Stamford School

Stamford School is an English public school in the market town of Stamford, Lincolnshire. It was founded in 1532 by a local man, William Radcliffe, with the encouragement of Lady Margaret Beaufort, mother of King Henry VII, though there is evidence to suggest that it has existed from the beginning of the fourteenth century (1300s).

By 1566 teaching at the school took place in the remaining portion of St Paul's Church, which was originally built no later than 1152. This building was extended in the 20th century and, in 1930, began to be used as the school chapel.

Stamford School has a sister school, Stamford High School, which was founded in 1877. In recent years, the two have been united under the leadership of a single principal as the Stamford Endowed Schools. This organisation now comprises Stamford Junior School, a co-educational establishment for pupils aged between 2 and 11 years, Stamford School for boys aged 11-18, and Stamford High School catering for girls of the same age group. Sixth Form teaching is carried out jointly between Stamford School and Stamford High School.

Uniform

All boys wear black or charcoal-grey trousers and a school blazer, which is navy blue. The school's emblem is a stork sitting on a wool sack displayed over the motto + me spede, and is derived from the armorial bearings of medieval wool merchant William Browne. It is worn on the breast pocket of the blazer. Most boys wear a maroon crest, although school prefects wear a white one. House prefects, in the lower school, wear a maroon crest, but also have a maroon ribbon attached to the top of the pocket. Blue crests are worn by fifth-form prefects. Badges, awarded for extensive house activity are worn usually on the left lapel. Boys can be seen wearing an array of different school ties. Every boy receives his tie specific to his house upon joining to school, but may be awarded others as a mark of his achievements through the school. These include House Colours, Representative Colours, Full School Colours and Prefectship. Stamford School Rugby Club ties are worn on Saturdays by boys representing the school in the day's fixtures. Boater hats are worn by some in summer.

It has recently been suggested that boys wear tailcoats for special occasions and on Sundays.

Traditions

An old school tradition is called 'Kissing the Old Man', a ceremony in which new boys kiss a worn stone head above the chapel's west door to the applause of the whole school.

The Head Boy enjoys a number of privileges. He is, for example, the only boy allowed to grow a beard, smoke a pipe in lessons, and graze his sheep on the Headmaster's lawn.

Slang

Stamford School has its own slang, much of which refers to the school buildings and their history:

• The Art Shack: the art department's building on St Paul's Street, which also used to be known as The Church Lad's Club. The term Art Shack derives from an earlier building elsewhere in the school grounds.

• Big School: a block of classrooms in which boys in the Lower IV, Upper IV and Fifth Form were traditionally taught. The building has now been renamed 'Beaufort' and mixed Sixth Form teaching now takes place there.

• George Bush: a bush on the path towards the Assembly Hall, Dining Room, and other buildings, which was often used to push boys into.

• The Dell: the play area for Lower School children - now has a new DT Block situated on half of it.

• The Old Gym: a room, now used as a thoroughfare and entrance to the Chapel, which used to contain the gymnasium.

• The Rev: the school chaplain.

• The Old Man: As mentioned above, the stone head, believed to be St Paul, which looks out from above the West Door of the Chapel.

• O'Brien's: The medical centre, so called because the building once housed a public house called 'The O'Brien's Arms'.

• The Corps: The school's Combined Cadet Force.

• The Burghley or simply Hell: The annual run in which boys run a cross-country course around the grounds of nearby Burghley Park. The race has never been cancelled for inclement weather, and to fail to complete it is seen by boys as rather shameful. It is incorporated into the house system, with points being awarded to each house depending on the collective success of the boys.

Songs

Stamford School has a number of school songs that are sung in the chapel or at assemblies in the school hall. The most formal songs are the Latin 'Carmen Stamfordiense' and 'Dulce Domum'. However, a more light-hearted song was written by a former master, A.W.S. Cowie, who was later killed in the First World War. The first verse of the song is below and it was sung to the tune of 'The Vicar of Bray'

In Father time's remoter days
By Strange coincidences,
Noah built the Ark, and someone else
Schola Stamfordiensis

Stamford School also has another song, sung in English and based round the school motto of + me spede (Christ me Spede).

Within these walls of grey
How much do we gather,
Friendship and laughter gay -
Gifts indeed:
Strength of limb and fingers' skill,
Cultured mind, undaunted will,
Hoping and praying still -
Christ me spede.

Then, in return to thee
Our service we offer,
Our love and loyalty
In word and deed,
Time and thought and energy
These will we render thee;
We will be true to thee,
Christ us spede.

Oh, Thou, to whom we pray,
Christ spede us in all things,
Help us from day to day,
In our need.
Give us then that virtue rare
Courage to do and dare;
Grant us our humble prayer -
Christ me spede.

Distinguished alumni (Old Stamfordians)

Noted alumni include:

• Simon Burns, Conservative member of Parliament for West Chelmsford.

• William Cecil, 1st Baron Burghley, chief advisor to Queen Elizabeth I.

• Colin Dexter, author.

• Major-General K.J. Drewienkiewicz, CB, CMG.

• J.F. Horrabin, Labour member of Parliament and journalist.

• General Sir Mike Jackson, GCB, CBE, DSO, ADC Gen, Chief of the General Staff.

• Lord Northcliffe, newspaper owner.

• Sir Malcolm Sargent, conductor.

• M. J. K. Smith, England cricket captain and England Rugby Union international.

• Ian Stafford, Sports' journalist and torchbearer at the Athens Olympics

• Iwan Thomas, athlete.

• Sir Michael Tippett, composer.

• Julian Wastall, composer.

• Inspector Morse. the fictional character, is described as an Old Stamfordian

External links

• Stamford Endowed Schools website