Adams' Grammar School is a state grammar school in Newport, Shropshire. Its name is sometimes abbreviated to AGS.

Background

Adams' is a selective state school, which admits both boarding and day pupils, and is a specialist technology college. The school, including the sixth form, has approximately 800 pupils (750 boys, 40 girls). The school only educates boys in Years 7 to 11 (ages 11 to 16), although the Sixth Form (ages 16 to 18) is mixed. The Haberdashers are still important in the running of the school: they provide some of the school's funding and have representatives in its governing body.

School life

The school is divided into four houses for competitive and pastoral purposes. These are named after notable Salopians, Clive of India, Charles Darwin, Charles Talbot and Captain Matthew Webb. Highlights of the school year include the Smedley and Dixon Cups: the inter-house rugby and drama competitions.

The school also has a number of clubs and societies. These include Army, Royal Navy and RAF CCF sections, chess club, Christian Union and the Senior Debating Society.

The current Headmaster is Mr JM Richardson and the two Deputy Headmasters are Mr Warren-Smith and Mr Barrat.

History

Adams' was founded in 1656 by William Adams, a wealthy citizen of the City of London and a Haberdasher who was born in the town. It was opened on March 25 1657.

Charles Dickens (1812- 1870) stayed at The Bear Hotel, now called Beaumaris House that forms part of the school's Boarding House. Chetwynd House was formerly the home of Elizabeth Parker, the recluse on whom Dickens modelled Miss Havisham in Great Expectations (1861).

Notable alumni

Former pupils are known as "Old Novaportans" (initiated as "ON").

• Michael J. Bassett – Film director, notable films include Deathwatch
• Barrington J. Bayley (born 1937) – Science Fiction author
• Tom Brown (1662-1704) – Satirist
• Richard Burge – Former Chief Executive of London Zoo, currently Chief Executive of the Countryside Alliance
• Jeremy Corbyn (born 1949) – Left wing Labour Party MP
• William Cureton (1808-1864) – Orientalist
• Ewen Henderson (1934-2000) – Sculptor
• Roger Holmes – The Managing Director of Marks and Spencers
• Thomas Parker (1666-1732) – First Earl of Macclesfield (of the second creation) and Lord Chancellor from 1714 to 1725.
• Matthew Smith – 16th-century spy, intriguer and writer.
• Professor Maurice Stacey (1907-1994) – Scientist pivotal in the discovery of Vitamin C

External links

• Adams' Grammar School website
• AGS Voice - the school magazine
• Adams' Grammar School's most recent OFSTED report