Bishop Gore School was founded on 14 September 1682 by Hugh Gore (1613-1691), Bishop of Waterford and Lismore. Established initially as a Free Grammar School for "the gratuitous instruction of twenty boys, sons of the most indigent burgesses, and, in the event of a dissolution of the corporation, to sons of the poorest inhabitants of the town" it has since known several names and locations. Previously known as the boys-only Swansea Grammar School, Bishop Gore Grammar School and briefly Bishop Gore Comprehensive School. It has been on its current Sketty site since 1952 with a large extension built in the 1970s and further Design and Technology extensions in the 1990s. A previous 18th century building designed by Benjamin Bucknall on Goat Street in Swansea city centre was bombed by the Luftwaffe during World War II. The building was largely gutted by incendiary bombs although some of the original buildings remain as part of the Swansea Metropolitan University.
School Today
School today
Currently Bishop Gore has around 1300 male and female students aged 11-18. The school also has a Sixth Form with its own Lounge, facilities and uniform. The Headteacher currently is Mr. Ryan Davies. Set in a beautiful location just at the head of Singleton Park, close to the village of Sketty and the seafront Bishop Gore remains a highly popular school in Swansea. Built around two quadrangles the red brick building has in the centre the second largest hall in Swansea, second only to the Brangwyn Hall. Each pupil is assigned to a House system - Gwynne, Mansel, Aberdare or Gore which they retain throughout their time at the school. Highlights of the school year include the Eisteddfod, the inter-house sports tournaments, the high quality productions by Bishop Gore Theatre Company, the annual old boys match at St. Helen's Cricket and Rugby ground and the end of year Balls for the senior students. The close proximity to Swansea University has always ensured a diverse school and there are students with many different ethnic backgrounds including Arab, Chinese, Japanese, Indian, Bangla, Korean, American, African, Italian, Spanish, Swedish etc.
Dylan Thomas and Bishop Gore
The most famous alumnus of Bishop Gore is almost certainly the poet, playwright and author Dylan Thomas. His father, David John (D.J.) Thomas was Senior English Master at the school, then known as Swansea Grammar School. Not a distinguished pupil, he nonetheless gained attention through winning the school's annual one-mile race, and in 1926 published his first poem: "The Song Of The Mischievous Dog". He left in 1931 to begin work at the The South Wales Daily Post as a junior reporter.
School Motto
Virtue and Good Literature
School Colours
Years 7-11 Maroon and Gold
Years 12-13 Black
Old Goreans
Old Goreans
There have been a number of famous Old Gorians, including:
- Henry Bruce, 1st Baron Aberdare Home Secretary 1868-73
- Donald Anderson, Baron Anderson of Swansea Labour MP for Swansea East 1974-2005.
- Julian Lewis, Conservative MP for New Forest East 1997-
- Brian Flowers, Baron Flowers, physicist.
- Wynford Vaughan-Thomas WW2 war reporter, journalist , founder of HTV
- Llewellyn Henry Gwynne First Bishop of Egypt and the Sudan
- Right Rev Graham Chadwick Clergyman and anti-apartheid campaigner
- Martin Amis Writer and journalist
- Dylan Thomas Poet, playwright and author
- Daniel Jones Composer
- Alfred Janes Artist
- Mervyn Levy Artist and critic
- Ronald Cour Artist, sculptor and teacher, see http://www.artinwales.250x.com/ArtistsCoR.htm
- Charles Fisher (writer) - Journalist, writer and traveler
- Hywel Williams (historian) Historian, journalist and a cabinet adviser between 1993 and 1995.
- Gareth Armstrong Actor
- Sir William Grove Chemist
- Ernest Jones founder of British Psycho-Analytical Society, biographer of Sigmund Freund
- Sam Edwards Physicist
- Dr K Bryn Thomas Anaesthetist
- Rhys Williams - Dean of Medicine, Professor of Clinical Epidemiology, Swansea University
- David Miles - Chief UK Economist, Morgan Stanley and Author of Miles Report for HM Treasury
- Ryan James - Senior Technician and main man at the prestigious Park Lane Garage
- D.Z. Phillips - Professor of Religion and Philosophy at University of Wales Swansea and Claremont Graduate University California, author and minister.
- In addition, a number of Old Gorians have played Rugby for Wales, including, Andy Booth, Paul Arnold, Stuart Davies, Haydn Mainwaring, Roger Blyth, Geoff Wheel, Richie Pugh (Wales 7s Captain at the 2006 Commonwealth Games) and Alun Wyn Jones.
