List of headmasters at Colchester Royal Grammar School

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This table lists the official (not de facto) appointment and end dates of the headmasters of Colchester Royal Grammar School, 1530 to present. Until the New Scheme of 1899, all headmasters had to be in holy orders; most were local clergy. (Res. signifies resigned.)

TenureHow endedHeadmasterNotes
Between First and Second Royal Charters (1534–1584)
Mentioned 1540Robert Cock
Mentioned 1553Robert Wrennald
Mentioned 1558Richard Whittall
Unknown - April 14, 1574Res.Thomas Lovell
April 14, 1574 - UnknownWilliam Barkely, Gent.
1572–1577Thomas Smeton
Post-Second Royal Charter (1584 - 1899)
Jan 10, 1583–1587Edward Watson, M.A.
March, 1587 - November, 1588Res. Samuel Harsnett, M.A.Gives name to school house
November 12, 1588 – 1598Samuel Bentley, M.A.
1598 - 1598 Theophilus Field Only recognised in single source.
December 18, 1598 - April 22, 1637DiedWilliam Kemp(e), M.A.
May 20, 1637 - 1637RemovedJonas Proost (Proast)Approved by the Bishop of London on date given; Never appointed.
September 9, 1637 - January 17, 1643Res. William Dugard, M.A.Gives name to school house. Previously Headmaster of Stamford School.
June 30, 1643 – 1647Thomas Waterhouse, M.A.
February 7, 1648 - June 24, 1659Res.Nathaniel Seaman, M.A.
June 24, 1659 - November 11, 1662Res.John Ruting, M.A.Born Jan Ruytinck.
November 11, 1662 - March 25, 1664Res.Edward Burles, M.A.
June 7, 1664 - July 17, 1671Res.Lewis Griffin, M.A.
July 17, 1671 - November 21, 1684Res.James Cranston, M.A.
November 21, 1684 - September 23, 1695ResWilliam Slinger, M.A.
September 23, 1695 - c. 1702Richard Reynolds, M.A.
1702–1723DiedThomas Allen, M.A., B.D.
April 18, 1723 - January 24, 1726DiedWilliam Turner, M.A.Previously Headmaster of Stamford School.
March 15, 1726 – 1727Res.David Comarque, M.A.Family entirely French.
December 20, 1727 - December 25, 1776DiedPalmer Smythies, M.A.
April 15, 1777 - January 1, 1779Res. Samuel Parr, M.A.Gives name to school house.
January, 1779 - April, 1806Res.Charles Hewitt, M.A.
September 27, 1806 - January, 1835DiedEdward Crosse, M.A.
March 23, 1835 - August 19, 1839DiedJohn Saunders, M.A
January 3, 1840 - April, 1851Res.John Dunningham, M.A.
February 4, 1852 - October 20, 1870DiedWilliam Wright, M.A., L.L.D., D.C.L.
December 15, 1870 - April 12, 1892Res.Charles Lawford Acland, M.A.
April, 1892 - May, 1899Res.John Thomas, M.A.Temporary Headmaster during the dispute over the introduction of a new scheme. Shaw Jeffrey did not recognise him as being a 'full' Headmaster.
1899–1900Temp.G. J. Yates, M.A.Temporary Headmaster during the dispute over the introduction of a new scheme. Shaw Jeffrey did not recognise him as being a 'full' Headmaster and he continued under Shaw Jeffrey as 'Senior Master' until 1906.
Post-New Scheme (1899–present)
September 1, 1900 - July, 1916Res. Percy Shaw Jeffrey, M.A.First lay headmaster. Gives name to school house.
September 1, 1916 - July, 1937Res.Harry James Cape, M.A., B.A., B.Sc.
September 1, 1937 - July, 1947Arthur William Fletcher, M.A.
1948–1968Jack Elam, M.A.
1968–1984Res.Stanley Gardner, M.A., B.Litt., D.Phil.
1985–2000Res.Stewart Francis, M.A.
2000–2015Res.Ken L. Jenkinson, M.A.
2015–presentN/AJohn Russell

Sources

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