The Henry Box School

The site was purchased in 1660 by a grocer, Henry Box, who decided to endow a school in his hometown after becoming a successful businessman in London. The schoolhouse, which still survives, and is now a Grade II* listed building,{{NHLE|num=1212271|desc=Henry Box School|grade=II*|access-date=10 June 2014}} was completed before his death in 1662. His wife, Mary Box, then completed the project using money left in his will.{{Cite book |last=Wales |first=Tim |url=http://www.oxforddnb.com/view/10.1093/ref:odnb/9780198614128.001.0001/odnb-9780198614128-e-90080 |title=Box, Henry and Mary, educational benefactors |date=2006-09-28 |publisher=Oxford University Press |volume=1 |language=en |doi=10.1093/ref:odnb/90080}} In honour of the school's foundation, Oriel College, Oxford, of which Henry Box was a student, and The Worshipful Company of Grocers, of which Henry Box was elected Master, continue to sponsor one member of the school's governing body each.{{cite web|title=History|url=http://www.henrybox.oxon.sch.uk/page_viewer.asp?category=History&pid=41|publisher=The Henry Box School|access-date=10 May 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120724012716/http://www.henrybox.oxon.sch.uk/page_viewer.asp?category=History&pid=41|archive-date=24 July 2012|url-status=dead}}

File:Henry Box School Witney Geograph-2906900-by-Des-Blenkinsopp.jpg

In the 17th and 18th century, Witney Grammar School grounded the sons of merchants, manufacturers and minor gentry in classical curriculum, including Latin, Greek and Hebrew in preparation for entry to university. Students generally paid fees, but there were also thirty school places free of charge; preference was given to descendants of the Box family and the poor for these places. The staff included a Master, Writing Master and Usher.{{cite web|title=Witney Borough: Education|url=http://www.british-history.ac.uk/report.aspx?compid=116967|publisher=British History Online|access-date=12 May 2014}} The school had boarding facilities, a school room and accommodation for the Master and Usher, all contained within the Box Building.{{cite web|title=Archive - Witney Grammar School|url=http://www.henrybox.oxon.sch.uk/page_viewer.asp?page=Archive+%2D+Witney+Grammar+School&pid=166|publisher=The Henry Box School|access-date=12 May 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140512222959/http://www.henrybox.oxon.sch.uk/page_viewer.asp?page=Archive+%2D+Witney+Grammar+School&pid=166|archive-date=12 May 2014|url-status=dead}}

In the 1870s and 80s the school began to change its structure, becoming a "middle-class" or "second-grade" school to cater for boys without university aspirations. The staff included two resident assistant masters, a visiting drill master, and a resident female music teacher; subjects offered included English, French, Latin, arithmetic, natural science, drawing, singing, and bookkeeping. These subjects were intended to attract more children of professional tradesmen and farmers, therefore increasing the number of pupils at the school.{{cite web|title=Witney Borough: Education|url=http://www.british-history.ac.uk/report.aspx?compid=116967|publisher=British History Online|access-date=12 May 2014}}

In 1901 the local Holloway's Bluecoat School was closed and its pupils and endowments transferred to the Witney Grammar School.

Girls were first admitted to the school in 1912 when there were 43 pupils in total.{{cite news|last=Rivett|first=Jen|title=Henry Box Celebrates its 350th Birthday|url=http://www.oxfordmail.co.uk/archive/2010/02/03/4888117.Henry_Box_celebrates_its_350th_birthday/|newspaper=Oxford Mail|access-date=10 May 2014}}

The school had a large playing field, cricket square, football pitch and tennis courts.

{{cite book|last=Hayes|first=Gerald|title=Tales of a wanderer|date=2013|publisher=Paragon Publishing|location=Rothersthorpe|isbn=978-1-78222-156-2|pages=53–55|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=ce1cAwAAQBAJ}}

In the early 1960s it had 350 boys and girls, and was known as The Witney Grammar School, Witney.

In 1960, the school celebrated its tercentenary and Queen Elizabeth the Queen Mother visited as part of the celebrations, opening new buildings and attending a garden party.{{Cite web|url=http://witneyhistory.org/Book%20of%20Witney%20-%20Charles%20Gott.pdf|title=The New Book of Witney|last=Gott|first=Charles|access-date=15 April 2017}}

It was converted to a state comprehensive school in 1968 after the tripartite system was abolished. It was and renamed after its founder Henry Box and the building took the name of Mary Box. By the 1990s it had around 1,000 pupils. The school was granted Specialist College status in September 2001 for Modern Foreign Languages and was the first school in Oxfordshire to gain a second specialism, that of Science and Maths, in 2006.

