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175

Years

175 years of history....

Girls’ school opened in Darby Buildings in Loughborough, with 30 pupils and Miss Charnock as Headmistress.

Miss Maria Moseley becomes Headmistress

Miss Julia Ruddle becomes Headmistress

Miss Eliza Dugdale becomes Headmistress.

School Houses and Tableaux introduced by Miss Bristol.

Lower years move to ‘Fairfield House’.

Girls raise money for, and present a bell, for the Carillon war memorial in Loughborough.

First school magazine published.

LHS takes in 100 evacuees when WWII breaks out in September 1939.

Miss Andrews becomes Headmistress.

LHS celebrates its centenary.

First House drama competition.

Miss E Bristol (1920-1940)

Miss DE Andrews (1940-1962)

Miss B O’Connor (2002-2011)

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Mrs G Byrom (2011-2018)

Miss P Hadley (1963-1977)

Miss J Harvatt (1978-2001)

Dr F Miles (2019-Present)

Moved to current building in Burton Walks. Opened by Lady Belper and Duke of Rutland. Became known as the Girls’ Grammar School.

The School motto “Fais ce que dois advienne que pourra” is adopted.

Name changed to the Loughborough Girls’ High School or LGHS.

First Head Girl is recorded. Miss Mary Walmsley becomes Headmistress.

Boys allowed into the kindergarten at LHS. First science mistress appointed.

The first mistress for Physical Exercise appointed to teach drill.

Miss Pamela Hadley becomes Headmistress.

First full time male teacher, Mr Durham, appointed.

Fairfield becomes its own school, separate from LHS.

Miss Julien Harvatt becomes Headmistress.

Direct grant ends resulting in LHS becoming an independent school.

Charles Building opened.

Miss Edith Bristol begins Hockey starts being her headship. played with the creation of a hockey field.

First purpose-built Gymnasium opened. Science Building opened.

Chesterton Building opens.

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LHS celebrates 150 years, with a visit from HRH the Princess Royal.

Miss Biddie O’Connor becomes Headmistress.

Final School magazine published.

Philip Tomlinson Music School opened by Sir Peter Maxwell-Davis, Master of the Queen's Music.

Sheila Parkin Sports Centre and Margaret Leigh Fitness Suite opened. Girls can join CCF from Year 10.

Dr Fiona Miles becomes Headmistress.

Girls are allowed to join LGS Combined Cadet Force (CCF) in Sixth Form for the first time.

Mrs Gwen Byrom becomes Headmistress.

LHS celebrates 175 years, 100 years of Houses and 100 years of Tableaux.

“Fais ce que dois advienne que pourra” (Do what you ought, come what may)

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LHS’ place in women’s educational history For 175 years, Loughborough High School has been educating and inspiring generations of female leaders. To contextualise our place in women’s educational history, the first women’s higher education college, Bedford College, was established in London in 1849 and went on to become part of Royal Holloway. Founded just one year later, in 1850, we are the country’s oldest girls’ grammar school. A former student teacher at Loughborough High School, the first British-born female MP, Margaret Wintringham (née Longbottom) is the remarkable figure after whom we have named our annual speakers’ programme, celebrating her unique place in British history.

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The Headmistresses of LHS The Headmistresses of Loughborough High School have had an enormous impact on the school, from when the school only had two mistresses including the head, to today. From at least 1909, there was a stipulation that the Headmistress needed to have a university degree. Whilst women were first awarded degrees in 1878 from the University of London, most universities didn’t award degrees to women until much later and women gaining degrees were in a minority at this point. The Headmistress’ Chair The Headmistress’ chair and table were bequeathed by Mr Allcock, in 1926, in memory of his wife, who was an old girl (1883-1891), governor of LHS and bequeathed LHS our first trophy, the Handley Cup for gymnastics. It has the school motto on the front, “Fais ce que dois advienne que pourra”. This table and chair has been used by the Headmistresses since at both formal and less formal school events, including assemblies. The Headmistress’ chair and table.

Miss Ellen Charnock (1850-1868), LHS’ first Headmistress Miss Charnock was born in 1813 in Allexton. In 1818, her father died and she moved with her mother to Bishop Monkton, near Ripon. In 1837, Miss Charnock set up a school in Tower Street, York. She moved to Loughborough when, out of 358 applicants, she was made Headmistress of LHS, then called the Girls’ Upper School. After retiring in 1868, she became one of the school’s three female governors. Miss Charnock died in 1878, a year before the school moved to Burton Walks, and is buried in Loughborough cemetery. Research used with kind permission of Anne Speight.

Miss Julien Harvatt (1978-2001) “When I took up the reins as Headmistress of Loughborough High School in January 1978 I arrived at a very significant moment: the Direct Grant status was being phased out and the Assisted Places scheme had not been launched. The need, therefore, for Bursaries was huge and I was determined that the imminent appeal (with regard to LHS) was for Bursaries – as well as for buildings, if funds allowed. There were anxious times, but thanks to the generosity of parents, former staff and pupils and local benefactors a significant sum was raised for which I was so grateful. The Bursary Fund was established and new buildings were promised – the Chesterton Building was my pride and joy!

