Kevin Fear, Sam Ellis, Kamala Newton, Deborah Penney (clockwise)
elcome!
We are delighted to dedicate our Summer 2021 edition of the ON magazine to Celebrating our Community.
As we embark on the new school year we reflect on the success that the school has seen in the past 12 months despite the challenges of our times. We start the new academic year with more students (1159) than the school has ever had before and with 378 girls co-education continues to thrive. Our recent accolade as East Midlands Independent Secondary School of the Decade gives external validation to all that is being achieved at present.
Despite the current challenges, there’s lots to celebrate and our featured articles truly demonstrate the spirit of Nottingham High School. We start off with our first ever virtual Founder’s Day #TogetherApart. This not only gave us the unique opportunity to celebrate with everyone locally, nationally and globally, but also to launch The 1513 Society for our known legators. You can read more about this on pages 4 and 5 and how Old Nottinghamians, A.W Lymn, supported our work.
On pages 10 and 11 you can meet our first-ever Patron, David Wild. David has a long-standing relationship with the school (spanning decades) and is committed to supporting our work in the Development Office.
We are delighted to announce that Nottingham High School has been shortlisted for an award in the Independent Schools of the Year 2021 Social Mobility category. Social mobility remains one of the greatest challenges for our nation. We are committed to creating opportunities through the school’s Bursary Programme to change lives through a Nottingham High School education.
An interview on pages 8 and 9 with Stuart Ramsey gives an insight into his challenges along with some personal perceptions, and later on in the publication there’s an opportunity to meet Steve Banks, the school’s new Chair of Governors.
We are delighted that we are in touch with more of you than ever before. We are excited to relaunch our events programme including our popular Regional Dinners, so hopefully we’ll have a chance to meet up again soon.
Our social media platforms have generated some interesting comments and photographs: we love to hear your stories and memories of your time at the school, as well as your experiences and achievements as an Old Nottinghamian.
We hope you enjoy our publication. Please do feel free to send us any ideas you may have for any future issues.
We hope to see you soon at one of our events!
Kevin Fear (Headmaster)
The government restrictions created a rare opportunity to celebrate Founder’s Day 2021 #TogetherApart
Please find here the Headmaster’s speech which opened the celebrations:
“This is one of the most significant days on the calendar, when our community comes together to
honour the creation of our school.
Whilst this year’s celebrations are not as we had imagined, nor as we had hoped, we embrace this opportunity to celebrate with you all, locally, nationally and globally. This has been a year like no other and yet despite all the challenges of our times the school has flourished. Our students have shown remarkable resilience and all staff
at the school have worked so very hard to ensure that the excellent education has continued. We will start the next school year with more pupils than ever before and with the School’s high standards continuously upheld.
Created with one legacy in 1513, the “Free School” was founded by Dame Agnes Mellers, after the death of her husband Richard. To do so
she enlisted help from Sir Thomas Lovell as Governor of Nottingham Castle and Secretary to the Treasury. Through their combined efforts, King Henry VIII sealed the school’s Foundation Deed.
In the deed, Dame Agnes provided for a Commemoration Service in St Mary’s Church in the Lace Market “on the Feast of the Translation of St Richard of Chichester, namely 16 June” each year, although the service is now held “on the nearest Saturday to that date”. With the exception of Nottingham Goose Fair, this is the most ancient ceremonial event still held in the City of Nottingham. We are proud of our humble beginnings.
Since our formation over five centuries ago, Nottingham High School has not only provided an outstanding education, but a nurturing environment allowing students to flourish and prosper. This culture is referenced throughout our long history and we can say with great pride that it continues to play a valuable role in the lives of everyone connected to the school, never more so than in the last 12 months where we have united together and experienced
the true value of community in every sense. It is right today that we also remember all those who have given generously to the school in the past to help fund the buildings that our students now enjoy and the school’s Bursary Programme which now supports over 100 children. Founder’s Day is a time for us to recognise the generosity of all of our donors and to thank them very warmly for their support.
We hope you enjoy this unique celebration of our traditions and our
heritage and take the opportunity to reflect on your experiences at the school.”
Lauda Finem
Our partners A. W. Lymn generously sponsored the Cheese ‘n’ Ale to launch The 1513 Society and to celebrate the foundation of the school, as is customary and as decreed by our founder. In addition to this, they donated to the School’s Bursary Fund.
If you are interested in future sponsorship opportunities please contact development@ nottinghamhigh.co.uk
In case you missed it, there’s still time to enjoy our virtual event! https://youtu.be/PmUORuvWPwA
D.H.Lawrence in the Archive
The Nottingham High School Archives were started by Samuel Corner, a master at the school from 1877 until 1914, Second Master for 24 of those years and librarian of the school.
