Holyhead High School
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| Established | c. 1949 |
|---|---|
| Headteacher: | Mr Adam Williams (2013 – present) |
| Assistant Headteachers: | Mrs Nia Wyn Roberts Mr Peter Nutbourne Mrs Marion Sterrit Mrs Stella Dennis-Bunting |
| Chair of Governors | Trefor Lloyd Hughes |
| Location |
Holyhead LL65 1NP  WalesCoordinates: 53°18′41″N 4°38′23″W / 53.31131°N 4.63968°W |
| Local authority | Isle of Anglesey |
| Staff | 70 (Approx.) |
| Students | 874 |
| Gender | mixed |
| Sixth Form | c. 100 |
| Website | Ysgol Uwchradd Caergybi |
Ysgol Uwchradd Caergybi was the first comprehensive school in England and Wales, opening in 1949 as Holyhead County School.
The school was formed in 1949 with the amalgamation of Holyhead Grammar and St Cybi Secondary school. Ysgol Syr Thomas Jones, Amlwch is said to claim the title of the first purpose built comprehensive. Ysgol Gyfun Llangefni is recorded as Britain's first comprehensive.
There was a number of reasons for the school to be the first "comp". The headmaster Mr Hughes was retiring and he was to be replaced by an enthusiast for Comprehensive education, Trefor Lovett. The new head became known as "the first apostle of the comprehensive movement." The transition was also assisted by the close proximity of St Cybi Secondary school and Holyhead Grammar; the schools that would be replaced. Obviously the backing of Anglesey Education Committee was essential.
The changes that Mr Lovett brought about were not unexpected as he has previous taught locally at Vaynor and Penderyn schools. The new school was certain that a child's future should not be determined at age eleven with the eleven plus exam. Previously children in Britain had all sat an exam at the end of their Junior school education and this decided whether you would attend the Grammar School or a Secondary Modern School. Mr Lovett was convinced that this was unfair and that there should be a firm Catchment area so that all the students irrespective of their background or abilities would attend the one school.
After two years, the new head reported,
The school is rapidly approaching my concept of what a comprehensive school should be. On the grammar side, the facilities are good. The technical side is also rapidly developing and with the erection and equipping of the new
engineering workshop the facilities or this type of education will be good. We have a large number of pupils of the modern school type and a real effort is being made to give them an education suitable to their aptitudes and abilities. Work of a far more practical nature must be introduced for these pupils and this demands further expansion in providing the requisite facilities and staff.
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