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{{short description|Private school in Uttarakhand, India}}
{{short description|Private school in Uttarakhand, India}}
{{More citations needed|date=January 2017}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=July 2017}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=July 2017}}
{{Use Indian English|date=July 2017}}
{{Use Indian English|date=July 2017}}
{{Refimprove|date=January 2017}}
{{Infobox school
{{Infobox school
| name                   = Sherwood College
| name             = Sherwood College
| image                   =  
| image             = File:Sherwood College emblem.png
| imagesize              =  
| image_size        = 150px
| caption                 = School Crest
| caption           = School crest
| established             = {{start date and age|1869}}
| established       = {{start date and age|1869}}
| type                   = [[Independent school|Private]]
| type             = [[Independent school|Private]]
| affiliation             = [[Indian Certificate of Secondary Education|ICSE]], [[Indian School Certificate|ISC]], [[International General Certificate of Secondary Education|IGCSE]]
| affiliation       = [[Indian Certificate of Secondary Education|ICSE]], [[Indian School Certificate|ISC]], [[International General Certificate of Secondary Education|IGCSE]]
| district               = Nainital
| district         = [[Nainital district|Nainital]]
| grades                 = 3–12
| grades           = 3–12
| principal               = Mr. Amandeep Sandhu
| principal         = Amandeep Sandhu
| dean                    =
| faculty           =
| faculty                 = 200
| staff             =  
| staff                   =  
| enrollment        = 800
| students                = 800
| athletics         = [[Association football|Football]], [[cricket]], [[tennis]], [[basketball]], [[swimming (sport)|swimming]], [[field hockey]], [[badminton]], [[track and field]], [[table-tennis]]
| enrollment              =
| colors           = Maroon, bottle green, white <br />{{Color box|#800000}} {{Color box|#456750}} {{Color box|#FFFFFF}}
| athletics               = [[Association football|Football]], [[cricket]], [[tennis]], [[basketball]], [[swimming (sport)|swimming]], [[field hockey]], [[badminton]], [[track and field]]
| mascot           =  
| colors                 = Maroon, bottle green and white<br />{{Color box|#800000}} {{Color box|#456750}} {{Color box|#FFFFFF}}
| houses           = [[Robin Hood]], [[Friar Tuck]], [[Little John]], [[Allen-a-Dale]]
| mascot                 =  
| motto             = ''Mereat quisque palmam''
| houses                 = [[Robin Hood]], [[Friar Tuck]], [[Little John]], [[Allen-a-Dale]]
| motto_translation = ''Let each one merit his prize''
| motto                   = ''Mereat quisque palmam''
| location         = [[Nainital]], [[Nainital district]], [[Uttrakhand]], India
| motto_translation       = ''Let each one merit his prize''
| region            =
| location               = [[Nainital, Uttarakhand]], India
| city              =
| website                 = {{url|www.sherwood.edu.in}}
| county            =
| state            =
| website           = {{URL|www.sherwood.edu.in}}  
}}
}}


'''Sherwood College''' is a [[co-educational]] residential school affiliated to CISCE and IGCSE <ref>{{Cite web|title=Home - Sherwood College|url=http://www.sherwood.edu.in/|access-date=2020-06-22|website=www.sherwood.edu.in}}</ref> in [[Nainital, Uttarakhand]], India, established in 1869.
'''Sherwood College''' is a [[co-educational]] residential school in [[Nainital]], [[Uttrakhand ]], India. It was established in 1869 and is affiliated to CISCE and IGCSE.<ref>{{Cite web|title=Home - Sherwood College|url=http://www.sherwood.edu.in/|access-date=2020-06-22|website=www.sherwood.edu.in}}</ref>
 
The school has been described in ''[[The Economic Times]]'' as one of a group of "old, rich and popular schools — the [[Eton College|Eton]] equivalents in India ... These boarding schools are a state of mind in themselves, an attitude which can’t be duplicated".<ref name="Sch_forever">{{cite news |last1=Ghosh |first1=Aniruddha |last2=Naithani |first2=Ambika |title=At school, forever |url=https://economictimes.indiatimes.com/at-school-forever/articleshow/322477.cms |access-date=5 April 2023 |work=The Economic Times |date=5 November 2006}}</ref>


