Misplaced Pages

Chester Cathedral Choir School: Difference between revisions

Article snapshot taken from Wikipedia with creative commons attribution-sharealike license. Give it a read and then ask your questions in the chat. We can research this topic together.
Browse history interactively← Previous editContent deleted Content addedVisualWikitext
Revision as of 11:15, 18 December 2024 editRoydw (talk | contribs)115 editsmNo edit summary← Previous edit Latest revision as of 12:21, 22 December 2024 edit undoRoydw (talk | contribs)115 editsNo edit summary 
(9 intermediate revisions by 4 users not shown)
Line 1: Line 1:
{{Short description|Chester Cathedral Choir School}} {{Short description|Private preparatory boys school in England}}


{{Infobox school {{Infobox school
Line 39: Line 39:
| website = | website =
}} }}
'''Chester Cathedral Choir School''' was an ] ] for boys under the direct supervision of the ] ] providing choristers for the choir. In its modern form, the school was opened by 1891<ref name=observer26121891/> and closed at the end of summer term 1975.<ref name=observer06071974>{{cite news|title=Choir school to close next year|access-date=9 November 2024|url=https://www.britishnewspaperarchive.co.uk/ |work=Cheshire Observer|edition=CITY|page=1|date=July 6, 1974}}</ref> In 1973 the school's roll was 83 boys in 5 classes with the largest class of 22.<ref name=report1973/> '''Chester Cathedral Choir School''' was an ] ] for boys under the direct supervision of the ] ] providing choristers for the choir. In its modern form, the school was opened by 1891<ref name=observer26121891/> and closed at the end of summer term 1975.<ref name=observer06071974>{{cite news|title=Choir school to close next year|access-date=9 November 2024|url=https://www.britishnewspaperarchive.co.uk/ |work=Cheshire Observer|edition=CITY|page=1|date=July 6, 1974}}</ref> In 1973 the school's roll was 83 boys in 5 classes with the largest class of 22.<ref name=report1973/>


A boy's school and choristers for the abbey existed pre-reformation which continued until 1851. A separate choir school was established for the first time in 1851. By 1880 choristers were admitted to the King's school and then in 1891 the school separated again until it closed in 1975. A boys' school and choristers for the abbey existed pre-reformation which continued until 1851. A separate choir school was established for the first time in 1851. By 1880 choristers were admitted to the King's school and then in 1891 the school separated again until it closed in 1975.


[[Image:Main Building.png|thumb|Chester Cathedral Choir School Main Building [[Image:Main Building.png|thumb|Chester Cathedral Choir School Main Building
Line 49: Line 49:
Boy choristers had been a feature of the pre-reformation church in England from at least the 7th Century<ref name=williamsJ/> and there is evidence that there was a school and boy choristers at the Benedictine Abbey of St. Werburgh, Chester before the ].<ref name=HackettM/>{{rp|pp=14}} Boy choristers had been a feature of the pre-reformation church in England from at least the 7th Century<ref name=williamsJ/> and there is evidence that there was a school and boy choristers at the Benedictine Abbey of St. Werburgh, Chester before the ].<ref name=HackettM/>{{rp|pp=14}}


During the English Reformation and the ], in 1541 the Abbey of St. Werburgh was closed and a new cathedral was established in the same buildings.<ref name=ourhistory>{{cite web |title=History of Chester Cathedral |url=https://chestercathedral.com/about/heritage-culture/the-building-and-its-history |website=Chester Cathedral |access-date=16 November 2024}}</ref> The legal statutes for the new Chester Cathedral<ref name=HackettM/>{{rp|p=15}}<ref name=Courant30081871/> set out the roles and responsibilities of the Dean, Canons, and others associated with the cathedral. The statutes<ref name=Courant30081871/>{{rp|location=§26}} created a grammar school at Chester Cathedral (for the teaching of latin grammar, and other subjects "for 24 poor and friendless boys") and<ref name=Courant30081871/>{{rp|location=§25}} also established 8 choristers and their choir master. The cathedral would be responsible for the education, board and lodgings of both scholars and choristers. During the English Reformation and the ], in 1541 the Abbey of St. Werburgh was closed and a new cathedral was established in the same buildings.<ref name=ourhistory>{{cite web |title=History of Chester Cathedral |url=https://chestercathedral.com/about/heritage-culture/the-building-and-its-history |website=Chester Cathedral |access-date=16 November 2024}}</ref> The legal statutes for the new Chester Cathedral<ref name=HackettM/>{{rp|p=15}}<ref name=Courant30081871/> set out the roles and responsibilities of the Dean, Canons, and others associated with the cathedral. The statutes<ref name=Courant30081871/>{{rp|location=§26}} created a grammar school at Chester Cathedral (for the teaching of Latin grammar, and other subjects "for 24 poor and friendless boys") and<ref name=Courant30081871/>{{rp|location=§25}} also established eight choristers and their choirmaster. The cathedral would be responsible for the education, board and lodgings of both scholars and choristers.


