Oldbury Grammar School
Description
Moat Road, Oldbury. Oldbury Grammar School originally opened as Oldbury County High School in 1926,[2] situated next to Barnford Hill Park in Langley Green following the transfer of Oldbury Secondary School, founded in 1904, from Flash Road, Oldbury. In 1944, following the new Education Act, the County High, originally co-opting its location within Worcestershire, became Oldbury Grammar School.
In 1929, local glass artists Tom Stokes and Bill Pardoe created a window for Oldbury Grammar's main school hall as a memorial to the Old Boys of the school who died in the 1914 war. It consists of eight lights with the allegorical figures of Justice, Courage and Fortitude and with extracts from the story of the Peloponnesian War, specially selected by Mr Willis Bond, that great figure in Worcestershire education of those days. Around the same time, money was raised for a multi-pipe church-style organ. "I Vow To Thee My Country" became a regular fixture of morning assembly.
The school motto was Cresco (I Grow) and former Grammar school pupils are known as "Old Cresconians".
Serving a mainly working class area, the school acted as a bridge to University education and a career in the professions. A thriving Sixth Form, lost when the school changed to a comprehensive in 1974, saw many pupils attain sufficient quality A levels to attend Russell Group universities and gain social mobility.
A history of Oldbury Grammar School 1904-1974 was written by former history teacher at the school Mr A.A.L Pearce and published in 1979.[3]
As a selective Grammar with open entry dictated only by academic ability at 11+ rather than the ability to afford school fees, the school not only promoted similar levels of academic excellence to that of private schools but adopted many of their trappings including a House system, winter and summer school uniform (which included distinctive striped blazers and straw boater hats for girls) and a school song which drew on the working class roots of the area.
Comprehensive
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RECENT FACEBOOK POSTS
facebook.comJust a note to wish all Cresconians young and old all the very best at Christmas, and a prosperous New Year.
This week I've been in touch with an old friend I last saw in 1976 at Crocketts Lane College and was a good mate during my days at OGS, Peter Murthwaite. Great to chat and reminisce about the old days. :)
Timeline Photos
Messaged photo by Scrumpy Apperley, (I assume not their real name :) ) Lovely keepsake nonetheless
Photos from Oldbury Grammar School's post
Just passing the old school site, and took a peek through the gates. I must say the new build is looking impressive, and appears to be on the same footprint as the old school. Time will tell if it will live up to being anywhere near what it replaced.
Timeline Photos
This is a photo of the OGS site taken today 7th March 2016 by a local resident.Apparently it will be a no expense spared academy for the area with up to the minute facilities and technology. (Photo courtesy of Stefan Jurczak.)
From Chris Jones 6 January 18:01 Hi, Can anyone on here help me. I'm interested to find out current where-a-bouts of a teacher who worked here before, after and certainly during 1984-1989. His name....Fred Pratt and he taught Maths and IT. I knew him for several years after i left the school but lost contact with him. He lived in Dudley area and loved painting often combining religion with his art. Does anyone know what happened to him ? Thx
Quiz
