Figure 1.--This photograph shows the boys at the Lancaster Royal Grammar School in a mecanical drawing class during the late 1950s. They wore blue blazers, ties, grey shorts, lneesocks with bands in the school colrs, and black shoes.
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Figure 1.--This photograph shows the boys at the Lancaster Royal Grammar School in a mecanical drawing class during the late 1950s. They wore blue blazers, ties, grey shorts, lneesocks with bands in the school colrs, and black shoes. |
The Lancaster Royal Grammar School (LRGS) has a long history. It is one of the oldest schools in England. In fact it is one of the oldest in the whole of England that is still in existence. It was founded in 1235 A.D., before the better known public schools such as Eton and Harrow. A HBC reader has provided us a perspectus from the 1860s which provide some interesting insights about the school, including the fees. Unlike many grammar schools in the 1970s, LRGS did not become a comprehensive. We have little information about the clothing worn by boys in the early phase of the school's history. The 1860s prospectus has a clothing list. The uniform in the 1950s consisted of a dark blue blazer, lught grey shirt, dark blue tie with royal blue stripes, dark grey shorts, dark grey kneesocks with blue bands in the turn-over top, and black shoes. A HBC reader tells us that he attended the Lancaster Royal Grammar in the 1970s. He reports that the school is still going strong and the uniform exactly the same except long grey trousers and black ankle socks are now the standard. Lancaster Royal Grammar School is a state voluntary aided 11-18 selective school of 975 boys including 160 boarders and 270 in the sixth form.
The Lancaster Royal Grammar School (LRGS) has a long history. It is one of the oldest schools in England. In fact it is one of the oldest in the whole of England that is still in existence. It was founded in 1235, before the better known public schools such as Eton and Harrow. We have no information on what the school was like in these early years. Presumably the boys educated were the sons of prosperous merchants. The school was endowed by John Gardyner in 1472. A HBC reader has provided us a perspectus from the 1860s which provide some interesting insights about the school, including the fees. Boys who attended the school in the 19th century would have been middle class boys from affluent families. One working-class boy, William Whewell (1794-1866) whose father was a carpenter had to be offered a free education by Joseph Rowley master of the school. Many boys were the sons of mercahnts, like Sir Richard Own (1804-92). England did not have free state secondary schools until after World War II. Boys from well to do families attended public (exclusive private) schools. Boys from middle class families of more modest means might attend grammar schoosl. The academic program consisted of Greek, Latin, classical composition, French, German, mathematics, and the principles of mensuration (mathematics dealing with measurement), history and geograpghy (ancient and modern), and writing. At LRGS the fees in 1860-61 were 40 guineas (a pind plus a shilling) per annum for a boy undr 10 years of age and 45 guineas for a boy over 10 years. Brothers were given a special rate of 40 guineas. Boarding was 35 guineas, but only 20 guineas for weekly boarders. Washing and mending was 15 shillings per quarter. Extra charges were for drawing, dancing, drilling ("if desired"), and books ("previously approved by the parents"). Examinations took place at the end of each half year and at mid-summer. Prizes were awarded by examiners appointed by the town council. The participation of the town council suggests a kind of quasi-public status for the school even though it was a fee-paying institution. Unlike many grammar schools in the 1970s, LRGS did not become a comprehensive. LRGS is today a state voluntary aided 11-18 selective school of 975 boys including 160 boarders and 270 in the sixth form.
We have some basic information on the school uniform. We have little information about the clothing worn by boys in the early phase of the school's history. The 1860s prospectus has a clothing list. The school in 1860-61 suggested that the puupils bring the following itemns and advised agianst sending additional clothes. The list included: two or three sets of clothes, one great copat, eight day shirts, four night shirts, four night caops (if worn), six pairs of stockings or socks, nine pocket handkerchiefs, three pairs of drawers, three under flannel waistcoats (if worn), one cap (for playground), three paits of shoes or boots, one pair of slippers (black leather), one comb and brush, one comb bag, and six towels. One smalln carpet bag to containn what is required on the night of arrival. The school advised, "It is particularly requested that each article be destinctly marked, and at full length." The uniform in the 1950s consisted of a dark blue blazer, lught grey shirt, dark blue tie with royal blue stripes, dark grey shorts, dark grey kneesocks with blue bands in the turn-over top, and black shoes. Presumabably the boys wore caps, but many schools discarded them in the 1950s or early 60s. A HBC reader tells us that he attended the Lancaster Royal Grammar in the 1970s. He reports that the school is still going strong and the uniform exactly the same except long grey trousers and black ankle socks are now the standard.
Related Chronolgy Pages in the Boys' Historical Web Site
[The 1880s]
[The 1930s]
[The 1940s]
[The 1950s]
[The 1960s]
[The 1970s]
[The 1980s]
Related Style Pages in the Boys' Historical Web Site
[Long pants suits]
[Short pants suits]
[Socks]
[Eton suits]
[Jacket and trousers]
[Blazer]
[School sandals]