For 300 years, until the mid nineteenth century the choristers received some general education in the ].{{efn|By the mid eighteenth century, the grammar school started to be called the King's Cathedral Grammar School, or King's School.<ref>{{cite news |title= Chester News |url=https://www.britishnewspaperarchive.co.uk/ |access-date=16 November 2024 |work=Chester Chronicle |date=April 11, 1776 |page=3}}</ref>}}<ref name=HowsonJ>{{cite news |last1=Howson |first1=J.S. |title=The King's School and the Cathedral Boys School |url=https://www.britishnewspaperarchive.co.uk/ |access-date=15 November 2024 |work=Cheshire Observer |date=September 24, 1881}}</ref> However whilst the statutes referred to the possibility of boys being in the choir <em>and</em> in the grammar school, this was not the always the case, the statutes did not demand any other education for choristers other than in singing and divine services but did afford preferential access to the grammar school. For 300 years, until the mid nineteenth century the choristers received some general education in the ].{{efn|By the mid eighteenth century, the grammar school started to be called the King's Cathedral Grammar School, or King's School.<ref>{{cite news |title= Chester News |url=https://www.britishnewspaperarchive.co.uk/ |access-date=16 November 2024 |work=Chester Chronicle |date=April 11, 1776 |page=3}}</ref>}}<ref name=HowsonJ>{{cite news |last1=Howson |first1=J.S. |title=The King's School and the Cathedral Boys School |url=https://www.britishnewspaperarchive.co.uk/ |access-date=15 November 2024 |work=Cheshire Observer |date=September 24, 1881}}</ref> However whilst the statutes referred to the possibility of boys being in the choir <em>and</em> in the grammar school, this was not always the case: the statutes did not demand any other education for choristers other than in singing and divine services but did afford preferential access to the grammar school.


By the mid nineteenth century in common with many schools funded by private endowment,<ref name=GillardD/> schooling at the cathedral was suffering poor financial support, inefficiencies and accusations of maladministration. It was claimed the cathedral reduced scholar numbers whilst focusing on choristers, failed to pay endowments for university positions for scholars, and was not funding the grammar school properly, i.e. both staff salary and pupil stipends for subsistence were grossly insufficient.<ref name=Chronicle06071851/>{{rp|p=1|quote=...Those boys who ought to be taught classical languages, and to be prepared for the office of Minor Canons, can scarcely write or spell...}}<ref name=Chronicle16111851/>{{rp|p=8|quote=The exhibitions to the University scholars have been discontinued for nearly fifty years and the number of boys at the Grammar School is kept short..., and the stipends of the boys withheld from them.}} By the mid-nineteenth century in common with many schools funded by private endowment,<ref name=GillardD/> schooling at the cathedral was suffering poor financial support, inefficiencies and accusations of maladministration. It was claimed the cathedral reduced scholar numbers whilst focusing on choristers, failed to pay endowments for university positions for scholars, and was not funding the grammar school properly, i.e. both staff salary and pupil stipends for subsistence were grossly insufficient.<ref name=Chronicle06071851/>{{rp|p=1|quote=...Those boys who ought to be taught classical languages, and to be prepared for the office of Minor Canons, can scarcely write or spell...}}<ref name=Chronicle16111851/>{{rp|p=8|quote=The exhibitions to the University scholars have been discontinued for nearly fifty years and the number of boys at the Grammar School is kept short..., and the stipends of the boys withheld from them.}}


In 1851, Chester Cathedral Choristers were taught separately in their own school for the first time.<ref name=Chronicle15061850/><ref name=Courant25081852/> By 1857 the schools were operating completely separately:<ref name=HowsonJ/><ref name=report1855/>{{rp|p=xxxviii|q="There does not appear to be any connection here between the <em>Grammar School</em> and the <em>Choristers School</em>"}}. In 1851, Chester Cathedral Choristers were taught separately in their own school for the first time.<ref name=Chronicle15061850/><ref name=Courant25081852/> By 1857 the schools were operating completely separately:.<ref name=HowsonJ/><ref name=report1855/>{{rp|p=xxxviii|q="There does not appear to be any connection here between the <em>Grammar School</em> and the <em>Choristers School</em>"}}


