A Man with a Big Heart, A Very Special Man

Wolverhampton Grammar School has been through a myriad of changes during its 500-year history, with, arguably, the most radical changes taking place in the last 50 years. Joining the WGS staff, bright-eyed and bushy-tailed in September 1974, John Johnson (JJ) has been there through it all; the transition to becoming an independent school, the introduction, and end, of the Assisted Places Scheme, the acceptance of girls into Sixth Form, the shift to becoming completely co-educational and the opening of the Junior School.

JJ turned 70 in 2021. This provided the perfect opportunity to hear from WGS’s longest serving member of staff about his highlights so far, the challenges the School has faced and what it was like having the whole family as part of the WGS community.

A Question of Sport

JJ was spoiled for choice when asked to share some sporting highlights; here are just a few, of the many, examples: WGS reaching the final of the 1998 ISFA (Independent Schools Football Association) Cup, playing at Leicester City’s home ground against Hampton School. Despite losing 2-1, getting to the final was a victory in itself; winning the National Independent Schools 6-a-side Cup two years in a row, first captained by Pete Austin (OW 1996), then by Jake Sedgemore (OW 1997) and Marvin Robinson (OW 1998); travelling to Wembley in 1985, to watch Andy Husselbee (OW 1979, Oxford), Carlton Evans, Gary Baker, the late James Rentoul (all OW 1982, Cambridge) and Angus Whyte (OW 1981, Cambridge), compete in the Oxford vs. Cambridge football match. Cambridge won 4-2, with Whyte, Evans and Husselbee all scoring.

Of course, there are far too many sports tours, ski trips and away fixtures to include here; however, it would be remiss to not mention some of JJ’s greatest triumphs: Coast2Coast, raising thousands of pounds each year; the Walker Memorial Mile, held in memory of Christopher Walker (OW 1983); the OW Sports Festival, held for over 25 years in honour of Richard Wright (OW 1987) and other OWs who have sadly passed away. JJ is an integral part of each of these traditions, having been involved since their inception.

Encouraging, funny and humble.

Each September, OWs come from far and wide for a day of friendly competition and catching up. The OW Sports Festival 2021 saw a record turnout, due to a surprise celebratory birthday lunch for JJ being part of the day’s schedule. Gary Baker (OW 1982) even made the trip from France to attend the event, proving how special and far-reaching JJ’s impact is. As former member of staff Peter Hills articulated on the day: “We come together because JJ draws us together.”

Going Through Changes

"I have had the privilege of being part of this great institution for 47 years and the opportunity to watch the School adapt to a number of changes", JJ began – and big changes they were.

In 1979, in the aftermath of the Education Act 1976, WGS transitioned from a day and boarding state Grammar School to an independent, fee-paying school. JJ explained that the introduction of the Government Assisted Places Scheme in 1981 offset the impact of the move to independence and enabled children from lower socioeconomic backgrounds to still have access to a grammar school education, with over 40% of pupils during the 1980s and early 1990s reliant on this funding.

1984 saw the introduction of girls into the Sixth Form, a move that JJ praised: "Girls add a different dimension to the School", although he noted that it was seen as a controversial move by some at the time. This was extended further in 1992 when the School became fully co-educational, which JJ believes was a ‘great move’. This, arguably, marked a new era for WGS, with School looking very different to the boys’ day and boarding school it once was.

On a more sombre note, JJ explained how, soon after, the wider political landscape, again, necessitated change at School. In the aftermath of the abolition of the Assisted Places Scheme, under the Blair administration in 1997, School faced financial challenges unlike any it had seen before. The loss of assisted places funding meant that the number of students on roll dropped from 121 to 90 in one year group and, as a result, five members of staff were made redundant. "It was a very, very sad time", JJ recalled "but is something that School should remember."

The challenge facing School year on year is maintaining numbers, JJ posited. "The baton started 500 years ago to maintain high standards and send young adults out into the world, ready to make a positive impact in whatever field they pursue", is something that is engrained in WGS and should be celebrated. This, alongside the community environment, in JJ’s view, will continue to attract new students. WGS’ ability to modernise and adapt demonstrates resilience and strength of the School’s spirit: "We have taken time to get where we are, we have adapted and that’s what makes the School special".

JJ hailed the re-opening of the Junior School in 2011 as the biggest positive change in recent history: "Following the immediate success of introducing Big 6 in 2004, 'the School within a school' has been thriving ever since, especially now with the incredible expansion to embrace infants, children aged four and above, into the WGS community."

JJ isn’t the only member of the Johnson family to be a part of the WGS community. Lynne, JJ’s wife and our former librarian, and their three children; Tom (OW 2002), Holly (OW 2005) and Natalie (OW 2008), have all, at some stage, either worked at or attended the School. "We all used to get in the car in the morning to come to school, it was a really happy time", JJ reminisced. The Johnson family is, very much, part of the history of the School and epitomises the familial spirit at WGS. Tom, former Head Boy, is married to Nicole (née

Fox, OW 2003) and, JJ explains, lots of their friends, even now, are from WGS. This is something that many OWs will be familiar with and is testament to the strength of the relationships formed at School, under the care and encouragement of such dedicated staff.

If you could describe WGS in three words, what would they be?

After much deliberation, JJ settled on: "Happy, friendly, welcoming, multi-cultural, diverse, wonderful, life-changing environment." As the font of all knowledge when it comes to WGS, JJ is forgiven for using more than just three words, but in doing so, he has got to the heart of the matter. WGS means something different to each individual and, due to the emotion that it engenders, cannot be summarised in only three words.

Something that is a common theme when describing WGS however, is a shared love and respect for JJ. In the weeks prior to the OW Sports

Festival, with JJ’s birthday in mind, the Development Office got in touch with OWs to ask for some messages and photographs for a scrapbook, which was to be given to JJ on his birthday. To say that we were inundated with replies would be an understatement! So many OWs from around the world got in touch to share their memories, with one OW touchingly adding: "That 40 years later I can still call him an inspiration and friend, is a gift I treasure."

"WGS has shaped my whole life", JJ explained, although as the WGS community knows, it is JJ who has helped, and continues to help, shape the lives of many OWs. It is no surprise then, that he is held in such high esteem by OWs, former staff and parents alike. JJ epitomises the family and community ethos of WGS and is almost as much of an institution as the School itself. Many have benefitted from a kind, compassionate ear and discerning advice, alongside a hearty rendition of Sloop John B. from time to time, from JJ. He is more than just a teacher and colleague; he is a dear friend.