Achieving the exceptional
for 150 years

1811

Part of Cow Fen Leys (common pasture) enclosed by Thomas Hovell by an Act of Parliament.

1815

A private house built on ‘The Leys Estate’.

1871

Full opening of the ancient universities to persons of every denomination.

1872

Suggestion by a group of Methodist laymen of a School and Undergraduate Hostel at Cambridge.

1873

Estate provisionally secured and Governing Body formed.

1874

The Revd William Fiddian Moulton.

William Moulton was a distinguished academic theologian who came from a strong Methodist background, being descended from John Bakewell, one of John Wesley’s colleagues in the foundation of Methodism.  A lecturer at the Methodist Training College in Richmond, William was asked by the Methodist Conference to chair the committee choosing a site for a new Methodist school for the children of laymen. After the site at The Leys was chosen William was appointed to be its first headmaster, despite his protestations. He would remain there until his death in 1898.

1875

School opened, 16 February, Inauguration 11 March. 16 boys.

The School opened on February 16 1875 with 16 pupils. It was hardly an auspicious start. but nevertheless it managed to grow and flourish. It helped that the original XVI included members of many prominent Methodist families spread over the country. The two prefects came from the West country. Others hailed from Bristol, Manchester, Newcastle and Northern Ireland. There was one of Alexander McArthur’s sons, and Willliam Moulton’s eldest son, James Hope Moulton. Joseph Richards travelled from far-flung South Africa, and was to play cricket for that country, before it became a Test nation. Almost every boy was followed by further family members.

‘ORIGINAL XVI’: J.C. Isard, R.A.H. Bickford-Smith (Prefects), H.G. Atkinson, H.Benson, I. Blore, W.S. Ellis, J.L.B. Gedye, W.J. Jenks, R.G. Lindsay, J.P. McArthur, J.H. Matthews, J.H. Moulton, H.T. Parke, J.M. Richards, R.M. Richardson, W.G. Richardson. The last survivor, H. Benson, died in 1953.

Dormitories, School-room and Class-room built during first term (16th February – 12th April 1875).

Second term (beg. May to 26th July) 30 boys. Temporary Gymnasium in use from June; Coach House converted to laboratory; workshop set up.

Third term (17th September – 20th December) 41 boys.

The Leys’s first competitive school cricket match was played on Parker’s Piece vs Perse School on 12th June 1875. The Leys were soundly beaten but it was a start.

1876

Fourth term (20th January – April) 55 boys. Fifth term (beg. May for four weeks) 56 boys. The Leys Fortnightly started 31st May. Entries at Cambridge University. Dining Hall (later Art School) built.

1877

R. Curwen appointed architect. Kitchen built. OLFC started. Number of boys 100.

1878

West House finished. £30,000 loan raised. School incorporated (Charitable Trustees Incorporation Act, 1872). Natural History Society founded.

West House pictured 1911-1917.

1879

Great Hall, Music Rooms and Museum opened.

1880

First OL Cambridge honours degree, first OL Dinner. North Block built, ‘A’ opened. Running track and Cricket pavilion completed.

1881

First Tuck Shop opened.

1882

Third successive Invicti XV. Christian and OL Unions formed. Entrance scholarships were introduced.

1883

Lacrosse adopted. North Block finished, ‘B’ opened.

OLFC beat Cardiff and Cambridge University. West House temporarily closes (till 1890).