Wolmer's Schools

17°59′10″N 76°47′12″W / 17.9861°N 76.7866°W / 17.9861; -76.7866InformationSchool typeSecondary school and
Preparatory SchoolMottoAge Quod AgisFounded1729; 295 years ago (1729)FounderJohn WolmerStatusOpenSchool code01042/01043 (PEP)^[1] 100128/100129 (CXC)PrincipalMr. Dwight Pennycooke
(Wolmer's Boys' School)
Mrs. Colleen Montague
(Wolmer's Girls' School)
Ms. Kemar Christie
(Wolmer's Prep School)GradesKindergarten to 13GenderBoys/Girls/Co-edAge3 to 19Campus typeUrbanColour(s)   Maroon and GoldNickname'The Maroons' or 'Maroon-clad Warriors'

Wolmer's Schools, also referred to as Wolmer's Trust Group of Schools, is located in Kingston, Jamaica and currently consists of Wolmer's Pre-School, Wolmer's Preparatory School and two high schools: Wolmer's Trust High School For Girls and Wolmer's Trust High School for Boys. Both high schools are popular choices among Jamaican students taking the Primary Exit Profile (PEP) examinations. While acknowledged as separate institutions, the schools share a school song, crest, and motto, "Age Quod Agis", a Latin phrase that translates as "Whatever you do, do it well". Another English translation is “Whatever you do, do it to the best of your abilities”.

Wolmer's Schools closely resemble British schools of the 1950s more than those today, a trend that can be noted of the entire Jamaican schooling system.^[2] Wolmer's Boys' and Girls' have been deemed some of the top schools in the Caribbean and perform well in exit examinations (CSEC/CAPE), especially in the Sciences and Mathematics.

Wolmer's Girls' was ranked second in the Reform of Education in Jamaica 2021^[3] for top value-added traditional/secondary school in the island.

Wolmer’s Girls’ is ranked fourth, in the 2023 Educate Jamaica High School Rankings^[4]; Wolmer’s Boys is ranked seventh.

Wolmer’s Boys’ is ranked fifth in Educate Jamaica’s 2024 High School Rankings^[5] while Wolmer’s Girls’ is eleventh.

Wolmer's is the second-oldest high school in the Caribbean, having been established in 1729 by John Wolmer, a goldsmith, who bequeathed £2,360 for the establishment of a Free School. However, it did not come into existence until 1736, when the Wolmer's Trust was set up.^[6]

The oldest is Combermere School, in Barbados, originally the Drax Parish School, established in 1695 by the will of Colonel Henry Drax, a son of Sir James Drax, of 1682.^[5] The third (by record thus far) being Harrison College in Barbados, formerly Harrison Free School, established in 1733.

Wolmer's is certainly the oldest school in the Caribbean that has retained its original name. It turned into a group of schools, which was completely overhauled during the educational reforms of Governor John Peter Grant, who brought two new schoolmasters over from England.^[7]

Wolmer's is the oldest continually operating school in Jamaica.^[6]

At Wolmer’s Schools, student life is intricately linked to academic excellence, with a strong emphasis on creating an environment that nurtures intellectual curiosity and personal development.

Wolmer’s Prep School:

- Science Lab

- Assembly Hall

- Play Field

- Dedicated Music and Dance Rooms

- Computer lab

- Art room

- Basketball court

Wolmer's Boys' School:

- The Douglas Orane Auditorium

- Biology, chemistry, and physics labs

- Music room

- Computer labs

- Geography labs

- Art and technical drawing rooms

- Gym & changing room

- Playfield

- Basketball court

Wolmer's Girls' School:

- Lower and upper school auditoriums

- Biology, chemistry, and physics labs

- Music room

- Computer labs

- Geography labs

- Art and technical drawing rooms

The Wolmer's Schools are overseen by a joint Board of Management. This board ensures the smooth governance of the institutions and will intervene if necessary to address issues related to administration, performance, or any significant operational concerns.

In addition to this, all schools boast a vibrant Parent-Teacher Association which actively participate in supporting the schools' development and fostering collaboration between parents, teachers, and students, contributing to the overall success and community spirit of the institutions.

Wolmer's Preparatory School

The leadership is anchored by a dedicated principal (Ms. Kemar Christie) supported by a vice principal. The academic structure includes senior teachers who act as curriculum coordinators and heads of years for each grade level, ensuring that the educational experience is comprehensive and targets students' needs.

Wolmer's Boys' School

The Boys' School is guided by a stalwart principal (Mr. Dwight Pennycooke), assisted by two vice principals. One vice principal oversees administration and the upper school, while the other is responsible for student affairs and the lower school. The academic framework is organised into 14 departments, each led by a senior teacher. These departments, including Biology, Business Studies, Design & Technology, and Physical Education & Sports, benefit from the oversight of each vice principal, ensuring both effective operation and strategic direction. This comprehensive support facilitates a seamless and enriching educational experience for all students.

Wolmer's Girls' School

The Girls' School is similarly directed by a principal (Mrs. Colleen Montague) and has an academic framework that closely resembles that of their male counterpart (the Boys' School). Similarly, vice principals are assigned to each department and ensure a well-coordinated and effective educational environment.

Academic awards at Wolmer’s Schools play a pivotal role in recognizing and celebrating students’ achievements and dedication to their studies. These awards are designed to motivate students, acknowledge their hard work, and encourage continued excellence.

