Born in Cheltenham in 1516, Richard Pate attended The Chantry School in Cheltenham before going on to Corpus Christi College, Oxford, and training in Law at Lincoln’s Inn. He served under Henry VIII, Edward VI, and Elizabeth I, and was an MP for Gloucester in 1558 and 1563 – 67.

With funds granted by Elizabeth I, Pate founded his Schola Grammatica for the ‘children in need of Cheltenham and other nearby places’. Initially located on Cheltenham High Street, the school’s foundation stone was laid on 28 April 1572 and opened two years later under its first headteacher, Christopher Ocland. Pate also endowed his old Oxford college with the property purchased, on the condition that three-quarters of the proceeds were dedicated “for the perpetual maintenance and foundation of a free grammar school at Cheltenham… and also a hospital or Almshouse for six old poor people”.

The original Schola Grammatica building, which became known as Cheltenham Grammar School, was demolished in 1886 and redesigned to accommodate up to 700 pupils. A statue of Richard Pate stood at the centre of the building’s façade. In 1965, the school relocated to its playing fields in Hester’s Way. Its modernist design, featuring a moat and a copper-clad dome, was both distinctive and controversial.

Founded in 1904, The County High School for Girls was originally situated on St Margaret’s Road and later became Pate’s Grammar School for Girls. The first Headmistress, Miss Heather Heatley, chose the motto which reflected her personal philosophy, Honestas non Honores - Honourable conduct not worldly honours (see the bronze plaque in our present day Main Hall).

The boys’ and girls’ schools merged in 1986 to form Pate’s Grammar School; the former girls’ school became Pittville School. The new school uniform incorporated the ‘PGS’ from the girls’ school badge combined with the lion from the boys’ badge to form the new school logo. New Houses, named after the Dukes of Beaufort, Gloucester, Richmond and York were established and Pembroke was added in 2016.

After just thirty years, the main building was demolished in 1995 due to structural problems. Since 2010, Pate’s has undergone several developments, including a new fitness suite, Refectory, the George and Eve Tatam Block, Senior Library and Sixth Form Centre. The statue of Richard Pate now stands overlooking the Quad, his coat of arms from the girls’ school is displayed in our Reception entrance.

Richard Pate’s legacy continues with an independent prep school (The Richard Pate School), the Almshouse on Albion Street accommodating ten residents in individual flats, and his memorial in Gloucester Cathedral, on which his tomb inscription reads our school motto - Patebit tum quod latuit: that which is hidden shall be revealed.

In 2024, we celebrated 450 years since the founding of Pate's Grammar School, culminating in a Commemorative Concert at Cheltenham Town Hall, which brought together current and former Patesians, as well as pupils from The Richard Pate School. Our two schools came together in a mass choral and orchestral performance at the end of the show, singing a commissioned piece "That which is hidden" composed by Old Patesian, Esme Adachi (2023) - it was a magnificent spectacle! 

Here at Pate’s, our founder has remained an integral part of our school life and identity. We proudly keep his vision alive to this day and will continue to do so into the future.

Natalie (Yr 12)
With thanks to our School Archivists, Maggie and Rob.