Did you know that this very spot once echoed with the sounds of hundreds of boys? We stand before the former City of Oxford High School for Boys. For 85 years this building shaped generations of young men. It’s now part of Oxford University’s History Faculty.
This grand building opened in 1881. Thomas Hill Green a prominent educationalist was its driving force. He envisioned a ‘ladder of learning’ connecting elementary schools to the university. The school’s foundation stone was laid by Prince Leopold Queen Victoria’s youngest son. The inscription on the building proudly proclaims its origins and the unity of town and gown.
The school started with just 47 pupils. It eventually grew to 360. Notable alumni include the renowned T E Lawrence Lawrence of Arabia and comedian Ronnie Barker. A plaque commemorating Lawrence unveiled by Winston Churchill himself still stands here. The school was divided into four houses named after former pupils. There were only six headmasters during its entire history.
The school’s history is also tied to the old City Gaol. Stone from its demolition was used in constructing this building. That’s quite a unique bit of historical recycling. Imagine the stories those stones could tell. The building itself became quite cramped by 1966. In that year it merged with another school. It formed Oxford School on a different site.
The building’s architectural design was the result of a competition won by T G Jackson. Yet another architect felt that his design was heavily incorporated into the final structure. The building itself is a Grade II listed building. Its design includes a clock in the gable. It features stone mullioned and transomed windows with elliptical heads.
The Old Boys’ High School’s legacy lives on. The City of Oxford School Association (Cosa) organizes reunions for former pupils. These events bring together old boys from across the globe. They gather to share memories in what was once the school playground. A bench and plaque commemorate the staff and pupils who learned and taught here. The building itself serves as a testament to Oxford’s rich educational history. It stands as a reminder of the countless lives it touched. It continues its role in shaping minds albeit in a new capacity. This building truly lives on in the minds and hearts of many.