History & Archives

In 1704 philanthropist Elizabeth Fuller of Watford founded a charity school on land adjoining the parish churchyard. The original building, which was known as The Free School, may still be seen. The 40 boys and 20 girls were taught to read, write and 'cast accounts'. Every year we hold a Founder's Day service to commemorate the charitable foundation of Watford Grammar School for Boys.

With the help of endowments and occasional gifts, Elizabeth Fuller's original charity school survived until the 1880s. New premises, now Central Primary School, were built and the School moved in 1881.

The two Endowed Schools remained in Derby Road until the early 1900s when the premises became too small. With the help of County funds, the boys moved in 1912 to the present building, the girls having moved five years earlier to Lady's Close.

The School became more fully a part of the maintained sector and took up Voluntary Controlled status in 1944. In 1990, a greatly expanded Watford Grammar School for Boys became a grant-maintained school controlled by its own Governing Body, independent of the County Council and funded directly by the Department for Education.

Mrs Fuller’s Free School: Three Hundred Years of the Watford Grammar Schools traces the 300 year history of Watford’s two Grammar Schools.  This unique book is quite deliberately preoccupied with people – Headmasters and Headmistresses; teachers, boys and girls; parents and administrators; Trustees and Governors. It shows how their combined influence and efforts over three hundred years have helped to achieve Mrs Fuller’s vision to an astonishing measure.

The editor of the History, Neil Hart, taught at the Boys' School from 1959 to 1994. He was successively Head of History, Head of Sixth Form, Second Master and Headmaster.

About the Archives

Tucked inside the Fuller Memorial Library, Watford Grammar School for Boys' archives hold over 300 years of history. From early school records to treasured artefacts, everything that tells the story of our School is safely preserved here.

Thanks to the dedication of our librarian and volunteer archivists, the collection is well cared for and organised.

More than just a collection, the archives connect generations, bringing our past to life for former students, staff, their families and the wider community. It’s a vital link to our heritage and a powerful way to strengthen bonds with our alumni.

If you have items you'd like to donate to the archives, please fill in the form below, we’d love to hear from you.

Donating an item to The School Archives Form

Please direct any questions you may have to:
alumni@watfordboys.org 

Request Information from the Archives

We are proud to preserve the rich history of Watford Grammar School for Boys, and we welcome enquiries from former pupils, family members, researchers, and members of the public who are interested in learning more about our archives.

Our collection includes:

School registers and magazines

Photographs and event programmes

Records of former pupils and staff

Historic publications and memorabilia

Please note that some records are subject to data protection restrictions or may be incomplete. We will do our best to assist with your request and advise you on what is available.

To help us process your enquiry efficiently, please complete the form below:

Request Information from the Archives