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When I arrived at LHS I was aware that weekly boarding numbers were diminishing, and it became clear that such a scheme was no longer viable. I was relieved that we only lost one pupil as a result of weekly boarding ending. As a consequence it was possible to change certain school facilities – not least the area of the boarders’ bedrooms which became a really beautiful library. In the following years it was also possible to make further changes enhancing the school’s facilities. Academic matters were always at the forefront, and we underwent many changes: the introduction of the National Curriculum; the switch from O Levels to GCSE examinations; changes in A levels and the addition of AS levels and consequent grade changes. It was gratifying to see the growth of the Sixth Form and our truly excellent positions in national league tables over a number of years were a source of pride. In an extra-curricular sense much altered: the Duke of Edinburgh Award Scheme and Young Enterprise were valuable and very popular additions to the activities of the sixth formers. The growth of the joint Loughborough Endowed Schools (LES) music department with its own building was impressive and it has been lovely to learn of a former pupil, Angela Brownridge, giving occasional Master classes. Shortly after my arrival the Parents’ Association was launched and it became a vital, energetic and much valued part of the life of the school. Athletically the school has always been very strong and teams in a variety of sports have excelled. I was so thrilled to see the fruition of my hope of an Astroturf pitch, the first sod of which Dame Mary Peters dug and the opening of which was graced by HRH the Princess Royal. As we approach the next milestone of the school we remember the marvellous celebrations of 2000, launched in the Chesterton Building in Rectory Place, where the school began. I could go on! The wonderful thing, when I reflect on the evolution of LHS, is that things change, Education Acts change, facilities change, staff change, but the girls, the pupils, change but remain as lovely as ever.” Miss Julien Harvatt - Headmistress 1978-2001 Miss Biddie O’Connor (2002- 2011) “When I joined Loughborough High School in 2002, it was a highly successful, over subscribed, vibrant school where students achieved great academic results at all levels alongside many extra-curricular successes. The introduction of AS levels in 2000 allowed the Sixth Form students to study both widely and in depth with many taking advantage of the fourth option to further their personal development in subjects such as Art, Critical Thinking or a modern language. This pattern continued with the introduction of some ‘new’ subjects, such as Psychology, Sociology, Theatre Studies and Politics (some of them even taught jointly with LGS!) over

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the next nine years. The results went from strength to strength. The Modern Languages department expanded and Spanish became a popular GCSE option. A half GCSE was taken in IT by all the Year 9 pupils. Gradually computers and interactive screens became the standard way of teaching across the school. Students progressed from LHS into a very wide range of university courses and careers as a result of the careers advice and guidance they received through their time in the school, and the opportunities they took up for work experience. From degrees in Midwifery to Oenology, Astro Physics to Veterinary Science, LHS students shone not just at school but also in their later educational careers. During this period there was a lot of co-operation between the three schools which at the time constituted the LES, and it was a great pleasure for me to work with the Heads of Fairfield, and the Grammar School, Roger Outwin-Flinders and Paul Fisher and their SLTs on numerous projects. Not least amongst these was the construction and development of a joint music school (opened by Sir Peter Maxwell Davis in 2007), and the appointment of Alex Mitchell as Director of Music. This wonderful new building not only offered all the students on the campus many opportunities for taking music lessons and making music, but it also allowed for redevelopment of LHS’s existing music studio into a small studio theatre. In time, Friday lunchtime concerts were established and events such as the joint Al Fresco Picnic and Concert at the end of the summer term and the joint choral concert which included students, staff and parent participants were added to the calendar. Following on from that building project, LHS decided to refurbish and extend the science block to offer even more and better opportunities in science to its students. This was partly achieved through a grant from the Wolfson Foundation which recognised the excellent results of students in science subjects at all levels. Meanwhile alongside the academic curriculum the students were also offered opportunities to develop socially with all the Year 7 (yes, U3 was renamed!) enjoying a residential visit to Norfolk in the summer term, Year 9 a trip to Picardie in the spring term and nearly all the Year 10 Bronze Duke of Edinburgh expeditions. The Houses which had always offered opportunities for leadership continued to thrive and develop, holding events such as recycled fashion shows, choral competitions, and international fairs, as well as the tremendously popular drama competitions. All the LHS students and staff always demonstrated an amazing capacity for hard work and fun! Whether it was organising the Leavers’ Ball, taking on responsibilities as Joint Pig Prefects (a whole other story) with LGS or assuming the motionless positions required for the unique performances of the Christmas tableaux, LHS students always gave of their very best with confidence and kindness, and from what I hear and read continue to do so today both within the school and the wider world too.” Miss Biddie O’Connor - Headmistress (2002- 2011)

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Dr Fiona Miles (2019-present) “I was thrilled to take up the headship of Loughborough High School in April 2019, little knowing that in less than a year, the world would be in the grip of the Covid-19 pandemic. With less than 48 hours’ notice, the Prime Minister announced that schools would close with effect from 20 March 2020, ahead of a nationwide lockdown of uncertain duration. By the following Monday, remote schooling was up and running, alongside plans for in-person provision for the children of key workers. I thanked my lucky stars that my predecessor, Gwen Byrom, had overseen the introduction of one-toone mobile technology at LHS and throughout the three lockdowns, pupils were able to continue with their learning online. Public examinations were cancelled in 2020 and 2021, with pupils receiving grades through a process of centre- or teacher-assessed grades. There is a whole memoir to be written about those extraordinary pandemic years but what I recollect most strongly is the incredible resilience and adaptability shown by pupils and staff. We found new ways to work, study and come together as a community online and this has transformed the way that we operate today. Nonetheless, it is the physical presence of people that really makes a school and so it was a very special moment when, on 21 April 2022, we came together for our first whole-school assembly in the hall for two years. I don’t think I have ever heard the school hymn sung with greater gusto! While the pandemic has been the defining event of my six years here, we have been responsive to other events on the world stage, including the deaths of George Floyd and Sarah Everard. The aftermath of these terrible events has been a catalyst for all schools to reflect upon their history and culture and, here at LHS, has prompted thoughtful discussion and consideration of our curriculum, practices and traditions. While on this journey, it has been wonderful to have the support and engagement of our alumni community and I am also proud that senior girls actively take the lead with initiatives relating to culture, diversity and women’s rights. Since 2019, we have left the European Union, been led by five different prime ministers and seen the start of a war in Ukraine, which has brought children from that warzone into our school. In 2022, we celebrated Queen Elizabeth II’s platinum jubilee, a oncein-a-lifetime event that we marked with a tea party and House events on a glorious Friday afternoon in May. Her Majesty died on the evening of 8 September 2022 and the following day, all schools in the foundation gathered in the LGS quad for a service of reflection and remembrance. It was here that ‘God Save the King’ was sung for the first time in our collective memory, heralding in a new monarch whose coronation on 6 May 2023 was celebrated with a special assembly and a bank holiday. Against this backdrop, Loughborough High School has quietly weathered the storms while continuing to grow and evolve: a new sixth form centre was opened at the top of Chesterton in 2022, bringing Year 12 and Year 13 pupils together under one roof and providing a spacious, stylish common room. The recently built Parkin Sports Centre has become the hub for a new, foundation-wide sports department and following curriculum changes and enthusiastic lobbying from pupils, CCF is now available to all girls from Year 10 and above.

