St Paul's Cathedral School

Originally the School was set up to provide education solely for the Choristers and dates from about 1123, when 8 needy children were given a home and education in return for singing in the Cathedral. The Choir School and a Grammar School co-existed under the aegis of the Cathedral for many years, until the Grammar School was moved and re-established in 1511 by the humanist Dean John Colet to become St Paul's School. The Cathedral School and St Paul's School (now a public school) are now distinct and separate institutions.

The original Choir School, which stood in St Paul's Churchyard, was destroyed with the Cathedral in the Great Fire of London in 1666.[4] The School has had several incarnations being re-built in 1670, in 1822 (in Cheapside) and 1887 (in Carter Lane). The current buildings date from the 1960s.

In addition to the daily Evensong, the choristers of St. Paul's Cathedral, have taken part in a number of important recordings and tours and have performed at a number of important state occasions, including Winston Churchill's funeral and the wedding of Prince Charles and Diana, Princess of Wales.[5]

In December 2007 Stephen Douglas-Hogg, a former Classics and house master of the school, was arrested and charged with the abuse of a number of choristers during the 1980s. Following his attempted suicide[6] during the initial stages of proceedings in October 2008, the 50-year-old Douglas-Hogg changed his plea halfway through the trial[7] and admitted to 13 counts of indecent assault on five boys aged under 14. On 11 May 2009 Douglas-Hogg was sentenced to four and a half years' imprisonment at Southwark Crown Court.[8]

Det Supt Jeff Davies, who led the City of London Police team investigating the offences, said: “This was a difficult and sensitive investigation for the officers involved. I hope the conclusion of the case will go some way to helping those who have suffered as a result of the abuse they endured more than 20 years ago.”

Judge Michael Gledhill QC labelled Douglas-Hogg a "paedophile" who used his authority to strike fear into his victims, who were too afraid to report what happened. He said Douglas-Hogg showed no remorse and added: "You should be a broken man; regrettably, I have serious doubts as to whether or not you actually are."

Notable former pupils include:

• Jonathan Battishill, composer
• Simon Russell Beale, actor
• William Boyce, composer
• Alastair Cook, cricketer
• Charles Dixon, politician
• William Cummings, musician and organist
• Jimmy Edwards, script writer and actor
• Maurice Greene, composer
• Charles Groves, orchestral conductor
• Robin Holloway, composer
• Neil Howlett, opera singer
• James Lancelot, organist
• Walter de la Mare, poet and novelist
• Stephen Oliver, composer
• Julian Ovenden, actor and singer
• Peter Philips, composer and organist
• Percy Sillitoe, policeman, Director General of MI5 1946-1953
• Jonathan Sorrell, composer
• John Stainer, composer and organist
• Anthony Way, chorister and classical singer
• David Thomas, chorister, vicar choral and singer

• Official site