In 1809, the Duchess of Northumberland, Julia opened a small private school for twenty girls, in one of her husbands houses in Walkergate, Alnwick. The numbers grew, so with 50 on roll, in 1920 it moved to larger premises on Canongate. In 1888 it move again to its home on Bailiffgate. It was a fee paying private school. In 1903 it was recognised by the Northumberland County Council as a County Secondary School. The school continued to expand and then named The Duchess’s Girls’ Grammar School it moved in 1965 into newly built premises on Howling Lane. In 1979 at the time of secondary reorganisation the school became both comprehensive and co-educational as it incorporated the Duke’s Boys’ Grammar School, Alnwick Secondary Modern School, Seahouses Secondary Modern School, Glendale County Secondary School and St Mary’s RC Secondary Modern School. The 940 pupil comprehensive needed to occupy both the 1965 Howling Lane buildind and the former building on Bailiffgate. In 2000 the school was designated a Technology College under the Specialist schools programme which allowed a widening of the curriculum and significant investment in ICT. Ofsted inspections in 2003, 2007 and 2012 reported positively. Because of the achievements the school was able to apply for a Second Specialism of Music and English College as well as continuing to offer Technology. It became a Full Service Extended School. In September 2016 saw the New Build open and in September 2018 an extension to the New Build!
The Site
Despite being one of the top-performing establishments in the county, by 2011, the buildings were ageing. Being split site was not ideal. In May 2013, the Government announced that a new school would be funded through the £2 billion Priority School Building Programme, and is included in the first phase of the scheme. The leader of the county council, vowed that the authority would make up any shortfall. It opened in 2017. Again the land for the Ńew Build was long-leased on a pepper-corn rent, by the Percy family, Dukes of Northumberland, maintaining their two century old connection with the school. The site is valued at over £8 million- with it are a further destined for sports fields and a sports centre for the town.
In Key Stage 3, all students study English, Mathematics, Science, IT, Technology, History, Geography, Art, Music, PE, French and/or Spanish, RE and Life Studies.
Years 10 & 11 (Key Stage 4)
In Key Stage 3, students continue with English, English Literature, Mathematics, Science, Life Studies and PE. There are four options. Students are guided onto different academic routes and will choose an EBacc subject from History, Geography, French and Spanish, then three courses from a list that includes: The GCSE subjects, French, Spanish, Art, Photography, Geography, History, PE, RE, Computer Science, Film Studies, Drama, Music, Or BTEC Level 1 subjects, Business, Health & Social Care, IT, Engineering, Child Development & Care,Public Services, Hair & Beauty, Food Preparation & Nutrition, Materials Technology and Fashion & Textiles. Many students continue into The Duchess’s Community High School Sixth Form.
Celidh Band, Dance, Set design, Capella Choir, Choir, Band Workshops.
Theatricals an annual senior school play and the annual school musical with the performing on stage and in the technical lighting or sound side, stage management or publicity and photography.