Nicola Edmondson was the school's first female head teacher, joining in 2007,{{cite news|last=Hughes|first=Tim|title=School prepares for historic change|url=http://www.oxfordtimes.co.uk/news/1218814.School_prepares_for_historic_change/|newspaper=Oxford Times|access-date=10 May 2014}} although it was Mary Box who had laid down all the initial rules for the school, after Henry had died. She had shaped the school during the time of the first two headmasters.

The Henry Box School plays an annual football game against the Abingdon and Witney College in memory of former student Kevin Mott.{{cite web|title=Charity Begins At Home|url=http://www.hellenicleague.co.uk/archive/09_10/witney.html|work=blog post|access-date=10 May 2014}}

In 2010 the school celebrated its 350th anniversary. A book, entitled The Henry Box School — Its Place in History by Jane Cavell, was commissioned by the school and sold at Waterstones. Commemorative stained glass windows were also unveiled as part of the celebrations.{{cite news|last=Rivett|first=Jen|title=Henry Box celebrates its 350th Birthday|url=http://www.oxfordmail.co.uk/archive/2010/02/03/4888117.Henry_Box_celebrates_its_350th_birthday/|newspaper=Oxford Mail|access-date=10 May 2014}} The school also launched its house system, with the four houses named after notable figures from each century of the school's history.{{Cite web|url=http://www.henrybox.oxon.sch.uk/content/house-system|title=House System {{!}} The Henry Box School|website=www.henrybox.oxon.sch.uk|language=en|access-date=24 March 2017}}

The school became an academy on 1 June 2012.{{cite web|title=Ofsted School Inspection June 2013|url=http://www.ofsted.gov.uk/inspection-reports/find-inspection-report/provider/ELS/138210|publisher=Ofsted|access-date=10 May 2014}} It is now a part of the Mill Academy, a multi-academy trust along with Queen Emma's Primary School and Finstock C of E Primary School.{{Cite web|url=http://www.millacademy.co.uk/|title=Home|date=2015|website=The Mill Academy|access-date=15 July 2016}}

In 2004 the school was one of 67 schools recognised nationwide by the DfES for its academic record through assessing value added statistics, improved performance and high grade pass rates.{{cite web|title=Why Join? Sixth Form|url=http://www.henrybox.oxon.sch.uk/page_viewer.asp?page=Why+Join&pid=95|publisher=The Henry Box School|access-date=11 May 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140512213238/http://www.henrybox.oxon.sch.uk/page_viewer.asp?page=Why+Join&pid=95|archive-date=12 May 2014|url-status=dead}}

In 2013, 64% of students achieved 5 good GCSEs or equivalent and 25% of students achieved the English Baccalaureate. 94% of students passed 5 GCSEs,{{cite web |url=http://www.education.gov.uk/cgi-bin/schools/performance/school.pl?urn=138210|title=Secondary school league tables |work=Department for Education |date=8 May 2014 |access-date=10 May 2014}} and 26 students gained 8 or more A/A* grades. These were the school's best GCSE results to date.{{cite web|title=Henry Box School best ever results|url=http://www.henrybox.oxon.sch.uk/page_viewer.asp?page=GCSE+Results+2013&pid=546|publisher=The Henry Box School|access-date=10 May 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140512221549/http://www.henrybox.oxon.sch.uk/page_viewer.asp?page=GCSE+Results+2013&pid=546|archive-date=12 May 2014|url-status=dead}} At A level, 25% of grades were A/A* and 16 students achieved 3 or more A/A* grades.{{cite web|title=A level results 2013|url=http://www.henrybox.oxon.sch.uk/news/default.asp?storyID=186|publisher=The Henry Box School|access-date=10 May 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140513010524/http://www.henrybox.oxon.sch.uk/news/default.asp?storyID=186|archive-date=13 May 2014|url-status=dead}}

In 2014, Henry Box School achieved its highest ever GCSE results for a second successive year. 65% of students achieved 5 A*-C grades including English and maths. 18% of grades awarded were A* or A, and 27% of students achieved the English Baccalaureate. A level grades were also good, with 26% of grades at A*-A, and 53% A*-B.{{cite web|title=2014 Exam Results|url=http://www.henrybox.oxon.sch.uk/content/2014-exam-results|website=The Henry Box School|access-date=2 November 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141102181006/http://www.henrybox.oxon.sch.uk/content/2014-exam-results|archive-date=2 November 2014|url-status=dead}}