CHe was an author whose writings have given offence to some, but to judge from the words of other critics, such a one, that in time to come it may be our proudest boast that he was educated at the school.
orner, known affectionately as Sammy, an early member of Nottingham’s Thoroton Society, was wellknown in the city archives, and his research on the very beginnings of this school was published in the first school magazine, The Forester, which he edited, for many years. He also instigated the collecting of School Lists, later the School Record, which minutely detail every boy, class and achievement for each year since 1869 and are invaluable to the Archive but alas no longer created by the school. It was his idea to collect names and information on every known past pupil and teacher who was serving in the Great War, most of whom he had known personally, and he remained at the school after retirement to do so while supporting the school as it lost other masters to the Armed Forces. Like his contemporary at the school, T.B.Hardy VC, he tried to join up in 1914, but was turned down on account of his age (57). It was almost certainly him who started our fine collection of Local History books and who commenced the
unique and complete collection of school magazines, preserved the Charter and protected the Admissions Registers. A.W.Thomas acknowledges Corner’s early research as the foundation for his History of Nottingham High School. His hand can be seen on so much that we hold and use in the archives today. It was under Headmaster Dr James Gow and Sammy Corner that David Herbert Lawrence (ON 1898-1901) gained a scholarship to the school, only the second boy from a mining background. Lawrence caught the train to school from Eastwood and walked up the hill from Victoria Station. That he was a bright student not only in the context of his village school but also here is evidenced in the prizes he was awarded which are noted in the school lists and also, in the one book prize we have received back into the archive at some point during the intervening years. His name is in the admissions book among those of boys from
very different backgrounds and experiences, sons of surgeons, vicars, lace machine builders, a butcher and the manager of a chemical works. Ten years later we also have the record of the young Charles Montague Weekley, Frieda Lawrence’s only son, who was swiftly removed to boarding school when the Lawrence scandal broke. When Lawrence died in 1930, the writer and ON Geoffrey Trease (ON 19201928) wrote in The Nottinghamian obituary that there “was tragedy in the stilling , so early, of a voice so magnificent and insistent in its challenge”.
He was the first and still bestknown writer to put the accent and speech of Nottingham on the page and into great literature. In the words of the Headmaster at that time, C.L.Reynolds at Prize Giving, “He was an author whose writings
have given offence to some, but to judge from the words of other critics, such a one, that in time to come it may be our proudest boast that he was educated at the school”.
We are currently in the process of commissioning a blue plaque in recognition of D.H.Lawrence’s time at the school. Whilst the plaque is being funded by the school we would welcome any donations. These can be made in the usual way, through our website, oldnottinghamians.co.uk
All proceeds to the Nottingham High School Bursary Fund.
Meet Stuart Ramsey –the School’s Director of Finance and Operations
We enjoyed catching up with Stuart recently and hearing about his career, his role at Nottingham High School and how his plans for the future shape the school’s working environment. As a significant leader of change, Stuart balances business and strategic objectives alongside the values of the school.
Stuart is responsible for all things non-academic and non-pastoral and currently sits across six committees of a 20-strong team of governors. As Clerk to the governors, he ensures that accurate information is provided well in advance of all meetings, something he believes makes the best use of governor time in meetings and allows for good debate and informed decision-making. Since qualifying in 1989 as a Chartered Accountant with Peat Marwick Mitchell (now KPMG) Stuart has held various senior positions including Managing Director and Chief Executive, spending 21 years in private industry before joining Nottingham High School in January 2016. During that time, he remembers an emotional trip to Zambia to
build a school for the local children. Stuart was one of 15 employees chosen to take part in a team which fundraised enough money to cover their own expenses, the building of the school, a well (the nearest one being one mile away) and an orchard. All monies raised were matchfunded by their employer which formed part of a strategic operation to build a sustainable approach through their Corporate Social Responsibility programme. Since the school was built, locals have been skills trained in construction and surveying, creating opportunities for the community to obtain jobs in the city and further develop
Stuart Ramsey with the School’s Charter
the local programme as and when funds are secured e.g. to build a new Medical Centre.
Another highlight of Stuart’s career was a spontaneous meeting with Nelson Mandela. Seizing an opportune moment Stuart asked, ‘What’s the main solution to poverty?’ Nelson Mandela simply replied, ‘Education’. On joining Nottingham High School Stuart recognised the impact his own role could have and set about making fundamental changes to the team. Using his business knowledge and expertise, he was swiftly able to develop processes that provided the stability and balance needed in the finance function. This approach quickly extended to the wider support functions, particularly through his operations and estates work. He readily admits that one of the most rewarding elements of his role is the annual interviewing
of the parents of prospective bursary students. He says, ‘Not only is the experience incredibly humbling, but also a privilege, knowing that lives will be changed through a Nottingham High School education’.
