Devonport High School for Boys

Devonport High School for Boys

Motto	Prorsum Semper Honeste — Forward always proud
Established	1896
Type	Type 2 Academy
Headteacher	Mr K J Earley
Founder	Alonzo Rider
Specialisms	Engineering, languages and applied learning
Location	Paradise Road Stoke, Plymouth Devon PL1 5QP England
Local authority	Plymouth City Council
DfE URN	136496
Ofsted	Reports
Staff	over 75
Students	ca 1100
Gender	Boys (Mixed sixth form)
Ages	11–18
Houses	Campbell      Edison      Newton      Priestly      Smeaton      Winstanley
Colours	Green and white
Former pupils	Old DHSians
Website	www.dhsb.org

Coordinates: 50°22′27″N 4°09′44″W / 50.374071°N 4.162273°W / 50.374071; -4.162273

Devonport High School for Boys is a Grammar School and Type 2 Academy, for boys aged 11 to 18, in Plymouth, Devon, England. It has around 1100 pupils. Its catchment area includes southwest Devon and southeast Cornwall as well as Plymouth. Pupils are accepted on the basis of academic aptitude.

School history

The school was founded by Alonzo Rider on Albert Road, Devonport in January 1896 to meet the needs of boys in Plymouth and district seeking a career in the Navy, as engineers and civil servants.

In 1906 the Devonport Borough Council took over the school and over the next thirty years it continued to teach boys who came from the city or in by train from the Tamar Valley and Cornwall. Old Boys went on to careers both locally and nationally – and especially in the MoD. In 1939 the school was evacuated to Penzance because of World War Two and in 1945 returned to the present site, the former Stoke Military Hospital on Paradise Road, which had been built in 1797.^{[citation needed]} A book by former student and teacher Henry Whitfield called A Torch in Flame, chronicles the history of the school from its founding to the death of headmaster Dr Cresswell in 1974. Since 1904, there has also been an annual School Magazine made by pupils with the purpose of keeping both; student, parents and Old Boys informed about developments and information concerning the school.

Academic standards

In 2002, the Department for Education and Skills (DfES) designated the school as one of the first four specialist engineering colleges of the UK. In 2006 it was judged to be a High Performing Specialist School (HPSS) and has rebid successfully for a second 4 year period of Engineering Specialism. In April 2007, it took up a second specialism in languages. After the OFSTED inspection in October 2007, the school successfully gained redesignation for Engineering and, with its HPSS status re-affirmed, successfully applied a third specialism "Applied Learning" which commenced during 2009. This specialism encourages subject teaching to make reference to relevance in the world of work.

The school was recently inspected again in February 2011, and was designated as an "Outstanding" school, paving the way for the school's conversion to "Type Two" Academy Status in early March 2011, under the Coalition Government's Academy scheme.

The school's academic performance can be assessed on the UK government's Department for Education and Skills (DfES) website.^[1]

F1 in Schools

Pupils' technical achievements include building the fastest CO₂-powered model formula one car in the South West England heats of the F1 In Schools competition 2004-2005. Cars in this competition are designed with Computer Aided Design software and built from balsa wood using Computer Aided Manufacture. DHSB's "Team Odyssey" entered the lower 11-14 age group. Their vehicle traveled 20 metres in 1.187 seconds, averaging over 60 kilometres per hour. Despite being the fastest in both age groups they did not qualify for the national finals, losing marks in the presentation section. This competition was re-entered in 2005-2006, with Black Future and Next Generation. At the regional finals in Yeovil, Black Future got a time of 1.107 seconds with Next Generation being slightly slower. Both teams went through to the national finals held in the NEC, Birmingham, where Black Future won the trophy for the fastest car nationally and Next Generation again being slightly slower, but with the second fastest car in United Kingdom. This year they again entered two teams: Fusion and Pulse. Fusion had the second fastest car in the south-west, but unfortunately did not qualify for the national finals. Pulse however, entered into a more complex class and beat the world record with a time of 1.069 seconds, scooping four prizes and a cheque for £500, going on to complete in the national finals. The school also is entering in 2011 with Team Vitesse in the same class as Pulse.