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I look to the future with great optimism: AI presents exciting possibilities for learning, which we are already harnessing, and the generous support of our alumni community continues to provide opportunities for bright pupils from all backgrounds. Above all, the sheer confidence, vitality and brilliance of our pupils shows me that there has never been a stronger case for all-girls’ education and I look forward to seeing LHS thrive for years to come.” Dr Fiona Miles - Head 2019 - Present

The Staff When LHS opened in 1850, the only members of staff were the Headmistress, Miss Charnock and a second mistress. In 1856, there was a request for a third mistress and for the school room to be enlarged. These two members of staff were joined by visiting masters who taught girls foreign languages and singing. From the 1870s onwards staff numbers have increased and diversified as the school has grown and developed. Some firsts include: 1886: First mistress to teach Latin appointed. 1901: First mistress of Physical Education appointed to teach drill. 1906: First Science mistress appointed. 1964: First full time male teacher was Mr Durham, who was appointed to teach Maths and Science, particularly Physics.

The Mistresses in 1906

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LHS Staff in 2025

The School Curriculum When LHS opened in 1850, it was the first girls’ academic school in the UK. Whilst there are older girls’ schools in the country, they were not Grammar Schools and were established without an academic focus. Grammar Schools were originally founded in the medieval period as part of churches, to teach boys Latin and other ancient languages. The Endowed Schools Act of 1869 reinvented Grammar Schools into academically orientated secondary schools, which taught both a literary or scientific curriculum and classical subjects. The Burton Trustees were amongst the earliest pioneers in girls’ secondary education, founding a girls’ school corresponding to the boys’ Grammar School on the same foundation. In the earlier years of the school’s founding, prior to moving to Burton Walks, girls were taught reading, writing, arithmetic, English grammar, geography, biography, history, a branch of natural science, singing, needlework, French and German. Boys were taught similar subjects, with the addition of Greek, Latin, mathematics and science, highlighting how educational reformers wanted to give girls the same educational opportunities as boys, including the more academic subjects. The differences in subjects, however, were prompted by pupils’ differing expectations after leaving school. Despite the aim of the first headmistress and trustees to give girls the same educational opportunities as boys, they couldn’t always follow the same curriculum, as some subjects were deemed too unsuitable. The 19th century held anxieties over female intellectual capabilities and expected girls to marry and be dependent on their husband rather than be independent individuals. Their education was expected to reflect this, with girls required to cultivate skills and behaviours that would make them good wives and mothers. Girls were taught how to sing, sew and mend clothing, alongside their academic subjects. After 1875, these subjects came together to form ‘Domestic Economy’, whilst boys were taught ‘Political Economy’. These differences were also in part due to financial difficulties, particularly in the 1860s. There

The 1878 plans show the original layout of the school

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was talk of giving the school up either temporarily or permanently, meaning that any changes in the curriculum were postponed. Other academic subjects such as classical languages and wider branches of science were introduced later. In 1879, there was a significant move from Darby Buildings (later known as Chesterton House) to a specially built building at Burton Walks where LHS still resides. At Chesterton House, there were only two rooms which were not particularly well equipped. By contrast, the new buildings at Burton Walks were fit for 100 girls, with accommodation for 25 boarders and the Headmistress, and multiple classrooms, including those for subjects which needed specific spaces such as Science. The period from 1900-1945 saw immense change within the world and the lives of women and girls across society. More girls attended school, resulting in a large extension between 1906-1911. This extension included the hall, four classrooms leading off the side and rooms upstairs for Science and artistic and household management subjects such as Needlework, Cookery and Music. Prior to this point, there were no rooms for science and girls used to go down to the Grammar School once a week for science experiments. A teacher who started in 1904 recalled in the 1950 school magazine that “teaching hours were from 9.15am to 1pm with preparation in the afternoons, with Art, Needlework, Gymnastics, Games and Music.” There was a further extension during the 1930s of the Cloisters, which included the addition of larger science labs, specifically for physics and biology, as well as several more classrooms, connecting the main school with Rokeby. Both World Wars changed women’s lives significantly, especially in terms of what they could expect from a career. More women moved into the workplace, although in very limited sectors and occupations, such as teaching and nursing. 1918 had seen another Education Act, which placed greater value on secondary education and resulted in a significant growth in the number of pupils, from 300 in 1922 to 400 in 1929. The 1897-1919 school information booklet

These professions were not for everyone however, and the curriculum reflected this. The form notes in the 1920s magazines highlight how each year group was streamed into two forms; the domestic and the classical. The domestic forms learned sewing and cookery and the classical forms were taught Latin and Mathematics. This streaming continued throughout the decades, stopping before the 1990s, although the exact date is unknown. General life and the curriculum at school were affected by the wars, although not to the same obvious extent as the boys’ school. At LHS, school life was perhaps affected by WW2 more so than WW1, with the school taking in 100 evacuees in 1939. Air-raid shelters were built where the Parkin Sports Centre now sits and girls could be in the shelters for a