As you would expect, each year brings its own set of challenges, and making important decisions is clearly a fundamental part of the role. When Stuart is not in school, he and his wife Rebecca can be found walking their much-loved dog (Lottie), and he enjoys gardening and growing a few vegetables for his family to enjoy. In normal times, he’s a keen skier, with Canada being a favourite destination. When asked what his advice would be to his younger self, Stuart replied, ‘Don’t be afraid to take risks’.
During my term as a governor we have always put the enhancement of student outcomes at the forefront of our decisionmaking.
We have invested significantly in both the academic provision and the pastoral care which the school offers. The creation of the new post of Assistant Head, Teaching and Learning demonstrated our commitment to academic excellence. Our plans to develop a Wellbeing Centre at the school along with the growth of our Counselling Service shows our clear
David Wild (ON 1964-1974) PATRON
I am very honoured to become the first Patron of Nottingham High School, following the expiry of my term of office as a Governor and Chair of the Board.
concern for the welfare of those in our care and in our community. The same is true with our new facilities, such as the Junior School extension, the new hockey pitches at Highfields and the progamme of refurbishing our science labs. There are many more examples, all aimed at improving our students’ experiences. This ongoing investment continues to make a High School education a lifechanging experience, as it was for me when I started at the school nearly 60 years ago I was neither an academic high-flyer,
nor someone who excelled at anything in particular. My early years were in the “B” stream, I was tone deaf, couldn’t act, but had an enthusiasm, rather than any ability for sport.
Yet with careful nurturing in the sixth form from the likes of David Peters and David Matthews I somehow contrived to be accepted by Cambridge University. Similarly, David Phillips, Bob Mardling and Geri Thomas instilled a passion for rugby, and Ozzy Lush and Tony Bird a love of tennis. Cambridge set up my lifetime career, while school sport introduced me to
David Wild, Kamala Newton, Deborah Penney and Sam Ellis (clockwise)
many lifetime friends. I think I still may be the only person in the school’s history who gained first XV colours as a front row forward and first VI colours as a tennis player! There is something for everyone on offer.
In my day the City, the County and Derbyshire County Council all funded scholarships to the High School, so something like 40 students a year received a free education. This enabled many talented students to share the same lifechanging experience and to go on and make a full contribution to society.
This was social mobility in action, long before it became a political “buzz” word.
Sadly, those scholarships, and their replacements, are no longer available, with the result that many able and deserving potential students miss out on the chance to enjoy the benefits I had.
Those of you who heard my first chairman’s speech at Speech Day in 2016 may recall my commitment to raising funds so that many more students could benefit from a High School bursary.
We have made steady progress since then,
especially with support from a few very generous donors and legators, as well as grants from local trusts and foundations. Progress has inevitably been hampered by covid and lockdown, but I am delighted to report we have raised sufficient money to fund an additional bursary place for seven years starting September 2022 . Our modest success has also given us the confidence to appoint our first full-time Fundraising Manager in Sam Ellis. I hope that you will enjoy reading about Sam’s plans along with the efforts of the school’s Development Office and help us realise our ambition to make a High School education “needs blind” to all.
If you would like a conversation with me regarding our vision and our work please do get in touch: wild.d@nottinghamhigh.co.uk
Funds raised for 2020/2021
There are three main ways you can donate to the Nottingham High School Bursary Fund
01 Regular Giving
Regular giving is a valuable source of income for the school. It enables us to plan for the future whilst ensuring the Bursary Fund remains accessible to local children. Gifts can be given monthly, quarterly or annually over a period of time to suit you. The collective gifts of supporters are combined to provide an important revenue for the Bursary Fund.
02 Single Gift
If you feel that regular giving is not for you but would still like to support the Nottingham High School Bursary Fund you may give a single one-off gift. This, like all of gifts, will be gratefully received.
If you would like to give a one-off gift or become a regular donor please go to our DONATE button on our website oldnottinghamians.co.uk Your gift is much enhanced by using Gift Aid.
03 Legacies
Nottingham High School will always need the support of its community. Remembering the school in your will is a simple way to show your support in a way that may not be possible in a lifetime.
The school acknowledges that making a legacy is a very private matter, but it really helps to know what our supporters are planning. It is also a real pleasure to be able to recognise your intentions in your lifetime and discuss with you personally how your gift will benefit the school.
As Nottingham High School is a registered charity there could be tax benefits to leaving a gift to the School.
