Established pre-1384 Religion Church of England Chair of Governors Rob Haydn Jones Number of students 526 | Type Independent day school Headteacher Paul Smith Phone +44 1432 363522 | |
Location Old Deanery
Cathedral Close
Hereford
Herefordshire
HR1 2NG
England Address The Old Deanery, Castle St, Hereford HR1 2NG, UK Motto Floreat Schola Herefordensis; (May the school of Hereford flourish) Similar Hereford Sixth Form College, Herefords Council -, St Mary's R C High School, Herefords College of Tech, The Bishop of Hereford Profiles | ||
Hereford Cathedral School is an independent, co-educational day school for pupils of ages 3 to 18 years, from Nursery to Sixth Form. Its headmaster is a member of the Headmasters' and Headmistresses' Conference. The school's premises are next to Hereford Cathedral in Hereford.
Contents
History
There was probably a school associated with the Cathedral from the time of the foundation of the see in the late 7th century. Thus Hereford Cathedral School is likely to be among the oldest in England. The earliest documentary record of its existence dates from 1384 when Bishop John Gilbert appointed Richard Cornwaille as school master and authorised him to rule over the school with birch and rod. The school's library is named after Bishop Gilbert.
The school remained relatively small in size until the inter-war period. It attained direct grant status in 1945 and by 1970 had expanded to 370 pupils, all of whom were boys and many of whom were boarders. In 1973, the school became co-educational. It was a direct grant school until 1975, and when this scheme was abolished, it chose to become independent. The school also participated in the Assisted Places Scheme from its introduction in 1980 until its abolition in 1997.
As of September 2006, Paul Smith is headmaster, succeeding the long-serving Dr Howard Tomlinson.
Curriculum
As well as core disciplines, other subjects taught in the school include Ancient History/Classical Civilisation, Art, Design and Technology, Drama, Economics, French, Japanese, Spanish, Greek, Latin, Further Mathematics, History of Art, Music and Textiles.
Sport
Among sports practiced in the school are: Athletics, Badminton, Basketball, Canoeing, Cricket, Cross Country, Fencing, Fitness Training, Football, Hockey, Netball, Rounders, Rowing, Rugby, Swimming, Table Tennis, Tennis, and Volleyball
Traditions
Former pupils and members of staff are referred to as Old Herefordians, using the postnominal designation OH.
Although there is no official school song, the de facto school anthem is the hymn Jerusalem (English Hymnal 656A). It has become a school legend that the singing of this hymn during an assembly in the Cathedral on Friday 27 May 1983 was heard outside Marks and Spencers in High Town. The hymn is a popular choice in weddings, memorial services and funerals of Old Herefordians.
House System
It has four houses, named Langford (after Charles Langford, Dean of Hereford and benefactor 1607), Stuart (named after King Charles I, benefactor 1637), Somerset (named after Sarah Seymour, Duchess of Somerset, benefactor 1682) and Cornwall (named after Richard de Cornwaille, first known headmaster of HCS, 1384).
Before the abolition of boarding at the school, there were also separately named houses for boarders, namely: School House, Number 1 (Castle Street) and Old Deanary. In those days, Cornwall, Langford, Somerset and Stuart consisted entirely of day pupils.
Headmasters
Controversy
In February 2017, the school was sued by a former pupil who alleged that when he was transitioning from female to male, the school discriminated against him. In response, the school's governing body said that the pupil had been withdrawn before any decision on his support had been made.
Combined Cadet Force
The school operates a Combined Cadet Force composed of Royal Navy, Army and Royal Air Force sections. It is the second oldest school CCF in the country. Recently the organization has had notable success in the CCF (Army) March and Shoot. The unit is currently commanded by Sqn Ldr A D Howell.
The last Biennial Inspection was on 8 May 2014. The inspecting officer was Col Seal, who is the Deputy Commander of 143 Brigade.
Ghachok link
The school is linked with a school in the village of Ghachok, Nepal, which is one of the school's chosen charities. Money donated by the pupils has been put into the building of new classrooms, employment of teachers, provision of sports equipment, and the purchasing of computers for the school. Every year, a number of pupils and parents visit Nepal and the school.