St. Clarence's Upstanding School for Outstanding Young Boys

St. Clarence's College, formally known as St. Clarence's Upstanding School for Outstanding Young Boys (commonly referred to as St. Clarence's, or informally known as "Clarries" by its students over the years) was an all-boys boarding school, and now a mixed-sex day school, in the heart of Stockershire, England. It is situated half a mile from the nearby sleepy country village of Pottington Green.

Up until 2019, it was a private Preparatory boarding school catering for boys from eleven to sixteen. Now, it caters for both boys and girls and is a day school.

### **School History**

#### **Founding**

The school building was built in 1698 and was used as a stately manor house until the school was founded in the early months of 1742 by four rich nobles from the surrounding counties as a way of educating young members of the peerage. The four sirs decided to name the school's houses after themselves, excluding Julius Garringden, who they deemed not worthy enough to be named as a house.

However, they decided to give him the post as Headmaster of St. Clarence's, with the four of them acting as superior board members. This led to a grudge being held by the headmaster towards the other four, which was still intact until March 3rd 1777 when they relieved Julius of his post in favour of his son Jules, who they saw as less argumentative compared to his father.

These schools founders were:

* Sir Wilbert Willsworth, Earl of Pottington *(died 1800)*
* Sir Robert Ropgood, Baron of Conby-Moor *(died 1801)*
* Sir Francis Fornsbry, Viscount of Feuhead *(died 1804)*
* Sir Gordon Garnive, Lord of Garnive *(died 1806)*
* Mr. Julius Garringden *(died 1778)*

They each represented an aspect of personality that they wanted to bring out in their students. These five founders wanted the school to sound exclusive and decided to include the words "Upstanding" and "Outstanding" in its name. It was named after St. Clarence of Vienne (France), who is the Roman Catholic patron saint of prisoners.

#### **The Early Years**

By January of 1800, the school board decided to change the school's pupillage, by extending it to any members of the upper classes (or anyone could afford the expensive school fees). This led to the school getting rather a renowned reputation; but also led to a strong sense of animosity towards them in the local community by members of the working-class, who saw St. Clarence's as a waste of time.

In 1799, the left wing of the school burnt down in a horrific fire, which claimed nine lives, including two teachers who perished desperately tried to save their pupils from the flames.

The four founders left the school in the trusted hands of Jules Garringden after the last founding member died in 1806. The school has been run by every descendant of Julius ever since, and even to this day.

#### **The Second World War (1939 - 1945)**

In the September of 1940, unidentified transmitions were found to have been made from the school grounds for over a month. The British War Office took a heavy investigation in search of a potentially dangerous Nazi spy, posing as a British citizen. The search went on for a week until the culprit was found and arrested for treason, which shook St. Clarence's to the core.

At the same time as this, the War Office required for a group of evacuees from the East End of London to stay at the school for a short period of time, as part of the evacuee process due to the Blitz of 1940.

In 1942, on the two hundredth anniversary of the school's opening, the school celebrated.

In the announcement of VE (Victory in Europe) in May of 1945, the school hosted a large garden party and summer fete to celebrate the end of The Second World War.

#### **After the Millennium**

The school celebrated the 1999 to 2000 Millennium on December 31st with a fireworks display and bonfire.

The school was temporarily closed in 2019 before changing to a mixed-sex education academy, with its first cohort of students arriving in the September of that year, with year and class sizes doubled. Its name was altered to St. Clarence's College to reflect this. As of 2021, it is a independent day school with a typical years fee is around £14,000 per student, and also houses a small nursery as part of a new extension.

Its current Headmistress is Mrs. Jeanette Garringden, who is the first female head of school since the school's founding in 1742.

### **The School Motto**

The original Latin motto for the school is 'Numquam Audiemus Ordines' (which in English means 'Never Disobey Orders') and was created by Sir Francis Fornsbry (who had a notorious military background) when founding the school. Its intention is to present St. Clarence's as a school which enforces discipline in order to mold students to become great role models and 'life-grabbers'.

