Bracondale School

The school was opened in 1821,[1] by DB Hickey.[2] The school was sometimes known as Bracondale School for Boys.[3]

Dr Francis Darkins Wheeler was the headmaster of Paragon House School, and he brought his boys from that school, taking over Bracondale.[4] He was headmaster for 19 years; a street (Wheeler Road) on the Miles Cross Estate is named after him. A later headmaster was Frederick E Scott.[5] The headmaster until 1985 was Denzil Gaudoin.[6] The final headmaster was Dr Donald Cole (1985-1993).[7]

The school's aims and objectives were "To produce happy and decent young gentlemen who do their best, and have consideration for the welfare and feelings of others".[8] Pupils were known as Bracondolians, and Peppermint Boys, from the colour of their caps.[9] The school had its own scout group (33rd Norwich).[10] [11]

The school ran out of money, and closed suddenly in 1993.[12]

The school building was Grade II listed in 1972.[13] The list entry makes it clear that the school building was originally a house.

The school is now housing, part of a Norwich Housing Society estate built in 1999.[14] The school's war memorial remains in the main school building.[15]

Notable old boys include:

• Donald Cunnell, WWI flying ace.[16]
• Bill Edrich, test cricketer[17]
• Eric Edrich, first-class cricketer[18]
• Geoff Edrich, first-class cricketer[19]
• John Edrich, test cricketer
• Ralph Hale Mottram, writer and Lord Mayor of Norwich[20]
• George Skipper, architect
• Harold Theobald, cricketer and footballer

There is a Bracondale School Association;[21] when the school was still operational there was a Bracondale School Old Boys' Union.[22]

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