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considerable time during raids, affecting lesson and prep time. Each October, two forms were asked to contribute to the war effort by going potato picking for the day instead of doing lessons. Wartime also affected domestic science which became mainly theoretical as there were no spare ingredients for cookery. One alumna remembers a time when girls were taken to the old library in Rokeby and taught to scrub the floor. The 1950s to 1970s saw a rise in academic standards, prompted by the rise in admission standards and a variety of building works, including the gym, Charles block and a designated science block. Furthermore, there was a large growth in the size of the sixth form, highlighting how girls were staying longer in school and then progressing to further study. The panelling in the LHS hall displays not only the names of past Head Girls from 1897, but also those alumnae who achieved scholarships and university degrees. However, after the 1960s, the display boards stop, as there were too many girls to list, highlighting a shift in the future endeavours of girls leaving the school. Subjects such as science particularly grew in facilities and depth of curriculum. Immediately after WW2, the Science Department consisted of two science staff and two laboratories. However, career opportunities for girls were expanding and many required scientific qualifications, creating the need for increases in the number of lessons, the range of syllabi, new staff and new laboratories. In 1963/64, the new science block opened opposite the main school building with four labs. Headmistress, Miss Andrews, noted the difficulty during the 1950s in finding teaching staff, particularly for maths and science. Prior to this point, all staff at LHS had been female. 1964 saw the introduction of the first male teacher to LHS, Mr Durham, who taught maths and science. The 1980s saw a big change in education, affecting all schools, although the state sector more so than the independent sector: the introduction of the National Curriculum and the changes to national examinations, including GCSEs and A-Levels. Its introduction led to several changes and additions to the LHS curriculum, resulting in a broader programme of subjects. GCSE Spanish and A Level Classical Civilisation, General Studies and Economics were all introduced at the senior levels and Information Technology (IT) was introduced to all. In the lower years, all pupils pursued courses in Design Technology, IT, Food and Textiles, and Science became a core subject up to GCSE. As a result of these changes, the school changed from a 35-period week, with 7 periods a day, to a 40-period week. We now have a 50-period week, with 10 periods of 30 minutes a day. The LHS science block in 1970

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Burton:

Hastings:

Storer:

Fearon: Henry Fearon was rector of Loughborough from 1848 and Archdeacon of Leicester in 1863. He is also known within Loughborough for his philanthropic work and particularly his bringing of clean water to Loughborough during the cholera epidemic, through the installation

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This name is likely to have come from John Storer. John Storer was an 18th century minor landowner who founded a charity which gave cottages and land to 11 trustees in Loughborough. The money from this was used to buy wheat and clothes to give to the poor. This charity became the basis of what became John Storer House. The Storer charity gifted money to the school for scholarships in the late 19th and early 20th century.

Fearon

The name Hastings is likely to have come from the Hastings family of Loughborough, who included Edward, 1st Baron of Loughborough (1521-1573) and Henry Hastings, 1st Baron of Loughborough (16101667). The Hastings were significant members of the local ruling classes and the local Lords of the Manor, holding important offices such as the Lord Lieutenant of Leicestershire and Member of Parliament.

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The yellow house was named after Thomas Burton, a 15th century wealthy English wool merchant. His will, made in 1495, set aside endowments of property to give an income to the people of Loughborough. It is accepted that funds from his endowments led to the Grammar School’s foundation in 1495 and then subsequently the Loughborough Trust, who established Loughborough High School in 1850.

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1925 - 2025

The Houses were created in 1925, under the headship of Miss Bristol (Headmistress 1920-40). The House system is familiar within the independent school sector, with many establishing them in the second half of the 19th century and were associated with the pastoral and boarding aspect of school life. They were strongly connected to sport and fostering competitiveness and instilling moral qualities such as honour, loyalty, determination and resourcefulness. In 1965, the Houses were nearly abolished, as the staff considered that there was a lack of pupil interest. The prefects voted in favour of keeping the Houses and came up with suggestions to make girls more invested, including House outings, introductory parties and a day for interhouse matches with refreshments.

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The School Houses

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of clean water fountains in the town centre. Fearon was closely related to the school, becoming Chairman of the Governors in 1863. He presided over the opening of the LHS school buildings in Burton Walks in 1879. Today, we have many hard-fought House sports competitions throughout the year, including inter-House Netball, Hockey, Badminton, Cricket and of course Sports day. A sporting event which has not been continued is the paper chase. Paper chases had been undertaken prior to the founding of the Houses, with girls competing within their forms, but from 1925 onwards they were undertaken as a House event. In a paper chase, pupils took on the roles of hares and hounds. The hares would set off on a run round the grounds and the wider Loughborough area, with the hounds following, trying to catch the hares. It was called a paper chase as the hares would drop bits of paper to create trails, sometimes false ones, for the hounds to follow. Reports in the magazine show that some girls used bits of their homework to make the trails. Other non-sporting competitions that we have today evolved from previous House events. The first ‘Verse-speaking and Dramatic’ competition was held in 1956, in which each House performed their own one-act play. This competition evolved to become House Drama as is performed today. Today also sees House Debating, Music, Dance and Art competitions, with the inaugural Bake Off Competition in 2024.

The First House Picnic in 1925.

The Houses also acted as further pastoral communities within school beyond fostering competition and held other events, allowing the girls to mix across year groups. These included House picnics and dances held both in school and outside in the local area. As part of the ‘2025, 100 Years of Houses’ celebrations, there will be a House picnic in Queen’s Park, Loughborough.

Students compete for the Gumbrell House Shield, given to the House who collect the most House points during the year. The shield was given to the school in 1929 by Eileen Gumbrell, née Percy. Eileen was an alumna, who attended LHS in the late 19th century. The shield was to be won by “the House with the best record of bad marks, honours and grades,” i.e. the House with the fewest bad marks. This later changed, with the introduction of positive House points when the prefects voted to keep the Houses, suggesting House points to honour good work and behaviour. The first ever winner of the Gumbrell shield was Storer. The shield used to be displayed on the school stage’s back wall, with plaques of the House names and cups they had won throughout the year displayed underneath. The Gumbrell Shield

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The LHS stage with the House shield and name plaques.