In 2016, 65% of pupils achieved A*-C in English and Maths GCSEs.{{Cite web|url=https://www.compare-school-performance.service.gov.uk/school/138210?tab=secondary|title=The Henry Box School - GOV.UK|website=www.compare-school-performance.service.gov.uk|language=en|access-date=24 March 2017}} 27% of A level grades awarded were A*/A,{{Cite web|url=http://www.henrybox.oxon.sch.uk/news/excellent-level-results-2016|title=Excellent A Level Results for 2016 {{!}} The Henry Box School|website=www.henrybox.oxon.sch.uk|language=en|access-date=24 March 2017}} and 14.4% of sixth form pupils achieved AAB or above including 2 facilitating subjects, below the national average of 17%.{{Cite web|url=https://www.compare-school-performance.service.gov.uk/school/138210?tab=ks5-16-to-18|title=The Henry Box School - GOV.UK|website=www.compare-school-performance.service.gov.uk|language=en|access-date=24 March 2017}}

Subjects offered include: Art and Design, Biology, Business Studies, Chemistry, Childcare, Drama, Economics, English Language, English Literature, Food Technology, French, Geography, German, Graphics, History, ICT, Mathematics, Music, Physics, Psychology, Religious Studies, Resistant Materials, Sociology, Systems and Control and Textiles.{{cite web|title=Departments - Henry Box School|url=http://www.henrybox.oxon.sch.uk/page_viewer.asp?page=Departments&pid=56|publisher=The Henry Box School|access-date=10 May 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120905130413/http://www.henrybox.oxon.sch.uk/page_viewer.asp?page=Departments&pid=56|archive-date=5 September 2012|url-status=dead}}

The Henry Box School has a sports hall and gym used for physical education lessons and after-school sports activities such as badminton, rounders, cricket and basketball. For some PE lessons students go off-site to use the Leys or Witney Artificial Turf Pitch. The school's extra-curricular sports teams include cricket, badminton, football, hockey, netball, rugby, and basketball,{{cite web|title=Fixture Results|url=http://www.henrybox.oxon.sch.uk/page_viewer.asp?page=Results&pid=368|publisher=The Henry Box School|access-date=10 May 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140512214901/http://www.henrybox.oxon.sch.uk/page_viewer.asp?page=Results&pid=368|archive-date=12 May 2014|url-status=dead}} and the department organizes international sports tours such as the 2011 Sri Lanka and 2009 Portugal tours.

In addition to this, several students currently represent Great Britain and England in sports ranging from golf to equestrian to baseball.{{cite web|title=Physical Education|url=http://www.henrybox.oxon.sch.uk/page_viewer.asp?page=Physical+Education&pid=58|publisher=The Henry Box School|access-date=10 May 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140512214038/http://www.henrybox.oxon.sch.uk/page_viewer.asp?page=Physical+Education&pid=58|archive-date=12 May 2014|url-status=dead}}

The school's under-14 and under-16 boys' badminton teams won the Centre Parcs County Championships in 2013 and went on to represent Oxfordshire at the University of Surrey for the South East National Schools Championships, the first time a school has won both regional age group competitions.{{cite news|url=http://www.oxfordmail.co.uk/sport/10259621.BADMINTON__Henry_Box_double_up/ |title=BADMINTON: Henry Box double up |newspaper=Oxford Mail |date=1 March 2013 |access-date=27 February 2014}}

In April 2014 the school won the Oxfordshire Under-16 Football Cup, after beating local rivals Wood Green in the final at Carterton Football Club.{{cite web|title=SCHOOLS FOOTBALL: Henry Box capture cup in penalty shoot-out drama|url=http://www.oxfordmail.co.uk/sport/football/youthfootball/11118715.SCHOOLS__FOOTBALL__Henry_Box_capture_cup_in_penalty_shoot_out_drama/|work=Newspaper Article (online)|publisher=Oxford Mail|access-date=10 May 2014}}

The Henry Box School has 11 science laboratories.

