History of Alcester

History of Alcester Academy

History of Alcester and the surrounding area

Alcester is an ancient Roman town in a beautiful part of south-west Warwickshire, England with a population of around 9000. There are many large and small villages which surround the town and they form part of the school’s catchment area. These include Ardens Grafton, Arrow, Aston Cantlow, Bidford, Binton, Broom, Coughton, Dunnington, Exhall, Great Alne, Haselor, Kings Coughton, Kinwarton, Little Alne, Oversley Green, Salford Priors, Temple Grafton, Walcote, Wixford and Wilmcote. The town is situated just 7 miles (11km) west of Stratford on Avon and has good transport links to Stratford and other major towns in the area such as Evesham and Redditch.

In many of these villages there are primary schools who are linked to the school and the students transfer to us at 11 years of age. The two largest primary schools are based in Alcester (St. Nicholas’ C of E Primary School) and Bidford on Avon (Bidford on Avon CE Primary School).

The Academy has four Houses, all purposefully named around Alcester’s rich and fascinating history and surrounding area:

Billesley House
The name Billesley means "Bill's clearing" and is of Anglo-Saxon origin. The "Billesley" part comes from a personal name, Bill, and the word "ley," which means a woodland clearing. Alcester is a nearby Roman-founded town, and Billesley is located near it in Warwickshire. 

Greville House
Named after the Greville family. A  notable figure was Sir Fulke Greville (1536-1606), who lived at Beauchamp Court near Alcester. His son, Fulke Greville, 1st Baron Brooke, was a poet, dramatist, and statesman, born in Alcester.

Oversley House 
The place name Oversley is believed to be of Old English (Saxon) origin and likely means "Ofe's settlement/pasture in a woodland clearing" or potentially a "clearing on the bank/ridge". Oversley Castle featured recently on the TV Show Grand Designs. www.channel4.com/programmes/grand-designs/on-demand/73532-002

Ragley House 
Ragley is a name of a village and stately home near Alcester, with "Ragley" likely meaning "rubbish dump" in an old Saxon word. Alcester itself means "the Roman fort on the River Alne". Obviously Ragley Hall is a local heritage area and is inhabited by the Marquess of Hertford and his family.

The Academy has relatively new links at Coughton Court with the Throckmorton Family. Coughton Court is a Tudor manor house in Warwickshire, home to the Throckmorton family since 1409, and has been owned by the National Trust since 1946. The house is known for its historical links to the Gunpowder Plot, its 25 acres of restored gardens, and its collection of Catholic treasures. Coughton Court | Warwickshire | National Trust

And, the school enjoys a positive relationship with Alcester Court Leet and we attend many local events related to their annual calendar Home - Alcester Court Leet. The first ever female High Bailiff in 2024, Tracy Parkes, is in fact a parent at the Academy.