History of the Foundation

History of the Orphan Foundation

In 1850 Mr John Lees, a prominent Victorian merchant and a resident of Wolverhampton, opened an orphanage in the town centre to care for children who had become orphaned following the cholera epidemics of the time. Initially the orphanage looked after 13 children, all boys, but due to the increasing numbers of children in need he commenced building a larger property on the Penn Road in 1852 which was given the name The Orphan Asylum. The site was gradually extended as donated funds became available with the majority of the Senior School site being built by the end of 19^th Century.

In the year 1900 their Royal Highnesses the Duke and Duchess of York (later to become King George and Queen Mary) visited the School to open a new infirmary. During the visit the Duke announced that Queen Victoria had graciously granted the prefix "Royal" to the Orphanage which was henceforth to be known as the Royal Orphanage of Wolverhampton. The School retained this title until 1944 when King George V1 sent a communication to the then Chairman of the Board, via the Home Office, commanding that the School's name should be changed to The Royal Wolverhampton School.

A Junior School was added in 1932 and extended in 1938. During World War II the numbers of children seeking admission reached a peak due to casualties in the armed forces and at the end of the war the School began to experience serious financial difficulties.

Social changes and a worsening financial position meant the School needed to change from an institution solely admitting orphans and in 1964 the Constitution was amended to allow the inclusion of some fee paying pupils.

The Governors of the Royal Wolverhampton School remain dedicated to continuing the work started by the School's Founder, John Lees, in helping to provide a stable educational environment for children in need from all parts of the United Kingdom. The School has been able to help thousands of young people over the last 158 years and approximately 10% of the current rolls are Foundationer pupils. The Trustees are committed to increasing this number with the help of additional donations.

Latest News

OLYMPIC BRONZE TO RWS SWIMMER

Wednesday 25th August 2010 in General

Team GB swimmer Rachael Kelly (pictured), who is Sixth Form student at The Royal Wolverhampton School, won a bronze medal in the final of the women's 100m butterfly on Friday 20th August at the Singapore Sports School.

Rachael's time was 1.00.26 with the winner Liu Lan (china) on 59.67 and second Judit Ignacio (Spain) on 1.00.07.

Team GB swimmer Rachael Kelly reached the final of the women's 100m butterfly after successfully negotiating the heats and semi-final. Kelly qualified seventh fastest for the final and said: "I'm pleased to be in the final, but I would've liked to have secured a better lane. It's always hard from the outside lanes, but hopefully they won't see me coming".

The event is the 1st World Youth Olympics, and Rachael has been accompanied by The Royal Wolverhampton School's Head Coach Nathan Hilton in his capacity as one of the official Great Britain Swimming coaches .

Kelly got the evening of swimming action off to a flying start with bronze in the women's 100m butterfly final in a time of 1:00.26. Kelly said: "I had been saying all week that I was waiting for the 100m final so it feels amazing to get a medal. I haven't swum spectacularly well throughout the week, but I have been improving and so to have got a medal at the end of it feels fantastic."

DEGREE SUCCESSES

Monday 19th July 2010 in General

The School would like to congratulate the following former students on their recent acheivements:

Manson Lo - graduated from Durham University in Accounting and Finance

Mang Min Kim - graduated from Univeristy College London, MSci in Chemistry

We wish them every success in their future careers.

S M Bailey
Headmaster

UNIVERSITY SCHOLARSHIP

Monday 19th July 2010 in General

The School would like to congratulate Edward Walsh on obtaining a LIMU Achiever's Scholarship from Liverpool John Moores University for the period of his study over the next 3 years.

Well done!

S M Baily
Heaadmaster

AGE GROUP SWIMMING NATIONALS

Monday 19th July 2010 in General

The following members of the Royal Wolverhampton School's Elite Swimming Squad will represent the School at the Age Group Nationals in July and August:

Alice Dearing
Natasha Holland
Alison Long
Laua Powell
Taylor Whitchurch
Penny Whittingham

We wish them every success in their events.

S M Bailey
Headmaster

EUROPEAN JUNIOR SWIMMING CHAMPIONSHIPS

Monday 19th July 2010 in General

The School would like to congratulate Rachael Kelly, Year 12, who won a Gold Medal in the 100m butterfly event at the European Junior Championships in Helskini last week, a Silver Medal in the 200m butterfly and a Silver Medal in the 100m Medley Relay.

The Royal Wolverhampton School's Elite Swimming Coach, Nathan Hilton, was also selected to help coach the Great Britain International Junior Squad at this event.

Congratulations to them both.

S M Bailey
Headmaster