52°18′3.94″N 0°41′7.61″E / 52.3010944°N 0.6854472°E / 52.3010944; 0.6854472

Culford School
Location
Map
, ,
IP28 6TX

Information
TypePrivate boarding and day school
Public school
MottoViriliter Agite Estote Fortes
(Quit Ye Like Men, Be Strong)
Religious affiliation(s)Methodist
Established1881
FounderJ.H.L. Christien
Local authoritySuffolk
Department for Education URN124886 Tables
Chair of GovernorsMark Donougher
HeadClaire Bentley
Staff300
GenderCo-educational
Age1 to 18
Enrolment750
Colour(s)   
PublicationThe Culfordian
Former pupilsOld Culfordians
Websitehttp://www.culford.co.uk

Culford School is a co-educational private boarding and day school for pupils age 1–18 in the village of Culford, 4 miles (6 km) north of Bury St Edmunds in Suffolk, England. The head is traditionally a member of the Headmasters' and Headmistresses' Conference and the Prep School head is a member of the IAPS.

History

The school was founded as the East Anglian School for Boys, incorporating an institution founded in 1873 by Congregationalist minister, Dr John H. L. Christien. It was one of a group of Methodist schools established in response to the growth of the middle class, the launching of the Woodard Schools and the 1867 Taunton Commission, which fuelled an expansion of secondary education in general and of non-conformist boarding schools in particular. The original school was in Northgate Street in Bury St Edmunds, but in 1886 it moved to Thingoe Hill in the town (a site later occupied by the East Anglian School for Girls).

In 1935 the school moved to Culford Park. This is the former seat of the Earls Cornwallis, then the Benyon family and finally the Earls of Cadogan. The 7th Earl Cadogan sold the estate to the Methodist Independent Schools Trust in 1935, and thereafter the school became known as Culford School. It is at the centre of East Anglia, c.90 minutes from London, 60 from Norwich, 40 from Ipswich, and c.30 minutes from Cambridge.

The school sits in 480 acres (1.9 km2) of Repton parkland with grazing, formal gardens, lake, and the 16th-19th Century Culford Hall. When the school first moved to Culford the Hall became dormitories and classrooms; the laundry the sanatorium; the forge the art and woodwork studios (now the Pringle Centre for Art and Design Technology); and the stables the Junior Department (now the Preparatory School).

The first new building to be added by the school was Cadogan House, for junior boys, in 1937. The Leigh Memorial Swimming Pool was built in the same year.

The school was one of the 'direct grant grammar schools' in the system that existed in England and Wales between 1945[1] and 1976.[2] The system provided funds from central government[3] for a number of pupils per year to be admitted from local education authority schools within the County of West Suffolk, selected primarily on the basis of their Eleven-plus exam results.[4][5][citation needed]

Main School (Culford Hall), North Front

The Skinner and Hastings buildings were added in the 1960s, followed during the 1970s-1990s by an auditorium, pre-prep school, medical centre and biology laboratories. Purpose-built boarding houses and the Ashby Dining Hall (named after the then Chairman of the Governors) were constructed in 1972.

1972 was the year in which Culford amalgamated with its sister school, the East Anglian School for Girls (EASG), becoming one of the first fully co-educational HMC schools. New Houses were formed as follows:

Edwards House   Senior Boys (boarding and day pupils) (named after G. S. Edwards, French & hockey master, Deputy Headmaster 1923–1962)
Cornwallis House   Senior Boys (boarding and day pupils) (named after the Marquess Cornwallis, of Culford Hall)
Jocelyn House   Senior Girls (boarding and day pupils) (name transferred from EASG)
Storey House   Sixth Form Co-educational House - closed 2003 (named after Dr C. Storey, Headmaster 1951–1971)
Robson House   Senior Day Boys - formed 1993 – closed 2012 (named after D. Robson, Headmaster 1971–1992)
Fitzgerald House   Originally Junior Girls - Senior Day Girls since 2003, now Senior Girls (boarding and day pupils) (name transferred from EASG)
Cadogan House   Prep School co-ed since 1996 – (boarding pupils only) (named after Earl Cadogan)