You should seek professional advice when amending your will. A solicitor will be able to instruct you on the best options available depending on your personal circumstances and current legislation.
For further information or to discuss your intentions, please email ellis.s@nottinghamhigh.co.uk
Other ways to support our cause include:
Class Giving
A class gift is a collective donation raised by a year or friendship group to support a bursary within the school. By raising funds for bursaries, class gifts help us make a difference to the lives of talented pupils who may not otherwise be able to benefit from a Nottingham High School education. Class giving allows you to reconnect and reinforce your relationships with your classmates, as well as strengthen your bond with the school. Participate and become a committed stakeholder of Nottingham High School and contribute to its continued success.
For further information please email development@ nottinghamhigh.co.uk
Matching Gift Scheme
Some companies will match your donation to a charity. This means that Nottingham High School can benefit from double the amount of your donation. See our list of companies who offer this scheme or contact your HR department.
US Giving
United States taxpayers can donate through the British Schools & Universities Foundation Inc (BSUF), a registered 501c3 charity (Federal I.D. Number 13-616-1189) in the United States. Gifts made through the Foundation are fully tax deductible.
Steve Banks Chair of Governors
After five years as a Governor of Nottingham High School I am honoured and a bit daunted to be succeeding David Wild as Chair of the Governing Body. I am delighted that David will continue his long support of the school, and more of that later.
The past 18 months have been challenging to say the least. Everyone has pulled together across the whole school community and responded magnificently in continuing to provide an outstanding education whilst caring for students and staff alike. The success of the last 18 months has required everyone to pull together across the whole school community and I would like to congratulate the Headmaster, teaching and support staff on their determination and hard work to provide the best opportunities for learning and co-curricular activity possible. Equally students and parents have responded remarkably to the everchanging circumstances.
I am passionate about people being the best they can be and previously have been able to be involved locally and nationally to support more openings for young people. That’s
why I love our ambition to provide an outstanding education to all bright children regardless of their background. Over the last five years I have been closer to the running of the school and have seen many examples of the difference that we make and the possibilities we open up for young people. Yet we all know that we cannot offer bursary support to all those who need it and pass the entrance exam. With David as patron of the Bursary Fund, the committed development team and all of our support, we can change this. I look forward to working with everyone on this front.
On a more personal note, I’d like to take this opportunity to introduce myself to those that don’t know me. I’ve lived in Nottingham for nearly 30 years, as a result of a long and (mostly) enjoyable career at Boots. As a pharmacist career highlights included becoming the
Dr Basheera Hanslo and Dr Sharmini Krishanand with the School Charter dated 1513
superintendent pharmacist, and perhaps a bit more surprisingly the IT Director and a director of HR. I am a non-executive director at a local NHS trust and also chair of a small hearing care company that specialises in treatments for tinnitus. I am married to Amanda and our daughter Georgie attended the Girls High, whilst Tom (ON 20082015) and Will (ON 2010-2017) were at this school. I love watching sport, especially Leicester City (sorry, but I used to live there). Travel and reading historical fact or fiction are two other passions that I can sometimes combine. Finally, golf, which is a work in progress. Although I admitted to being daunted, I’m also very excited about the future at Nottingham High School and I look forward to meeting more ONs!
Cambridge Dinner, Jesus College, University of Cambridge
London Dinner (venue tbc)
Old Nottinghamians v School Sports A Service of Nine Lessons and Carols, St Mary’s Church
Nottingham High Connect
Nottingham High Connect is like a version of LinkedIn for Nottingham High School.
Connect with over 1100 ONs from across the globe to gain career advice, mentor support, find work experience, ask questions about university courses and graduate schemes.
The Class of 2020 have been
Nottingham High Connect is completely free and will help you to expand your business networks and share success stories. It enables you to advertise a product or service, post/ search for a job vacancy, sign up to an event, and view the photo gallery. We hope you enjoy being part of the Old Nottinghamian community. Best wishes, Sam, Kamala and Deborah
#somuchmore Hockey Pitches - Beeston
We are really excited about our forthcoming event - the official opening of the Nottingham High School hockey pitches.
Historic occasions like this one are a tremendous opportunity for us to celebrate our partnership with Beeston Hockey Club and the parts we play in the community.
Thanks to the innovative actions of a few Old Nottinghamians in 1907, we have all benefitted from a valuable relationship that has created numerous opportunities for the people and children of Nottinghamshire and the surrounding counties.
It also gives us a moment to reflect on the work and efforts of all those who have worked with the school to create these wonderful new pitches to be enjoyed by both the local and school community, those who have worked with the School, which has led to the creation of the new pitches to be
enjoyed, hopefully for many generations to come.
