Aymestrey School - The Griffith Years 1966-1998

In January 1966 Dan Asterley handed Aymestrey School over to Hugh (DHG) and Gill (GSG) Griffith, and during the following thirty years the school maintained its reputation for academic success and also excelled at various times at music, art, cross country and chess. 

Dan continued teaching and coaching for another ten years, during which time he and Jean, and various Jack Russell terriers, lived in a cottage in the grounds.  Even after their retirement they both maintained an interest and a presence in and around the school.  Jean died in 1989.  Dan died in 1994 and many Old Boys attended a memorial service held in the school.

_There were some changes to the building, and in the grounds.  The plumbing and wiring were significantly upgraded.  A science room was established as a memorial to Tief, in what had been the 1st Form, just down the stairs near the Memorial Library; and fire regulations required a significant change to the dormitory arrangements. 

In many respects Aymestrey was still being run as the school I had known as a pupil ten years earlier.  But there were subtle changes.  The atmosphere was lighter and the food was better but pupils were still taught to be self reliant
John Chandler (Staff 1971-2)

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A hard play area was built near the gym;
a full size billiard table appeared at the top of the main stairs;
an assault course was built in the Jungle;
a new swimming pool was dug much closer to the house, near the sunken tennis court;
and some boys went on Outward Bound holidays on Ru’a Fiola in Scotland. 

Photos courtesy of Marcus Cash

Chess and cross country running became popular, and day boys gradually outnumbered boarders.

Other things didn’t change: Following the Asterley tradition the school remained single sex, small and friendly, teaching boys to be hard working and self reliant, while at the same time maintaining old fashioned values of honesty and manners. 

In 1989 Aymestrey School celebrated 80 years with a splendid turnout of Old Boys and guests.   Nearly two hundred people assembled on the east lawn in glorious sunshine to celebrate the birthday of both the school and Dan. 

Aymestrey School finally closed its doors to pupils in July 1998.

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The Worcester Evening News of Friday, 8 May 1998 announced the closure:

"The advent of the nanny state in Britain, with its endless rules and regulations, have made many activities at the school impossible" said Mr Griffith.  "We cannot use our assault course because we've been told it is illegal and can't use the swimming pool as we have to have a fully-qualified life-guard."
"We've passed our sell-by date."
"We believe in bringing boys up to be self-reliant, self-disciplined and in pursuit of excellence.  But we can't even let them go fishing alone now"
"Schools are now so regimented but we have always done our own thing with great success and have rescued many boys who found it difficult to behave and learn" (said Mrs Griffith).  "Yet we are regarded as eccentric."

But the school lives on in the memories of many ….

Hugh died in 2003, and a memorial service held in the Hall was well attended.

Gill died in November 2017.  A celebration of her life will be held on 28th April 2018 - if you would like to attend please contact here.

The building has now been divided up for private residences.