F1 in Schools English Champions

At the January 2007 national finals in Birmingham, the Pulse car beat the world record twice more, setting the UK National record at 1.056 seconds. In a further test for the car they arranged to race the Honda car, which had beaten all the other cars at Indianapolis last year and since then had undergone improvements. Using non-competition canisters Pulse achieved a time of 1.020 seconds, one millisecond faster than the Honda car. Overall, Pulse won the fastest R-type car, the Innovative Thinking award, the best 14-16 presentation and the 14-16 age group. As a result of their achievements they went on to represent England at the International Finals in 2008, which were held in Malaysia during the Sepang Grand Prix.

F1 in Schools World Champions

The Pulse F1 Team succeeded in becoming World Champions in the International Finals in Malaysia in March 2008. The team beat off competition from around the world in a knockout style event winning the Bernie Ecclestone Trophy and also university sponsorship, as well as the privilege of being VIP guests at the 2008 Malaysian Grand Prix.

The school is a designated Arkwright Scholarship School. As of 2005 there had been 4 Arkwright Scholars.

School song

This is a copy of the original school song. Though the use of the song ceased during the 1990s, it is still remembered by generations of former students:

First Verse "Tis of our school the High we sing, For her we'll spend both strength and brain, For her our finest gifts we'll bring, We'll give our all and count it gain, So that her praises far may ring, With records proud, devoid of stain," Chorus "High in Name, in fame in aim, High in heart and strong endeavour, High to answer honour's claim, We will fail our own school never, Semper Prorsum Honeste, Thus our motto, Play the game, Semper Prorsum Honeste, The High for ever,"

Second Verse "And when in our last race of all, We round the bend with torch in flame, We'll hand it on and sound the call, We've run our race, in us no shame, Ne'er did we falter, fail or fall, We've played the game, do ye the same." Chorus High in name etc. "The first verse to be sung by trebles only." "The Second verse to be sung by basses only." "Both choruses to be sung in full."

DHSB Headteachers

Looking west along the Arcade

• 1896—1906 AJ Rider FCS
• 1906—1932 AF Treseder MA
• 1933—1941 HAT Simmonds MA
• 1942—1948 WH Buckley BA BSc FREconS
• 1949—1953 SB Barker MA LLB
• 1953—1974 JL Cresswell MA DPhil
• 1975—1993 JGW Peck MA JP
• 1993—2008 NM Pettit BSc PhD
• 2008—Pres: KJ Earley BA MA

School houses

The school's pupils are currently split equally between 6 houses, which compete each year for the St. Levan's Shield, the houses are Campbell, Edison, Newton, Priestley, Smeaton and Winstanley.

School buildings

The school buildings are named after famous Plymouthians:

Astor; the Art, Technology, Media Studies and ICT block. Astor Annexe; the building joined with Astor. This features an Art classroom on the bottom floor, and a Technology room at the top. Brunel; the Mathematics, MFL (Modern Foreign Languages) and English block. Burrows' Drama Studio; named after late English and Drama teacher Clive Burrows. A drama studio.

Cookworthy; The Classics and Humanities block. Drake; the Sciences block. Edgcumbe; the building that has the main Reception, senior staff offices, the LRC (Learning Resource Centre and Library), changing rooms, the Fitness Suite (a Gym) and the Edgcumbe Theatre, converted in 2008 from a traditional school hall into a 234-seat auditorium with the old under-stage Green Room/Stage as a drama and rehearsal studio. Foulston; this block has the Sixth Form Centre (opened in November 2006), as well as a PE Studies hall. The block is connected with Astor. John Foulston was a prominent architect in the city. Gibbons; the Refectory (Canteen) and new cookery block, part named after Stanley Gibbons, the stamp collector.

