The Gilberd, North Hill A short history of the site. The following is an extract form a book by Eddie Ross &  S. Turner entitled "The Gilberd , North Hill". Reproduction by kind permission of Eddie Ross. The text was written in 1985 and should be read in that context.

On the evening of Saturday, 6th July 1985 over 700 former pupils and teachers attended a reunion at the Gilberd School, North Hill. This was a remarkable expression of affection for their old school, now due to become a Sixth Form College in 1987.

Since their opening on 12th July 1912 the North Hill buildings have seen many changes, although the exterior structure is almost unaltered. Built at a cost of around £13,000 on a site bought in 1908 for £3,500, they originally housed The Junior Technical School, The Secondary School for Girls (later The County High School), The School of Art, as well as the Area Education Office. In the evening the buildings were used for adult classes.

During the thirties the School became known as The North East Essex Technical College and School of Art. In 1957 The County High School for Girls moved to new premises in Norman Way. When the new Technical College in Sheepen Road was completed in 1959 the Art School and day release classes moved there.

In 1959 the School took the name Gilberd for the first time and was called The Gilberd County Technical School, after Dr. William Gilberd, 1544-1603, the "father of electricity" and medical adviser to Queen Elizabeth 1.

During the fifties and early sixties, under the guidance of Mr. Sprason and Miss Twyman, the School gradually changed from a technical to a selective school. The first 1 1 plus entrants were admitted in 1 949, coming from the whole of North East Essex. In 1 957 the first pupil to go to University started her studies at Hull University.

The first Headmaster was Mr. H. Wilson, 1914-35. He was succeeded by Mr. M. Garside, 1935-42, Mr. E. Enoch, 1942-53, Mr. R. Sprason, 1953-67, Mr. J. Glazier, 1967-71, Mr. K. Dodsworth, 1971-72, Mr. C. Firth, 1972-77, and the present Headmaster, Mr. D. Rowe.

In1966 the first plans were announced for the School to go comprehensive. This process did not begin until 1980 and the move to the new site at High Woods was completed this September.

The Gilberd at North Hill was a happy school which managed to combine good academic standards with a liberal and relaxed atmosphere. As a "foreigner" who came to Colchester in 1966 and who has remained here ever since, I consider myself privileged to have taught there. I hope that this small book will help former pupils of the School to recall happy memories of their days at North Hill.

I should like to express my sincere thanks to Miss Twyman, Mrs. Sprason, Mr. Howells and Mr. Curd for lending me photographs, to Miss Twyman for information on the history of the School, and to Darren Miller of the Upper Sixth for his enthusiastic help in tracing old photographs. I should also like to thank Essex County Newspapers for their help and co-operation.

DECEMBER 1985 E. R.

Last Site Updated: 28 August 2008

Webmaster (email)
Copyright © 2007 Gilberd School. All rights reserved.