==History==
==History==
Sherwood was founded in July 1869. It was the brain-child of Dr. Condon, H.S. Reid and others under the patronage of the Rt. Rev. Robert Milman, DD, the seventh Metropolitan of India. The idea took shape as the Nainital Diocesan Boys' High School, as Sherwood was once called. Sherwood's sister school, erstwhile known as Diocesan Girls' High School, branched into All Saints' College, Nainital.<ref>{{Cite news|url=http://www.allsaintscollege.org/the-school/history/|title=History - Allsaint College|last=Allsaint|work=Allsaint College|access-date=2018-10-01|language=en-US}}</ref>  
<ref>{{Cite web |title=The Sherwood Experience
|url=https://www.oldsherwoodians.org/page/demo-323}}</ref>
Sherwood was founded on 5 June 1869. It was the brain-child of Dr. Condon, H.S. Reid and others under the patronage of the Rt. Rev. Robert Milman, DD, the seventh Metropolitan of India. The idea took shape as the '''Diocesan Boys' High School, Naini Tal''', as Sherwood was called until 1937. Sherwood's sister school, formally known as the Diocesan Girls' High School, became All Saints' College, Nainital.<ref>{{Cite news|url=http://www.allsaintscollege.org/the-school/history/|title=History - Allsaint College|last=Allsaint|work=Allsaint College|access-date=2018-10-01|language=en-US}}</ref>


Appeals to the public for funds were overwhelming, and a mixed school under Miss Bradbury was started at Petersfield. Its success was reflected in the large-scale rejection of applications for admission. The direct outcome of this pressure was to separate the girls from boys, the latter shifting to Stoneleigh near the Ramsay Hospital.
Appeals to the public for funds were overwhelming, and a mixed school under Miss Bradbury was started at Petersfield. Its success was reflected in the large-scale rejection of applications for admission. The direct outcome of this pressure was to separate the girls from boys, the latter shifting to Stoneleigh near the Ramsay Hospital.
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The Horsman brothers, both old Sherwoodians, donated Rs. 75,000/- for the construction of the junior wing known as Horsman Wing, completed in 1927.
The Horsman brothers, both old Sherwoodians, donated Rs. 75,000/- for the construction of the junior wing known as Horsman Wing, completed in 1927.


In 1937, the name of the school was changed from the Diocesan Boys' School to Sherwood College, although to this day it is known to the [[coolie]]s as 'Malla Di-shen,' translated presumably as 'Upper Diocesan'.
In 1937, the name of the school was changed from the Diocesan Boys' School to Sherwood College.


The Binns block was built on the northern side of the back quad; in the following year, Milman Hall was constructed. The new building was formally opened by Sir Harry Haig, Governor of the U.P. It now accommodates a school hall with a [[seating capacity]] of 600 and a [[gym]]nasium below.
The Binns block was built on the northern side of the back quad; in the following year, Milman Hall was constructed. The new building was formally opened by Sir Harry Haig, Governor of the U.P. It now accommodates a school hall with a [[seating capacity]] of 600 and a [[gym]]nasium below.
Line 75: Line 81:


Two recent innovations have been the introduction of a Computer Literacy program for all students in classes 6 to 12 and the introduction of co-education at class 3 stage onwards.
Two recent innovations have been the introduction of a Computer Literacy program for all students in classes 6 to 12 and the introduction of co-education at class 3 stage onwards.
The school has since seen a downfall in popularity with the new Principal (2004-) Amandeep Singh Sandhu, who has been subject to scrutiny and controversy for his role overseeing the death of 3 children due to negligence on the school administration, and avoiding jailtime due to his connection to stronger inner government officers etc. There have been calls for his removal which have since been either dismissed or avoided following news reports [https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/sherwood-principal-gets-jail-in-students-death-case/articleshow/92558198.cms of the same ]


==Motto and colours==
==Motto and colours==
Line 84: Line 92:
==Campus and activities==
==Campus and activities==


The school is on a large, sprawling campus on the Ayarpata hill (one among the seven hills that boundary [[Nainital]] Lake). The school is divided into two parts: Dixon Wing (grades 7-12) and Horsman Wing (grades 3-6). There are separate dormitories for the students of both wings. The girls' dormitories are with the new teachers' residences, a little away from the main campus.
{{unreferenced section|date=November 2022}}
The school is on a large, sprawling campus on the Ayarpata hill (one among the seven hills that boundary [[Nainital]] Lake). The school is divided into two parts: Dixon Wing (grades 7-12) and Horsman Wing (grades 3-6). There are separate dormitories for the students of both wings. The girls' dormitories are with the new teachers' residences, a little away from the main campus. The campus is an aesthetic blend of post-Edwardian style buildings embellished with Gothic patterned windows, Romanesque arches, oak-panelled walls, sturdy timber beams, quadrangles, and modern buildings.<ref name="educationworld.in">{{Cite web |title=Sherwood College, Nainital, Uttarakhand
|url=https://www.educationworld.in/sherwood-college-nainital/}}</ref><ref name="prefaceinstitute.com">{{Cite web |title=Exploring Sherwood College, Ayarpatta, Nainital: A Legacy of Excellence
|url=https://prefaceinstitute.com/sherwood-college-ayarpatta-nainital/}}</ref>