Tableaux One of the defining events in the LHS calendar is the annual ‘Carol Service and Tableaux’, colloquially known as ‘Tableaux’, with tableaux scenes depicted by Year 13, a Year 7 cherub and a Fairfield pupil as ‘baby Jesus’. A tableau or tableau vivant is a silent scene of performers who hold stationary poses, often imitating works of art or dramatic scenes from history or literature. The actors wearing costumes are carefully posed with props and/or scenery. They originated as popular medieval drama, as part of Mass and significant festivities. Tableaux were revived during the 19th century and were undertaken both at home and on the professional stage. They also became significant parts of Nativity plays and it is thought that LHS is the only school in England which continues this tradition. Our tableaux tell the Nativity story through the recreation of Old Master paintings. The Carol service incorporating tableaux was introduced to LHS by Miss Bristol. Recent archival work has suggested that the most likely starting date for tableaux was 1925. Prior to this point, the date was not really known and instead believed to have started in the 1920s, which overtime became ‘1920’ as the history was shared over the decades. In the 1922 school magazine, Miss Bristol wrote an article to the girls describing in detail her summer trip to Italy. In this article she speaks about gaining inspiration from works of art by great masters, revealing a love for art. She particularly mentions Fra Angelico’s ‘The Annunciation’ and even gifts a souvenir print to the sixth form. This trip was potentially a spark of inspiration for the beginning of tableaux a few years later. The

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earliest mention of tableaux is from the March 1926 school magazine, suggesting it originated the previous year. This first carol service with tableaux was likely a somewhat improvised occasion. The costumes and props were borrowed or provided by pupils, with Miss Martin making the rest. The current stage wasn’t built until 1936; instead there was a low platform at the other end of the hall, underneath where the balcony now sits. There were no curtains nor set, meaning that the reveal that we now experience was non-existent. The performance consisted of eight tableaux, with choirs of pupils standing either side. Parents were invited to attend and collections made for local The March 1926 magazine charities. The changing round of the hall in 1936 brought some changes to tableaux, especially with the addition later on of curtains and lighting. The LHS Hall has had a completely new lighting system installed in 2024 and the LHS Parents’ and Friends’ Association (PFA) generously gifted new stage and doorway curtains. This has made the Hall ready for a wonderful celebration of our 2025 ‘100 years of Tableaux’, together with also providing the space for our exciting 175 Senior Musical, Mary Poppins. Eagerheart in 1933/34 The ‘Carol Service with Tableaux’ has been performed virtually every single Christmas since it began in 1925, even during the War, with the exception of 1933 and 1934 when instead of performing tableaux, the girls performed a play titled Eagerheart at the Town Hall. Eagerheart was written by Alice Buckton (1867-1944) and was a Christmas mystery play. Mystery plays were also forms of medieval plays which used tableaux to depict Biblical stories in churches accompanied by antiphonal song. In readiness for Christmas 1935, a school vote was held to decide whether to keep performing Eagerheart or to revert back, with the pupils resoundingly voting in favour of returning to Tableaux, mostly because the whole school could get involved.

A performance of Eagerheart at the Town Hall

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History of Tableaux scenes We don’t know which paintings were depicted in the first carol service in 1925, however, the 1929 programme shows both the paintings depicted and the carols sung. Most paintings imitated have been by Italian Renaissance artists, including Filippo Lippi, Raphael, Fra Angelico and Giorgione. In the 1920s and 30s, however there are several paintings by William Hole, a Victorian Scottish painter known for industrial, historical and biblical scenes. His style was different from the Italian painters and his paintings are not really used after Miss Bristol’s time as Head, suggesting how the paintings changed with the Headmistress’ taste. The most recent change was Tableaux 2, ‘The Visitation of Mary to Elizabeth’ by Lorenzo Monaco in 2014. A new scene is being introduced in celebration of the ‘100 Years of Tableaux’ which depicts the second part of ‘Wilton Diptych’, an artwork which former Head Miss Harvatt suggested. The costumes are being made by Jennifer Woods (LHS 1974), the set is being designed by Art teacher Nat Smith and Miss Harvatt has generously contributed towards this tableau being created. Alumnae will play the roles in the special celebratory Tableaux year. All tableaux throughout the years were from some sort of artwork by an artist, except for one. This tableau was called the ‘Gifts Tableau’ and was performed from the first performance in 1925 until 1969, generally as the last tableau. As described in a 1936 newspaper article, “the Mother is holding the Child on her knee, while the girls are grouped round with their gifts. All are in their everyday clothes. A girl with a pile of books is offering her learning, another holding her hockey stick represents sport, and holding a violin another offers music. There is a nurse and a girl representing the vast army of housewives in the world and a tiny girl offering her toys”. This tableau is interesting as it gives a snapshot of the lives of women and girls in the 1930s, highlighting what was considered important to women but also what it was felt that women could offer from the 1920s-1960s.

The visitation of Mary to Elizabeth from 2021

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1950s scene from Tableaux

Tableaux scene from 2022

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Autumn 2024 175 Logo Reveal 175 Co-curricular Award launched 175 Commemorative hoodies available

May CCF Review 100 years of Houses 'House Picnic' & Carillon Tower Bell Ringing Loughburians’ Dinner

November 175 Curriculum Day Remembrance Service – remembering 80 years 175 Arts Night 20 | Loughborough High School

February LHS 175 Wintringham Speakers’ Programme Launch Charity Partnerships Planting of 175 Celebration Garden

June Sports Day Al Fresco 175 RAF Flypast 175 parkrun takeover

December 100 Years of Tableaux LHS 175 Staff Christmas Meal 175 Final Assembly

March GSA Regional Heads’ Meeting 175 Senior Musical: Mary Poppins 175 Aerial Photo & Celebration afternoon Spring Concert, De Montfort Hall

April 175 Acts of Kindness Campaign Burton Service 175 Commemorative Booklet published

September 175 Formal School Photo October 175 LHS Archive Exhibition, Loughborough Library 175 PFA Anniversary Gala 175 Community Service Month

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The School Uniform The School uniform has changed several times throughout LHS’ history, and yet there are still links between the historic uniforms and how our uniform looks today. For the first 70 years or so, girls wore their own clothes to school. These photos from 1881 and the early 1900s show girls in a mixture of dresses for the younger girls in 1881, and long skirts and blouses for the older girls doing Science. Students outside the school building in 1881.