The ] resulted in continued endowment from the cathedral to the King's School, but at the same time removed requirements for some endowed grammar schools to have teachers licensed by the Church of England. Following the King's School improvements and reorganisation under this act in 1873, by 1880, choristers were again receiving general education at the grammar school.{{efn|Dean Howson commented at the time that the cathedral having to continue the historical endowment of £280 p.a. to the King's School was an injustice.<ref>{{cite news |title=Chester Cathedral Choir School |url=https://www.britishnewspaperarchive.co.uk/ |access-date=14 November 2024 |work=Liverpool Dail Post |date=April 25, 1884 |page=7}}</ref>}} The ] resulted in continued endowment from the cathedral to the King's School, but at the same time removed requirements for some endowed grammar schools to have teachers licensed by the Church of England. Following the King's School improvements and reorganisation under this act in 1873, by 1880, choristers were again receiving general education at the grammar school.{{efn|Dean Howson commented at the time that the cathedral having to continue the historical endowment of £280 p.a. to the King's School was an injustice.<ref>{{cite news |title=Chester Cathedral Choir School |url=https://www.britishnewspaperarchive.co.uk/ |access-date=14 November 2024 |work=Liverpool Dail Post |date=April 25, 1884 |page=7}}</ref>}}


The final reorganisation of the chorister's schooling commenced under ] (1886-1919) in 1891 when their education was separate from the King's School again.<ref name=observer26121891>{{cite news |title=Secular v. Musical Education |url=https://www.britishnewspaperarchive.co.uk/ |access-date=16 November 2024 |work=Cheshire Observer |date=December 26, 1891 |page=6}}</ref> The school operated as an independent private preparatory school called the Chester Cathedral Choir School from this time.<ref name=observer28051892/> The final reorganisation of the choristers' schooling commenced under ] (1886-1919) in 1891 when their education was separate from the King's School again.<ref name=observer26121891>{{cite news |title=Secular v. Musical Education |url=https://www.britishnewspaperarchive.co.uk/ |access-date=16 November 2024 |work=Cheshire Observer |date=December 26, 1891 |page=6}}</ref> The school operated as an independent private preparatory school called the Chester Cathedral Choir School from this time.<ref name=observer28051892/>


In 1936, the school offered places to non-singers for the first time,<ref>{{cite news |title=Prize Giving |url=https://www.britishnewspaperarchive.co.uk/ |access-date=15 December 2024 |work=Cheshire Chronicle |date=November 14, 1936 |page=16}}</ref> with fees of £5 5s. per term. Non-singers would boost the roll to a limit of 40. In 1936, the school offered places to non-singers for the first time,<ref>{{cite news |title=Prize Giving |url=https://www.britishnewspaperarchive.co.uk/ |access-date=15 December 2024 |work=Cheshire Chronicle |date=November 14, 1936 |page=16}}</ref> with fees of £5 5s. per term. Non-singers would boost the roll to a limit of 40.


By 1944, there were 4 classes with mixed ages and abilities. Board of Education inspectors commented on the unusual setting for the school but the overall lack of qualifications and teaching skills of the 3 full-time and 2 part-time teachers.<ref name=report1944/> By 1944, there were four classes with mixed ages and abilities. Board of Education inspectors commented on the unusual setting for the school but the overall lack of qualifications and teaching skills of the three full-time and two part-time teachers.<ref name=report1944/>


In 1973, HM Inspectors of Schools carried out a full inspection of the school.<ref name=report1973/> Many issues were identified with accommodation and facilities, teaching, timetables and the school as a community. Most of the issues stemming from either the limitations of the buildings, or significant demands on staff and governors when running a very small school with modern demands made upon them. In 1973, HM Inspectors of Schools carried out a full inspection of the school.<ref name=report1973/> Many issues were identified with accommodation and facilities, teaching, timetables and the school as a community. Most of the issues stemmed from either the limitations of the buildings, or significant demands on staff and governors when running a very small school with modern demands made upon them.


In the same year, the Dean and Chapter realized "the writing was on the wall" and that the school would have to close.<ref>{{cite news |title=Final prize day at cathedral choir school |url=https://www.britishnewspaperarchive.co.uk/ |access-date=19 November 2024 |work=Cheshire Observer |date=November 22, 1974 |page=30}}</ref> Reasons given included inflationary pressures, the small intake of the school (80) and the inability of the building to allow expansion and the significant capital expenditure to move premises.<ref>{{cite news |title=Choir School has to close |url=https://www.britishnewspaperarchive.co.uk/ |access-date=10 November 2024 |work=Chester Chronicle |date=July 26, 1974 |page=1}}</ref> In the same year, the Dean and Chapter realized "the writing was on the wall" and that the school would have to close.<ref>{{cite news |title=Final prize day at cathedral choir school |url=https://www.britishnewspaperarchive.co.uk/ |access-date=19 November 2024 |work=Cheshire Observer |date=November 22, 1974 |page=30}}</ref> Reasons given included inflationary pressures, the small intake of the school (80), the inability of the building to allow expansion and the significant capital expenditure to move premises.<ref>{{cite news |title=Choir School has to close |url=https://www.britishnewspaperarchive.co.uk/ |access-date=10 November 2024 |work=Chester Chronicle |date=July 26, 1974 |page=1}}</ref>