The school has a library, also known as the Learning Resources Centre. Students take part in the Kids' Lit Quiz{{cite news|url=http://www.oxfordmail.co.uk/news/10088179.Pupils_dazzle_quizmaster_with_book_knowledge/ |title=Pupils dazzle quizmaster with book knowledge |newspaper=Oxford Mail |date=5 December 2012 |access-date=27 February 2014}} annually and the school also hosts author visits such as Chris Bradford and Andy Briggs.{{cite web |url=http://www.henrybox.oxon.sch.uk/page_viewer.asp?page=Author+Visits&pid=380 |archive-url=https://archive.today/20130707075353/http://www.henrybox.oxon.sch.uk/page_viewer.asp?page=Author+Visits&pid=380 |url-status=dead |archive-date=7 July 2013 |title=The Henry Box School - Author Visits |publisher=Henry Box School |date=8 May 2013 |access-date=27 February 2014 }}

The school puts on drama and musical productions throughout the year; for example, Jesus Christ Superstar in April 2013{{cite web|url=http://www.witneygazette.co.uk/news/10327390.School_stars_shine_in_Jesus_Christ_Superstar/ |title=School stars shine in Jesus Christ Superstar |publisher=Witney Gazette |date=3 April 2013 |access-date=27 February 2014}} and Annie in April 2011.{{cite journal |url=http://www.henrybox.oxon.sch.uk/_includes/attachments/P118/Parents%20Newsletter%20May%202011%20for%20website.pdf |title=Parents Newsletter |publisher=Henry Box School |date=May 2011 |access-date=27 February 2014 }}{{Dead link|date=January 2020 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }}

The school's new music block, including a recording studio and sound-proof practice and teaching rooms, was opened on 26 November 2010 by David Cameron, Prime Minister. To celebrate the opening of the music block, students recorded a cover of Take That's Greatest Day which was then uploaded onto YouTube.{{cite web|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BlPFLT2BkM8 |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/varchive/youtube/20211214/BlPFLT2BkM8 |archive-date=2021-12-14 |url-status=live|title=Greatest Day by The Henry Box School |publisher=YouTube |date=7 September 2010 |access-date=27 February 2014}}{{cbignore}} The members or 100 Bullets Back also met at this school.

The Henry Box School has a large and successful sixth form, from which the majority of students go on to higher education including the most competitive universities such as Oxford and Cambridge.{{cite web|title=Why Join? Sixth Form|url=http://www.henrybox.oxon.sch.uk/page_viewer.asp?page=Why+Join&pid=95|publisher=The Henry Box School|access-date=11 May 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140512213238/http://www.henrybox.oxon.sch.uk/page_viewer.asp?page=Why+Join&pid=95|archive-date=12 May 2014|url-status=dead}}{{cite web|title=Sixth Form Destinations|url=http://www.henrybox.oxon.sch.uk/page_viewer.asp?page=Sixth+Form+Destinations&pid=196|publisher=The Henry Box School|access-date=11 May 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140512222634/http://www.henrybox.oxon.sch.uk/page_viewer.asp?page=Sixth+Form+Destinations&pid=196|archive-date=12 May 2014|url-status=dead}} The sixth form is part of the Witney Consortium, which allows students to study some subjects at Wood Green School or Abingdon and Witney College.

Admission to the sixth form is conditional on gaining an average of 42 GCSE points overall, including a C grade in English Language and B in the subjects to be studied at A Level.{{cite web|title=Applications and Entry Requirements|url=http://www.henrybox.oxon.sch.uk/page_viewer.asp?page=Applications+and+Entry+Requirements&pid=434|publisher=The Henry Box School|access-date=11 May 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140512214036/http://www.henrybox.oxon.sch.uk/page_viewer.asp?page=Applications+and+Entry+Requirements&pid=434|archive-date=12 May 2014|url-status=dead}}

Wider opportunities and activities in the sixth form include the Sixth Form Council, Prefects, Young Enterprise Scheme, Community Service and Leavers' Prom. The Sixth Form Variety Show is an annual event which is produced and performed entirely by students.{{cite web|title=Wider Opportunities - Sixth Form|url=http://www.henrybox.oxon.sch.uk/page_viewer.asp?page=Wider+Opportunities&pid=96|publisher=The Henry Box School|access-date=11 May 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140512221547/http://www.henrybox.oxon.sch.uk/page_viewer.asp?page=Wider+Opportunities&pid=96|archive-date=12 May 2014|url-status=dead}}{{cite web|title=Variety Show Trailer|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vlx_y-hZTBg&feature=player_embedded |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/varchive/youtube/20211214/vlx_y-hZTBg |archive-date=2021-12-14 |url-status=live|work=YouTube video|publisher=TheHenryBoxSchool|access-date=11 May 2014}}{{cbignore}}

