Carisbrooke College - 01983524651

Carisbrooke College is a foundation trust-supported secondary school in Carisbrooke on the Isle of Wight, formerly Carisbrooke High School. Sixth form students are based at the Island Innovation 6th Form Campus, in Newport: this is the Joint Sixth Form with Medina College.HistoryThe history of Carisbrooke College dates from 1907, when its forerunner, Newport County Secondary Grammar School, was opened on Upper St James Street, Newport. The new school was situated on the site of the pre-existing Newport Technical Institute and Seely Library, both having been built with the support of Sir Charles Seely. The original school houses were named after famous men with Island connections: Tennyson, Swinburn, Arnold and Faraday. The school's motto was 'Turris Tutissima Virtus' (Virtue is the Safest Fortress).In 1957-58, the school moved from its premises on St James Street, Newport, to a new purpose-built site in nearby Carisbrooke. The school changed its name to Carisbrooke Grammar School. On the same site a separate school was built, called Priory Boys Secondary Modern School.The Carisbrooke Grammar School complex included a main block with classrooms, a staff room, senior master's/mistress's offices and a tuck shop. Connected to this block were an acoustically designed assembly hall/auditorium (complete with raised stage) and a fully equipped gymnasium with changing rooms. There was a separate science block in which physics, chemistry, biology, technical drawing and domestic science were taught. A single-storey craft block was included for woodwork and metalwork classes. A few years after opening, an outdoor swimming pool was added to enhance the existing sports facilities.The first headmaster of Carisbrooke Grammar School was Stanley G. Ward B.A., presiding over an initial staff compliment of 41. The four school houses (this time named after famous Isle of Wight residences) were Farringford (blue), Mottistone (green), Osborne (red), and Wolverton (yellow).

Tags: High School