THE GRYPHON AT 30

Words Olivia Bowditch, Siân Greenwood, Callum Harwood (Year 12), Bonnie Cooke, Ella Morgan (Year 8), Olivia Mason (Year 7), The Gryphon School

With thanks to

Joe Miles, Head of Year 8 and Teacher of Computing

Nigel White, Head of Photography

Prue Bendell, Associate Assistant Head and Head of English

Mike Fenton-Wilkinson, Head of Art & Design

Holly George, Head of Marketing & Communications

Thirty years ago, The Gryphon School was born.

‘Born?’ you ask. Yes, born. For some, a school is little more than a building – just four walls, a few windows, and a door. For Gryphon School students, both past and present, its teachers and the wider community, The Gryphon School is alive, breathing, constantly moving as one towards a collective goal – its 10:10 mission: ‘To live life in all its fullness’, or in other words, ‘the world is your oyster.’

A 30th birthday is a milestone. It is a time to celebrate, a time to reflect on what was and to look forward to what will be. To commemorate The Gryphon School’s 30th birthday, a group of students wanted to do just this; to celebrate with you, Sherborne Times readers, and share The Gryphon’s story... to date! >

We will reveal what we discovered about The Gryphon’s origins; the educational institutions on which its own foundations were laid upon. Some of our younger students will tell you about what a gift The Gryphon is in the present day and how the 10:10 mission shapes their lives. As a final flourish, we, the youth – active stakeholders, voters of tomorrow and potential future teachers at The Gryphon, will outline our vision for The Gryphon School in the years to come.

So, on its Pearl Anniversary, please indulge us as we proudly display our treasure, our pearl –The Gryphon School.

Three schools, alike in dignity, in fair Sherborne, where we lay our scene…

In 1992, in accordance with the 1988 Education Reform Act, three schools: Lord Digby’s Girls, Foster’s Grammar School for Boys and St Aldhelm’s Secondary Modern, were closed and combined to create The (glorious) Gryphon School that we are toasting today. Though these schools no longer exist, their individual histories and cultures remain woven into the fabric of The Gryphon.

Lord Digby’s Girls School opened in 1743, moved to Sherborne House in 1931 and was a grammar school for girls by 1944. Foster’s School for Boys, opened in 1640, and like Lord Digby’s, became a grammar school in 1944. St Aldhelm’s Secondary Modern School was a comprehensive and it opened its doors in 1959. Yes, though The Gryphon only has thirty candles on its cake, in one form or another, The Gryphon School has been educating the children of Sherborne for over three hundred and fifty years.

In what way does the essence of those former schools still remain at The Gryphon School? Many of you will already know that The Gryphon’s foundation stone was placed upon the site of St Aldhelm’s School but what if I told you that every Gryphon student carries a piece of each of those schools close to our hearts, every day?

Indeed, the Gryphon emblem on our school uniform has the colours of the three schools. The gold from Foster’s was used for the body of the gryphon, silver from Lord Digby’s was used for the gryphon’s feathers and the red from St Aldhelm’s was used for the colour of the crozier that the gryphon held. We also use the names of those schools as our sporting houses to keep the spirit of

‘I love The Gryphon - I really am living my life to the full here. There are so many opportunities the school has to offer. I have loved joining the netball club, choir, ‘Poetry by Heart’ group, the drama club and being involved in writing this article! I have enjoyed performing in three concerts this year, especially the ones at Sherborne Abbey. In primary school, we did not have Creative Design, Textiles, Cookery or Drama lessons, and now these are some of my favourite subjects as the teachers are incredible. When I first joined, I was scared about the size of the site, but now that I am nearly in Year 8, I appreciate it so much. The teachers and older students here are so warm and welcoming that I feel I have become a huge part of the Gryphon family.

Olivia Mason, Year 7

‘We have had engaging and enriching experiences during our time at The Gryphon. In Year 7, we went on a trip to the ruins of the first Sherborne Castle and were taught about its history, including why it was now in ruins. Year 8s studying French have the amazing opportunity to go on a trip to France. On this trip, you can partake in fun activities and you also learn about French history and culture. As part of our Geography course, we recently visited Durdle Door to study the different environmental aspects of the coast.

We also have many extra-curricular opportunities too, such as netball trips where we got to watch Leeds Rhinos vs Bath and even talked to Sasha Corbin, a netball player from the English national team. We are able to attend career fairs where you can ask companies questions, so that you may consider what careers you might like to try later in life. This school prepares us for our future; it helps us learn how to tackle the challenges we may face later in life.’

Bonnie Cooke & Ella Morgan, Year 8

competition and sportsmanship alive and well.

Despite The Gryphon turning thirty, like all of us, its story started before it was born with its ancestors. Sherborne’s town crest features gryphons – a mythical and noble beast that is half eagle and half lion. The eagle half of the gryphon was borrowed from the silver eagles on the arms of Roger de Caen, Bishop of Salisbury, who built Sherborne’s first castle in the 12th century, and the lion half of the gryphon came from the gold lions on the crest of Dorset County. The gryphon, legendary guardians of treasure – symbolise Sherborne’s pre-eminence as a leader in learning, whilst also conserving and protecting Sherborne’s traditions and character.

Knowing this, can you think of a better name for the school than The Gryphon School? Protector of education – looking fondly on the past, but paving the way for new minds, new thoughts, and new ideas.

The completed Gryphon School building swung open its doors in 1994. Its foundation stone was laid on 23rd July 1993 by the Bishop of Salisbury, The Right Reverend John Baker – maintaining the strong ties to the Church that Sherborne has long had. This July, in 2023, we celebrate that historical milestone.

After tracing its rich historical roots throughout the centuries, what can be said about The Gryphon’s future?

Just like in The Parable of the Sower, our predecessors knew to sow the seeds of excellence in education on good ground – and to them, we – the students of The Gryphon, are forever grateful. Teachers and staff of The Gryphon, you have nurtured the growth, allowing the current school to thrive and with the helping hands of the Sherborne community, it will continue to blossom and bear fruit. Whether through the establishment of new buildings to accommodate our expanding population, the creation of new student-run initiatives, or its innovative teaching, our school will continue to maintain its ever-welcoming and connected environment. We are in no doubt that in the years to come, The Gryphon’s 10:10 mission - to create a centre for learning, where the youth of today can become the fulfilled, enlightened adults of tomorrow, will continue to remain central to its cause.

The future is bright. Our students are taking the lead on climate change, hosting a collaborative studentteacher-organised COP28 in December 2023 and are also ensuring the youth have a voice in civic life, by petitioning Sherborne Town Council to install a Youth Council. Gryphon students will continue to excel in the classroom, on the sports fields, on the stage, in concert halls, in science labs, in the community, churches and you can even find us changing the world on the TEDx stage! This Gryphon, this school, inspires our students and instils them with the courage, fortitude and passion to implement change, yet nurtures, supports, and protects its treasure – our pupils. gryphon.dorset.sch.uk

As we celebrate The Gryphon at thirty and reflect on the achievements of our Gryphon community to date, may we raise a glass to the many people who have made our school whole: the students who bring their efforts and energy, the teachers – our eternal cheerleaders, who inspire and guide us through the choppy waters of adolescence, and of course, you – our Sherborne family.

And to the captain of our ship – ‘O Captain! My Captain!’ – our Headteacher, Mrs Nicki Edwards, and to her lieutenant, Deputy Headteacher, Mr Jim Gower - there are no words, just, thank you.

…One more thing. Cheers! Here’s to you, The Gryphon School, and here’s to another thirty years of 10:10 education and discovery!

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