The Sixth Form Block includes a general common room, two quiet study rooms for private study, a kitchen and a fully networked computer room for exclusive sixth-form use. A silent study area in the school library is also reserved for sixth-form students only.{{cite web|title=Accommodation and Facilities|url=http://www.henrybox.oxon.sch.uk/page_viewer.asp?page=Accommodation+%26amp%3B+Facilities&pid=92|publisher=The Henry Box School|access-date=11 May 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140512214402/http://www.henrybox.oxon.sch.uk/page_viewer.asp?page=Accommodation+%26amp%3B+Facilities&pid=92|archive-date=12 May 2014|url-status=dead}}

• Gugu Mbatha-Raw,{{Cite web|url=http://www.oxfordmail.co.uk/news/11279251.Belle_of_the_movie_world_enjoys_visit_to_home_town___Videos/|title=Belle of the movie world enjoys visit to home town + Videos|website=Oxford Mail|language=en|access-date=24 March 2017}} actress (Doctor Who, Spooks, Bonekickers, Belle, Beauty and the Beast, San Junipero (Black Mirror)), Loki
• Lawson D'Ath, footballer (Reading Football Club){{Cite web|url=http://www.oxfordmail.co.uk/news/yournews/sport/2244388.display/|title=BASKETBALL: Henry Box heroes net Oxon double|website=Oxford Mail|language=en|access-date=24 March 2017}}
• Jay Osgerby, founding member of BarberOsgerby industrial design studio and co-designer of the London 2012 Olympic Torch{{Cite news|url=http://www.oxfordtimes.co.uk/news/features/9829506.The_boy_did_flaming_well/?ref=arc|title=The boy did flaming well|last=Little|first=Reg|date=26 July 2012|access-date=15 July 2016}}
• Duncan Macmillan, West End playwright{{Cite news|url=http://www.oxfordmail.co.uk/news/11333965.Deputy_head_calls_time_on_30_years_at_same_school/|title=Deputy head calls time on 30 years at same school|date=11 July 2014|work=Oxford Mail|access-date=15 July 2016}}
• Madeleine "Maddie" Moate TV Presenter, Actress, director and producer (best known for the Cbeebies series Maddie's Do You Know?){{Cite web|title=Girls head for top fringe festival|url=https://www.witneygazette.co.uk/news/2408908.girls-head-for-top-fringe-festival/|access-date=2020-09-23|website=Witney Gazette|language=en}}

• Air Vice-Marshal Wilfred Carter CB DFC, Station Commander from 1958 to 1960 of RAF Ternhill {{According to whom|date=April 2017}}
• Patrick Christopher Steptoe CBE,{{Cite journal|last=Edwards|first=R. G.|date=1 January 1996|title=Patrick Christopher Steptoe, C. B. E. 9 June 1913-22 March 1988|jstor=770219|journal=Biographical Memoirs of Fellows of the Royal Society|volume=42|pages=435–452|doi=10.1098/rsbm.1996.0027|pmid=11619339|doi-access=free}} obstetrician and inventor, with Robert Edwards of in vitro fertilisation (IVF), and President from 1986 to 1988 of the British Fertility Society and from 1977 to 1988 of the International Federation of Fertility Societies
• Michael Howse, CBE, OBE, FREng, Chief Engineer of the Rolls-Royce RB211 engine. {{According to whom|date=April 2017}}
• Marina Lewycka,{{Cite web|url=http://marinalewycka.com/bio.html|title=Marina Lewycka biography page|website=marinalewycka.com|access-date=24 March 2017}} author (A Short History of Tractors in Ukrainian, Two Caravans, We Are All Made of Glue)
• Robert Llewellyn, actor (Red Dwarf, Scrapheap Challenge), briefly at the grammar school and expelled when 16 for arguing with the headmaster {{According to whom|date=April 2017}}
• Cornelius Hunperdunkel, inventor of the Spork. {{According to whom|date=April 2017}}
• Diana Hardcastle, actress on TV, stage and film (That's Love, The Kennedys (miniseries), The Best Exotic Marigold Hotel) {{According to whom|date=April 2017}}
• Natalie Ogle, actress on TV and film (We'll Meet Again, David Copperfield (1986 TV serial), The Stud (film)) {{According to whom|date=April 2017}}

{{reflist}}

• [http://www.henrybox.oxon.sch.uk The Henry Box School website]
• [http://witneyhistory.org/Book%20of%20Witney%20-%20Charles%20Gott.pdf]
• [https://books.google.com/books?id=rY-8ceSYvWoC&dq=witney+grammar+school&pg=PA320]

{{Schools in Oxfordshire}}

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Category:Secondary schools in Oxfordshire

Category:Educational institutions established in the 1660s

Category:Witney

Category:1660 establishments in England

Category:Academies in Oxfordshire

Category:Grade II* listed buildings in Oxfordshire