Grammar school

The school was opened in 1912 as the New Mills Grammar School and celebrated its 100th birthday in 2012.^{[needs update]} It had around 500 boys and girls in the early 1960s, then 600 by 1964 and 700 by 1969, with a sixth form of 200. The school was designed by George H. Widdows, the Chief Architect of Derbyshire County Council, described as "a leading designer of schools in the early C20 and an exponent of advanced ideas on school planning and hygiene", and is a Grade II listed building.^[1][2]

Controversy

In 2023 the school scheduled a "Drag 'n' Rainbows" non-uniform day for students and teachers, encouraging students to dress up in drag and inviting a drag queen. The event was cancelled after adverse press coverage, including on TalkTV.^[3]

Headteachers

• Norman Taylor (d.1962, had a distinguished war career)
• Philip Vennis 1962–71 (died 1999; former deputy headteacher, Ounsdale High School 1955–62, Principal of Itchen College 1971–88)^[4]
• Jesse Elms, resigned early 2014.
• John Kuczaj, temporary headteacher for the rest of the 2013–14 school year.
• Debbie McGloin, 2014–19, current headteacher of Glossopdale School.
• Alison Barker and Caroline Jesson, 2019–21.
• Heather Watts, current head.

New Mills Grammar School

• Thomas Brimelow, Baron Brimelow CMG OBE, Ambassador to Poland from 1966–69
• Prof Reginald Coates, civil engineer
• Lloyd Cole, singer
• Sir Martin Doughty, chairman of Natural England from 2006, and of the Association of National Park Authorities from 1997–2001, and leader of Derbyshire County Council from 1992–2001
• Sir Brian Heap CBE, master of St Edmund's College, Cambridge from 1996–2004
• Tony Marchington, entrepreneur
• John Pilkington Hudson CBE GM, Professor of Horticultural Science at the University of Bristol and Director of the Long Ashton Research Station from 1967–75, and Professor of Horticulture from 1958–67 at the University of Nottingham
• Roy Powell, jazz pianist

New Mills Secondary School

• Tess Daly, television presenter