Our History

Sir George Monoux College is built on almost 500 years of history.

Sir George Monoux, the founder of the College, was born in 1465. He was a wealthy man who spent much of his time in Walthamstow and held many prominent positions in 16th century London life, including Warden of the Draper's Company, Alderman, Sheriff of London and Lord Mayor. Sir George Monoux was elected to Parliament as a Burgess for the City in 1523. He erected the almshouses and associated school from which Sir George Monoux College is descended in St. Mary's Churchyard, Walthamstow Village, in 1527.

The Monoux School operated there for 353 years until moving firstly to West Avenue, then to High Street and finally to the current site in Chingford Road in July 1927. The western end was rebuilt in 1955 following bombing in October 1940. From 1959 to 1969 it operated as a grammar school for boys. From 1969 to 1986 the school was a comprehensive, and in the late 1960s, it was ranked as the 11th best state school in the country. In 1986 the school became a Sixth Form College and girls were admitted for the first time. In 1993, it became an Incorporated College. The College has invested millions over the past few years to provide exceptional facilities for the students. The Brockman Building was opened in September 2003 and the Drapers Building was opened in September 2004.

Almost 500 years after its foundation, Sir George Monoux College continues the original vision of its founder by providing high quality education to the young people of London.

For more information, scroll down to our alumni section or see the Old Monovians website.

Notable former students

Graham Saville

Graham Saville

Cricketer
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Jermain Jackman

Jermain Jackman

Winner of BBC The Voice 2014
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June Sarpong MBE

June Sarpong MBE

TV presenter
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Sir Matthew Bourne OBE

Sir Matthew Bourne OBE

Choreographer & Director
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Chijindu Ujah

Chijindu Ujah

British athlete
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Sir John Dankworth

Sir John Dankworth

Jazz icon
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Teddy Sheringham

Teddy Sheringham

Footballer
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Maurice Chambers

Maurice Chambers

Cricketer
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Michael Nyman CBE

Michael Nyman CBE

Composer
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Nish Kankiwala

Nish Kankiwala

CEO at Mayborn Group Ltd
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Jamie Shea

Jamie Shea

Former NATO spokesman
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Fred Pontin

Sir Fred Pontin

Founder of Pontins
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Captain Nimo Ahmed

Captain Nimo Ahmed

Armed Forces Captain
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Doug Insole

Douglas Insole CBE

England cricketer
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Robert Barltrop

Robert Barltrop

Famous writer
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Jason Burt

Jason Burt

War hero
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Sir Alan Fersht

Sir Alan Fersht

University of Cambridge Master
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Chris Barltrop

Chris Barltrop

Circus Ringmaster/Director
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Sir John Pritchard

Sir John Pritchard

Chief conductor
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Jim Lewis

Jim Lewis

Chelsea FC striker
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Sir Barry Jackson

Sir Barry Jackson

Former President of the Royal Society of Medicine
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Sir John Elvidge

Sir John Elvidge

Former Secretary to the Scottish Government
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James Hilton

James Hilton

Novelist
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