We can place the introduction of a school uniform around the early 1920s. The uniform seems to have mostly remained the same from the 1920s to the 1960s. It consisted of a navy-blue tunic, blouse and red tie which was requested ‘to be worn regularly to school’. Girls also wore a navy-blue blazer in the summer and a navy coat in the winter. The introduction of school uniform was A science lesson part of a larger change towards the freedom of women and girls, especially their ability to move freely and unencumbered. A quote from an alumna at the 1929 Jubilee, who attended school before the introduction of uniforms, captures this in the school magazine: “The present-day girl, in her tunic and blouse, is quite unhampered in movement and free, as opposed to the girl of our time, with long dresses, voluminous skirts, tight at the waist, with bodices boned up to our ears! How we should have loved to dance about in the clothes we now see!” Changes 1920s-1960s

Junior and senior uniforms in 1961

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There were a few changes, most significantly the changing of the blouse from pure white, to white with a red stripe in the 1940s. Whilst the width of the stripes has changed throughout the years, this notable style has remained the same up to today. Other changes were in the winter hats; from cloche hats in the 1920s to velour hats during the 1930s and then berets in the 1940s and 1950s.

A big change came in the 1950s. Whilst the younger girls still wore the blouse, tunic and tie, for the first time, the senior girls in the school had their own uniform consisting of a navy-blue skirt, white blouse and red and white striped tie. The prefects also requested, in the 1950s, a tassel that was attached to their berets. Miss Andrews had some concerns about the tassels being pulled by the juniors or “our gentlemen friends from the neighbouring establishment,” with her suggestion being silver cord around the beret or blazer badge. However, she appears to have relented to accept the tassel, as we can see with this one in the archive. A beret with a prefect tassel.

Changes in the 1960s included the introduction of navy or scarlet pull-over jumpers or cardigans and also the stopping of wearing hats, most likely because most pupils didn’t wear them. In 1976, ties stopped being part of the school uniform. From the 1960s onwards, the sixth form were allowed to wear their own clothes, although no trousers were allowed. In 1982, a uniform committee was put together to assess and change the uniform. Here, we see the most radical changes since its introduction, with, from approximately 1984, a change of colour from navy blue skirts and jumpers to light grey and a bright blue blazer. There was potential for a change in the style of blouse, from red and white stripes to blue with small red blobs, however this was dismissed as “frumpish” and the striped blouse remained. Summer Uniform From around the 1920s and 1930s until the 1990s, there was a summer uniform consisting of a cotton dress, a blue blazer and a Panama hat. Initially, summer dresses could be any colour and style until it was requested in the late 1920s that the dress be one of five colours, have a white collar and a black bow. The style of the dresses then changed every so often over the years and were items that could be made at home from accepted patterns, rather than just being ready-made and bought from the uniform outfitters. The early 2000s brought about the uniform that we have today, with the change to a darker grey skirt and matching blazer, dark navy v-neck jumper and red and white striped blouse. Summer and winter uniforms in 1939

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Summer and winter uniforms in 1930s

The new 1950s senior uniform

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Summer and winter uniforms in 1940s

The 1970s and early 1980s uniform

The new uniform from 1984. The pleated skirt was only for Lower and Upper 5th.

LHS and the Community One of the enduring values of LHS since its early days has been its connection to the community and philanthropy. Throughout its history, pupils from LHS have fundraised thousands of pounds for various appeals and charities, as well as undertaking roles and service within the community. Here are a few snapshots of LHS’ contributions to our wider community.

The bell funded by the LHS pupils

Carillon Bell In 1919, a committee was founded to decide how those who had given their lives in the First World War should be remembered. Mr Wilfred Moss, the then mayor and a Loughburian from the Grammar School, gave the favoured suggestion of a tower and carillon, which was voted for by the people at a public meeting in May 1919. The tower was then built and finished in 1923. Despite the local name for the memorial being ‘The Carillon,’ this refers to the instrument made of bells which sits inside the tower and is played by a keyboard. The Loughborough Carillon has 47 bells, which were cast by Taylor Bell Foundry in Loughborough. One of these bells was funded and given by the past and present pupils of LHS. In May 1922, representatives from each form visited the foundry to see the bell being cast. In 2025, a House Picnic will be held in Queen’s Park, where the Carillonneur Caroline Sharpe (LHS 1997) will play the School Hymn, together with other LHS requests.

The War This article in the 1946 School Magazine shows the various ways in which LHS contributed to the war effort during the Second World War and the charities which the pupils raised money for and supported. Girls undertook a variety of activities, including billeting work, helping in canteens in town and at the hospital, fire-watching, potatopicking, knitting for crews and running activities for evacuees. In addition to this, they raised £1182.3.5 (which is approximately £41,000 today) for 29 different charities, most of which were connected to the war. Charities The charitable spirit and value of giving to the community still blazes in LHS today. In celebration of ‘LHS 175’, two new charities will be supported, one at home and one abroad, which are in line with two of our aims, to support those less fortunate than ourselves and to support the education of women.

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The Boarding House Something that many alumnae may remember, but not many current pupils know, was that LHS used to have boarding facilities. This started from the very beginning, when Miss Charnock brought several pupils with her from Yorkshire and insisted that the school include boarding facilities. The Trustees agreed and provision was made for a small number of girls to board with Miss Charnock. An advert in the Birmingham Gazette in January 1857 highlights that girls also boarded with other local people. “A Lady… undertakes to board girls from a distance who may wish to attend the school, at 25l. per annum, exclusive of washing.” When LHS moved to its current site in 1879, the new building was built to accommodate 100 girls, with most of the first floor being given to boarding facilities for 25 boarders.

The first floor plans of the original 1878 building.

The number of boarders who could be accommodated steadily rose, as did the fees. The Headmistress originally lived in the School House and looked after the boarders, until Fairfield was leased to the Endowed Schools in 1924 and became the residence of the then Headmistress, Miss Bristol. In 1963, Miss Hadley moved to No 1, Burton Walks on beginning her duties as Headmistress. The house was converted into accommodation with the Headmistress occupying the ground floor, nine boarders on the first floor and a housekeeper and housemistress on the second floor. The Headmistress often played a significant part in looking after the boarders alongside Matron. Miss Hadley remembered a particular time when putting the junior girls to bed by herself, a bat was discovered clinging to the curtains, causing much chaos. Boarders were also housed in Rokeby after it was purchased in 1920, before it was transformed into classrooms in 1930. In 1930 boarding cost £24.11.0 per term including tuition, board and laundry, rising to £30 in the 1940s and then to £58.6.8 in the 1960s.

