Beruflich Dokumente
Kultur Dokumente
WORCESTER
c
gov \
Music
H. W. Bramma, M.A., F.R.C.O.
R. H . West Mrs. S. A. Robinson, B.A.
PREPARATORY DEPARTMENT
Master-in-charge W. Thomas, M.A., T.D.
A. E. Tibbs, B.D. Mrs. V. E. M. Bailey, Cert. Ed,
Mrs. W. Thomas, N.F.F.
HISTORY
A LTHOUGH there is reason to think that a Cathedral School existed at Worcester in the 7tb
century, the continuous existence of the present school dates from its foundation by King
Henry VIII in 1541, when the Cathedral Priory was suppressed. The Refectory of the Priory—
now known as College Hall—has, except for brief interruptions, been occupied by the School
ever since. In 1884 the School was reorganised as a Public School, and in 1944 the Cathedral
Choir School was amalgamated with the King's School.
The School is on the Direct Grant List of the Ministry of Education. This enables it to
take its part in the national system of education without losing its independence, and also to
offer the amenities of a Public School education at a very moderate cost to parents. The
Governing Body is composed of the Dean and Chapter of Worcester, together with represen-
tatives of the City Council, the County Council and Oxford University. The School is repre-
sented on the Headmasters' Conference and the Governing Bodies' Association.
RELIGION
The School has a historic connection with the Cathedral, and religious instruction is given
in accordance with the doctrines of the Church of England, but boys of other denominations are
accepted. Prayers are held in College Hall on weekday mornings, and boarders attend Mattins
in the Cathedral on Sundays. The Bishop of Worcester holds a special Confirmation Service for
the School in the Cathedral each March, for which boys are prepared by the School Chaplain.
The Junior School has its own chapel at St. Alban's in which daily prayers and Sunday Services
are held. The Holy Communion is celebrated here several times a term by the Chaplain; on
other Sundays boys can attend the Cathedral services.
CURRICULUM
In the Junior School all boys take English, Arithmetic, Divinity, History, Geography,
Nature Study, Art, Music, and Physical Education. French is started in the Second Form.
In the Middle School (11-13) all boys follow the same basic course, with the addition
of Latin and Elementary Science, for two years; after that a system of options is introduced.
In the Upper School the curriculum is designed to give all boys a general education, to
avoid premature specialisation and an irrevocable commitment to Arts or Sciences, and to break
down the rigid division between the Ordinary and Advanced courses of the General Certificate
of Education. For at least two years all boys take Divinity, English, Mathematics, French, P.E.,
General Art and Music, and at least one Science subject, together with various combinations of
other subjects. The Ordinary level examination of the G.C.E. can be taken after two or three
years, according to the boy's progress in individual subjects, enabling him to move on to
Advanced work in some subjects, while still completing the 'O' level course in others. In the
VI Forms three main subjects are usually taken at Advanced level; these may be a selection from
Classics, English, Modern Languages, History, Geography, Mathematics, Physics, Chemistry, and
Biology. Besides their specialist subjects all boys take English, Religion and Philosophy, and a
complementary course in General Studies. (The Modern Languages taught are French, German
and Russian).
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SPORT
All boys are expected to take part in school games unless excused for medical reasons.
The main school games are Rugby Football in the Autumn Term, Hockey, Rowing, and Cross-
country running in the Easter Term, and Cricket, Rowing, Tennis, Swimming and Athletics in
the Summer Term. There are also opportunities for boys to play Fives, Squash, and Golf.
The main playing fields lie immediately across the river from the school, adjoining the
County Cricket Ground, and there is another field at Battenhall, about a mile away. A new
Boathouse was built in 1959, the playing fields extended in 1961, a 25-metre open-air swimming
pool completed in 1963, and four tennis courts provided in 1963-4.
OTHER ACTIVITIES
A t the age of 14 boys join either the Combined Cadet Force (which has Army, Navy, and
R.A.F. Sections) or the Scouts. C.C.F. cadets, after taking their Proficiency Test, go on to
advanced training, which includes such activities as signalling, vehicle maintenance, rock-climbing,
and 24-hour "arduous training" exercises. Alternative activities for boys in the VI Form include
courses given by the Red Cross and the Fire Service, a Civics course, and Welfare and Public
Works groups.
There is a school choir and orchestra, and a new Music School was opened in 1964. The
Art and Craft Rooms provide facilities for painting, pottery and sculpture. A school play is
produced every year, in addition to other minor dramatic activities. There is a large number
of school societies and clubs catering for a wide range of interests. Carpentry and dancing can
be taken as "extras".
ADMISSION
There are various methods of entry to the School for boys of different ages, viz :—
1. junior School Admission Examination. Admission to the Junior School for boarders and day-
boys is by means of examinations held at the School each June, for entry in September. They
are competitive, and appropriate papers are set for all ages between 8 and 11. The recommended
age of entry is 8-9, for there are very few vacancies for boys aged 10-11. Entry must be made
by March 31st preceding the examination; no specimen papers are available.
2. Worcester City and County Secondary Schools Entrance Examinations. These examinations
—better known as the " 1 1 + "—are conducted by the Local Education Authorities, and on the
results a certain number of boys of 10 and 11 are awarded " free places" at the King's School.
Their parents must be resident in the City or County of Worcester, and entry is made through
the Primary or Preparatory School.
