Know Us Better
Bishop Cotton School, Shimla is one of the oldest boys boarding schools in Asia and was the first ‘Public School’ in India. It was founded on 28th July 1859, by Bishop George Edward Lynch Cotton. George Cotton was a scholar at Westminster School and a graduate of Cambridge University. In 1836, Cotton began teaching at Rugby School under the tutelage of Doctor Thomas Arnold before moving on to be Master of Marlborough College. It was the young Mr Cotton who is spoken of as the ‘the model young master’ in Thomas Hughes’ famous book ‘Tom Brown’s School Days’.
As Bishop of Calcutta, on the 28th July 1859, Cotton conducted a service for the foundation of a public school at a hill station. Collections were made in most of the churches of the Diocese for this purpose. These funds were used to found the Bishop’s School at Jutogh, Shimla. The land and the buildings on it were a gift from the Viceroy. Three private houses were purchased by Bishop Cotton, out of the India Public School Fund, and the school opened for students on the 15th March 1863. Though mentioned in correspondence as the Shimla Public School, it never actually bore this name.
The first boy, Frederick Naylor, joined the school on the 16th March 1863, ‘creeping like a snail, unwillingly to school,’ watched by the staff with curiosity and amusement. Thirty five boys were admitted that year and the school increased its strength to sixty five pupils by 1864. This was the maximum number the buildings and grounds could hold
Bishop Cotton personally investigated potential sites in 1864, finally approved the south end of the Knollswood Spur. The foundation stone for the new buildings, was laid on 26th September 1866, by H.E. The Viceroy Sir John Lawrence, elder brother of Sir Henry Lawrence. In September 1868, the school moved to Knollswood, its present site.
Since then the school has gone from strength to strength. Today the school is proud of its Anglo-Indian heritage, but firmly embraces the multi-faceted nature of modern 21st century India – forward-looking, diverse, democratic, and vibrant. We welcome boys from all over the globe who will help to shape the next 160 years of the school.
The Chapel is at the heart of the school – literally and metaphorically. The school community meets in our historic and beautiful Chapel every morning from Monday to Saturday during term-time. Services are overseen by the Chaplain. Hymn singing is led by the school choir. There is always a reading and address by a pupil. All members of the pupil body attend Chapel – whether they are Christian or not.
Chapel time provides a moment of reflection during the busy schedule of the school day. Christian boys are able to attend services at Christchurch, Shimla on a Sunday. The Chapel also hosts the very popular Carol Service at the end of the school year. The Chaplain is an important pastoral figure in the school. Available at all times to counsel and support all members of the school community – boys, parents and staff alike.
Principled
Each boy should leave BCS with a set of values and principles that guide his actions. These include having the courage to act when injustice occurs and to care for those less fortunate. The founder of the school, Bishop George Cotton, was driven by the Christian virtues of faith, hope and compassion.
Connected
Each boy should realise that we live in a connected world. They must develop communication skills and
learn to build relationships with others – essential in a boarding community. They must speak and write
undergraduate level English. They must learn team work and leadership. They must understand we all share one world and appreciate the challenges involved in ensuring a sustainable use of the planet’s
resources.
Resilient
Each boy must learn to cope with the challenges of life and to learn to cope with moments of uncertainty
and failure. BCS boys learn to be independent and organised through life in boarding. The extensive extra-curricular life of the school is designed to get boys out of their comfort zone and rise to the challenges faced.
Motivated
Each boy must learn to be proactive. To understand the value of energy and determination in succeeding
in everyday life. BCS embraces the value of competition in everything we do.
Curious
Each boy is encouraged to be curious and informed about the outside world. Our mountain top campus and extensive tours and treks programme encourage moments of awe and wonder. Each boy should leave appreciating that a life well lived is a continuous learning experience.
Reflective
Each boy is encouraged to understand how they learn effectively and the different learning processes and learning styles. To understand that time spent pausing to plan the way ahead is well spent.
Creative
Each boy is encouraged to be creative and to understand the need to innovate and use imagination to solve problems. They need to be technologically literate. They need to understand the need sometimes to take calculated risks.
