History
Queen Elizabeth Grammar School dates back to 1591. Mary Queen of Scots was dead and the Spanish Armada had been defeated and, in the following time of relative peace, the leading citizens of Wakefield could think about the future education of their boys with some assurance. On November 19, 1591 the charter was granted to fourteen men to act as Governors of the new school.
The Charter read: “Of our especial grace, certain knowledge and mere motion, we do, will grant and ordain for us, our heirs and successors, that hereafter there be and shall be one Grammar School of Queen Elizabeth at Wakefield, for the teaching, instructing and bringing up of children and youth in grammar, and other good learning, to continue to that use forever”.
The School Crest came into existence soon after the school was founded and features a lion, an owl and a bible. The golden lion on a red field refers to the royal foundation; the silver owl on black is taken from the arms of the Savile family (one of the founding families) and the Bible indicates the religious side of education. The school motto – Turpe Nescire – means “It is a disgrace to be ignorant”.
The school prospered and grew in numbers and in 1854 moved from the original school building to its present site in Northgate. The availability of bequests and grants enabled the school to attract pupils from a wide catchment area and a broad range of social backgrounds. This trend continues today through Foundation Awards, Scholarships and Bursaries.
Read more about this topic: Queen Elizabeth Grammar School, Wakefield
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