Our launch event will see teams competing for the first time for The Opening Cup, there’s a chance to brush up on some hockey skills with the professionals and an opportunity to catch up with some familiar faces.
This event has been kindly sponsored by Nava – all proceeds to the Nottingham High School Bursary Fund.
Follow us on social media for images of the day.
4,500 tonnes of topsoil removed then recycled
1km of ball stop fencing
75,000 of man-hours on site
THANK YOU
Throughout its long history Nottingham High School has benefitted from gifts which not only founded the school in 1513, but which have enriched the lives of its students and ensured its continued growth.
Social mobility remains one of the nation’s greatest challenges and a priority for Nottingham High School.
To attract the brightest and most talented children we must be able to provide financial support for those that need it, and therefore build a sustainable bursary fund.
We are incredibly grateful to all our donors for their generous gifts, and their support of our vision; to create opportunities for all bright children to access a Nottingham High School education regardless of background.
We would like to thank our supporters below who have given in this academic year and acknowledge collectively those who wish to remain anonymous and those who have chosen to leave a legacy to the school in their will.
Mr Paul Allison (Staff)
Mrs Sharon Astill (Current Parent)
A. W. Lymn The Family Funeral Service
Mr Paul Balen (ON 1960-1971 and former Chairman of Governors)
Professor Roger Bartlett (ON 1954-1958)
Professor Paul Bebbington (ON 1953-1963)
Professor Robert Carroll (Former Parent and Former Governor)
BNA Charitable Incorporated Organisation
Dr Adam Bonnaray ON (1988-1995)
Dr John Brocklehurst (ON 1955-1963)
Mr Paul Brocklehurst (ON 1963-1970)
Mr John Brown (ON 1948-1955)
Sir Roger Carr (ON 1956-1965)
The Chizel Educational Trust
Mr Fran Cole (ON 1965-1975)
Mr Graham Colley (ON 1961-1971)
Mr Will Curtis (ON 1990-2000)
Mr Stephen Dawson OBE (ON 1954-1964)
Mr Malcolm Dillingham (ON 1946-1957)
Mr Mike and Mrs Lisa Douglas (Current Parents)
Ms Samantha Ellis (Staff and Former Parent)
Mr Tony Eltringham (ON 1957-1965)
Mr Chris Fielden (ON 1954-1961)
Mr Nick Greene (ON 1977-1984 and Former Parent)
Dr Basheera Hanslo (Parent and Governor)
Mr Peter Harkness (ON 1937-1948)
Mr David Harris (ON 1968-1975)
Mr Peter Hawkins (ON 1948-1958)
Mr Chris Hawthorne (ON 1953-1960)
Mr Daniel Hill (ON 2001-2005)
Mr Alastair Holland (ON 1985-1992) and The Holland Family
Mr John Holliday (ON 1942-1950)
Mr Richard Johal (ON 1998-2005)
Mr Ian Jones (Staff)
Mrs Kawandeep Kaur (Current Parent)
Mr Chris Knowles (ON 1953-1960)
Mr John Lowrie OBE (ON 1948-1953)
Dr Alex Masidlover ON (1989-1996)
Mr Nicholas McGegan (ON 1958-1968)
Mr Andrew McNamara (Former Parent) and Mrs Philippa McNamara (Former Parent and Governor)
Mr Neil Mitchell (ON 1951-1958)
Mr John Moore (ON 1942-1951)
Dr Oliver Morrissey (Former Parent)
Mr David Parsons (1944-1952)
Mr Alan Reynolds (ON 1947-1952)
Mr Shafeeq Sadaq (Former Parent)
Mr Steve Shepherd (ON 1959-1969)
Sir Thomas White’s Charity (Nottingham)
Mr Peter Somerville (ON 1952-1962)
Mr John Stewart (ON 1953-1964)
The Lady Hind Trust
Dr Andy Walker (ON 1953-1961)
John and Joan Westmoreland Family Trust
Mr David Wild (ON 1964-1974)
Mr Ivor Wood (ON 1954-1962)
SPONSOR A STONE for just
£250
Our Sponsor a Stone campaign was launched in 2017 and since that date has raised almost £45,000 for the school’s Bursary Fund, including £8,000 in Gift Aid.
Waverley Walkway is lined with personalised stones, a permanent feature of the school, one which will be enjoyed by our community for many years to come.
This is a great opportunity to celebrate links with Nottingham High School as well as supporting our work to create opportunities for children who, without financial assistance, would be denied their opportunity to attend the school.
To order your stone please visit oldnottinghamians.co.uk/sponsor-a-stone or contact the Development Team
