The school, founded by scholar and preacher William Capon, was opened in 1554 during the reign of Edward VI. Capon, who was rector of St Mary's Church, died in 1550, leaving in his will a sum of money for the establishment of a grammar school within the town. Originally housed in Winkle Street, the school moved to West Hall in 1696. The school was situated on land between Bugle Street and French Street, just to the north of the Wool House. In 1820 the school buildings were largely rebuilt to the design of local architect John Taylor, the school itself moving into nearby Bugle Hall for a short time before returning to the new premises (image 1). In 1896, after 200 years on this site, the school moved to a site in Havelock Road, West Marlands (image 2): Kingsbridge House. The school buildings have since been demolished and the BBC now occupies the site. In 1938 the school moved to its present location in Hill Lane.
1. King Edward VI Grammar School, Bugle Street
This engraving of 1827 appeared in J. C. Buckler’s Sixty Views of Endowed Grammar Schools.
2. King Edward VI Grammar School
The school in Havelock Road, c.1910
See also:
- Dr Richard Mant, headteacher 1770-1795.
- George Whittaker, headteacher 1795-1813.
- Sidney Kimber, pupil.
- James Henry Hurdis, pupil.
Further reading:
History of King Edward VI School, Southampton, by C. F. Russell. (HS/ls)
King Edward VI School, Southampton in the Twentieth Century, by John R. Rowthorn. (HS/ls)
A Short History of King Edward VI, Southampton, by F L Freeman. (HS/ls)
Buildings of England: Hampshire and the I.O.W., by Pevsner and Lloyd, p568. (H/i)
History of Southampton, by Rev. J. S. Davies, p310-323. (HS/h)
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