3. Common Entrance Examination. By means of this examination boys may enter the School
either as boarders or day-boys between the ages of 13 and 14. The examination is held at
Preparatory Schools in February, June and November, and boys who reach the qualifying mark,
and have already been offered a place at the King's School, enter the Senior School the following
term. It should be noted that the majority of vacancies occur in September; there are few in
January and May. Applications for 13-year-old places should be made to the Headmaster
as early as possible, as the lists may be closed several years before the date of entry. The
King's School takes no part in arranging this examination, and entries for it must be made by
the Preparatory School.
Winners of King's Scholarships and Choristers' Scholarships are entitled to a place in the
School without further examination. Details of these are given in a later section.
Admission to the Junior School does not guarantee admission later to the Senior School,
though it is expected that a boy who has passed the Junior School Entrance Test will have
little difficulty in reaching the standard of entry to the Senior School. Boys who have not
reached this standard by the age of 12 cannot be retained in the Junior School.
FEES
Details of the fees and other charges are given on a separate sheet in the pocket at the
back of this prospectus. In addition to the provision of full tuition and the normal games
facilities, the school fees cover the use of text-books, stationery and apparatus, and basic entry
fees for the General Certificate Examinations. It will be appreciated that these fees would be
considerably higher but for the Direct Grant.
The Tuition Fee is remitted in the case of boys, whether boarders or day-boys, holding
" free places " awarded by the Worcestershire and Worcester City Education Authorities. The
parents of other day-boys can claim remission of part or the whole of the Tuition Fee on the
basis of an income scale. (Details of this can be obtained from the Bursar.) In certain cases
a grant towards the Boarding Fee may be made by a Local Authority; for information parents
should apply to the Chief Education Officer of their own Local Education Authority. None of
these remissions apply to boys in the Junior School.
The Governors reserve the right to increase the fees, if necessary, after giving one term's
notice of their intention to do so.
Accounts must be paid in advance, before the first day of term.
A full term's notice must be given in writing before the removal of a boy. In default of
such notice, the full fees for the ensuing term must be paid.
Fees cannot be remitted in the event of absence, but parents can insure against this risk;
particulars of this scheme can be obtained from the Bursar.
CATHEDRAL CHORISTERS
Since the absorption of the Cathedral Choir School in 1944 the Cathedral Choristers have
been members of the King's School. Entry to the Choif is by means of Voice and Educational
Tests which are held annually, usually in February. A high musical standard is naturally
required, and boys must also be of good intellectual ability to ensure that they will hold their
place in the school. Boys should be 8-9 years old at the time of entry. Information about
Entrance Tests and Choristers' Scholarships can be obtained from the Precentor, 2 College Green,
Worcester.
ENTRANCE SCHOLARSHIPS
In addition to the City and County " free places " mentioned above, there are 20 King's
Scholarships on the Foundation, of which 3-5 fall vacant each year. They are of a maximum
value of £125 p.a. A few Exhibitions of a minimum value of £25 p.a. are also available, for which
preference is given to the sons of clergy. The scholarship examination is normally held in May,
and candidates must be under 14 on September 1st. The Old Vigornian Club has established a
fund from which bursaries can be granted to sons of O.Vs. who might otherwise be unable to
come to the King's School. Assistance is also available from certain Educational Trusts in cases
of financial hardship : full particulars can be obtained from the Headmaster.
LEAVING SCHOLARSHIPS
Boys educated at the King's School are eligible for—
(1) 4 Meeke Scholarships tenable at Hertford College, Oxford.
(2) Dean Peel, Catley, Stratford and Hughes Scholarships, tenable at Oxford or Cambridge.
(3) 4 Worfield Scholarships, open only to boys born in the City of Worcester.
In addition to these Closed Awards, during the past ten years boys from the School have
won 17 Open Scholarships and Exhibitions at Oxford and Cambridge, and 13 State Scholarships.
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GENERAL INFORMATION
Parents are asked to keep in touch with their son's Housemaster on all routine matters
affecting his health and education. The Careers Master will give information and advice about
careers, and boys can also avail themselves of the services of the Public Schools' Appointments
Bureau. The Headmaster is always glad to see parents and to discuss their boy's progress and
his future; appointments should be made through his Secretary (Tel. 23016).
No boy may be absent from School for any reason save illness without previous permis-
sion from the Headmaster.
School regulation dress as published in the Clothes List must be worn on all School
occasions during term-time. In addition to the items of clothing listed, all boys must be
provided with the following :—
* Bible (British & Foreign Bible Society Centenary Edition preferred)
J Prayer Book
t* Worcester Psalter
English Dictionary
I—boarders only. *—can be purchased at school.
The School Shop, which is situated in the Edgar Tower, is open on several days before the
beginning of the Autumn Term for the convenience of parents of new boys. It is also open at
regular times during the term, when boys may make purchases.
A form of application is enclosed. If you wish to enter your son's name for a place in the
School, will you please complete and return this to the Headmaster's Secretary as soon as con-
venient, together with the Registration Fee of £2-2-0 (which is not returnable). Please notify
the Headmaster of any change of address or change of school between the time of registration
and your son's entry to the King's School.
July, 1964.
KING'S SCHOOL, WORCESTER
Date of Birth
Address
Telephone No.
Occupation of Boy's Father
Religion
Term and Year for which Entry is desired
Age at entry Boarder/Day Boy (Delete as necessary)
House preference (if any)
Name and Address of present School
Date Signature
P.T.O