Coat of arms

Coat of arms of Culford School
Notes
Granted 10 May 1937.[6]
Crest
On a wreath Argent and Azure, a book Argent edged Or ensigned with a crown Proper.
Escutcheon
Argent, on a cross Azure three crowns Or in fess and two escallops of the first in pale, in the first quarter a lion rampant reguardant of the second.
Motto
'Viriliter agite estote fortes'

The school today

Although Culford is a selective school, it accepts pupils of a broad ability range. More than half of the senior pupils are boarders. Three schools are housed within the Park:

A library of historic volumes is located in an oak panelled room overlooking Culford Hall's south front, completed for the visit of King Edward VII in December 1904 and now the staff common room. A large contemporary collection of 10,000 books is housed in a free-standing modern building opened 2015,.[7] The Centenary Hall, a facility containing a large hall/auditorium and Studio Theatre was opened in 2006 by HRH The Duke of Gloucester (twenty five years after his first visit for the school's centenary), and was constructed in what was previously a large courtyard enclosed on three sides by the main building.

The Culford Foundation exists to raise funds for special projects that will benefit the pupils of the school and has raised funds for the Pre-Prep nursery and dining hall; an astro-turf sports field; the William Miller Science Centre (built following a £1m donation by an Old Culfordian); the restoration of Culford Hall, the new library and the Art and Design Centre. The Foundation also supports the Old Culfordians Association.

The most recent inspection report of the Prep and Senior schools (February 2020) by the Independent Schools Inspectorate (ISI) concludes that the schools are “Excellent” in all areas.

Academia

William Miller Science Centre

The ISI 2020 inspection rates academics as Excellent and the Good Schools Guide[8] say that the quality of the pupils’ achievement is good. Pupils are well educated, in accordance with the school's aims of providing an education that is challenging, enriching and fun.[9] In 2019 79% of A-level grades were A*-C compared to 82% and 78% at the nearby County Upper School and King Edward VI School respectively.[10]

There is a Scholars Programme,[11] plus many societies focused on subjects and areas of interest. Lecturers have included Sir Andrew Motion, Ann Widdecombe, George Alagiah and Henry Olonga.

A Sixth Form Enrichment Programme[12] offers Open University degree modules and pupils also compete in competitions such as the Intermediate Mathematical Challenge. Like many independent schools, Culford teaches the IGCSE.[13]

Here are the latest academic results:[14]

GCSE Results (2023):

A Level Results (2023):

Arts

Culford Hall from Lake and Iron Bridge
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The arts are overseen by specialist staff covering music, drama, art and dance. Music is also supported by heads of keyboard, strings and wind and brass and a team of instrumental tutors, covering all the orchestral instruments, drum kit, classical and electric guitar. Inter-house music competitions and termly concerts are held: recent concerts include Felix Mendelssohn's Elijah, and Benjamin Britten's Noye's Fludde at St Bartholomew's Church, Orford, where it had first been performed. The school has many musical ensembles and groups and also holds special days and assemblies. There is an extensive programme of concerts at all levels. 2009 saw the restoration of the west wing of Culford Hall to create the Beech Centre for Music and Performing Arts (part-funded by Old Culfordian David Beech).

Two major dramatic productions are staged each year, one musical and one stage play. Smaller productions are staged more regularly, including during House drama competitions. The Studio Theatre, the Centenary Hall, and the Regency Theatre Royal are used as venues. Lamda qualifications are offered as are dance lessons.

Sport and activities

Culford offers high performance academies in Tennis and Golf alongside the major competitive sports of rugby, cricket, hockey, netball, athletics, cross-country and swimming. Regional honours are achieved whilst European and England players and champions in hockey, tennis, horse riding, karate, polo and rugby are on the school roll. Pupils compete in events such as the National Schools Rugby Sevens, and the Inter-Schools Hunter Trials.

