The city's oldest school, Manchester Grammar, celebrated its Quincentenary at Manchester Cathedral today in the presence of The Bishop of Manchester and the Bishop of Exeter, alongside 1500 pupils, Governors and staff.
The Bishop of Manchester, the Rt Reverend Dr David Walker, an Old Boy of the School, and the Bishop of Exeter, the Rt Reverend Robert Atwell, presided over two services in the heart of the city centre close to the site of the first incarnation of the school when it was founded in 1515.
The invitation was extended to current Bishop of Exeter, Rt Reverend Robert Atwell, in tribute tothe school's founder, Hugh Oldham, who was born in Ancoats before moving to Exeter, where he became Bishop. His vision was to educate boys from Manchester irrespective of their backgrounds, something which has remained at the heart of the school's ethos to this day with its generous Bursary scheme.
Also in this spirit, MGS has built upon its connection with Hugh Oldham's birthplace through a collaboration with Manchester City Council and the development and regeneration company, Urban Splash, to create New Islington Free School in the same area where Oldham was born. In recognition of the multi-cultural nature of the school, the Founders' Day service included readings from Muslim, Jewish, Hindu and Christian scriptures, which were read by the School's pupils themselves, including School Captain, David Swarbrick. Boys also performed an impressive and beautiful rendition of Zadok the Priest composed by George Frideric Handel.
MGS's Benefactors were invited to the school at its current site on Old Hall Lane for a Benefactors' brunch in the morning or an Afternoon Tea after the second service. This was to recognise the commitment they have made to helping MGS provide more means-tested bursary places for academically able boys. As part of the quincentenary celebrations, MGS has launched The Next 500 Appeal', with the aim of raising 10 million to ensure boys, irrespective of their background, can come to MGS. To date, the Next 500 Appeal has raised more than 8.7m in gifts and pledges.
Speaking about the School's quincentenary year, the Bishop of Manchester, Rt Reverend Dr David Walker, said: "As an old Mancunian myself, I'm incredibly proud to play a part in the School's Quincentenary celebrations. The School is one of the city's oldest institutions and it's only fitting that the service took place in the heart of the city centre where the school was founded."
The Bishop of Exeter, Rt Reverend Robert Atwell, said: "Although the School is located in the North West, the city of Exeter has very strong ties with the School and the city of Manchester. To ensure we keep those links, each year we hold a service in Exeter which is attended by Old Mancunians who now live in the South West."
High Master Dr Martin Boulton concluded: "Today is a landmark moment in the history of the school as we celebrate our foundation 500 years ago. We owe a debt of gratitude to those forward thinking individuals past and present who have helped to establish and maintain a school with a national reputation for excellence."
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