Our History

The School was founded as the “Free School” by Dame Agnes Mellers and held in St Mary’s Church in the Lace Market. The School’s Foundation Charter was granted by King Henry VIII.

The School was given a building on the corner of Stoney Street and Barkergate.

The second Charter was signed by Queen Elizabeth I.

Former pupil Henry Garnett was executed for complicity in the Gunpowder Plot. He attended the School from 1564-1566 and was the son of Headmaster Brian Garnett.

Colonel John Hutchinson, MP and Roundhead in the Civil War, attended the School from 1626-1632. In 1649 as Governor of Nottingham he signed the death-warrant of King Charles I.

Thomas Hawksley attended the School, and later became one of the greatest water engineers of the nineteenth century and a fellow of the Royal Society.

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

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.

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.

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

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.

Writer D. H. Lawrence attended the School.

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

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

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.

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.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Jordanian Olympic triathlete Lawrence Fanous attended the School.

The Lady Carol Djanogly music building was opened.

Professional footballer Patrick Bamford attended the school.

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

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

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

The School celebrated its 500th Anniversary.

The School became Co-Educational.

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 & Technology Centre

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