1838 - 1841

John Peake Knight attended the School. He went on to become the inventor of roadside traffic lights in 1868.

 

1861 - 1863

Sir Jesse Boot, the most successful retailer in the history of Nottingham, attended the School. He was responsible for transforming The Boots Company into a national retailer.

 

1868

The new School was built and opened in its current location on Arboretum Street. It changed its name from The Free Grammar School to Nottingham High School.

 

1869 - 1875

Early Notts County and England footballer Henry "Harry" Cursham attended the School.

 

1891 - 1907

Rev. Theodore Bayley Hardy VC was a Master at the School. Later, as Army Chaplain, he became one of the most decorated non-combatants of the First World War.

 

1898 - 1901

Winter D. H. Lawrence attended the School.

 

1900

The Cadet Corps, now known as the CCF, was formed.

 

1905

The Preparatory School was started, catering to pupils aged 8 to 11.

 

1907 - 1910

WW1 fighter pilot Albert Ball attended the School. At the time of his death in 1917 he was the UK's leading flying ace, and was posthumously awarded the Victoria Cross for his actions during his final tour of duty.

 

1909

The House system was founded, with each named after a significant benefactor of the School. Dame Agnes Mellers, Samuel Maples, Sir Thomas White and Frederick Cooper.

 

1914

The 34th Nottingham Scout Troop was founded, just 5 years after Scouting began.

 

1914 - 18

231 Old Nottinghamians were killed in the First World War, with 124 decorations including two Victoria Crosses.

 

1921

The War Memorial was unveiled at the front of the School, paid for by donations from the school community.

 

1931

Land was purchased at Valley Road for a Sports Ground Pavilion.

 

1932 - 1938

Rolf Noskwith attended the School. During the Second World War he worked under Alan Turing as a cryptographer at Bletchley Park.

 

1930's

The Old Gym and Player Hall were built, following a donation from the Tobacco Magnate John Player.

 

1939 - 1945

Over 600 Old Nottinghamians and Masters served in the Armed Forces in the Second World War, 88 losing their lives.

 

1949

The Schools was granted its full coat of arms with the three Merles of the Mellers family at its centre.

 

1951 - 1959

Kenneth Clarke attended the School. He later went on to become a Conservative politician, serving as Home Secretary, Chancellor of the Exchequer and Lord Chancellor.

 

1964 - 1965

The Founder Hall and swimming pool were built to commemorate the 450th Anniversary of the school.

 

1977 - 1978

Waverley Mount was purchased and the Preparatory School transformed into the new Junior School building.

 

1978 - 1985

Labour politician Ed Balls attended the School and later served as Shadow Home Secretary and Shadow Chancellor of the Exchequer.

 

1984

The Duke of Edinburgh visited the School to officially open the Simon Djanogly Science Building.

 

1986 - 1994

Aleem Maqbool, BBC Journalist and North American Correspondent who broke the story of the capture of Osama bin Laden in 2011, attended the school.

 

1989

The sports hall was built on the site of the Victorian Fives Court and the shooting range.

 

1992

The Djanogly Design and Technology block was built through the generosity of Sir Harry and Lady Helen Djanogly, Local textile manufacturer.

 

1996 - 2001

Jordanian Olympic triathlete Lawrence Fanous attended the School.

 

1997

The Lady Carol Djanogly music building was opened.

 

2004 - 2011

Professional footballer Patrick Bamford attended the school.

 

2008

Lovell House Infant School was created for the education of children from 4 to 7 Years.

 

2009

The West Quad was enclosed and roofed to create the new Dining Hall and Sixth Form Centre.

 

2011

The Drama Auditorium and studio were created in the Founder Hall.

 

2013

The School celebrated its 500th Anniversary.

 

2015

The School became Co-Educational.

 

2020

Work completed on two brand new School hockey pitches at The Nottingham Hockey Centre.

Brand new extension built on the Sir Harry Djanogly Art Design and Technology Centre.

 

2021

Nottingham High School is awarded The Sunday Times East Midlands Independent School of the Decade.