As of 2021, the old motto was dropped, in order to present St. Clarence's as an ever-changing and modern education establishment. However, old school boards, such as vintage wooden cricket team boards, have still got the Latin motto written on them.

### **Uniforms**

The St. Clarence's uniform consists of the colours of dark blue, white, cream and red. Students wear an all-blue uniform including a dark blue blazer with dark blue trousers or shorts, with white socks and brown shoes. The school's crest includes a red-lined, blue and cream chequered shield with images of a book, two Bishop's hat (to reflect who the school is named after) and a set of keys. It also has the school motto ("Nunquam Audiemus Ordines") written underneath.

#### **Changes to Uniform**

In 2019, upon becoming mixed-sex, the uniform was expanded to cater for girls. This expansion included a dark blue and grey skirt, a dark blue summer dress, winter white knee high socks and brown girls shoes. The option to design girls trousers was debated but the idea was ultimately turned down by the school's governing board, until enough parents managed to persuade them otherwise.

### **School Houses**

Willsworh (Purple) Garnive (Green) Fornsbry (Yellow) Ropgood (Blue)

### **Rooms/Layout**

On the barrier of the school, there is a pair of Victorian wrought iron gates. On this gates is the school name intertwined in iron. Upon entering the school gates, there is a long drive that leads up to the front of the school, which is perched on a gentle slope.

### **Taught Subjects**

#### **Original subjects (1742)**

* Politics - personally selected by Wilbert Willsworth
* Divinity - personally selected by Gordon Garnive
* Mathematics
* Latin
* French
* Fine Art
* History - personally selected by Julius Garringden
* Basic Science - personally selected by Francis Fornsbry
* Fitness - personally selected by Robert Ropgood

#### **Subjects (1940)**

* 3 Sciences (Chemistry, Biology and Physics)
* English
* Latin
* Geography
* Gardening
* History
* Mathematics
* Sports
* Economics & Business
* French
* Music
* Sailing
* Woodwork

#### **Current Subjects (2021)**

The board of parents managed to persuade the schools' governors to widen the subjects in the early 2000s from 12 to 17, in order to make their curriculum more modern and more suitable for their students by including millennia-accepted subjects and removing the seemingly outdated subjects, to then have:

* Combined & Separate Sciences
* English Language/Literature
* Maths
* Drama
* Music
* Geography
* History
* RS (Religious Studies)
* PE (Physical Education)
* Art & Textiles
* MFL (Modern Foreign Languages)
* IT (Internet Technology)
* DT (Design Technology)
* Child Development
* Media Studies
* Business Studies
* Home Economics
* Gardening *(now exclusively extra-curricular)*

#### **Sports (Past and Present)**

The name of the subject that taught these has changed from Fitness to Sports to Physical Education. The sports it teaches have varied over the years, but have included:

* Cricket
* Rugby
* Cross-Country
* Sailing *(now exclusively extra-curricular)*
* Swimming *(now exclusively extra-curricular)*
* Horse Riding *(no longer taught)*
* Croquet *(no longer taught)*
* Chess *(now exclusively extra-curricular)*
* Clay and/or Pheasant Shooting *(no longer taught)*
* Skiing
* Golf *(now exclusively extra-curricular)*
* Fencing *(no longer taught)*
* Badminton *(now exclusively extra-curricular)*
* Hockey

### **Notable Staff Members**

#### **Headmasters**

* Mr. Julius Garringden (1742 - 1777)
* Mr. Jules Garringden (1777 - 1811)
* Mr. Jonathan Garringden (1812 - 1850)
* The Rt. Hon. James Garringden - Headmaster (1850 - 1889)
* Mr. Jacob Garringden, B.A - Headmaster (1889 - 1939)
* Mr. Joseph Garringden, B.A - Headmaster (1940 - 1981)
* Mr. Jacob Garringden II, B.Sc - Headmaster (1981 - 2004)
* Mrs. Jeanette Garringden - Headmistress (2004 - present)

#### **Other Staff**

* Miss "Hetty" Goodwin (1940 - 1981) was the first [music] teacher to marry into the Garringden family.