With some boys transferring to King's and other schools, Chester Cathedral Choir School closed at the end of the Summer Term 1975.<ref name=observer06071974/>{{efn|It is interesting to note that whilst A.L.Munday, the headmaster of King's stated in 1974 that the choir school was "an off-shoot of the Kings school and ... returning" after 100 years,<ref>{{cite news |title=Red caps may vanish but choristers will sing from a new nest |url=https://www.britishnewspaperarchive.co.uk/ |access-date=10 November 2024 |work=Cheshire Observer |date=July 26, 1974 |page=46}}</ref> Rev. E. Weir, headmaster of the choir school stated its history back to 1541, i.e. being in its 423rd year in 1963.<ref name=observer27111964>{{cite news |title=A year of quiet growth |url=https://www.britishnewspaperarchive.co.uk/ |access-date=19 November 2024 |work=Cheshire Observer |date=November 27, 1964 |page=23}}</ref> There was always some controversy in the relationship between the Chester Cathedral Choir School and the King's School.}} With some boys transferring to King's and other schools, Chester Cathedral Choir School closed at the end of the Summer Term 1975.<ref name=observer06071974/>{{efn|It is interesting to note that whilst A.L.Munday, the headmaster of King's stated in 1974 that the choir school was "an off-shoot of the Kings school and ... returning" after 100 years,<ref>{{cite news |title=Red caps may vanish but choristers will sing from a new nest |url=https://www.britishnewspaperarchive.co.uk/ |access-date=10 November 2024 |work=Cheshire Observer |date=July 26, 1974 |page=46}}</ref> Rev. E. Weir, headmaster of the choir school stated its history back to 1541, i.e. being in its 423rd year in 1963.<ref name=observer27111964>{{cite news |title=A year of quiet growth |url=https://www.britishnewspaperarchive.co.uk/ |access-date=19 November 2024 |work=Cheshire Observer |date=November 27, 1964 |page=23}}</ref> There was always some controversy in the relationship between the Chester Cathedral Choir School and the King's School.}}


== Buildings and Facilities == == Buildings and facilities ==


For most of the first 310 years from the reformation to the first separation from the grammar school, all boys were taught in the refectory of chester cathedral.<ref name=ourhistory/> For most of the first 310 years from the reformation to the first separation from the grammar school, all boys were taught in the refectory of Chester Cathedral.<ref name=ourhistory/>


] (1839-1867) and ] (1867-1885) oversaw significant renovation of the cathedral, the installation of the cathedral organ in 1875, rebuilding of the southern and western part of Abbey Square, replacement of the Old Bishop's Palace and overall improvements to church musical achievements. At that time, the King's School moved into the new buildings from their ancient home in the original monks refectory to part of the rebuilt section of Abbey Square.<ref name=BarrowJ/>{{rp|pp=185-204,273-275}} ] (1839-1867) and ] (1867-1885) oversaw significant renovation of the cathedral, the installation of the cathedral organ in 1875, rebuilding of the southern and western part of Abbey Square, replacement of the Old Bishop's Palace and overall improvements to church musical achievements. At that time, the King's School moved into the new buildings from their ancient home in the original monks refectory to part of the rebuilt section of Abbey Square.<ref name=BarrowJ/>{{rp|pp=185–204,273–275}}


The choir practice room at this time was the refectory (which King's had just exited).<ref name=observer28051892>{{cite news |title=Educational: Chester Cathedral |url=https://www.britishnewspaperarchive.co.uk/ |access-date=16 November 2024 |work=Cheshire Observer |date=May 28, 1892 |page=4}}</ref> However, this period of construction also provided choir school rooms under the cathedral library where the old Bishop's Palace used to be.<ref name=drawings1957>{{cite web |url=http://kingschester.web-archives.net/Browser/default.asp The choir practice room at this time was the refectory (which King's had just exited).<ref name=observer28051892>{{cite news |title=Educational: Chester Cathedral |url=https://www.britishnewspaperarchive.co.uk/ |access-date=16 November 2024 |work=Cheshire Observer |date=May 28, 1892 |page=4}}</ref> However, this period of construction also provided choir school rooms under the cathedral library where the old Bishop's Palace used to be.<ref name=drawings1957>{{cite web |url=http://kingschester.web-archives.net/Browser/default.asp
Line 85: Line 85:
}}</ref> }}</ref>


By 1944, the school used various rooms in the cathedral buildings. A chapel was used for assembly (most likely St. Anselm's), the refectory used for various activities including physical education and 4&nbsp;classrooms in the rebuilt old bishop's palace. By 1944, the school used various rooms in the cathedral buildings. A chapel was used for assembly (most likely St Anselm's), the refectory used for various activities including physical education and four classrooms in the rebuilt Old Bishop's Palace.