It is mandatory for all students to participate in sports and extracurricular cultural activities, such as theater, music (Indian and Western), [[fine arts]], [[elocution]], [[debate|debating]], and bi-annual group excursions out of town.
It is mandatory for all students to participate in sports and extracurricular cultural activities, such as theatre, music (Indian and Western), [[fine arts]], [[elocution]], [[debate|debating]], and bi-annual group excursions.<ref name="educationworld.in"/>


The Art Block houses the Indian and Western music departments on the ground floor. The school has its own band. The first floor contains the Art department where the varieties range from crafts like [[batik]] and pottery to oil canvas painting. For the photo enthusiasts there is a Photography Club. For the great writers of tomorrow there is a Hindi Literary Society as well as an English Literary Society. The school has two dramatics societies: Senior Dramatics Society (for the Dixies) and Junior Dramatics Society (for the Horsies). On basis of their evaluation in co-curricular activities, the houses are awarded the Co-Curricular Activities Cup at the Founders Prize ceremony.
The Art Block houses the Indian and Western music departments on the ground floor. The school has its own band. The first floor contains the Art department where the varieties range from crafts like [[batik]] and pottery to oil canvas painting. There is a Photography Club, a Hindi Literary Society, an English Literary Society and Senior and Junior Dramatics Societies. On basis of their evaluation in co-curricular activities, the houses are awarded the Co-Curricular Activities Cup at the Founders Prize ceremony.<ref name="educationworld.in"/>


The chapel (dedicated to [[Barnabas|Saint Barnabas]]) is on the front quad (or [[quadrangle (architecture)|quadrangle]]), with views of the [[Kumaon division|Kumaon]] hills descending into the ''[[Terai]]'' (the plains).
The chapel (dedicated to [[Barnabas|Saint Barnabas]]) is on the front quad (or [[quadrangle (architecture)|quadrangle]]), with views of the [[Kumaon division|Kumaon]] hills descending into the ''[[Terai]]'' (the plains).
[[File:Mig-21 Sherwood College.jpg|thumb|center|MiG-21FL seen installed over the scoreboard structure at the playground in Sherwood College.]]
In 2011, A phased-out [[MiG-21]] FL was installed in the college. The plane had been promised by the then Air Marshal Sumit Mukherjee who was the chief guest at the Founder’s Day celebrations in 2009.<ref>{{Cite web |title=MiG-21FL [C1153] at Sherwood College
|url=https://www.warbirdsofindia.com/uttarpradesh/mig-21fl-c1153-at-sherwood-college/}}</ref>


==Principals==
==Principals==
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| D.R.A. Mountford || 1973 || 2003
| D.R.A. Mountford || 1973 || 2003
|-
|-
| Amandeep Sandhu  || 2004 || Present
| Amandeep Sandhu  || 2004 || present
 