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The 1930s information booklet highlights how the boarders lived: “younger girls sleep in 3 dormitories and older girls have specially built cubicles; sick room in house and a sanitorium in a separate building, own laundry and boarders have full use of the grounds and swimming bath out of hours.” A sanitorium was a specialised hospital used for the treatment of specific diseases and convalescence. The Sanitorium was a separate building, located where the English and Drama block now is. This building was used as a laundry and a space for girls to quarantine and convalesce away from the boarding house if they caught an infectious disease. It was converted into a classroom for needlework in 1949 before being later knocked down. During the war, boarding continued, with the added difficulties of air-raids and wartime rations. Each night, the boarders went to sleep with their shelter rugs and pillows at the bottom of their beds for easy retrieval if the siren sounded. There were two shelters situated where the Dance Studio now is. In 1967, boarding changed from termly to weekly, with the pupils going home for weekends. This meant that their homes had to be near enough to travel, whilst the catchment area for the day girls expanded. The main boarding house remained in the same place since the new school building was opened in 1879, although the layout changed at various times, to allow for more boarders and to give the pupils more privacy. This photo from 1975 shows the junior dormitory with sinks at one end. In the latter part of the boarding years particularly during the 1990s, the dormitory consisted of a long corridor with small individual rooms or cubicles for each girl, which contained a sink, bed and storage space. At the end of the corridor, there was also a common room, particularly for use by the senior boarders. In 1995, the boarding house was closed due to a lack of boarders. The rooms were converted into the ‘Cope Library’ and what is now the ‘Genius Bar’, a space for independent Sixth Form study.

Mrs M Vert the Matron with junior boarders in 1975 | The New Cope Library opened in 1996

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Chesterton House Chesterton House at 2, Rectory Place has long been known as the first home of Loughborough High School. In 1849, the Burton Trustees wanted to make a provision for a girls’ school under the same foundation as the boys’ school and began to search for a premises. The trustees had wanted to build a specific building for the girls school, however, due to a new building for the boys being constructed at the same time, there was not enough funds for both. It was settled upon that a temporary premise was found until the money could be raised to build a permanent one. The Governors’ minute book shows that, after deliberation between two premises, the house belonging to Mr Thomas Barfoot Oliver, a local hosier, was chosen: “On the examination of both houses by the Trustees, it was resolved to take Mr Oliver’s for 3 years with the option of a continued tenancy of 2 years longer, if approved by the Trustees. At the annual rent of £30 W Oliver to put the premises in tenantable repair. The Trustees to be at the cost of any alteration requisite for the school.” Whilst the actual address is not listed, the 1851 annual census shows that this was 2 Rectory Place in Loughborough. This building is estimated to have been built around 1725. We are not sure who lived in the building between 1725 and 1802, when Mr Oliver took possession. Mr Oliver moved away to Leicester in 1827. Maps of the local area from 1837 show the building at the time to have been called Darby Buildings. The name Chesterton House was not given until later, approximately 1919-20, when William Warner, another local hosier took possession, so the building was likely called Darby Buildings when the school started there in 1850. We unfortunately don’t have any images of the inside of the school as cameras and photography didn’t become common place until later in the 1860s and 1870s, however we know that there were two school rooms with a long back passage. Miss Charnock was very specific about the layout and type of desks she wanted, choosing long desks with backless benches, enabling as many girls to fit in the school room as possible. Initially the trustees proposed to have 15-20 pupils, however at Miss Charnock’s insistence, 30 girls began at the school when it opened in March 1850. Early alumnae recall doing gymnastics across the benches as there was no outside space. Miss Charnock and the early headmistresses often had issues with the building, frequently taking them to the trustees to be fixed and for improvements, though there were often disagreements with the landlord over who was responsible for these repairs. In 1879, the girls’ school moved to Burton Walks, where it remains today.

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The plaque on Chesterton House, 2 Rectory Place

Chesterton House (previously Darby Buildings)

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History of Buildings 1

No 1 Burton Walks

No 1 was built in 1880, the year after LHS moved to Burton Walks, for naturalist Julius Wieldt. Other private owners subsequently occupied No 1 before it was bought by the Endowed Schools in 1963 for the incoming headmistress, Miss Hadley. The house was then lived in by the Head, nine boarders and a housemistress and housekeeper before boarding stopped in 1994. No 1 has since housed all of the LHS Headmistresses. 2

The Philip Tomlinson Music School

The joint music school was built in 2006 for all schools within the foundation. 3

The Gym

The Gym was first built and opened in 1959. The building remained much the same until the 2010s, when it had a significant extension, adding a sports hall, gym, more changing rooms, classrooms and offices with the original gym being transformed into a dance studio. Named after alumna Sheila Parkin, the new Sports centre and the Margaret Leigh Fitness Suite was opened officially in 2022. 4

The Science Block

In the original school, there was no Science room until the 1906-11 extension. Science then moved to the cloisters, which were built with two new labs for Biology and Physics. A specialised building for Science was then built in the 1960s, opened by Miss Andrews in 1963/64. It was renovated in the late 1970s and then extended again in the 2000s, adding more labs.

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Fairfield Preparatory School

From 1924, Fairfield House, known as the White House, was part of the High School until it became its own school in 1969. The house was leased to the Endowed Schools in 1924 and was the Headmistress’ residence, starting with Miss Bristol. It also housed the kindergarten class and junior years of the school. The house was bought by the Endowed Schools in 1951. Rooms were increasingly given over to the junior school until Miss Hadley moved into No 1, Burton Walks in 1963. 6

Swimming Pool

The swimming pool was built in 1929, shared with the Grammar School. The pool was open-air and initially, the water wasn’t filtered, though it wasn’t long before a filtration plant was put in.