{{maplink|frame=yes|text=Choir School and Deanery Field {{maplink|frame=yes|text=Choir School and Deanery Field
Line 94: Line 94:
}} }}


In 1960, the King's School moved out of the premises in Abbey Square.<ref name=kingshistory/> In 1963, the Choir School moved into these neo-gothic buildings of the 1870's after some adjustments, e.g. partitioning the main hall to produce a dining hall.<ref name=observer27111964/> The school was in one building with two stories. The ground floor had a single corridor with classrooms and washroom off. In 1960, the King's School moved out of the premises in Abbey Square.<ref name=kingshistory/> In 1963, the Choir School moved into these neo-gothic buildings of the 1870s after some adjustments, for example partitioning the main hall to produce a dining hall.<ref name=observer27111964/> The school was in one building with two stories. The ground floor had a single corridor with classrooms and washroom off. The boys' toilets were to be found in a lean-to outside. The school had the use of the Deanery Fields for games.
The boys toilets were to be found in a lean-to outside. The school had the use of the Deaneary Fields for games.


The HM Inspectors report from 1973 includes many details including the year II classroom being small and dark and the overall impression of the building was "cramped and drab", "uninviting and impoverished". The report stated "Whilst some of the accommodation is of architectural and aethetic merit it falls short of what could be reasonably expected of a school of this size...".<ref name=report1973/> The HM Inspectors' report from 1973 includes many details including the year II classroom being small and dark and the overall impression of the building was "cramped and drab", "uninviting and impoverished". The report stated, "whilst some of the accommodation is of architectural and aesthetic merit it falls short of what could be reasonably expected of a school of this size...".<ref name=report1973/>


== Fees == == Fees ==
Line 104: Line 103:
The statues of the cathedral established in 1541 that the scholars of the grammar school and the choristers would have their education, board and lodgings paid by the cathedral.<ref name=Courant30081871/> A stipend was reintroduced in 1852 as payment to the boys of the school and choir of £3 6s. 8d. reportedly as set out in the statutes of King Henry VIII<ref>{{cite news |title=Bishop of Chester Visitation: King's School |url=https://www.britishnewspaperarchive.co.uk/ |access-date=20 November 2024 |work=Cheshire Chronicle |date=March 13, 1852 |page=8}}</ref> which continued to be paid without any consideration of inflation until at least 1919.<ref>{{cite news |title=Chester Cathedral: Vacancies for Probationary Choristers |url=https://www.britishnewspaperarchive.co.uk/ |access-date=20 November 2024 |work=Cheshire Chronicle |date=March 22, 1919 |page=1}}</ref> The statues of the cathedral established in 1541 that the scholars of the grammar school and the choristers would have their education, board and lodgings paid by the cathedral.<ref name=Courant30081871/> A stipend was reintroduced in 1852 as payment to the boys of the school and choir of £3 6s. 8d. reportedly as set out in the statutes of King Henry VIII<ref>{{cite news |title=Bishop of Chester Visitation: King's School |url=https://www.britishnewspaperarchive.co.uk/ |access-date=20 November 2024 |work=Cheshire Chronicle |date=March 13, 1852 |page=8}}</ref> which continued to be paid without any consideration of inflation until at least 1919.<ref>{{cite news |title=Chester Cathedral: Vacancies for Probationary Choristers |url=https://www.britishnewspaperarchive.co.uk/ |access-date=20 November 2024 |work=Cheshire Chronicle |date=March 22, 1919 |page=1}}</ref>


In 1940, choristers still received their stipend and non-singers fees were £5 5s. per term.<ref>{{cite news |title=Chester Cathedral Choir School|url=https://www.britishnewspaperarchive.co.uk/ |access-date=15 December 2024 |work=Cheshire Chronicle |date=April 20, 1940 |page=8}}</ref> By 1973, "Fees are £100 a term except for singing boys who pay £5.25 a term during their first and second years ... and no fees as such thereafter".<ref name=report1973/> In 1940, choristers still received their stipend and non-singers' fees were £5 5s. per term.<ref>{{cite news |title=Chester Cathedral Choir School|url=https://www.britishnewspaperarchive.co.uk/ |access-date=15 December 2024 |work=Cheshire Chronicle |date=April 20, 1940 |page=8}}</ref> By 1973, "Fees are £100 a term except for singing boys who pay £5.25 a term during their first and second years ... and no fees as such thereafter".<ref name=report1973/>