|}
|}


==Notable alumni==
==Notable alumni==
{{alumni|date=November 2022}}


===Armed forces===
===Armed forces===
Approximately 300 alumni were on Active Service in World Wars 1 and 2:
Approximately 300 alumni were on Active Service in World Wars 1 and 2:
[[File:Sam Manekshaw 2008 stamp of India.jpg|thumb|Sam Manekshaw]]
<!-- ONLY ADD A PERSON TO THIS LIST IF THEY ALREADY HAVE AN ARTICLE IN THE ENGLISH WIKIPEDIA -->   
<!-- ONLY ADD A PERSON TO THIS LIST IF THEY ALREADY HAVE AN ARTICLE IN THE ENGLISH WIKIPEDIA -->   
* Vice Admiral [[Anil Chopra (admiral)|Anil Chopra]] Indian Navy
* Field Marshal [[Sam Manekshaw|S.H.F.J. Manekshaw]], Padma Vibhushan, Padma Bhushan, MC, former Chief of the Army Staff, Indian Army <ref name="timesofindia.indiatimes.com">{{Cite news |title=Amitabh to join Sherwood alumni meet |url=http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/articleshow/280257.cms|access-date=12 November 2003 |newspaper=The Times of India | date=12 November 2003 |language=en}}</ref>
* Lt Gen Sir [[Martin Garrod]], Commandant General, Royal Marines (UK)
* Air Marshal [[Subroto Mukerjee]] OBE, First Indian Chief of Indian Air Force. (Mentioned - In - Despatches 1943)
* Lieutenant General [[Syed Ata Hasnain]], Indian Army
* General [[Vishwa Nath Sharma]], PVSM, former Chief of the Army Staff, Indian Army <ref>{{Cite web |title=Military Digest: The young-at-100 Lt Gen Surendra Nath 'Tindi' Sharma
* Lt Gen [[Sami Khan (general)|Sami Khan]] Indian Army
|url=https://indianexpress.com/article/cities/chandigarh/young-100-lt-gen-surendra-nath-tindi-sharma-8973454/ |website=Indian Express |date=8 October 2023 |language=en}}</ref>
* Field Marshal [[Sam Manekshaw|S.H.F.J. Manekshaw]], Padma Vibhushan, Padma Bhushan, MC
* Lt Gen Surinder Nath 'Tindy' Sharma PVSM AVSM, Engineer -in- Chief, Indian Army
* Air Marshal [[Subroto Mukerjee]], First Indian Chief of Indian Air Force
* Air Vice Marshal Jemji Hormusji Framji Manekshaw PVSM AVSM, (Director of Medical Research), Indian Air Force
* Major [[Somnath Sharma]]  PVC, first recipient of India's highest gallantry award Param Vir Chakra
* Vice Admiral [[Anil Chopra (admiral)|Anil Chopra]] PVSM AVSM, (Western Naval Command C-in-C), Indian Navy
* General [[Vishwa Nath Sharma]], PVSM, former Chief of the Army Staff
* Lt Gen Sir [[Martin Garrod]], KCB CMG OBE DL Commandant General, Royal Marines (UK)
<!-- ONLY ADD A PERSON TO THIS LIST IF THEY ALREADY HAVE AN ARTICLE IN THE ENGLISH WIKIPEDIA -->
* Lieutenant General [[Syed Ata Hasnain]], Indian Army <ref>{{Cite web |title='Don't call me Uncle. Call me Sam'|url=https://www.rediff.com/news/column/syed-ata-hasnain-a-general-remembers-sam-manekshaw/20231201.htm|website=Rediff |language=en}}</ref> PVSM UVSM AVSM SM Bar to VSM
* Lt Gen [[Sami Khan (general)|Sami Khan]], PVSM SM Indian Army
* Major [[Somnath Sharma]]  PVC, Indian Army first recipient of India's highest wartime gallantry award Param Vir Chakra <ref>{{Cite web |date=6 June 2023 |title=Gov attends 154th Founding Day of Sherwood College |url=https://garhwalpost.in/gov-attends-154th-founding-day-of-sherwood-college/ |language=en}}</ref>
* Captain Pratap Singh MVC, Indian Army. Recipient of India's 2nd highest wartime Gallantary award.
* Brigadier Sher Pratap Singh Shrikent MVC, Indian Army. Recipient of India's 2nd highest wartime Gallantry award.  
* Air Commodore Kuldeep Singh Sahota VrC, Indian Air Force. Recipient of India's 3rd highest wartime Gallantry award.
* Major Abdul Rafey Khan VrC, Indian Army. Recipient of India's 3rd highest wartime Gallantry award.
* Air Marshal Sumit Mukherjee SC PVSM VSM, (Air Officer C-in-C), Indian Air Force. Recipient of India's 3rd highest peacetime Gallantary award.
* Air Marshal Michael McMahon AVSM VM (Vice Chief of Air Staff), Indian Air Force. (Mentioned - in - Despatches 1966 & 1972)<!-- ONLY ADD A PERSON TO THIS LIST IF THEY ALREADY HAVE AN ARTICLE IN THE ENGLISH WIKIPEDIA -->
 
 
===Performing Arts===
 
* [[Neville Bower]], composer and concert pianist
 
List of film actors:
[[File:Amitabh Bachchan 2014.jpg|thumb|Amitabh Bachchan]]
* [[Amitabh Bachchan]]<ref name="timesofindia.indiatimes.com"/>
* [[Kabir Bedi]]<ref name="ommcomnews.com">{{Cite web |title='Mismanagement, Falling Standards Forcing Sherwood College To Advertise'|url=https://ommcomnews.com/india-news/mismanagement-falling-standards-forcing-sherwood-college-to-advertise |access-date=11 March 2021 |website=Ommcom |date=4 March 2021 |language=en}}</ref>
* [[Dalip Tahil]]
* [[Nikhil Dwivedi]]
* [[Ram Kapoor]]
* [[Jameel Khan]]
* [[Vivek Mushran]]<ref name="timesofindia.indiatimes.com"/>
* [[Vipul Roy]] a television and film actor
* [[Sean Banerjee]], a television actor
* [[Anshul Pandey]]<ref>{{cite web|title=For Anshul Pandey, onscreen parents Jai Kalra and Tarana Raja are guiding forces|url=http://www.tellychakkar.com/tv/tv-news/anshul-pandey-onscreen-parents-jai-kalra-and-tarana-raja-are-guiding-forces|website=Tellychakar|accessdate=26 October 2016}}</ref>{{coord|29.3830|79.4532|type:edu_region:IN-UT|display=title}}


