Ferncourt High School - Claremont, Jamaica

Martin Luther King said, 'I have a dream ... ,' I believe it was a dream that Iris Simpson had, a dream
to one day open a high school that would produce intelligent students, who would one day propel our nation forward.

Amidst the social and political unrest that was rampant in the 1930's, Mrs. Simpson lived her dream. Mrs. Simpson a graduate of Westwood High School was attracted to teaching from her early years in life. Before undertaking the opening of Ferncourt High School she had previously operated a small school in Lucea, Hanover and later taught on the staff of Rusea's High School.

In 1935 Inspector J. J. Simpson her husband rented a house in Louvain, Ewart Town St. Ann. While living in Ewart Town, Mrs. Simpson continued her activities as a private tutor at her home with  

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four students from St. Ann's Bay. This was the nucleus that later became Ferncourt High School.

Ferncourt High school was officially opened in1938. Housed in a building previously belonging to Dr. Curphey, knownas 'Cedars,' Ferncourt welcomed its first set of girls who all boarded on the school's compound.

An active member of the Anglican Church and the Scout Movement, it was no surprise that Mrs. Simpson devised a curriculum that not only catered to the girls' intellectual development but one that would also prepared them to be socially and morally, upstanding citizens. To deliver this curriculum which included classical subjects such as French, Latin and Music along with the fundamental social graces, the staff was recruited from all across Jamaica as well as overseas .

As the institution was privately owned, the acceptance of students was based primarily on the character and resources of the parents as well as the conduct and ability of the students.

The school later became a co- educational institution and the population maintained a steady growth and by 1959 the population had reached two hundred and sixty six. In 1955, the government formally recognized the school which became a public entity in 1960. As the school continued to expand and the society began to change there were curriculum changes. Less emphasis was now placed on the classical subjects such as French and Latin and more emphasis on the technical subjects. Presently Femcourt incorporates traditional high school education with training in Industrial Arts and Practical Commercial Skills. Ferncourt High School is also one of the few traditional high schools in Jamaica that boasts a Technical Department and it is the only government owned traditional high school in Region Three.

Mrs. Simpson held the position of Principal from its opening until 1961. When she retired Mr. Weller took over the leadership of the school for a short while. He was followed by Mr. James Laing, Mr. Oswald Fisher, Mr. Byron Brown, Mr. O.R. Bell, Miss. V.J. Clarke, Rev'd St. Aubyn Hay, Mrs. Sharon Kelly- Stair, Mrs. Ethyl Mullings, Rev'd Claudette Johnson, Mrs. Veronica Archer and currently Rev'd Lenworth Sterling who is one of the many fortunate who can say that Ferncourt High School is his Alma mater- their pride and joy.

Ferncourt High currently has a second campus located at Brittonville. The school has extended its facilities with staff residences, an auditorium and an extra laboratory to accommodate a population of 1556 students and a faculty of over sixty on both campuses.

The school is in now in its 71st year. The Board of Governors, the principal, staff and students of Ferncourt High School say thank you to all the individuals and organizations that have helped the school to become what it is today. As we move forward we welcome any contribution that will propel the school to become one of Jamaica's best and carry on the legacy of Mrs. Iris Blanche Simpson.