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.