Wrenn School traces its history back to the 1907 establishment of the Wellingborough Grammar School for Girls and arose from the merger of that school with Wellingborough Grammar School, opened in 1930. The now comprehensive Wrenn School opened in September 1975, having been named after the final Headmaster of the grammar school, Mr Harold Wrenn.

‘The two schools provided two sturdy pillars on which the foundations of the new school were laid; and their traditions, in some ways similar, in others very different, combined to form the ethos of the new school. Every effort was made to preserve, if necessary to adapt, what was best in its predecessors, … a pleasing environment, smartness in personal appearance with high standards of academic achievement, a rich variety of extra curricular activities, high quality productions, a dedicated staff and happy pupils. For after all, one’s school days only come once in a life time, and they can and should be both successful and fun.’ Miss G Hubbert (Wrenn’s first Headmistress) reflecting on the school’s ethos when the two Grammar schools merged in 1975 (Riches, V. date unknown).

Today, in 2025, as we ourselves reflect on Wrenn’s ethos, it is with much pride that we realise that this very same ethos still exists within the school today. #ProudtobeWrenn

 

 

 

Wellingborough Grammar School for Girls

The Wellingborough Grammar School for girls was opened at “The Lindens” in Midland Road by the governors of Wellingborough School to offer a ‘higher education to girls from comparatively ordinary backgrounds.’ In its first year it had 7 staff and welcomed 28 girls. The school developed such that by 1911 the county council had taken over its running and it relocated to the impressive site on London Road and it became known as The County High School for Girls, now the upper school section of Wrenn School.

Wellingborough County High School for Girls, London Road

The school continued to develop under the leadership of Miss Tinkler (1907-1937), Miss Schofield (1937-44), Miss Horton (1944-1968) whose term of office saw a number of initiatives introduced to raise funds for the opening of the swimming pool in 1960, and the school’s final Headteacher, Miss Hubbert (1968-75), who would go on to be the first Headteacher of Wrenn School.

Headmistresses:

• Miss Anne Tinkler 1907-1937
• Miss Margaret Schofield 1937-1944
• Miss Joan Horton 1944-1968
• Miss G Hubbert 1968-1975

Wellingborough Grammar School

On September 30^th 1930, Wellingborough Grammar School opened its doors to 64 boys with Mr Lay as Headmaster supported by 4 other teachers. During his time as Headmaster he established the House system with four houses: Dragons, Gryphons, Lions and Stags, three of which have recently been lovingly re-established at Wrenn School. During Mr Wooley’s time as Headmaster the number of boys had doubled as well as the proportion of boys passing the School Certificate, which was important because at the time of his departure in 1944, the school leaving age was raised to 15 and the 11+ examination was introduced, luckily Mr Wooley had prepared the school well for these changes. However, it was Mr Harold Wrenn who had the task of introducing the 11+ which he did successfully whilst also ensuring the school continued its rich activities in sport, drama and music.

The school continued to grow throughout the fifties and sixties and always remained a three form entry with just over 30 boys in each class (Tall & Tall, 2006). However, with the end of a tripart school system, it became apparent that the school had to grow even further and with that a decision was made to merge with The County High School and in the summer of 1975, Wellingborough Grammar School closed its door and re-opened as Wrenn School in the September.

It was in the summer of 1975, with the closure of Wellingborough Grammar School, that Mr Wrenn decided it was the right time for retirement, and in a fond tribute to his long service, the new merged school was named after him.

Headmasters:

• Mr F Lay (1930-1937)
• Mr A Woolley (1937-1945)
• Mr H Wrenn (1945-1975)

 

Wrenn School Today

The ending of selection at 11 plus and a move towards coeducation in the late 1960s finally saw the merger of both Wellingborough Grammar School and The County High School in 1975. Wrenn School’s first Headteacher was Miss Hubbert, who had been the Headmistress at The County High School from 1968.

Miss Hubbert reflected on the calibre of staff teaching at Wrenn during the transition years following 1975 once the two Grammar Schools merged, ‘their professionalism, their subject expertise, their dedication to the needs of the pupil, their flexibility and their physical fitness when travelling between London Road and Doddington Road in the shortest possible time’ (Riches, V. date unknown).

The same can still be said today, and we are very lucky to have a fabulous group of staff who make up our Wrenn Family and an even more fabulous group of students, all of whom are Proud To Be Wrenn!

References:

Riches, V. (date unknown) Time Remembered. The County High School, Wellingborough 1907-1975. Stanley L. Hunt Ltd.: Rushden.

Tall, D. and Tall, G. (2006) Memories of Wellingborough Grammar School. Clock Tower Publications: Warwickshire.