History and Old Huish Association
Richard Huish College was originally formed in the 18th century. It was named after benefactor Richard Huish, a Taunton wool merchant who made his fortune in London. His will, when he died in 1615, provided the main part of the endowment for an educational foundation to be established which eventually grew into Huish’s Grammar School for Boys. This foundation also established Bishop Fox’s School for Girls, in Taunton.
The old Grammar School was erected in 1892 at the back of Grays Alms House, East Street, which is now Sainsburys car park. It was demolished in 1972. The new school was built at South Road, where it is today. The Headmaster in 1900 was R. Humphrey.
Below is a photo taken in 1910 of the old Huish Grammar School followed by the Class of 1925.
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The official opening of Huish that we know today was in 1981. Since opening it has grown from 660 full-time students to over 2,000. Principally an A level provider for school leavers in Taunton and wider Somerset, Huish now also offers Vocational courses, Apprenticeships and Professional Qualifications for adult learners.
The college itself is alleged to be on the site of an old Arboretum and each building has been named after trees on the campus in respect of this. Redwood, Willow, Juniper, Hawthorn, Cedar, Maple, Aspen, Sycamore, Oak and Beech all feature as building names on the campus. The Weeping Willow on the south side of the College was grown from a cutting of the tree overhanging Napoleon’s grave, on the Island of St. Helena, in the South Atlantic!
Old Huish Association
Former Huishers can get in contact with old friends from their school days by joining the Old Huish Association. The Association aims to provide an opportunity to remember old times at Huish and meets several times a year. The Association began as the Huish Old Boys Association in 1893 and changed to the Old Huish Association when females were allowed to study at the college in 1979.
Huish boys in 1889
Pupil, Bernard Bloom in 1944 studying in the classroom
