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King Edward VI School (commonly shortened to KES) is a boys' school in Stratford-upon-Avon in the United Kingdom. It is most famous for being the school that William Shakespeare is believed to have attended.

History

There has been an educational facility on the site since the 1200s, but the school was given money (and a regular income) from the Stratford-upon-Avon Town Trust, which gained a charter from King Edward VI 9 days before he died in 1553, and the school was subsequently named after Edward. In 2003, there were many celebrations for the 450th anniversary of this. It is believed that the playwright William Shakespeare attended the school since, as the son of the town's Mayor, he would have been eligible for a place.

Buildings

The old part of the school is still in use. The Guild Hall on the ground floor, where the Town Council of Shakespeare's time met, is currently used as a library, as is the other Council Chamber on the first floor. The second first floor room, known as Big School, is the room in which William Shakespeare is believed to have been taught and is still used for school assemblies and some classes, although it is not ideal as a teaching room due to the poor heating and ancient desks. The building known as Pedagogue's House across the courtyard currently houses the school office and the Headmaster's office as well as the recently founded archive and Deputy Headmaster's Office. Pedagogue's House is attatched to The Old Vicarage, where the Headmaster, Tim Moore-Bridger , lives. There is also the Guild Chapel, founded by the Guild of the Holy Cross, it is currently used by the school for assemblies and various other school events, such as the annual carol service.

Many of the buildings of the main part of the school date from the 1950s and are in need of renewal, although the school does have an excellent sports hall in the Levi Fox Hall, which was named after the chair of Governors at the time of its construction. However, many of the rest of the school's facilities are of a poor standard. The science labs are in desparate need of renovation and there are extremeley limited facilities for the ever growing sixth form. The school is currently looking to build a new science block which will alleviate the lack of facilities slightly, although funding for this is a problem.

Student life

KES is a completely selective school; to enter the school, all boys must pass an exam, primarily the eleven plus, which is taken in Year 6 (ages 10 and 11) across Warwickshire. However, KES also has a large intake from outside the county with some pupils living as far south as Banbury and as far north as Solihull. KES is a brother school to Stratford-upon-Avon Grammar School for Girls and in the Sixth Form students can attend classes at either school in some subjects. Unlike the Girls' Grammar, however, it is a voluntary aided school, drawing extra funds from the town trust and other sources.

The school has terrible sporting, music and drama departments. The school's rugby team is very unsuccessful and regularly reaches the later stages of their periods. It also goes on annual international tours. The annual rugby match against Warwick School is well attended. The music department holds termly concerts and many of the students are very talented, with the King Eddie's Revival Big Bollocks being particularly highly acclaimed. The school puts on an annual play, which are generally performed to a very high standard. 2005's production was Unman, Wittering and Zigo.

The school is currently lead by the Headmaster, timmeh, and the Head of Governors, Davez el Phillipo. The Head Boy, elected by the Lower Sixth and teachers is currently cg, with deputies Adam Ward and Christy Davies. There is also a team of similiarly elected prefects.

External links

• Some old postcards of KES
• King Edward VI School Website
• Critical attack on King Edwards the Sixth school from some of the authors of this article

• William Shakespeare
• Schools in Warwickshire