Humphry Davy School
Humphry Davy School is a comprehensive school in Penzance, Cornwall, England. The school teaches 11- to 16-year-olds.
| Humphry Davy School | |
|---|---|
 Humphry Davy School Logo | |
| Address | |
| |
Coombe Road , , TR18 2TG England | |
| Coordinates | 50°07′27″N 5°32′27″W |
| Information | |
| Type | Foundation school |
| Local authority | Cornwall Council |
| Department for Education URN | 112067 Tables |
| Ofsted | Reports |
| Chair of Governors | Mrs K. Uren |
| Headteacher | Mr W. Marshall |
| Gender | Coeducational |
| Age | 11 to 16 |
| Enrolment | 687 |
| Houses | Grenville, Trevithick, Trelawny and Godolphin |
| Colour(s) | (in corresponding order) Green, Blue, Yellow, Red |
| Website | http://www.humphry-davy.cornwall.sch.uk |
History
The oldest part of the main school building was completed in 1909. It was originally called the Penzance County School and opened with an enrolment of 130 boys on 24 January 1910.[1] It later became known as the Humphry Davy Grammar School for Boys until 1980 when it became a co-educational comprehensive school with the name Humphry Davy School.
Much of the original building has been preserved and, in the summer of 2013, the school received funding worth over £300,000 to replace the sash windows with handmade modern versions.
Princess Anne visited the school on 22 January 1999 to open the 'Chynoweth' block.
In 2005 the school gained specialist status, as a Music College.
School achievements
In 2006 a group of students from the school became one of the first of their age group to cycle from John O'Groats to Land’s End. Students from the school also won an MTV award when a video they created was shown on MTV accompanying musician Tom Baxter's hit song 'Better'.
In the Summer Olympics of 2012 Humphry Davy School celebrated the rowing victory of alumna Helen Glover MBE. A victory parade was organised to mark the occasion and many local people attended.
Notable former pupils
- Helen Glover (rower), Olympic gold medal and World Champion rower[2]
- Thandie Newton, BAFTA award-winning actress, model
- Sam Palladio, actor, musician
- Tom Welham, lead guitarist of Thirteen Senses
- Alexander Halliday, British geochemist
Humphry Davy Grammar School for Boys
- Francis Foster Barham, religious writer known as the 'Alist'
- Sir David Collins, educational administrator
- Michael Grandage, theatre director, Tony Award winner
- Quinton Quayle, Ambassador to Thailand since 2007, and to Romania from 2002 to 2006
- Rick Rescorla, whose bravery during the 9/11 attack saved hundreds of lives at the cost of his own
- Jack Richards, Surrey and England cricketer
References
- Batten, Ben; James, Lawrence, Three Score Years and Ten - A History of The Penzance County School and The Humphry Davy Grammar School 1910-1980
- "Olympic gold rower Helen Glover's 'phenomenal talent'". BBC. Retrieved 1 August 2012.
