Wolsingham Community College
Wolsingham School is a secondary school, located in Wolsingham, County Durham.
| Wolsingham School | |
|---|---|
| Address | |
Leazes Lane , , DL13 3DN | |
| Coordinates | 54°43′58″N 1°53′28″W |
| Information | |
| Type | Community school |
| Established | 1614 |
| Local authority | Durham |
| Department for Education URN | 114297 Tables |
| Ofsted | Reports |
| Current Headteacher | Mr Jonathan Ferstenberg |
| Gender | Co-educational |
| Age | 11 to 18 |
| Enrolment | 802 |
| Website | http://www.wolsinghamschool.net |
Admissions
The school
Wolsingham School is part of Wolsingham School which has classes on three floors and a big playground. The school is situated just off the A689, and near the River Wear in the former district of Wear Valley. This is the former grammar school. The whole school takes students at the ages of 11-18. In the past the lower site was the site for Key Stage 3, while the upper site was for Key Stage 4. This system no longer exists, but instead the sixth form is based on the top floor of the new extension.
The school opened its new £6.4 million building in 2016 and was officially opened by the Duke of Gloucester.
History
Wolsingham had two school buildings – 'Wolsingham Grammar School' on Main Road which then became Wolsingham Secondary School, with the addition of a new building opened in 1958 on the site of the school playing fields. This coincided with the abandonment of the 11+ selection process, but the school retained streaming based on ability. The original school was founded in 1614, with new grammar school buildings opening in 1911. The 1958 building has since been demolished and the old building substantially extended to accommodate all pupils. In June 1964 12-year-old pupil Sanchia Hayes was killed when her school bus hit a lorry in Frosterley.
Academic performance
GCSE results are at the national average but are above-average for the local area. Results have been improving annually.
Alumni
Wolsingham Grammar School
- Anita Atkinson, editor of the Weardale Gazette newspaper, author, Guinness World Record holder
- Ernest Armstrong, Labour MP from 1964-87 of North West Durham
- Harry Beevers (1924-2004), plant physiologist. His siblings attended the school including Leonard Beevers, also a plant physiologist.
- Prof William Laurence Burn, historian, Professor of Modern History from 1944-66 at Newcastle University
- Air Vice-Marshal Robert Davis CB, Station Commander from 1975-77 of RAF Leuchars and Commander from 1980-3 of British Forces Cyprus
- Prof Brian Foster OBE, Professor of Experimental Physics since 2003 at the University of Oxford, and at the University of Bristol from 1996–2003
- Rev Roger Hall MBE QHC, Chaplain to the Chapel Royal of St Peter ad Vincula since 2007
- John James CB OBE, town planner, Professor of Town and Regional Planning from 1967-77 at the University of Sheffield
- Fred Peart, Baron Peart, Labour MP from 1945-76 for Workington, Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food from 1964-8 and 1974-6
- Brian Peart, Chief Administrator from 1976-80 of ADAS
- Sir Harold Shearman, Labour politician, Chairman from 1964-66 of the Greater London Council, and President from 1962-71 of the School Journey Association, and member of the Robbins Committee.
- Danielle Mustarde, journalist at DIVA Magazine for LGBTQ+ women.
