Lichfield Cathedral School

Pupils, staff, parents and friends of Lichfield Cathedral School gathered in the forecourt of the Palace today (Tuesday, 29th January) for the annual celebration of Founders’ Day.

It was in January 1942 that St Chad’s Cathedral School, as it was then known, was opened with the 19 boys being housed and taught in School House. Since the early 14th century, the Cathedral has made provision for the appointment and education of boy choristers but it was during the Second World War that the Dean and Chapter made the decision to establish a new school within the Cathedral Close.

The school, which has now grown to a pupil membership of over 430 boys and girls, gathered, along with some of the original 1942 founders, to celebrate in front of the Palace steps. Following a trumpet fanfare, the Dean greeted the congregation and led a short service of hymns, prayers and readings with the beautiful anthem ‘Lift Thine Eyes’, from Mendelssohn’s ‘Elijah’, sung by the Cathedral Choristers and the Girls’ Choir.