===Other alumni===
===Other alumni===
<!-- ONLY ADD A PERSON TO THIS LIST IF THEY ALREADY HAVE AN ARTICLE IN THE ENGLISH WIKIPEDIA -->
<!-- ONLY ADD A PERSON TO THIS LIST IF THEY ALREADY HAVE AN ARTICLE IN THE ENGLISH WIKIPEDIA -->
* [[Amitabh Bachchan]], Indian film actor
* [[Fateh Chand Badhwar]], OBE, MBE (Mil.) Padma Vinhushan Indian civil servant, first [[Chairman Railway Board (India)]]<ref name="prefaceinstitute.com"/>
* [[Fateh Chand Badhwar]], OBE, MBE (Mil.) Indian civil servant, first [[Chairman Railway Board (India)]]
* [[Angad Vir Singh Bajwa]], Olympic Shooter, Skeet final round [[ISSF Olympic skeet#Current world records|world record]] holder
* [[Kabir Bedi]], Indian film actor
* [[Akhlaqur Rahman Kidwai]] Padma Vibhushan (Former Governor Haryana, Bihar & West Bengal) (Former MP Rajya Sabha)
* [[Virendra Dayal]], IAS, senior UN official
* [[Virendra Dayal]], IAS, senior UN official
* [[Nikhil Dwivedi]], Indian film actor
* [[Rajeev Dhavan]], Senior Advocate, a human rights activist, author, and Commissioner of the [[International Commission of Jurists]]<ref>{{Cite web |title=Rajeev Dhavan|url= https://www.rajeevdhavan.com/about|language=en}}</ref>
* [[Rahul Johri]], CEO of [[Board of Control for Cricket in India]] (BCCI)
* Justice [[Ravi S. Dhavan]], former Chief Justice of Patna High Court
* [[Ram Kapoor]], Indian film actor
* [[Salman Haidar]], former [[Foreign Secretary of India]], former Indian high commissioner to the United Kingdom <ref name="timesofindia.indiatimes.com"/>
*[[Jameel Khan]], Indian film actor
* [[Rahul Johri]], Former CEO of [[Board of Control for Cricket in India]] (BCCI), Former President [[Zee Entertainment Enterprises|Zee Entertainment]] Enterprises India Ltd<ref>{{Cite news |title=Bareilly man Rahul Johri becomes BCCI CEO
* [[Vivek Mushran]], Indian film actor
|url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/bareilly/bareilly-man-rahul-johri-becomes-bcci-ceo/articleshow/51932918.cms |newspaper=The Times of India |date=21 April 2016 |language=en}}</ref>
* [[Kaleem Omar]], Pakistani journalist
* [[Cass Mann]], AIDS activist{{citation needed|date=February 2024}}
* [[Anshul Pandey]], Indian film actor<ref>{{cite web|title=For Anshul Pandey, onscreen parents Jai Kalra and Tarana Raja are guiding forces|url=http://www.tellychakkar.com/tv/tv-news/anshul-pandey-onscreen-parents-jai-kalra-and-tarana-raja-are-guiding-forces|website=Tellychakar|accessdate=26 October 2016}}</ref>{{coord|29.3830|79.4532|type:edu_region:IN-UT|display=title}}
* [[Kaleem Omar]], Pakistani journalist{{citation needed|date=February 2024}}
* [[Jitendra Prasada]], Indian politician
* [[Hemang Dixit]], Nepalese educator, author, and paediatrician<ref>{{Cite web |title=Prof. Hemang Dixit
* [[Vipul Roy]], Indian television and film actor
|url=https://kmc.academia.edu/ProfHemangDixit}}</ref>
* [[Dalip Tahil]], Indian film actor
* [[Jim Corbett]] CIE OBE, Indo-British hunter, tracker, naturalist and author <ref>{{Cite web |title=Lord Jim: The man and his arms |url=https://www.telegraphindia.com/culture/lord-jim-the-man-and-his-arms-tribute-to-the-legendary-hunter-jim-corbett-and-writer-on-the-eve-of-his-birth-anniversary/cid/1876226}}</ref>
* [[Gyanendra Pandey (historian)|Gyanendra Pandey]], former chair of the Department of Anthropology at Johns Hopkins University
* [[Jitendra Prasada]], Indian politician and a former vice-president of the Indian National Congress <ref name="ommcomnews.com"/>
* [[Jitin Prasada]], Minister of PWD [[Government of Uttar Pradesh]], former Union Minister <ref>{{Cite news |title=UPA's Sachin Pilot, Agatha Sangma & Jitin Prasada on matters personal &political|url=https://economictimes.indiatimes.com/opinion/interviews/upas-sachin-pilot-agatha-sangma-jitin-prasada-on-matters-personal-political/articleshow/7792858.cms?from=mdr |newspaper=The Economic Times | date=27 March 2011 |language=en | last1=Banerjee | first1=Soma }}</ref>
* [[Anurag Sharma (politician)]], Parliamentarian and Industrialist <ref>{{Cite web |title=About Anurag Sharma |url=https://www.anuragsharma.me/about_us |website=Anurag Sharma |date=19 July 2019 |language=en}}</ref>
* [[Ray Whiteside]], Australian Olympic [[field hockey]] player
* [[Rattan Chadha|Sir Kul Rattan Chadha]], Founder & Former CEO [[Mexx|Mexx International]], Knighted by [[Beatrix of the Netherlands|Queen Beatrice]] of [[Monarchy of the Netherlands|The Netherlands]] in 2000, Awarded the  Grand Seigneur award of the Netherlands – the highest award in the country for excellence in branding and lifestyle marketing.
<!-- ONLY ADD A PERSON TO THIS LIST IF THEY ALREADY HAVE AN ARTICLE IN THE ENGLISH WIKIPEDIA -->
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==External links==
==External links==
* {{official|http://www.sherwood.edu.in/}}
* {{official website|http://www.sherwood.edu.in/}}
* [http://www.oldsherwoodians.org Old Sherwoodians]
* [http://www.oldsherwoodians.org Old Sherwoodians]