== Notes == == Notes ==
{{notelist}} {{notelist}}

== References == == References ==
<references> <references>
Line 165: Line 165:
|title=STATE AND CONDITION OF THE CATHEDRAL AND COLLEGIATE CHURCHES IN ENGLAND AND WALES |title=STATE AND CONDITION OF THE CATHEDRAL AND COLLEGIATE CHURCHES IN ENGLAND AND WALES
|date=May 25, 1855 |date=May 25, 1855
|publisher=HM Stationary Office |publisher=HM Stationery Office
|location=London |location=London
|url=https://play.google.com/store/books/details?id=m_tRBlEsh_4C |url=https://play.google.com/store/books/details?id=m_tRBlEsh_4C
Line 183: Line 183:
|access-date=16 November 2024 |access-date=16 November 2024
|work=Chester Chronicle |work=Chester Chronicle
|date=June 15, 1850 |date=June 15, 1850 <!-- page 3 -->
<!-- page 3 -->
}}</ref><ref name=Chronicle06071851> }}</ref><ref name=Chronicle06071851>
{{cite news {{cite news
Line 191: Line 190:
|access-date=16 November 2024 |access-date=16 November 2024
|work=Chester Chronicle |work=Chester Chronicle
|date=July 6, 1851 |date=July 6, 1851 <!-- page 1 -->
<!-- page 1 -->
}}</ref><ref name=Chronicle16111851> }}</ref><ref name=Chronicle16111851>
{{cite news {{cite news
Line 199: Line 197:
|access-date=16 November 2024 |access-date=16 November 2024
|work=Chester Chronicle |work=Chester Chronicle
|date=November 29, 1851 |date=November 29, 1851 <!-- page 8 -->
<!-- page 8 -->
}}</ref><ref name=Courant25081852> }}</ref><ref name=Courant25081852>
{{cite news {{cite news
Line 207: Line 204:
|access-date=16 November 2024 |access-date=16 November 2024
|work=Chester Courant |work=Chester Courant
|date=August 25, 1852 |date=August 25, 1852 <!-- page 4 -->
<!-- page 4 -->
}}</ref><ref name=kingshistory> }}</ref><ref name=kingshistory>
{{cite web {{cite web
Line 218: Line 214:
</ref> </ref>
</references> </references>

==See Also==
*]


== External links == == External links ==

Latest revision as of 12:21, 22 December 2024

Private preparatory boys school in England
Chester Cathedral Choir School
Address
Abbey Square
Chester, Cheshire
England
Coordinates53°11′31″N 2°53′31″W / 53.19195191821999°N 2.891825121352898°W / 53.19195191821999; -2.891825121352898
Information
TypePrivate
MottoLatin:
"Laudate Dominum Pueri" (Praise the Lord, Boys!)
Religious affiliation(s)Church of England
Established1891; 133 years ago (1891)
Closed1975; 49 years ago (1975)
Local authorityCheshire
Last HeadmasterMr. D.F. Ray (acting)
First HeadmasterRev. J.M. New
GenderBoys
Age8 to 13
Enrolment80 (at closure)
Houses3
Colour(s)Red Yellow Green
   

Chester Cathedral Choir School was an private preparatory school for boys under the direct supervision of the Dean of Chester Cathedral providing choristers for the choir. In its modern form, the school was opened by 1891 and closed at the end of summer term 1975. In 1973 the school's roll was 83 boys in 5 classes with the largest class of 22.

A boys' school and choristers for the abbey existed pre-reformation which continued until 1851. A separate choir school was established for the first time in 1851. By 1880 choristers were admitted to the King's school and then in 1891 the school separated again until it closed in 1975.

"Black and white photo of two storey mid-sized neo-gothic buildings next to the cathedral"
Chester Cathedral Choir School Main Building

History

Boy choristers had been a feature of the pre-reformation church in England from at least the 7th Century and there is evidence that there was a school and boy choristers at the Benedictine Abbey of St. Werburgh, Chester before the English Reformation.

During the English Reformation and the Dissolution of the monasteries, in 1541 the Abbey of St. Werburgh was closed and a new cathedral was established in the same buildings. The legal statutes for the new Chester Cathedral set out the roles and responsibilities of the Dean, Canons, and others associated with the cathedral. The statutes created a grammar school at Chester Cathedral (for the teaching of Latin grammar, and other subjects "for 24 poor and friendless boys") and also established eight choristers and their choirmaster. The cathedral would be responsible for the education, board and lodgings of both scholars and choristers.

For 300 years, until the mid nineteenth century the choristers received some general education in the King's School. However whilst the statutes referred to the possibility of boys being in the choir and in the grammar school, this was not always the case: the statutes did not demand any other education for choristers other than in singing and divine services but did afford preferential access to the grammar school.

