History revealed of Assistant Master, 1928-45, and Second Master, 1945-60

Our Stamford Schools' Archivist, Mr James Buckman, has revealed the history of Stamford School's Assistant, and later Second, Master - Rev. T. Wright - who worked at the Schools from 1928-1960.Thomas Wright was born in Yorkshire where he was educated at Carlton High School, Bradford.  Attending St Catharine’s College, Cambridge, he earned a first class honours degree in the French section of the modern language Tripos.  Thomas spent three years working at Loughborough Grammar School before he moved to Stamford School in 1928.In 1933, Thomas was ordained and became Curate of St George’s, Stamford.  Nine years later, he was appointed Rector of Little Casterton.  At Stamford School, Thomas served as housemaster for School House, and was head of the modern languages department – teaching the whole Senior School.G.W. Walker (OS 1926-33) recalled that Thomas was ‘an excellent French language teacher’.  He was particularly keen on oral French and French Literature.  He even organised a two-week trip for a party of boys to attend a French Language course in Boulogne.After the Second World War, Thomas was appointed the Second Master.A born schoolmaster interested in ‘nearly every side of school life’, Thomas gave two or three sermons every year in the chapel which ‘were always enjoyed for their brevity, their clarity and their sincerity’.  He contributed to the music of the School, and had an enthusiasm for sports.  In particular, he enjoyed a good game of cricket – the photograph we have shared from 1946 depicts him seated with the Under 14 XI.Despite learning from his doctors that he had a weak heart, Thomas had no intention of retiring from his job.  He maintained his role at the School until his death on 5 September 1960 at the age of 58.  He left behind a widow and a daughter.The Old Stamfordians and some of his friends initiated the Rev. Thomas Wright Travelling Prize – an award of £15 given annually to ‘a boy who might otherwise not be able to travel abroad’.For more of the Schools' histories, please click here. If you wish to browse the digital archives for yourself, to unearth your own histories, please click here.