Netherthorpe School

Netherthorpe

Established	1572
Type	Secondary Comprehensive
Headteacher	A C Senior
Chair of Governors	Rev William Butt
Specialism	Science College
Location	Ralph Road Staveley Derbyshire S43 3PU England
Local authority	Derbyshire
DfE URN	112985
Ofsted	Reports
Students	1119 (2007/2008)
Gender	Coeducational
Ages	11–18
Current House(s)	Sitwell, Frecheville, De Rodes
Former House(s)	Cavendish
Website	Netherthorpe School

Coordinates: 53°16′04″N 1°20′19″W / 53.267644°N 1.338496°W / 53.267644; -1.338496

Netherthorpe School is a secondary school designated science college status that is based in the town of Staveley in the Chesterfield district of Derbyshire.^[1]

History

The old school

The school was founded in 1572^[2]

A quote from an 1857 directory:

Netherthorpe School.—Francis Rodes, by will, 29th of Elizabeth, left a yearly rent charge of £20 per annum, to be taken forth of his manor of Elmton; £8 thereof to the Grammar school, at Staveley Netherthorpe, £8 for two scholarships in St. John's, Cambridge, and £4 for the relief of soldiers who should be sent to the wars out of Staveley, Barlborough, and Elmton. Robert Sitwell, by will, 41st Elizabeth, gave a messuage in Killamarsh, on trust, to pay £6 yearly to the schoolmaster. Lord James Cavendish, 1742, left a rent charge of £6, issuing out of closes at Hollingwood, for the maintenance of the schoolmaster. In addition to these, the Rev. Francis Gisborne gave £10, to be invested in stock. The income of the various benefactions amounts to £29 per annum. All the sons of parishioners are considered as entitled to classical instruction; but the master makes his own charge for other branches.^[3]

It became known as Netherthorpe Grammar School. From the 1980s until 1999, it was a grant-maintained school, and is now a foundation school (very much the same thing). It is to be redeveloped under the Building Schools for the Future scheme.

Traditions

The school has two school anthems- these are Forty Years On and Gaudeamus igitur and both are sung in certain assemblies and at special school occasions. The school strongly believes in traditions and roots; the uniform today is based on the uniforms of the first pupils and the original buildings are still actively used.

Debating Society

There is a Senior Debating Society that has run for ninety-three years. The meetings of the society are held in the original listed part of the school, built in 1572 and affectionately known as 'the old school' by pupils. Netherthorpe School are the current holders of the Derbyshire Debating Trophy.

House System

The schools pupils are divided into three houses after the founders; these houses are Sitwell, Frecheville and De Rodes. Throughout the year, pupils compete in inter-house competitions to win the coveted Rose Bowl. A stained-glass window in 'the old school' features the crests of these houses, in addition to the Cavendish coat of arms. Moreover, the colour schemes of the De Rodes and Sitwell houses have changed. The Netherthorpe uniform also comprises a blazer typically displaying the house badge; the exception is a highly prestigious award, the Colours, which replaces the house crest and features the school emblem.

Prefects

In the upper sixth form, there are Head Prefects (head boy and head girl), and respective deputy heads. They form part of the team of (currently sixteen) Senior Prefects, who have a gamut of roles and responsibilities, including speaking in assembly. They also participate in the annual Boar's Head Carol, a tradition started at Queen's College, Cambridge. Additionally, they manage the group of 38 School Prefects, who assist in lower school. The lower sixth form has a similar number of House Prefects, who have badges colour-coded to match their respective houses. House Prefects are responsible for maintaining an orderly atmosphere in designated areas.

• 

  The Sixth Form

Academic performance

In 2011, the percentage of students attaining 5 or more higher-grade GCSE passes including English and Maths was 62.4%. A level results were similarly above average.

Alumni

At Netherthorpe Grammar School

• Nick Ainger (1961-8) - Labour MP for [[Carmarthen West and South Pembrokeshire (UK Parliament constituency)|Carmarthen West University Press, Dec 2007 accessed 24 Aug 2008</ref>
• Stan Worthington (1905–1973) - Derbyshire and England Test cricketer
• Peter D. Hudson - UK Rear-Admiral, - Commander of the United Kingdom Maritime Force (June 2009 - ?); Operational Commander - EU Naval Force for Counter Piracy (June 2009 - ?)^[4]

References

1. ^ Netherthorpe web site accessed 22 October 2007
2. ^ Netherthorpe web site
3. ^ Whites 1857 Directory of Derbyshire
4. ^ Royal Navy site, accessed October 2009

• A History of Netherthorpe School, W.E. Godfrey and C. J. G. Bishop

External links

• Netherthorpe School
• EduBase