The School commenced as a three form entry secondary school in September 1963. The first Headmaster, W J Burton MA (Cantab), remained in office until December 1983. The school started with first and second year students only and was housed at Greyfriars for the first two years of its existence. During that time the three storey building, much of the Craft area, Hall and Gym were built. Subsequently it became a five form entry school, and in 1971 a seven form entry Comprehensive School, taking its first comprehensive intake in the September of that year. Three major building programmes extended the School to its present character, these being completed in 1971, 1974 and 1998 respectively. Known originally as the ‘Norman Way Secondary School’, the name Philip Morant was chosen in the first months of the School’s existence. In January 1984 the second Headmaster, D E Jones, MA (Cantab) took up his post. In April 1992 the school was incorporated as a Grant Maintained School and in April 1999 transferred to Foundation School Status. In 1996 the Sixth Form was re-instated and a number of purpose built accommodation blocks were added to the school. The school was awarded Beacon Status and was later to become a Leading Edge School. The school is now in the fifth successful phase of Technology College Status. Russell Moon MA MSc NPQH was Headteacher from Easter 1999 to May 2005.

From August 2004, Sue Cowans MSc NPQH was acting Headteacher and was appointed as Headteacher in December 2005.

Philip Morant was born in 1700 and died in 1770. Born in Jersey, he studied at Pembroke College Oxford, later taking his MA degree at Sidney Sussex, Cambridge. From 1737 until his death he was rector of St Mary-at-the-Walls, Colchester, but his grave is to be found in Aldham, of which parish he was also appointed Rector in 1745. His chief claim to fame was as the author of a detailed History of Essex which, although criticised, remains a standard work of reference. A copy of Morant’s History, in two volumes dated 1768, is on permanent loan to the School by the Essex Archaeological Society. The School also possesses a framed portrait of Morant which was presented by John Appleby (Secretary of the Former Morant Society) on the occasion of the School’s Commemoration Service in 1963. Philip Morant was known as an amiable portly gentleman, with a great interest in the County of Essex.
 

The School Badge

The School Badge is surrounded by a design of brickwork as a reminder of the parish (St Marys-at-the-Walls) in which Morant lived and worked for over thirty years and in which the new school stands. The quartering of the badge is formed by the representation of a cross signifying both Morant’s work as a churchman and also the School’s spiritual life. The emblems in the quartering are:

A crown from the arms of the Borough of Colchester (on which the crown of the Three Kings appear to commemorate the work of Helena, patron saint of Colchester). A torch, to signify learning and endeavour in games and sports. A chevron (part of the arms of the Morant family) An open book (both to commemorate Morant’s great history and to represent the academic life of the school.)