Welcome to the Old Grovian Association! Our aim is to promote and maintain life-long friendships between members as well as supporting Woodhouse Grove School in its development and growth. We are currently in regular contact with over 3,600 Old Grovians worldwide and this number continues to grow.

We hold regular social events and reunions, news of which you'll find on this website. Plus, the Old Grovian magazine Xaipete is sent to all our members twice a year. We hope you enjoy visiting our website and look forward to hearing from you! Read our Chairman's message here>>

Welcome

OGA Chairman: General The Lord Walker of Aldringham GCB CMG CBE DL (1958-1963)

Lord Walker is a retired British Army officer. Commissioned in 1966, he served in Cyprus, Northern Ireland, and in a variety of staff posts in the United Kingdom until 1984. He was promoted to brigadier, unusually having never held the rank of colonel, and took command of 20th Armoured Brigade in Germany before becoming I Corps Chief of staff.

As a MajorGeneral, Walker was appointed General Officer Commanding, Eastern District, before becoming Assistant Chief of the Defence Staff at the Ministry of Defence. He took command of NATO's Allied Rapid Reaction Corps (ARRC), which deployed to the Balkans in 1995, Walker becoming the first officer to command the land component of the NATO-led Implementation Force.

For his service with the multi-national forces in the Balkans, he was awarded the American Legion of Merit. After relinquishing command of the ARRC, Walker spent three years as Commander in Chief, Land Command, before being appointed Chief of the General Staff - the professional head of the British Army - in 2000. In 2003, he was promoted to Chief of the Defence Staff (CDS) - the professional head of all the British Armed Forces.

Chairman's message

Lord Walker is honoured to be the Old Grovian Association Chairman for our Bicentenary Year.

He studied at the school from 1958-63 which as his message states were some of his happiest time.

His message is also the foreword to our recently commissioned book Xaipete, which has been released to celebrate our historic birthday.

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We regret to announce the death of Foster Watson, former Brontė House Headmaster. More >>

2012 Bicentenary

2012 is the school's Bicentenary and, to celebrate, we've put together a packed programme of events...

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2012 merchandise

You can also purchase some special 2012 merchandise from the Development Office including our new school history book...

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2012 charity

We are also proud to be supporting a special charity for 2012, details of which you can find by clicking the link below.

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Foster Watson

It is with great regret that we announce the death of former Brontė House Headmaster, Foster Watson, who passed away on Monday 9th April at St James’ Hospital in Leeds following a long battle with cancer.

Foster took over the role of Headmaster of Brontė House in 1978 from Dick Hemsley. He quickly developed strong links with the senior school and became the longest serving head of Brontė, retiring in 1999.

A Service of Thanksgiving for Foster’s life was held in the school chapel on Friday 20th April where family and friends were joined by former pupils, staff and headmasters to celebrate Foster’s life and remember how the school and its pupils owed so much to a man who inspired so many young lives. Read the Headmaster's tribute to Foster Watson here >>

Xaipete: Woodhouse Grove School the First 200 Years

...is a 242 page illustrated book which tells the story of the school from 1812 to 2012. From its humble beginnings in the early 19th century when nine sons of Methodist Ministers made up the first cohort of students, a lot has changed in the past 200 years.

Woodhouse Grove has many remarkable people to thank for reaching its 200th Birthday and throughout the book it is clear to see how they have been inextricably linked to its achievements... Read more...

How to order

Woodhouse Grove School the First 200 Years costs just £14.99 and is available to order from the Development Office.

You can download an order form by clicking the link below and returning the form with payment to the school. (Sorry we can't accept online orders.)

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Development news

The Development Office is now totally up and running and located in the heart of the school next to the Headmaster's office. We have now finalised all the events for this year's Bicentenary and are really looking forward to a fun filled year of celebrations.

We want to use our 200th year to promote and create a supportive school community by maintaining, renewing and encouraging the involvement of Old Grovians in the life of the school, and in order to do this we need your help... Read more...

View a PDF of our Development News with info on the Bicentenary
View current and back issues of Xaipete

Follow the school on its Facebook page

This is a book about the growth of Woodhouse Grove School but more importantly it is about the people behind the school's success. The illustrations throughout the book clearly show how the school has evolved and yet, at the same time, how its unique atmosphere and time-honoured traditions have been maintained, nurtured and protected. This book will be enjoyed by everyone associated with the Grove, past or present.

The school has lost touch with many Old Grovians and we see this year as a great opportunity to get them back in touch with the school.

We ask if you could get in touch with any Old Grovians for whom you may have telephone numbers, postal or email addresses and ask them if they are in contact with us. This way we may be able to re connect with them and be able to let them know what is happening at school. To make this as easy as possible we ask that you email us or visit us on Facebook (see right).

If you are simply not sure whether we are in contact with people please get in touch and we will check! In the same way if there are anyone you have lost touch with and want to see next year we can also help.

Many thanks,
Sam Cadman,
Development Officer