Hansom; the sports hall that is connected with Edgcumbe. Hansom was the architect for Plymouth RC Cathedral. Ingle; the ATC (Air Training Corps) hut, named after the heroic second world war fighter pilot. An extension to this building is nearly completed in construction. Jervis; the Music Suite with rehearsal rooms - named after Admiral Jervis. Kingsley, the student support centre. (Charles Kingsley wrote Water Babies whilst living in Devon).

Uzel House

The school has a residential centre in the French town of Uzel in Brittany. This offers pupils the opportunity for work experience with local companies as well as the chance to improve their French and enjoy activities like horseriding and canoeing. The house was bought for the token amount of 1 Franc in 1991, from the Mayor of Uzel. Since its opening in 1992, annually over 250 boys visit the house. The Friday Choir has also brought pupils from two other Plymouth grammar schools, Plymouth High School for Girls and Devonport High School for Girls, to Uzel for an opportunity to sing to the locals. These, and many other Friday Choir tours, were organised by music teacher Trefor K Farrow. Mr Farrow joined DHSB in 1965 and completed his fortieth and final year in 2006. In 2010 there were concerns about the Houses' long term sustainability as a result of the recession. The situation over its future is still undecided.

Annual trips

The school organises annual trips ranging from Snowdonia, Wales to Uzel, France and beyond. The school offers a large range of educational trips abroad some regular and also usually a selection of other non-regular trips each year including:

Regular Trips: France - Year Seven and Eight Residential trips, an A level Media trip and a Year Nine Holocaust remembrance trip. France - French Exchange with Lycée Notre-Dame, Guingamp. France / Austria - Skiing trips. Germany - Trips to the Black Forest and Aachen Christmas market for the younger year groups. Kenya - A bi-annual Geography trip. Wales - A trip run to explore the Snowdonia region. Chagford - An afternoon exploring the local moorland area.

Other trips have included: China - A Geography / History trip to this fascinating country. A return trip took place on 17/7/2009. Egypt - A Geography / History trip to the land of the Golden Pharaoh. Greece - A Classics trip to view the wonders of Ancient Greece. Holland - with the Swing Band. Italy - There have now been several Classics trips to view the wonders of Ancient Rome. Mexico - A Geography / History trip to view this remarkable country. New York - An Art trip. Paris - An Art trip. Peru - A Geography trip Russia - with the Friday Choir. Spain - with Friday Choir.

The future

Devonport High School for Boys has been rapidly expanding over the past few years. This expansion includes the refurbishment of the 6th Form centre as well as the complete refurbishment of the old Edgcumbe Hall to create the Edgcumbe Theatre and Studio, a theatre facility both for performance and sound and light engineering.

Under the new government scheme in which every school has to teach cookery, a new cookery and home economics building has been built.

From March 1st 2011 the school converted to academy status, a highly controversial and bitterly divisive change among staff and pupils alike at the school, with several believing that the change has happened far too quickly.

Notable former pupils

See also: Category:People educated at Devonport High School for Boys

Notable alumni include:

• Joey Ansah, actor and Ninjutsu master
• Stephen Bridges LVO, Ambassador to Cambodia from 2000-5^[2]
• Ben Cross, main actor in Chariots of Fire
• Roger Davies, Chairman of Going Places from 1994-7, and Thomson Holidays from 1984–90^[3]
• Tim Dixon, television presenter and child magician
• Rear Admiral John Dyer-Smith CBE
• John Dyson, Ambassador to Montenegro from 2006-7^[4]
• Prof Alfred Eddy, Professor of Biochemistry at UMIST from 1959–94^[5]
• David Felwick CBE, Deputy Chairman of John Lewis Partnership from 2002-4^[6]
• Richard Foster CBE, Chief Executive of the CPS from 2002-7^[7]
• Donald Hamley, diplomat^[8]
• Prof Sir Martin Harris CBE, Vice-Chancellor of University of Essex from 1987–92, Vice-Chancellor of University of Manchester from 1992–2004 and President of Clare Hall, Cambridge^[9]
• Stephen Hiscock, High Commissioner to Guyana and Ambassador to Suriname from 2002-6^[10]
• Rear-Adm Terence Loughran CB, Commander of HMS Ark Royal from 1993-4
• Sir Derek March CBE, High Commissioner to Uganda from 1986–90
• Christopher Murphy, Conservative MP for Welwyn Hatfield from 1979–87
• Sir Austin Pearce CBE (1921–2004), former chairman of British Aerospace from 1980-7 and chairman of the trustees of the Science Museum, who captained DHSB's athletics and rugby teams during his time there. Also Chairman of Esso UK from 1972–80 and President of the Institute of Petroleum from 1968-70.
• Rt Rev Kenneth Pillar, Bishop of Hertford 1982-89
• Frederick Skinnard, Labour MP for Harrow East from 1945–50
• Kenneth West, Philippines national rugby union team player
• Graham Wattley, Director of the DVLC (now the DVLA) from 1985–90
• Douglas Webb, Deputy Commissioner of Police of the Metropolis from 1961–66
• Rt Rev Timothy Thornton, Bishop of Sherborne 2001-2008, Bishop of Truro 2009–present

DHSB has a group of alumni called the "Old Boys Association", it was relaunched in 1996, on the school's centenary. There are more than 600 Old Boys registered on the DHS Old Boys Online web site. DHS Old Boys Online has no direct affiliation with the Old Boys Association, although it does provide some information on the Association and a form to apply for membership..

There was mild controversy in the school and the DHSOBA when the information that an Old Boy from the school had been detained in the now infamous "fake rock" case emerged. According to the BBC, Russia's intelligence agency, the FSB, accused British agents of storing and exchanging classified information using a fake rock on a Russian street. [1]

Notes

1. ^ DfES DHSB, Accessed December 2, 2006
2. ^ 'BRIDGES, Stephen John', Who's Who 2011, A & C Black, 2011; online edn, Oxford University Press, December 2010 (accessed 24 September 2011).
3. ^ 'DAVIES, Roger Oliver', Who's Who 2011, A & C Black, 2011; online edn, Oxford University Press, December 2010 (accessed 24 September 2011).
4. ^ 'DYSON, John Alva', Who's Who 2011, A & C Black, 2011; online edn, Oxford University Press, December 2010 (accessed 24 September 2011).
5. ^ 'EDDY, Prof. Alfred Alan', Who's Who 2011, A & C Black, 2011; online edn, Oxford University Press, December 2010 (accessed 24 September 2011).
6. ^ 'FELWICK, Wing Comdr David Leonard', Who's Who 2011, A & C Black, 2011; online edn, Oxford University Press, December 2010 (accessed 24 September 2011).
7. ^ 'FOSTER, Richard Scot', Who's Who 2011, A & C Black, 2011; online edn, Oxford University Press, December 2010 (accessed 24 September 2011).
8. ^ 'HAMLEY, Donald Alfred', Who's Who 2011, A & C Black, 2011; online edn, Oxford University Press, December 2010 (accessed 24 September 2011).
9. ^ 'HARRIS, Prof. Sir Martin (Best)', Who's Who 2011, A & C Black, 2011; online edn, Oxford University Press, December 2010 (accessed 24 September 2011).
10. ^ 'HISCOCK Stephen John', Who's Who 2011, A & C Black, 2011; online edn, Oxford University Press, December 2010 (accessed 24 September 2011).

External links

• School website
• DHS Old Boys online
• DHS Old Boys Rugby Club
• Pulse, DHSB's F1 in Schools competitors
• DHSB Maths help
• DHSB Outdoor Education
• F1 in schools results and BBC report and The Evening Herald and Western Morning News and Exeter University News
• Pulse's Latest Evening Herald Article