Hertford Grammer School , Hertfordshire , United Kingdom . Late 1940 ' s - Early 1950 ' s The school was founded on 16 April 1617 by the affluent merchant Richard Hale , who wished to " erect a grammar school for the instruction of children in the Latin tongue and other literature in the town of Hertford " . The original school building was in use for 313 years from 1617 to 1930 , and still stands near to All Saints Church . It was known as " Hertford Grammar School " until the early 1970s , when it changed to the current name : " Richard Hale School "