate
Publication	The Richian Magazine
Website	http://www.strschool.co.uk/

Richleigh, Barton Street, the site of the school from 1889 to 1964.

The school moved to a new site outside the city centre in 1964. It offers a range of teaching and sporting facilities.

History

The Will

In Sir Thomas Rich's will of 1666 he left his Gloucester house, in Eastgate and £6,000 (a considerable sum for the time) for a school to be established for twenty poor boys in Gloucester. The money was mainly invested in farm land, with the rent paying for the running of the school. The school was opened in 1667, a year after Sir Thomas Rich's death.^[3][4] Sir Thomas Rich decreed that the pupils should wear "blue coats and caps according to the laudable usage of 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.^[5]

 

The school in 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.^[6]

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.^[7]

Modern history

The school moved from the centre of Gloucester in May 1964.^[4] 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.^[8] 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.^[9]

In February 2020 the school was awarded the National Quality Mark For Careers Guidance.^[10]

Facilities

Sports

Opened in 1999, the sports hall is part of the STRS Sports Centre complex which provides sports facilities for the school and Longlevens. The school also has a fitness suite that students are able to join for an annual fee.^[11][12]

Arms

Coat of arms of Sir Thomas Rich's School

Notes Granted 23 October 1962 Crest On a wreath Or and Azure a dexter arm embowed in armour the hand gautletted Proper holding a cross formy fitchy Or the elbow enfiled of a mural crown Gold. Escutcheon Or on a saltire raguly per saltire Gules and Azure five cross crosslets fitchy Gold. Motto Garde Ta Foy ^[13]

References

1. "Headmaster's Welcome | Sir Thomas Rich's Grammar School Gloucester (STRS) - Sir Thomas Rich's School". strschool.co.uk. from the original on 1 July 2020. Retrieved 28 June 2020.
2. "History of STRS | Sir Thomas Rich's Grammar School Gloucester (STRS) - Sir Thomas Rich's School". strschool.co.uk. from the original on 30 June 2020. Retrieved 28 June 2020.
3. . Sir Thomas Rich's School. Archived from the original on 8 April 2005. Retrieved 7 July 2020.
4. Evans, Jill (2013). The Gloucester Book of Days. History Press. ISBN 9780752489049.
5. Herbert, N M (1988). "'Gloucester: Education', in A History of the County of Gloucester: Volume 4, the City of Gloucester". London: British History Online. pp. 335–350. from the original on 24 August 2019. Retrieved 24 August 2019.
6. Bullock, Arthur (2009). Gloucestershire Between the Wars: A Memoir. The History Press. ISBN 978-0-7524-4793-3. (Pages 40-43)
7. Bullock, Arthur (2009). Gloucestershire Between the Wars: A Memoir. The History Press. ISBN 978-0-7524-4793-3. (Page 44)
8. "Propectus". Yumpu. Retrieved 7 July 2020.
9. "Clive and Sylvia Richards Donate £70k To New Building". Sir Thomas Rich's School - News'. Retrieved 5 February 2021.
10. "Sir Thomas Rich's Awarded National Quality Mark For Careers Guidance". Sir Thomas Rich's School - News'. Retrieved 5 February 2021.
11. . Sir Thomas Rich's School. Archived from the original on 12 September 2010. Retrieved 7 July 2020.
12. "Gloucester City Council Built Indoor Facilities Strategy Needs Assessment Report" (PDF). Gloucester Council. Retrieved 7 July 2020.
13. "Sir Thomas Rich's School". Heraldry of the World. Retrieved 13 October 2020.

External links

 

Wikimedia Commons has media related to Sir Thomas Rich's School.

• Official website
• Full history of Sir Thomas Rich's School