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Main Building

The main school building was built in 1878 and opened in 1879 by Lady Belper and the Duke of Rutland. It was much smaller than today, with space for 100 pupils and finished just after the door at the end of the current Junior Art studio. 2

Main Hall

The Hall was a significant part of the 1906-7 extension to be used for both school activities, such as drill, and for opportunities to include parents and friends in school life. Originally, the stage was on the opposite side of the Hall, where the balcony now sits. In 1936, during its extension, a bigger stage was put in where it is now. In 1970, there were plans to build a new hall for LHS to accommodate the much bigger number of pupils, however this never materialised. 4

The 1906-11 Extension

In 1906-11, there was a significant extension to the original school building and 1895 Studio. The main school corridor was extended to include the Hall, four new classrooms and a Domestic Science and Needlework room, a Science room and Music rooms.

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Studio

In 1892, Miss Dugdale made the request for a room for ‘Physical Training’ and in 1895, in honour of the 400th anniversary of Thomas Burton, the Studio was built. It acted as a multifunctional room, including being used for assemblies and PE, but also had screens which could be used to turn the room into two smaller ones. The Studio was mainly where the Senior Art Studio now is, which was renovated in 1987. 3

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Cloisters

The Cloisters were built in the 1930s replacing the pre-fab buildings. The cloisters were crucial in providing space for bigger and specific laboratory spaces for Biology and Physics, which are where Religious Studies and the Lecture Room are now. These rooms were transformed into classrooms downstairs and a library upstairs when the Science Block was built in the early 1960s, and then became the Lecture Room when the Library moved to its current location in 1996. 6

Rokeby

Rokeby was a private house before being bought by the Trustees in 1920 for £1850. Whilst initially bought for classrooms, it was used as hostel accommodation for assistant mistresses and occasionally boarders. It was then adapted for school use in the 1930s, creating a new library, cloakrooms and a staff room. Rokeby was then extended and used as classrooms and a common room for the Sixth Form in the 1960s. It now holds classrooms, the staffroom and study rooms.

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Charles Building

The Charles Building was opened in 1973/4. It is named after William Frederick Charles, thanks to a bequest to the Schools from his daughters. Charles attended the Grammar School and went on to be Mayor of Loughborough (1919-1921) and founded the famous Zenobia perfume. The Charles Building today houses Modern languages, History and Geography. 7

Chesterton Building

When the School was first built, the plot contained tennis courts. Pre-fabricated buildings were then built in 1946 to provide junior classrooms. Chesterton was built and opened in 1995 and named after LHS’ original home in Rectory Place. The building had space for four classrooms downstairs and a space for the sixth form, a small classroom and offices upstairs. In 2020, the whole upstairs was renovated into a Sixth Form Centre, The Lower Sixth common room in Rokeby was renovated into a Sixth Form Study Room.

English and Drama

Originally, the space where English and Drama now stands contained the Sanitorium. This building was converted into a classroom for needlework in 1949 before later being knocked down. A music department was then built in its place. In 1974, there were plans for this building to be renovated into a joint Music block for both girls and boys before the idea was dismissed. The building was extended as it is today in 1987/88, adding on space for English and a Drama centre alongside Music. The building was then renovated to English and Drama when the music school was built in 2006.

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LHS then and now These photos show the same spaces in school, highlighting how our buildings and classrooms have both changed, but also retained some of the same characteristics and atmospheres.

Chemistry, in the 1970s and today

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The Senior Art studio in the 1930s and now

The main LHS hallway, in the 1920s and now

The 1950s Dining Hall (which was knocked down) and the Fairfield Dining Hall now

The Food room, in 1949 and now

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The Gymnasium (above) and the Margaret Leigh Fitness Suite now

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The curtain has risen on our 175th anniversary year and it is a great pleasure to share with you some of the highlights from LHS history. We are proud to be the oldest academic girls’ school in the country, having grown from a modest cohort of around thirty pupils and two teachers in 1850 to being one of the leading schools of all kinds in the region. Archivist and former LHS pupil, Ellie Leeson, has been the driving force behind this publication, having worked tirelessly over the last few years to bring a sense of order to our existing archive collection. Ellie believes passionately that the voices of women throughout history should be heard and she has inspired many of our senior pupils to delve more deeply into the history of our school. We are incredibly grateful for her hard work, ongoing support and enthusiasm for all things LHS. We would also like to thank LGS archivist, John Weitzel, for all his encouragement, kindness and wisdom. Globally, education for women and girls remains a privilege rather than a right and so our anniversary is not only a moment to reflect upon our heritage but also an opportunity to reaffirm our commitment to female education. As you read these pages, I hope that you will share our sense of pride in all that LHS has accomplished in the last 175 years and look forward, with us, to empowering the brilliant women of the future. Dr Fiona Miles Head As an alumna of LHS and now the archivist, it gives me great pleasure to be a part of celebrating its 175th year. The opportunity, as a historian and archivist, of being part of an anniversary is always a pleasure for the chances it presents to share our history with a bigger audience of pupils, alumnae and the wider community. In being the first academic girls’ school in the country, the early trustees have, from the beginning, always tried to push the boundaries of girls’ education, providing them with opportunities that most others didn’t have. Both our heritage and the strive for innovation are weaved into the fabric of our school, from our continuing traditions and co-curricular activities, to our buildings and facilities, as you have hopefully seen throughout. I’d like to thank John Weitzel (LGS Archivist) and Anne Speight for their help and expertise, particularly Anne for the use of her research within this publication. I’d also like to thank Dr Miles, Mrs Tolley, Pedro Gião (Graphic Designer), the Marketing Department and the Development Office for their work, help and support in putting this publication together. If you would like to contribute to the archive, your stories, memories, objects and documents are always welcome to help weave a richer tapestry of our history that can be shared with generations of LHS girls to come! Happy 175th Birthday LHS! Ellie Leeson LHS Archivist

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Logo designed by C Tolley, Year 9.

Loughborough High School Burton Walks Loughborough Leicestershire LE11 2DU T: 01509 212348 E: high.office@lsf.org

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@LboroHigh Loughborough School Foundation