Vorlage:Advert Vorlage:Infobox Secondary school Highgate School is a famous and prestigious British public school in Highgate, North London. It is run by a charity, the Highgate Foundation, which also manages both a prep and a pre-prep school.
History
The school was established, in 1565, by a Royal Charter patented by Elizabeth I giving permission for Sir Roger Cholmeley to erect a free grammar school for boys, making it one of the older schools in the United Kingdom. Significant expansion of the school only occured under the Headmaster John Bradley Dyne between 1838-1874. Over this period the current chapel and main buildings were erected, designed by Reginald Blomfield (who had also designed Lady Margaret Hall, Oxford). During the Second World War, the school was appropriated by the government, and the school was evacuated to Westward Ho! (Devon), returning in 1943. By 1965 the school now occupied a large site in the Highgate Village, as well as several boarding houses in the surrounding area.
Administration
Due to the Foundation's significant ownership of land and properties around the school, it has been able to invest greatly in the school's facilities; the relatively recent conversion from boarding to day school has increased the space available for this to continue. The Foundation's governing body consists of 12 members; 5 are nominated (one each by the Universities of Oxford, Cambridge, and London, by the Bishop of London, and by the Lord Chief Justice), and the rest are co-opted. The school is a member of the Eton Group of leading independent schools.
Notable Members of Staff
- T S Eliot, OM (September 26, 1888 – January 4, 1965) was an American-born British poet, dramatist, and literary critic, whose works, such as The Love Song of J. Alfred Prufrock, The Waste Land, and Four Quartets, are considered defining achievements of twentieth century Modernist poetry. In 1948 he won the Nobel Prize for Literature. He was one of the most influential poets of the 20th century.
- Zbigniew Szydlo - Dr Szydlo made a name for himself by appearing on Channel 4 TV Show "That'll Teach Them". Fans of his appearence on this show include radio presenter Al Smith.
- Jon Ingold - Jon H Ingold is a teacher in Highgate School's Maths department; however outside this community he is best know as the author of many works of interactive fiction. He has been nominated for the XYZZY Awards on many occasions and has won several times.
Alumni
Former pupils are known as "Old Cholmeleians" after the school's founder, Sir Roger Cholmeley, and, as is common with prestigious British schools, Highgate has a very diverse range of famous old boys. The Old Cholmeleians Society, of which students become members on leaving, ensures that former pupils retain a connection to the school, a custom that is typical of a school with traditional values. Members include:
- Charles Clarke (politician - Home Secretary 2004-2006)
- Anthony Crosland (politician)
- Johnny Borrell of Razorlight
- John Hassall of The Libertines/Yeti
- Crispin Mills from Kula Shaker
- Harry Thompson (television producer)
- Barry Norman (film critic)
- Murray Walker (motorsport commentator)
- Geoffrey Palmer (actor)
- Lord Neill of Bladen (Warden of All Souls College, Oxford 1977-1995)
- Gerard Hoffnung (artist)
- Sir Clive Sinclair (entrepeneur)
- Sir John Tavener (composer)
- John Rutter (composer)
- Phil Tufnell (cricketer)
- Sir John Betjeman (poet - was taught by T S Eliot)
- Gerard Manley Hopkins (poet)
- John Venn (logician and philosopher)
- Alan Blumlein (inventor)
- Martin Gilbert (historian)
- Owen Barfield (philosopher)
- Reginald Blomfield (designed the school)