Key events of the modern school

 1527 Founded  
 1927 Present building opened by Lord Mayor of London
 1931  Percy Dennis Goodhall appointed Headmaster
 1939  School evacuated
 1941  JF Elam appointed headmaster
 1942  School returned to Walthamstow
 1948  VJ Stirrup appointed headmaster
 1968  Movement to Comprehensive begins
 1972  Allan Brockman appointed headmaster
 1988  The co-educational 6th form college established.

Headmasters Dates Degrees & University
Robert Watkins c1838-49 None
Henry Griggs 1850-79 None
Henry Alfred Allpass 1886-1903 B.A.(Lond.)
William Francis Spivey 1903- 14 M.A.(T.C.D.)
George Alfred Millward 1915-20 M.A.(Cantab.)
James Kirkman King 1920-5 M.A.(Cantab.)
Harold Midgley 1925-31 B.A., B.Sc.(Lond.)
Percy Denis Goodall 1932-41 B.A.. B.Sc.(Reading)
John Frederick Elam 1942-7 M.A.(Leeds)
Vincent Jackson Stirrup 1948-71 M.Sc.(Liverpool)
Allan Thomas Brockman 1971- 84 B.Sc.(Lond.). F.R.S.A.

Monoux College Principals:
Mrs C. H. M. Moffett B.A. 1986-93
A.. J. Harvey M.Sc 1993-6
S. J. Grix M.Sc 1996-2000
R. W. Chambers M.Sc. 2000-


Dr Chris Pond (Old Monovian & previous school captain) has authored the following monograph detailing the history of our school/college. It is published by The Walthamstow Historical Society, If you wish to purchase a hard copy, click here for information.

 Sir
George Monoux
School
&
College
Walthamstow
1527-2002
CC Pond

Copyright CC Pond and the WHS, 2002.

The following lists the chapters of the monograph together with some of the key events described therein.

George Monoux & Foundation of the School
1509 Sheriff of London
1514,1523 Mayor of London
15th June 1527 Land purchased for almshouses & school
1544 Sir George Monoux died

Distant & Dishonest Trustees 1600-1781
Period of neglect by the trustees.
Series of inquisitions and commissions to consider the school's management
1659 Commission decided upon Grammar School status.

Control by the Parish 1782-1819
September 1872 Parish takes control of the school
Endowment augmented to accommodate 30 boys & 20 girls
1819 school for 100 boys & 100 girls erected

Decline & Refoundation 1820 1889
1834 Forest School opened in competition with Monoux
1870 Decided to convert Monoux to a "middle class school"
c1879 School closed
1886 School re-opened. Head Master Henry Allpass
1889 New school building opened in High Street.
1890 School song composed.

Financial Crisis & The County Takeover 1889-1927
1913 General Inspection criticised the school's performance
1914 School Board cease to recognise school as efficient
Sept 1914 Foundation seek takeover by Essex County
1915-16 House & Prefectoral systems introduced
1916 County begins to take control of school
1916 Plans prepared for Chingford Road site
23 July 1916 Chingford Road site purchased
1925 Schools Board issue a glowing report on the school
June 1926 Building commenced. Cost £52,138
October 1926 Name formalised as Sir George Monoux Grammar School

"A Building Worthy of the Foundation" 1927-1939
20th July 1927 New school opened.
1933 11+ entrance examination introduced
1930's Parents association formed & Old Monovians involved with school life.
1935 Education Board questioned the lack of a 6th form tradition

Evacuation 1939-43
2nd Sept 1939 School evacuated to Ampthill Bedfordshire
12th Nov 1939 School moved to Colchester
2nd June 1940 School moved yet again to Bromyard Herefordshire
16th June 1940 School moved to Leominster Herefordshire

Post War Grammar School 1943-1968
Easter 1943 Return to Walthamstow
Headmaster JF Elam established the teaching philosophy of the school
School Council introduced
1948 VJ Stirrup became headmaster
School gradually grew in academic stature

Comprehensive Education 1968-1988
1965 VJ Stirrup & Phyllis Taylor (Walthamstow County High) express concerns about effects on standards of comprehensive move
Two tier comprehensive system adopted with entry to high school at 14+
1968 The change begins
1971 VJ Stirrup retired
1974 The transition to comprehensive is complete

Sir George Monoux College
1988 Last entry at 14+
School begins conversion to co-educational 6th form college.
2002 The school has become a fine college with a wide range of studies and 1500 students.