Latest revision as of 20:04, 27 March 2026


Sherwood College
School crest
Location
Nainital, Nainital district, Uttrakhand, India
Information
TypePrivate
MottoMereat quisque palmam
(Let each one merit his prize)
Established1869; 157 years ago (1869)
School districtNainital
PrincipalAmandeep Sandhu
Grades3–12
Enrollment800
HousesRobin Hood, Friar Tuck, Little John, Allen-a-Dale
Color(s)Maroon, bottle green, white
     
AthleticsFootball, cricket, tennis, basketball, swimming, field hockey, badminton, track and field, table-tennis
AffiliationICSE, ISC, IGCSE
Websitewww.sherwood.edu.in

Sherwood College is a co-educational residential school in Nainital, Uttrakhand , India. It was established in 1869 and is affiliated to CISCE and IGCSE.[1]

The school has been described in The Economic Times as one of a group of "old, rich and popular schools — the Eton equivalents in India ... These boarding schools are a state of mind in themselves, an attitude which can’t be duplicated".[2]

History[edit | edit source]

[3] Sherwood was founded on 5 June 1869. It was the brain-child of Dr. Condon, H.S. Reid and others under the patronage of the Rt. Rev. Robert Milman, DD, the seventh Metropolitan of India. The idea took shape as the Diocesan Boys' High School, Naini Tal, as Sherwood was called until 1937. Sherwood's sister school, formally known as the Diocesan Girls' High School, became All Saints' College, Nainital.[4]

Appeals to the public for funds were overwhelming, and a mixed school under Miss Bradbury was started at Petersfield. Its success was reflected in the large-scale rejection of applications for admission. The direct outcome of this pressure was to separate the girls from boys, the latter shifting to Stoneleigh near the Ramsay Hospital.

According to E. Atkinson's The Himalayan Gazetteer of 1882:

"In 1872 the number of pupils increased to 100, but still many applications were refused in consequence of the want of accommodation: The Committee then appealed to the general public for aid in erecting proper school buildings and met with generous response... In 1873 the Sherwood estate with house and magnificent grounds was purchased by the committee for the boys school and is perhaps the finest site and establishment of its kind in India. The report of the examiners show that both in the internal economy and in the character of the instruction imparted, the Diocesan schools thoroughly fulfill the designs of their founder's."

The school received notice to quit Sherwood so that a new Government House might be built. Accommodation was provided temporarily at Barnsdale near the present-day Secretariat. It was later decided to move the school to the 'health resort' of Khurpatal. Three houses on Alma hill — Tonnochy, Snow View and St. Cloud — served as temporary accommodation.

Land on a spur of Ayarpatta was acquired in 1897 and the foundation stone laid by Alfred, Lord Bishop of Lucknow, on 5 June. From that day, 5 June has been reckoned as Founder's Day.

In 1918 the school was divided into four houses:

House name Color Motto Translation
Robin Hood Green Stet fortuna dumas Let the fortunes of the house prevail
Friar Tuck Blue Quis separabit nos None can separate us
Allen-a-Dale Red No lite cedere Never give in
Little John Yellow Unus pro omnibus, omnes pro uno One for all and all for one

In 1922 electricity came to Sherwood, and on 15 June of the same year the infirmary was dedicated and sanctified.

The Horsman brothers, both old Sherwoodians, donated Rs. 75,000/- for the construction of the junior wing known as Horsman Wing, completed in 1927.

In 1937, the name of the school was changed from the Diocesan Boys' School to Sherwood College.

The Binns block was built on the northern side of the back quad; in the following year, Milman Hall was constructed. The new building was formally opened by Sir Harry Haig, Governor of the U.P. It now accommodates a school hall with a seating capacity of 600 and a gymnasium below.