Blue Report Award (Boys' and Girls' Schools): The Blue Report awards (the schools' honor roll system) were introduced by the Boys' School during the 2000/2001 academic year, a period when overall academic achievements were not meeting expectations. These awards were created to recognize and celebrate significant improvements and exceptional academic performances, with the aim of inspiring both students and faculty to strive for higher standards of excellence. Awards are issued in the Upper and Lower Tiers, alongside Letters of Commendation at the end of each term. The top performers of each year group are also acknowledged and given a trophy.

Maroon & Gold Awards (Prep School): The Maroon and Gold awards are equivalent to the Blue Report awards at the high schools. These awards are given to students who excel in their subjects, with students who score over 90% in a particular subject given a certificate for their academic achievement. Top performers of each year are also recognized.

Prizegiving (all schools): Each school hosts an annual Prizegiving ceremony to commemorate the academic achievements of their students in the term and PEP results (the prep school), and achievements of students in their End of Year/CSEC/CAPE examinations. Awards are given to students who have received the highest grade in each examinable subject, alongside the top examination performers of each year group and in the school.

At Wolmer’s Schools, students are integrated into the school community through a vibrant house system, which fosters a sense of belonging and camaraderie. Upon enrollment, each student is randomly assigned to one of the designated houses, named after benefactors of each institution.

Wolmer's Pre-School/Preparatory School

Wolmer’s Boys' School

Wolmer’s Girls' School:

Wolmer’s Boys’ and Girls’ Schools follow the traditional English grammar-school model used throughout the British West Indies, which incorporates the optional year 12 and 13, collectively known as Sixth Form. The first year of secondary school is regarded as first form, or grade seven, and subsequent year groups are numbered in ascending order up to sixth form, or grade twelve and grade thirteen. Students are exposed to the CSEC subject offerings throughout their first-third form years, with a Careers Day session held near the end of their third form year to curate their CSEC programs. The schools over a variety of subject offerings inclusive of the Humanities, Arts, and Sciences, which students pursue throughout their CSEC and CAPE years (fourth-sixth form). Wolmer’s Boys’ has been known for being the only all-boys school to consistently rank in Jamaica’s top ten high schools. The Girls' School is also placed highly in various sources and is considered one of the best all-girls schools in the country.

Since 1904, Wolmer's Schools has educated 24 Rhodes Scholars.^[4]

Wolmer's Boys School has the most wins of the Sunlight Cup for Inter-Scholastic Under 19 Cricket. Moreover, the school continues to produce cricketers that have represented Jamaica and the West Indies Cricket Team. The school is noted in cricket in the West Indies for having produced six test wicket-keepers. The Daily Telegraph once wrote: "One school: six Test wicket-keepers. There has never been any nurturing like it."^[8]

^[9]

Arts, culture and entertainment

• Cherine Anderson, international recording artiste, actress, President of The Reach One Child R.O.C. Foundation
• Peter Ashbourne CD, composer
• Maurice Ashley, chess player, author and commentator
• James Aubrey (actor)-Austrian born English actor
• Harry Belafonte OJ, actor and singer, winner of Tony, Emmy, Grammy and Oscar Awards^[8]
• Aston Cooke, playwright
• David Heron, playwright and actor^[10]
• Marlon James, novelist
• Diana King, international recording artiste
• Sean Paul, Grammy-winning artiste
• Kei Miller, novelist and poet
• Wayne Marshall, artiste
• Henry Wilcoxon, actor
• Paul Williamson, tenor

Business, finance and politics

• Lloyd Carney, American businessman
• Amy Jacques Garvey, wife of Marcus Mosiah Garvey
• Florizel Glasspole, Governor General of Jamaica 1973–1991
• Keble Munn, former Minister of Agriculture and Minister of National Security
• Patsy Robertson, diplomat, Official Spokesperson for The Commonwealth 1983–1994
• Billy Strachan, RAF pilot, pioneer of black civil rights in Britain, communist, legal expert, newspaper editor
• Edward Seaga, Prime Minister of Jamaica 1980–1989
• Brian Wynter, Governor of the Bank of Jamaica
• Harold Moody, doctor and campaigner for racial equality in Britain

Sports

• Gerry Alexander, cricketer^[8]
• Ivan Barrow, cricketer^[8]
• Carlton Baugh, cricketer^[8]
• Gareth Breese, cricketer
• Patrick Harris, cricketer
• Roy Anthony Bridge, sports administrator and IOC member
• Christoff Bryan, national high-jump record holder
• Jeff Dujon, cricketer^[8]
• Ashani Fairclough, footballer
• Julian Forte, track athlete
• Shelly-Ann Fraser-Pryce, track athlete – double Olympic Gold medallist in the 100m
• Lindel Frater, track athlete
• Michael Frater, track athlete – Olympic Gold Medallist in the 4 x 100m
• Ricardo Gardner, footballer – English Premier League (Bolton Wanderers)
• Jackie Hendriks, cricketer^[8]
• Omar Holness – footballer
• Jaheel Hyde, Olympian
• Peter Isaacs, footballer
• Sir Herbert Macdonald, footballer, tennis player and sports administrator and promoter
• Germaine Mason, Olympian
• Karl Nunes, cricketer^[8]
• Patrick Patterson, cricketer
• Allan Rae, cricketer^[8]
• Luton Shelton, footballer – record holder for most goals for Jamaica in international football
• Khari Stephenson, footballer
• Paul Young, footballer

• Official site