By the mid-nineteenth century in common with many schools funded by private endowment, schooling at the cathedral was suffering poor financial support, inefficiencies and accusations of maladministration. It was claimed the cathedral reduced scholar numbers whilst focusing on choristers, failed to pay endowments for university positions for scholars, and was not funding the grammar school properly, i.e. both staff salary and pupil stipends for subsistence were grossly insufficient.

In 1851, Chester Cathedral Choristers were taught separately in their own school for the first time. By 1857 the schools were operating completely separately:.

The Endowed Schools Act 1869 resulted in continued endowment from the cathedral to the King's School, but at the same time removed requirements for some endowed grammar schools to have teachers licensed by the Church of England. Following the King's School improvements and reorganisation under this act in 1873, by 1880, choristers were again receiving general education at the grammar school.

The final reorganisation of the choristers' schooling commenced under Dean Darby (1886-1919) in 1891 when their education was separate from the King's School again. The school operated as an independent private preparatory school called the Chester Cathedral Choir School from this time.

In 1936, the school offered places to non-singers for the first time, with fees of £5 5s. per term. Non-singers would boost the roll to a limit of 40.

By 1944, there were four classes with mixed ages and abilities. Board of Education inspectors commented on the unusual setting for the school but the overall lack of qualifications and teaching skills of the three full-time and two part-time teachers.

In 1973, HM Inspectors of Schools carried out a full inspection of the school. Many issues were identified with accommodation and facilities, teaching, timetables and the school as a community. Most of the issues stemmed from either the limitations of the buildings, or significant demands on staff and governors when running a very small school with modern demands made upon them.

In the same year, the Dean and Chapter realized "the writing was on the wall" and that the school would have to close. Reasons given included inflationary pressures, the small intake of the school (80), the inability of the building to allow expansion and the significant capital expenditure to move premises.

With some boys transferring to King's and other schools, Chester Cathedral Choir School closed at the end of the Summer Term 1975.

Buildings and facilities

For most of the first 310 years from the reformation to the first separation from the grammar school, all boys were taught in the refectory of Chester Cathedral.

Dean Anson (1839-1867) and Howson (1867-1885) oversaw significant renovation of the cathedral, the installation of the cathedral organ in 1875, rebuilding of the southern and western part of Abbey Square, replacement of the Old Bishop's Palace and overall improvements to church musical achievements. At that time, the King's School moved into the new buildings from their ancient home in the original monks refectory to part of the rebuilt section of Abbey Square.

The choir practice room at this time was the refectory (which King's had just exited). However, this period of construction also provided choir school rooms under the cathedral library where the old Bishop's Palace used to be.

By 1944, the school used various rooms in the cathedral buildings. A chapel was used for assembly (most likely St Anselm's), the refectory used for various activities including physical education and four classrooms in the rebuilt Old Bishop's Palace.

Choir School and Deanery Field

In 1960, the King's School moved out of the premises in Abbey Square. In 1963, the Choir School moved into these neo-gothic buildings of the 1870s after some adjustments, for example partitioning the main hall to produce a dining hall. The school was in one building with two stories. The ground floor had a single corridor with classrooms and washroom off. The boys' toilets were to be found in a lean-to outside. The school had the use of the Deanery Fields for games.

The HM Inspectors' report from 1973 includes many details including the year II classroom being small and dark and the overall impression of the building was "cramped and drab", "uninviting and impoverished". The report stated, "whilst some of the accommodation is of architectural and aesthetic merit it falls short of what could be reasonably expected of a school of this size...".

Fees

Generally throughout the existence of the Choir School, choristers received their education paid for by the cathedral and largely free to the chorister and his family. Fees became payable for non-singers only when the school expanded in the twentieth century.

The statues of the cathedral established in 1541 that the scholars of the grammar school and the choristers would have their education, board and lodgings paid by the cathedral. A stipend was reintroduced in 1852 as payment to the boys of the school and choir of £3 6s. 8d. reportedly as set out in the statutes of King Henry VIII which continued to be paid without any consideration of inflation until at least 1919.

In 1940, choristers still received their stipend and non-singers' fees were £5 5s. per term. By 1973, "Fees are £100 a term except for singing boys who pay £5.25 a term during their first and second years ... and no fees as such thereafter".

Notes

  1. By the mid eighteenth century, the grammar school started to be called the King's Cathedral Grammar School, or King's School.
  2. Dean Howson commented at the time that the cathedral having to continue the historical endowment of £280 p.a. to the King's School was an injustice.
  3. It is interesting to note that whilst A.L.Munday, the headmaster of King's stated in 1974 that the choir school was "an off-shoot of the Kings school and ... returning" after 100 years, Rev. E. Weir, headmaster of the choir school stated its history back to 1541, i.e. being in its 423rd year in 1963. There was always some controversy in the relationship between the Chester Cathedral Choir School and the King's School.

