SOMERSET COUNTY EDUCATION COMMITTEE

(Mid-Somerset Divisional Executive)

DR. MORGAN'S SCHOOL

BRIDGWATER

(GRAMMAR SCHOOL FOR BOYS)

Telephone : Bridgwater 2661.

Chairman of Governors : THE RT. HON. THE LORD ST. AUDRIES.

Headmaster : FRANCIS DAVEY, M.A.

Clerk to the Governors: T. J. M. BARRINGTON, 12, King Square, Bridgwater.

PROSPECTUS AND GENERAL RULES AND REGULATIONS

1. History.

There: was an old Grammar School at Bridgwater in the days of Queen Elizabeth. Admiral Robert Blake was one of its pupils. It appears to have been refounded by King James I, and the endowment still survives as the "King James' Exhibition Trust."

Dr. Morgan's School itself was founded by Dr. John Morgan, Mayor of Bridgwater, in 1723.

The School was taken over by the Somerset County Council in 1930 as a County Grammar School. The present buildings date from 1937. There are 12 acres of grounds, a Swimming Bath, a Tennis Court and a Fives Court.

There is a Board of Governors of 12 members.

2. Admission.

Pupils are admitted solely as resultt of the examinations conducted by the Somerset County Council for the allocation of pupils to Secondary Schools. No fees are paid. There is accommodation for about 400 boys. Boys are admitted on the understanding that they will attend a Grammar School until the end of the School year in which they reach the age of 16.

3. Curriculum.

Boys are prepared for the Cambridge and the London University General Certificates of Education at Ordinary, Advanced and Scholarship Levels. In recent years a large number of boys have been awarded University Scholarships, Further Education Scholarships or Senior Agricultural Scholarships.

4. School Hours and Holidays.

School hours are from 9.10 to 12.30 in the morning, and 1.55 to 4.10 in the afternoon. There is no School on Saturday. Holidays are normally three weeks at Christmas, three weeks at Easter, one week at Whitsuntide and six weeks in August and September.

5. School Clothing.

The School Uniform is blue blazer, red cap, and a red and blue tie. There is a special 6th form cap and tie.

Sports Clothes :      

(a) Rugby—Boots, White Shirt, Red Shirt, Blue Shorts,Blue and Red Socks.

(b) Cricket—White Shirt, White Shorts or Trousers.

(c) Physical Education—Towel, White Plimsols, White Shorts, Vest in House colour, Swimming Suit.

            (All items of school clothing can be obtained from Dosson's of High Street, Bridgwater).

All Kit and Personal Property must be clearly marked with Full Names.

A small fine is charged for impounded "lost property."

6. School Meals.

The charge is I/- per meal. Dinner Money is paid to the Form Master each Monday.

7. School Subscriptions.

Parents are invited to subscribe 3/- each term. In return for this pupils receive the School Magazine and fixture cards free. This subscription, which is entirely voluntary, also provides funds for School Prizes and other expenses which are not met by the County Education Authority. The School is also very glad to receive donations to the Prize Fund and the Library Fund at any time.

8. Interviews.

The Headmaster is pleased to interview parents at the School on Wednesday and Thursday afternoons or at other times by appointment. Parents are also invited to attend various School functions which include School Sports, School Concerts, Speech Day and Open Day.

 9. Homework.

 The time that homework should occupy varies from about an hour on five nights a week during the first year, to about two hours on five nights in the week for the fifth year. Homework should be done in a quiet room sitting at a table.

10. Religious Instruction.

Dr. Morgan left a special endowment for extra tuition in the principles of the Church of England. This Endowment provides valuable Book Prizes and assistance towards College expenses. This instruction is only provided on the expressed request of the parents.

11. School Societies.

Art Society ; Bee-keeping Society ; Camera Club ; Chemistry Society ; Chess Club ; Drama Club ; Electronics Club ; Forum (Debating Society) ; Geographical Society ; Natural History Society ; Orchestra ; Printing Club ; School Bank.

School Journeys to Continental countries, camps and excursions are arranged each year.

12. Games and Sports.

Rugby Football ; Cricket ; Athletics ; Badminton ; Basket Ball ; Canoeing ; Cross-Country Running ; Fencing ; Fives ; Golf ; Sailing ; Squash ; Swimming; Table Tennis ; Lawn Tennis.

SCHOOL CODE

General.

Every boy will uphold the reputation of the school by showing courtesy and good manners at all times. The highest standards of behaviour are expected in public. Senior boys should feel a sense of responsibility in any group of boys in or out of school. In public conveyances all boys will obey the instructions of the prefect or senior boy in charge.

Members of the school will maintain a neat personal appearance. The school cap and tie will be correctly worn by boys when travelling to and from school and on other official or stated occasions. Visitors, masters and other Morganians, when with adults, will be capped. Do not cap when riding a bicycle.

     Food will not be eaten in the streets.

     Firearms, fireworks, catapults and sheath knives are prohibited.

     Smoking, drinking, card games and all forms of gambling are forbidden.

     No boy may ride a bicycle inside the school gates.

     No boy may drive a motor vehicle to school unless he has received permission from the Headmaster to do so. The school does not provide parking facilities for boys' motor vehicles.

     Homework may not be done on the school premises unless a homework card has been obtained.

     Boys should not play cricket or football for other clubs or take part in public performances during term unless the consent of the Headmaster has been obtained previously.

      No boy may undertake any employment without prior notification to the Headmaster.

Buildings and Bounds.

Boys are expected to take a pride in the premises and to help in keeping them tidy and in good order.

There is to be no running in the corridors or on any asphalt pathway.

 Boys are not permitted to stay in the classrooms during the break or the dinner hour except in inclement weather.

 The south and east frontages of the school are out of bounds. Boys may not walk on the grass in the quadrangle. The roof is out of bounds to all boys except prefects. No boy may enter the gymnasium or any laboratory or workshop without permission, or use the swimming bath unless there is a master in attendance.

 During school matches "side games" are not permitted.

 All breakages should be reported to the office.

Personal Property.

The school authorities do not accept responsibility for property lost on the premises. Personal property, books and clothing, should be plainly marked with the owner's name.

Books must be carefully carried in a bag or case.

No personal property may be left in the cloakrooms overnight.

Money or other valuables must be left in the office for safe keeping.

All losses should be reported to the office.

Absence.

Regularity and punctuality of attendance are expected and strictly enforced. No cause except illness is recognised as sufficient cause for non-attendance unless permission to be absent has been obtained from the Headmaster previously. Absence notes to account for each absence should be handed to the form master. In the case of infectious disease no boy is allowed to return to school without a medical certificate.

Boys must not leave school during school hours without permission. Boys who do not go home to dinner must remain on the school premises during the dinner interval.