Cowbridge Grammar School was one of the best-known schools in Wales until its closure in 1974. It was replaced by a comprehensive school.
Founded in the 17th century by Sir John Stradling and refounded by Sir Leoline Jenkins, it had close links with Jesus College, Oxford. The school took both boarders and day boys. Famous old boys include actor Anthony Hopkins and poet Alun Lewis.
The main school buildings were located in Church Street, Cowbridge. Derelict for some years, they have now been converted into residential accommodation. The school also occupied part of Old Hall, now an adult education centre.
Cowbridge Grammar School was founded in 1608 by Sir John Stradling and owned by Jesus College, Oxford from 1685 to 1918. Sir Leoline Jenkins, Secretary of State to Charles II, purchased the school and bequeathed it to Jesus College in his will. It became Cowbridge Comprehensive School in 1973-4. What used to be the grammar school's main building, dating from 1852, was converted into residential accommodations beginning in 2006 and completed in 2008.
In 1881, Edward Treharne, who represented the school, was chosen to play in the first international game for the Wales rugby union team.
The Grammar School Old Boys' Association, in conjunction with the school's successor, Cowbridge Comprehensive, held a series of activities in September 2008 to mark the 400th anniversary of "the start of quality education" in Cowbridge.
The following old boys are listed in date order
Evan Seys (1604–1685) — Attorney general to Cromwell; MP for Glamorgan and Gloucester; Recorder of Gloucester; Exclusionist and Proto-WhigSir Leoline Jenkins (1625–1685) — Secretary of State to Charles II; MP for Hythe and for the University of Oxford; Judge of the High Court of the Admiralty; second founder of the school; Principal of Jesus College, OxfordJohn Pettingall (1707/8–1781) — Antiquarian and clergymanDavid Durell (1728–1775) — Old Testament Scholar; Principal of Hertford College, Oxford; Vice-Chancellor of the University of OxfordGeorge Cadogan Morgan (1754–1798) — Scientific writer (notably on electricity); republican and dissenting ministerSir John Nicholl (1759–1838) — Lawyer and politician: Tory MP, Privy Councillor, King's Advocate, Dean of the Arches, Judge of the High Court of the AdmiraltySir William Nott (1782–1845) — General for the East India Company; Commander in the first Afghan War 1838-42; Resident at LucknowEvan Evans (1813–1891) — Master of Pembroke College; Oxford and Vice-Chancellor of the University of OxfordWilliam Thomas (Islwyn) (1832–1878) — Methodist minister and Bard (Welsh-language poet)Sir Lewis Morris (1833–1907) — Writer and poet; a founder of the University of Wales; radical LiberalEdward Treharne (1862–1904) — Pioneering Welsh rugby international and medical manSir (William John) Andrew Jones (1889–1971) — Colonial administrator (Chief administrator of Northern Territories, Gold Coast)Glanville Williams (1911–1997) — Professor of English Law at CambridgeAlun Lewis (1915–1944) — Poet and soldierSir Idwal Pugh (1918–2010) — Second Permanent Secretary at Department of the Environment; Ombudsman; Director & Chairman of banks and building societiesJ.M.W. Bean (1928–2012) — Mediaeval historianSir Thomas Philip Jones (1931–2000) — Deputy Secretary at Department of Energy; Chairman of the Electricity Council; Company DirectorKeith Rowlands (1936–2006) — Welsh rugby international; First Chief Executive Officer of the International Rugby BoardRichard Grassby (born 1936) — Early modern historianSir Anthony Hopkins (born 1937) — Actor/filmstarPatrick Hannan (1941–2009) — Journalist, author and presenterWilliam Tudor John (born 1944) — Deputy Chairman of Nationwide Building Society since 2007; Chairman of Lehman Brothers (Europe) 2000–2008David Richard Hughes (born 1951) — Newspaper executive and chief leader writer, Daily TelegraphHedley Benyon (born 1936) - Former president of Rugby Canada