Beginnings

Ruthin School was founded in the wake of Edward I's conquest of Wales. Whilst the precise date of the foundation is not certain, Keith Thompson argues in his history of the school that 1284 is the most likely date and Reginald de Grey the most likely founder. In any event, it is clear from the Taxatio Ecclesiastica of 1291 that a collegiate church and school existed at Ruthin by that date.

Evidence of Ruthin School in the subsequent centuries is sparse. Surviving documents such as a Confirmatio of 1314/1315 which recognised the existence, rights and liberties of "collegio de Ruthin fundato per Reginald de Grey" indicate the existence of the School but nothing more is known of the size of the establishment.

Following Owain Glyndŵr's attack on Ruthin in September 1400, it appears that the collegiate church, and presumably also the school, continued to function unscathed until the dissolution of the former in 1535. Evidence for the school's continuation over the following decades is sketchy, but it is known that in 1561 the tithes of the sinecure of Llanelidan were applied to the use of the school, which suggests that pupils at that time would have been from local homes.

Re-foundation

In 1574, Gabriel Goodman, the Dean of Westminster and an Old Ruthinian, built a two-storey, limestone building to house the school in the shadow of the Church. The school appears to have prospered, and in 1595 Dean Goodman successfully petitioned Queen Elizabeth I to grant the tithes of Llanelidan to the school in perpetuity.

Following its refoundation, the grammar school educated the sons of local gentry, including the Grosvenor, Kenyon and Trevor families. Former pupils included Lloyd Kenyon, 1st Baron Kenyon and Sir John Trevor sometime Master of the Rolls and Speaker of the Speaker of the House of Commons.

Relocation and twentieth-century

In 1893 the school moved from the immediate vicinity of the church to a building designed by John Douglas on its site on the eastern outskirts of the town. In 1923 Lord Kenyon opened the Memorial Cricket Pavilion to honour those Old Ruthinians who had died during the First World War.

As the century progressed, the demand for places increased, and in 1949 Bishop Wynne House was inaugurated. Just over a decade later, a new school hall comprising a refectory, kitchens, classrooms, and a theatre were constructed.

Expansion continued, and in 1971 a preparatory department was established in the former Archbishop Williams' house. The quatercentenary of the School's re-foundation was commemorated by the launch of plans for the construction of a new wing consisting of dormitories, a music room, classrooms, locker rooms and other facilities, plans which culminated in 1980.

The School's septcentenary was commemorated by a visit of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II, the School's Visitor, and His Royal Highness the Duke of Edinburgh on 16 March 1984 when a clock in the central tower was unveiled.

Twenty-first century

On the hundredth anniversary of the school's relocation, the Hall was further extended and in 2006 the Hewer Hall, a sports facility, was opened by The Princess Royal.

The then Principal, Toby Belfield, caused controversy in May 2015 when he questioned the merits of a bilingual education in a letter to the Denbighshire Free Press, acknowledging that "tradition and heritage are important – but much more important is to ensure that we do not reduce the opportunities available for Welsh children." His claims that bilingual education was educationally "weaker" than in England and abroad received widespread attention nationally, splitting opinion. The school attracted national attention again in February 2017, after leaked emails from the Principal (addressed to the students and parents) concerning a crackdown on behaviour caused controversy.^[8] The principal stated that he wished to expel students who engaged in romantic relationships and/or give them inferior references for university admissions, stating that he would "always" "definitely" give a worse reference; and that he would "not hesitate" to expel students who engaged in sexual activity.^[9] After the e-mails were released, Belfield released a contradictory statement that if the student was making high marks, he would not reduce the quality of his or her recommendations even if he or she was dating.^[8]

In an ironic twist, it was discovered Belfield was trying to engage in relationships with several students after hundreds of sexualised text messages that he had sent to the school's female pupils emerged. He complimented his students 'breasts' and asked about their 'virginities', as well as boasting about how he used to meet students abroad.^[10] The girls ages ranged from 15 to 18. The extent of Belfield's grooming is still unknown, yet it is understood he sought to remain in contact with several female students after they had left school. Belfield was placed on leave at the end of 2019; he had already been suspended following an earlier investigation two years prior, but allowed to return to work.^[10]

In January 2020, following an unannounced inspection, Care Inspectorate Wales, which oversees the welfare and safeguarding of children, published a damning report on "inadequate" policies and procedures that are in breach of discrimination and human rights laws, stating "serious shortfalls" meant pupils are "not appropriately safeguarded" and "at risk of harm".^[11][12][13]

Church services

The school traditionally travels to the Collegiate and Parochial Church of St Peter three times annually: once to mark Remembrance Day, once for a Christmas Carol Service, and once for Founder's Day.^[14]

Hill fort run

In the summer term there is an annual race from school to the summit of Moel Fenlli and back down again – a 7.5-mile (12.1 km) cross-country race in which school students and staff compete.^[15] The prize for the winner is a pot of marmalade, with trophies for the first boy and girl finishing in each age group.^[16]