The college chapel, originally dedicated on 1 October 1913, was re-dedicated to St. Barnabas, the Apostle of Learning, on 5 June 1937. A stained-glass window depicting the Good Shepherd was erected on the school's Diamond Jubilee in 1929. The Hammond electric organ was installed in 1939. On Founder's Day, 5 June 1940, a teak altar and altar rails were dedicated to the memory of 'Old Tom' Taylor, a member of the college from 1884 to 1932. The following winter, the wooden paneling of 'shisham' was placed around the chapel and dedicated on Founder's Day 1941. In the same year at the Annual Confirmation Service the teak door was dedicated.

In 1947, the Old Sherwoodians Society had a plaque fabricated bearing the legend 'Sacred to the memory of Old Sherwoodians who made the Supreme Sacrifice in World War II', which lists the names of those who fell in action. Another roll of honour bearing the names of those who were in active service in World War II hangs in Milman Hall.

By 1948, independence had come to India and changes needed to be made. With the exodus of British families, numbers had dropped to a level hardly sufficient to sustain the establishment, but by 1957 the school had approximately 370 boys on its rolls. Additions were made, including an upper floor which was added to the infirmary, and the foundation-stone of the study block (now called Llewelyn Block, the top floor of which has since been demolished to provide an unrestricted view of the plains) was laid. A swimming pool was built.

In 1973, D.R.A. Mountford assumed headship. Between 1973 and 2003 a phased programme of renovation and construction was enacted. The school switched over to the 10+2 pattern under the Indian School Certificate in 1975, when the first batch appeared for the ICSE (class 10) examination. This was the year the last batch of ISC (year 11) appeared for the board examination. The first batch of ISC-12 appeared for the board examination in March 1978.

Two recent innovations have been the introduction of a Computer Literacy program for all students in classes 6 to 12 and the introduction of co-education at class 3 stage onwards.

The school has since seen a downfall in popularity with the new Principal (2004-) Amandeep Singh Sandhu, who has been subject to scrutiny and controversy for his role overseeing the death of 3 children due to negligence on the school administration, and avoiding jailtime due to his connection to stronger inner government officers etc. There have been calls for his removal which have since been either dismissed or avoided following news reports of the same

Motto and colours[edit | edit source]

The school's motto, in Latin, is Mereat Quisque Palmam, meaning "Let each one merit his prize".

Sherwood was named after the Sherwood Foresters, and the school flag borrowed from their colours: bottle green, maroon and white. The houses are Allen-a-Dale or AD (red), Robin Hood or RH (green), Friar Tuck or FT (blue), and Little John or LJ (yellow), all named after Robin Hood and his Merry Men. Among the recent additions is the purple banner of the girls (Maid Marian).

Campus and activities[edit | edit source]

The school is on a large, sprawling campus on the Ayarpata hill (one among the seven hills that boundary Nainital Lake). The school is divided into two parts: Dixon Wing (grades 7-12) and Horsman Wing (grades 3-6). There are separate dormitories for the students of both wings. The girls' dormitories are with the new teachers' residences, a little away from the main campus. The campus is an aesthetic blend of post-Edwardian style buildings embellished with Gothic patterned windows, Romanesque arches, oak-panelled walls, sturdy timber beams, quadrangles, and modern buildings.[5][6]

It is mandatory for all students to participate in sports and extracurricular cultural activities, such as theatre, music (Indian and Western), fine arts, elocution, debating, and bi-annual group excursions.[5]

The Art Block houses the Indian and Western music departments on the ground floor. The school has its own band. The first floor contains the Art department where the varieties range from crafts like batik and pottery to oil canvas painting. There is a Photography Club, a Hindi Literary Society, an English Literary Society and Senior and Junior Dramatics Societies. On basis of their evaluation in co-curricular activities, the houses are awarded the Co-Curricular Activities Cup at the Founders Prize ceremony.[5]

The chapel (dedicated to Saint Barnabas) is on the front quad (or quadrangle), with views of the Kumaon hills descending into the Terai (the plains).

MiG-21FL seen installed over the scoreboard structure at the playground in Sherwood College.

In 2011, A phased-out MiG-21 FL was installed in the college. The plane had been promised by the then Air Marshal Sumit Mukherjee who was the chief guest at the Founder’s Day celebrations in 2009.[7]

Principals[edit | edit source]

Name From To
Rev. E. Baston 1869 1880
R.J. Elliott 1880 1886
Rev. A. Hancock 1887 1892
Rev. E. Munro 1893 1896
Rev. R. Biggs 1897 1898
R.C. Rosselet 1899 1902
W.A. Pemberton 1903 1906
C.H. Dixon 1907 1932
Rev. A.E. Binns 1932 1947
R.T. Lean 1948 1951
Rev. R.C. Llewelyn 1951 1966
C.D. Beaman 1967 1970
T.A.C. Kemp 1972 1972
D.R.A. Mountford 1973 2003
Amandeep Sandhu 2004 present

Notable alumni[edit | edit source]

Armed forces[edit | edit source]

Approximately 300 alumni were on Active Service in World Wars 1 and 2:

Sam Manekshaw
  • Field Marshal S.H.F.J. Manekshaw, Padma Vibhushan, Padma Bhushan, MC, former Chief of the Army Staff, Indian Army [8]
  • Air Marshal Subroto Mukerjee OBE, First Indian Chief of Indian Air Force. (Mentioned - In - Despatches 1943)
  • General Vishwa Nath Sharma, PVSM, former Chief of the Army Staff, Indian Army [9]
  • Lt Gen Surinder Nath 'Tindy' Sharma PVSM AVSM, Engineer -in- Chief, Indian Army
  • Air Vice Marshal Jemji Hormusji Framji Manekshaw PVSM AVSM, (Director of Medical Research), Indian Air Force
  • Vice Admiral Anil Chopra PVSM AVSM, (Western Naval Command C-in-C), Indian Navy
  • Lt Gen Sir Martin Garrod, KCB CMG OBE DL Commandant General, Royal Marines (UK)
  • Lieutenant General Syed Ata Hasnain, Indian Army [10] PVSM UVSM AVSM SM Bar to VSM
  • Lt Gen Sami Khan, PVSM SM Indian Army
  • Major Somnath Sharma PVC, Indian Army first recipient of India's highest wartime gallantry award Param Vir Chakra [11]
  • Captain Pratap Singh MVC, Indian Army. Recipient of India's 2nd highest wartime Gallantary award.
  • Brigadier Sher Pratap Singh Shrikent MVC, Indian Army. Recipient of India's 2nd highest wartime Gallantry award.
  • Air Commodore Kuldeep Singh Sahota VrC, Indian Air Force. Recipient of India's 3rd highest wartime Gallantry award.
  • Major Abdul Rafey Khan VrC, Indian Army. Recipient of India's 3rd highest wartime Gallantry award.
  • Air Marshal Sumit Mukherjee SC PVSM VSM, (Air Officer C-in-C), Indian Air Force. Recipient of India's 3rd highest peacetime Gallantary award.
  • Air Marshal Michael McMahon AVSM VM (Vice Chief of Air Staff), Indian Air Force. (Mentioned - in - Despatches 1966 & 1972)


Performing Arts[edit | edit source]

List of film actors:

Amitabh Bachchan

Other alumni[edit | edit source]

References[edit | edit source]

  1. ↑ "Home - Sherwood College". www.sherwood.edu.in. Retrieved 22 June 2020.
  2. ↑ Ghosh, Aniruddha; Naithani, Ambika (5 November 2006). "At school, forever". The Economic Times. Retrieved 5 April 2023.
  3. ↑ "The Sherwood Experience".
  4. ↑ Allsaint. "History - Allsaint College". Allsaint College. Retrieved 1 October 2018.
  5. ↑ 5.0 5.1 5.2 "Sherwood College, Nainital, Uttarakhand".
  6. ↑ 6.0 6.1 "Exploring Sherwood College, Ayarpatta, Nainital: A Legacy of Excellence".
  7. ↑ "MiG-21FL [C1153] at Sherwood College".
  8. ↑ 8.0 8.1 8.2 8.3 "Amitabh to join Sherwood alumni meet". The Times of India. 12 November 2003. Retrieved 12 November 2003.
  9. ↑ "Military Digest: The young-at-100 Lt Gen Surendra Nath 'Tindi' Sharma". Indian Express. 8 October 2023.
  10. ↑ "'Don't call me Uncle. Call me Sam'". Rediff.
  11. ↑ "Gov attends 154th Founding Day of Sherwood College". 6 June 2023.
  12. ↑ 12.0 12.1 "'Mismanagement, Falling Standards Forcing Sherwood College To Advertise'". Ommcom. 4 March 2021. Retrieved 11 March 2021.
  13. ↑ "For Anshul Pandey, onscreen parents Jai Kalra and Tarana Raja are guiding forces". Tellychakar. Retrieved 26 October 2016.
  14. ↑ "Rajeev Dhavan".
  15. ↑ "Bareilly man Rahul Johri becomes BCCI CEO". The Times of India. 21 April 2016.
  16. ↑ "Prof. Hemang Dixit".
  17. ↑ "Lord Jim: The man and his arms".
  18. ↑ Banerjee, Soma (27 March 2011). "UPA's Sachin Pilot, Agatha Sangma & Jitin Prasada on matters personal &political". The Economic Times.
  19. ↑ "About Anurag Sharma". Anurag Sharma. 19 July 2019.

External links[edit | edit source]

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