18th and 19th centuries Norwich School (independent school)

samuel parr, head master (1778–85)

the system of education remained largely unchanged until late 18th century. dr. samuel parr, master 1778 1785 noted use of corporal punishment, commonplace @ time. 1 pupil remarked;

parr s fame severity spread sort of panic through city, among mothers, interpose remonstrance, occasioned ludicrous scene, seldom availed culprit, while wiser willing leave boys in hands.

richard twining, tea merchant, however, advised brother john send eldest son norwich, writing of parr, have been told flogs much, doubt whom have heard think use of punishment . parr s daily teaching interrupted @ midday when sent boy pastry-cook s across road pie, ate schoolroom fire. on resignation of headship in 1785, historian warren derry comments, object of terror gone, glory of place had gone .

john crome, landscape painter , founder of norwich school of painters, became drawing master @ school @ beginning of 19th century, position held many years. norwich school of painters first provincial art movement in england, , crome has been described 1 of prominent british landscape painters alongside constable , gainsborough. several notable artists of movement educated @ school including john sell cotman, james stark, john berney crome, george vincent , edward thomas daniell. frederick sandys, norwich pre-raphaelite , attended school, had roots in movement. staff, such dr. samuel forster, associated movement; forster headteacher when john sell cotman attended school. forster became vice president of norwich society of artists, society established in 1803 artists of movement. charles hodgson taught mathematics , art, , son david taught art, supporters of crome.

s. s. madders, 1853, rambles in old city, p. 5.

the number of pupils fluctuated @ beginning of 19th century, usual numbers between 100 , 150 pupils, falling 8 pupils in 1811 , 30 in 1859. under headship of classical scholar edward valpy (1810–1829) pupil numbers increased , school enjoyed prosperous period, though development hindered charter trustees preferred spend of £7,000 year income on great hospital, leaving £300 school. valpy published popular textbook on latin style, elegantiae latinae (1803), went through ten editions in lifetime , greek testament, english notes, selected , original (1815) in 3 volumes. in 1837, in wake of municipal reform act patronage of governors went twenty-one independent trustees appointed lord chancellor, separating governance of school city corporation. result of later 1858 court case attorney-general v. hudson school became independent of great hospital, gaining endowment of own , board of governors administer it. original objects of school provide education poor boys abolished , replaced boarding fees of £60 year sons of laymen, £45 sons of clergymen, , 12 guineas year day pupils. separate school established provide training boys enter industry , trade called king edward vi middle school or commercial school. opened in 1862 , located in cloisters of blackfriars had 200 pupils , charged tuition fee of 4 guineas year.

illustration of school upper close (1890)

by mid-19th century school failed cater requirements of new urban middle class due predominant focus on classical education , perceived city s large nonconformist community exclusively anglican. school, however, underwent dramatic reform under augustus jessopp, 1 of great victorian reforming headteachers, headship lasted 1859 1879. influenced thomas arnold s reforms @ rugby , new victorian public schools, school remodelled public school. curriculum broadened include non-classical subjects such mathematics, drawing, german , french, part of trend seen in several schools including marlborough college, rossall, wellington, clifton , richmond establish modern departments pupils allowed omit learning greek , follow non-classical curriculum fulfill increasing demand high less classical education. strict moral code instilled, chapel becoming focal point of school life, prefectorial system implemented encourage leadership , responsibility, , there greater focus on sport thought foster team spirit , individual initiative, reflecting prevailing belief in muscular christianity among educationalists.

the schools inquiry commission (1864–1868), examined endowed grammar schools under chairmanship of lord taunton, reported school gives highest education in county of norfolk , sent on average twice many boys university other endowed schools in norfolk each year. commissioners praised commercial school, despite facing competition similar schools: extent of usefulness , soundness of practical teaching, second none . these reforms accompanied building expansion, such completion in 1860 of gothic revival north wing of school house contained large dormitory boarding pupils. 1872 there 127 pupils, 91 of whom boarders drawn on south-east of england. @ first meeting of headmasters conference in 1869 jessopp represented norwich school 1 of original thirteen members. although successful efforts hindered effects of agricultural depression four-fifths of endowment income came land, , school thrived city day school.