Numbered amongst current Old Culfordians are an Olympic horserider, a British modern pentathlon champion,[15] a Welsh hockey international, and club rugby and cricket players for Richmond and Middlesex respectively. Previous generations of Old Culfordians have included several hockey players for England and one for Scotland, a captain of the Welsh team, and a Great British hockey Olympian; as well as an England badminton player.[16] The school has also produced numerous Oxford and Cambridge Blues.

In addition to the major sports, Culford offers a wide range of other sports and activities utilising its 480 acres (1.9 km2) of parkland and extensive facilities.

Cricket pavilion
Indoor Golf TrackMan Studio

A further lake at Lackford is used for Sailing, and nearby Thetford Forest is used for outdoor pursuits. Golf is played at a course in neighbouring Flempton. 1962 saw the school become one of the 16 founder members of The Public Schools Old Boys Golf Association, and it competes regularly in the Grafton Morrish Trophy.[20]

The school is linked to the LTA High Performance Centre in Cambridge, and 14 coaches offer a tennis scheme encompassing a junior Academy programme.[21] The school also provides cricket coaching from former Italy international, Andrew Northcote. Culford play an MCC side annually. An Activities Programme offers over sixty pursuits including climbing, clay pigeon shooting, chess, critical thinking, Cub Scouts, debating, Duke of Edinburgh's Award, expeditions, fencing, horse riding, sub aqua and Young Enterprise. In addition, external organisations using Culford's facilities contribute to provision for pupils:

Combined Cadet Force

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The CCF's Army section is associated with the Army Air Corps and the First Battalion Royal Anglian Regiment. The CCF is commanded by Captain Sarah Schofield. Weekly training activities include shooting, expeditions, combat manoeuvres, ambush and continuity drills, signals training, orienteering, climbing, kayaking, first aid and lifesaving. The CCF also play an important role in the School's annual Act of Remembrance on Armistice Day.

The CCF Contingent was inspected in 2007 by General Sir John McColl, an Old Culfordian, Colonel of the Royal Anglians and Deputy Supreme Allied Commander Europe. 2009's inspection was carried out by Air Vice Marshal Richard Garwood, parent of a Culfordian and Chief of Staff (Operations) at Headquarters Air Command; and 2011's by General the Lord Dannatt.

The current CCF is the successor to several individual service cadet forces, established during the world wars and at other stages, as well as to Culford's Air Scouts troop which, in 1939, was amongst the first five nationally and which became the largest in eastern England prior to dwindling in the 1960s.

Headmasters and Heads

Notable alumni

See also: Category:People educated at Culford School

Main School (Culford Hall), south front

Controversies

The Fifth Dinner Club

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Lake and Iron Bridge

The name of the ‘Fifth Dinner Club’ (FDC) is derived from its foundation by five members of the Fifth Form - G G Hawes, R H Tuffs, Gaubert, Downs and Marley - to subvert the prefects. However the Fifth Formers eventually became prefects themselves and only prefects have been admitted ever since. It is separate from the school and is run by its members. The club is associated with a motto, abbreviated to D.V.P.M. It is also associated with Ye Olde Cheshire Cheese pub on London's Fleet Street, where members first dined in the 1930s and which they visit to this day.[32]

