The Pilgrims' School

The Pilgrims' School is a 4–13 boys preparatory school and cathedral school in the cathedral city of Winchester, Hampshire, England.

The Pilgrim's School
School badge The Pilgrims' School building, 2007
Address
3 The Close Winchester , Hampshire , SO23 9LT England
Coordinates	51°03′32″N 1°18′47″W
Information
Type	4–13 boys Independent preparatory day and boarding Choral foundation school Cathedral school
Motto	To be a Pilgrim
Religious affiliation(s)	Church of England
Established	1931
Founder	Humphrey Salwey, Dean Gordon Selwyn
Local authority	Hampshire
Chair of Governors	Jeremy Griffith
Head	Tim Butcher
Gender	Boys
Age	4 to 13
Enrolment	269
Capacity	280
Houses	Monks, Normans, Romans, Saxons, Wrens
Choirs	Winchester Cathedral Choir Winchester College Chapel Choir
Website	The Pilgrims School

The official date of establishment for the cathedral school is unknown but historical records indicate that choristers of Winchester Cathedral's renowned choir have been educated in the Close as early as the 7th century.^[1] The current school was opened in 1931.^[2] As it also educates choristers of the Winchester College Chapel Choir, the school maintains close links with the college.

History

The Pilgrims' School can be traced back through the schools associating with the Cathedral Choir to the Alta Schola which was established around 676 AD. This association continues today. A number of schools set up to educate the choir boys of Winchester Cathedral are known to have existed since Saxon times. Some scholars link them with the Alta Schola (Latin; High School), established in Winchester around AD 676.^[2]

The school moved to its present site and became a full preparatory school in 1931.^[2] It was officially registered as opened on 1 January 1935.^[3] The main building, redesigned by Sir Christopher Wren in the 17th century, is on the site of a former Roman villa, and includes a medieval hall and barn.^[4]

A pre-preparatory department was opened in 2007 to meet the growing demand for an early years programme.^[5]

Overview

Architecture

The school hall contains England's oldest surviving wood double hammer-beamed roof, which used to accommodate the pilgrims travelling to the cathedral. The ancient city wall runs around the boundary of the schools games pitches, situated next to the school.^[6] A tributary of the River Itchen flows through the grounds of the school, with the boys able to fish further downstream. Nature reserves in the water meadows have an abundance of wild flowers and birds, and an Iron Age fort comprising a maze at the top of St Catherine's Hill is within walking distance of the school grounds.^[6]

School Houses

Upon entry, each boy is allocated to one of the 5 houses, known as 'Sets'. They compete in inter-set competitions and points are given for good conduct and academic performance, etc.^[7]

• Romans
• Saxons
• Normans
• Monks
• Wrens

Boarding houses

Most boys are day pupils but the boarding programme is open to all. Cathedral Choristers or Quiristers generally board full-time while others return home for the weekend.

Main School

There are eightdormitories, and the building mainly houses the Winchester Cathedral Choristers and the majority of 'Commoners' (other pupils).

Q School

Q School, short for 'Quiristers School', is the property of Winchester College, because the Quiristers sing in the College Choir and used to be taught separately in this building when they were a full part of the Winchester College community. However, in the 1960s it became uneconomical for the college to organise a separate school and curriculum from the rest of the boys, who were from Years 9–13, and so from 1966 onwards The Pilgrims' School welcomed Quiristers to be educated with the 'Commoners'.^[4] They still, however, have 4 dormitories for the Quiristers and some Commoners. The Quiristers continue to sing and rehearse at Winchester College, but are educated at The Pilgrims' School; staff at Q School are now solely members of staff at The Pilgrims' School.

Q School is situated on Kingsgate Street in Winchester, close to the main school site.

Admissions

In February 2023, 240 boys were enrolled at the school, with 163 day pupils, 77 boarders, 7 in the Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS), 85 in the Junior School and 148 in the Senior School.^[8] The schools main points for entry are currently Reception (for boys aged 4+), Years 3 and 4 (for boys aged 8+/9+). Boys sometimes join the school in other year groups, and at various times in the year, subject to places being available.^[9]

Headmasters

Years in appointment	Headmaster
1931-1963	Humphrey Salwey
1963-1969	Rodney Blake
1969-1974	Martin Briggs
1975-1983	Stephen McWatters
1983-1997	Michael Kefford
1997-2011	Brian Rees
2011-2013	Patrick Watson
2014	Jeremy Griffith
2015-2020	Tom Burden
2020-2022	Sarah Essex
2022-2023	Alistair Duncan (Interim)
2023-	Tim Butcher

Alumni

• Jules Knight, actor
• Hugh Mitchell, actor
• Stephen Barton, composer
• Jamie Byng, publisher
• John Clegg, actor
• Jack Dee, comedian
• Johnny Flynn, musician
• Patrick Gale, author
• Jon Snow, broadcaster
• Anthony Smith, sculptor

See also

• List of the oldest schools in the United Kingdom
• List of the oldest schools in the world

References

1. The Pilgrims School, retrieved 5 February 2021
2. "Our History".
3. "The Pilgrims School - GOV.UK". www.get-information-schools.service.gov.uk. Retrieved 6 February 2021.
4. "History of the School | The Pilgrims' School". www.thepilgrims-school.co.uk. Archived from the original on 14 January 2016.
5. "The Pre-Preparatory | The Pilgrims' School". www.thepilgrims-school.co.uk. Archived from the original on 18 September 2015.
6. "About Us". The Pilgrims School. Retrieved 21 November 2023.
7. "Sets".
8. "The Pilgrims School, Winchester" (PDF). Independent Schools Inspectorate. Retrieved 21 November 2023.
9. "Admissions at Pilgrims". The Pilgrims School. Retrieved 21 November 2023.

External links

• Official website
• ISI Inspection Reports
• Joining The Pilgrims' School
• A history of the Pilgrims' School and of the Choristers of Winchester Cathedral