References

  1. ^ "Secular v. Musical Education". Cheshire Observer. December 26, 1891. p. 6. Retrieved 16 November 2024.
  2. ^ "Choir school to close next year". Cheshire Observer (CITY ed.). July 6, 1974. p. 1. Retrieved 9 November 2024.
  3. ^ Report by HM Inspectors on Chester Cathedral Choir School (Report). London: Department of Education and Science. December 3, 1973. ED 172/541/5.
  4. Williams, Jenevora (Nov 25, 2011). Cathedral Choirs in the United Kingdom: The Professional Boy Chorister. Springer eBooks. Springer Nature. Retrieved 14 November 2024.
  5. ^ Hackett, Maria (1827), A Brief Account of Cathedral and Collegiate Schools: With an Abstract of Their Statutes and Endowments. Respectfully Addressed to the Dignitaries of the Established Church, JB Nichols and Son
  6. ^ "History of Chester Cathedral". Chester Cathedral. Retrieved 16 November 2024.
  7. ^ "Statutes of Chester Cathedral". Chester Courant. August 30, 1871. p. 7. Retrieved 14 November 2024.
  8. "Chester News". Chester Chronicle. April 11, 1776. p. 3. Retrieved 16 November 2024.
  9. ^ Howson, J.S. (September 24, 1881). "The King's School and the Cathedral Boys School". Cheshire Observer. Retrieved 15 November 2024.
  10. Gillard, Derek (2018). "Education in the UK: a history". Retrieved 15 November 2024.
  11. "Tory opinion of Bishops, Deans and Chapters and their doings". Chester Chronicle. July 6, 1851. Retrieved 16 November 2024.
  12. "King's School, Chester and the Town Council". Chester Chronicle. November 29, 1851. Retrieved 16 November 2024.
  13. "Cathedral Trusts". Chester Chronicle. June 15, 1850. Retrieved 16 November 2024.
  14. "The King's School". Chester Courant. August 25, 1852. Retrieved 16 November 2024.
  15. STATE AND CONDITION OF THE CATHEDRAL AND COLLEGIATE CHURCHES IN ENGLAND AND WALES (Report). London: HM Stationery Office. May 25, 1855.
  16. "Chester Cathedral Choir School". Liverpool Dail Post. April 25, 1884. p. 7. Retrieved 14 November 2024.
  17. ^ "Educational: Chester Cathedral". Cheshire Observer. May 28, 1892. p. 4. Retrieved 16 November 2024.
  18. "Prize Giving". Cheshire Chronicle. November 14, 1936. p. 16. Retrieved 15 December 2024.
  19. Full Inspection Report of Chester Cathedral Choir School, Chester (Report). London: Board of Education. July 1, 1944. ED 109/349.
  20. "Final prize day at cathedral choir school". Cheshire Observer. November 22, 1974. p. 30. Retrieved 19 November 2024.
  21. "Choir School has to close". Chester Chronicle. July 26, 1974. p. 1. Retrieved 10 November 2024.
  22. "Red caps may vanish but choristers will sing from a new nest". Cheshire Observer. July 26, 1974. p. 46. Retrieved 10 November 2024.
  23. ^ "A year of quiet growth". Cheshire Observer. November 27, 1964. p. 23. Retrieved 19 November 2024.
  24. Barrow, J.S.; Herson, J.D.; Lawes, A.H.; Riden, P.J.; Seaborne, M.V.J. (2005), "Part 2, the City of Chester: Culture, Buildings, Institutions", in Thacker, A.T.; Lewis, C.P. (eds.), A History of the County of Chester, vol. 5, London: Victoria County History
  25. "Ground floor as existing". King's School Chester Archives. 1957. GB.3154.A2006/25/41. Retrieved 24 November 2024.
  26. "King's School: Our History". June 2016. Retrieved 24 November 2024.
  27. "Bishop of Chester Visitation: King's School". Cheshire Chronicle. March 13, 1852. p. 8. Retrieved 20 November 2024.
  28. "Chester Cathedral: Vacancies for Probationary Choristers". Cheshire Chronicle. March 22, 1919. p. 1. Retrieved 20 November 2024.
  29. "Chester Cathedral Choir School". Cheshire Chronicle. April 20, 1940. p. 8. Retrieved 15 December 2024.

See Also

External links

School types
By educational stage
Early childhood
Primary
Secondary
Tertiary
Higher
Combined
By funding / eligibility
By style / purpose
Progressive
Religious
By location
By scope
Historical
Schools imposed on
indigenous peoples
Informal or illegal
Related topics
Categories: