title: Spennymoor Grammar School
text: # Spennymoor Grammar School
  
  Spennymoor Grammar School (also known as Alderman Wraith Grammar School) was a selective state school in County Durham:
  
  ## History
  
  It opened in 1922, went through several name changes and finally closed in 2015.
  
  ## Notable former pupils
  
  * Sir Percy Cradock, British diplomat, civil servant and sinologist, Ambassador to China from 1978 to 1983
  * Eric Gates, striker for Ipswich Town
  * John McManners, British clergyman and historian of religion
  * Bruce Oldfield, fashion designer (briefly)
  * Dave Parnaby, football manager
  * Jack Scott, BBC weather forecaster
  * John Walton, Baron Walton of Detchant (formerly Sir John Walton), neuroscientist
  * Peter Willis, former association football referee
  * James Woodward, Principal of Sarum College
  