Miscellanea

Senior Common Room

Further reading

References

  1. ^ Direct Grant and Independent Schools HC Deb 15 November 1945 vol 415 cc2498-501W HANSARD 1803–2005 → 1940s → 1945 → November 1945 api.parliament.uk, accessed 9 December 2020
  2. ^ Tenacious, kind, and a man who helped change things for the better- Tribute: How go-ahead headmaster Derek Robson helped transform Culford School "Culford ... the first direct grant co-educational school in the UK" 30 April 2019, www.eadt.co.uk, accessed 9 December 2020 (similar at The Guardian- Derek Robson obituary)
  3. ^ Education in England: a history -Derek Gillard www.educationengland.org.uk, accessed 9 December 2020
  4. ^ The Fleming Report (1944) The Public Schools and the General Educational System The Fleming Report (1944)- The Public Schools and the General Educational System, accessed 9 December 2020
  5. ^ The Donnison Report (1970) The Public Schools Commission: Second Report www.educationengland.org.uk, accessed 9 December 2020
  6. ^ "Culford School". Heraldry of the World. Retrieved 16 February 2023.
  7. ^ New Library Unveiled at Culford School Archived 2015-09-26 at the Wayback Machine Retrieved 2015-09-08
  8. ^ Good Schools Guide entry Archived 2009-09-08 at the Wayback Machine Retrieved 2008-12-17
  9. ^ "INDEPENDENT SCHOOLS INSPECTORATE 2014" (PDF). Archived from the original (PDF) on 2 October 2020. Retrieved 23 September 2020.
  10. ^ Ghaemi, Mariam. "A-level Results Day 2019: Live updates from West Suffolk". East Anglian Daily Times. Archived from the original on 15 September 2019. Retrieved 23 September 2020.
  11. ^ Culford Scholars Programme Archived 2012-04-01 at the Wayback Machine Retrieved 2011-10-03
  12. ^ Sixth Form Enrichment Programme Archived 2012-04-01 at the Wayback Machine Retrieved 2009-08-29
  13. ^ BBC News report on the IGCSE Retrieved 2009-01-25
  14. ^ Bryan (25 March 2024). "Explore Culford School: See Reviews, Rankings, Fees, And More". Britannia UK. Retrieved 2 April 2024.
  15. ^ Charlie Unwin Modern Pentathlon rankings[dead link] Retrieved 2009-05-02
  16. ^ Quoted in “Culford School, The First Hundred Years, 1881-1981” pp. 180-181 (see Further Reading)
  17. ^ Indoor Tennis Centre Opening by Greg Rusedski May 2009 Retrieved 2009-07-03
  18. ^ Film location site; ref. to Iron Bridge Retrieved 2010-01-23
  19. ^ The Iron Bridge at Culford School- A Grade I Listed Building in Culford, Suffolk britishlistedbuildings.co.uk, accessed 23 February 2021
  20. ^ Grafton Morrish Trophy Archived 2009-05-04 at the Wayback Machine Retrieved 2009-07-03
  21. ^ Article in The Independent analysing tennis provision at schools such as Culford Retrieved 2009-08-28
  22. ^ England Hockey JRPC Page Archived 2010-09-22 at the Wayback Machine Retrieved 2009-04-29
  23. ^ Jayne-Anne Gadhia profile in The Times Retrieved 2008-03-08
  24. ^ Article on William R. Miller donation in The Telegraph 19/06/01[dead link] Retrieved 2008-03-08
  25. ^ Sharkey, Heather J. (2017). "A History of Muslims, Christians, and Jews in the Middle East by Heather J. Sharkey". Cambridge Core. Retrieved 12 October 2019.
  26. ^ Sharkey, Heather J. (2008). American Evangelicals in Egypt. Princeton: Princeton University Press. ISBN 9780691168104.
  27. ^ Sharkey, Heather J. (2003). Living with Colonialism. Berkeley: University of California Press.
  28. ^ "Owner of school where headmaster sacked files serious incident report to Charity Commission". Suffolk News. 12 July 2023. Retrieved 14 July 2023.
  29. ^ Steward, Michael. "Police investigate alleged drug dealing to students at Culford School". East Anglian Daily Times. Retrieved 30 September 2020.
  30. ^ Hunt, Jane. "Bury St Edmunds: IT head from Culford School given suspended sentence after dishonestly abusing his position". East Anglian Daily Times. Retrieved 30 September 2020.
  31. ^ "DRUG KIDS EXPELLED. - Free Online Library". www.thefreelibrary.com. Retrieved 30 September 2020.
  32. ^ FOCus Edition 10: 2011 by Culford School Issuu, accessed 23 February 2021
  33. ^ BBC WW2 People's War recollection of the German aeroplane shot down over Culford Park Retrieved 2008-03-08
  34. ^ 1971 Sports Illustrated article on Master McGrath Archived 2012-07-18 at archive.today Retrieved 2010-01-05