Borden Grammar School
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| Borden Grammar School | |
|---|---|
| Address | |
 | |
Avenue of Remembrance , , ME10 4DB | |
| Information | |
| Type | Academy |
| Motto | Nitere Porro (To strive forward) |
| Established | 1878 |
| Local authority | Kent |
| Specialist | Sports and Modern Foreign Languages |
| Department for Education URN | 118837 Tables |
| Ofsted | Reports |
| Head teacher | Jonathan Hopkins |
| Staff | c.75 |
| Gender | Boys |
| Age | 11 to 18 |
| Enrollment | 781 |
| Houses | Twickenham, Wembley, Wimbledon and Lords |
| Colour(s) | Navy blue and gold |
| Website | http://websites.bordengrammar.kent.sch.uk |
Borden Grammar School is a selective boys grammar school with academy status situated in the centre of Sittingbourne, Kent, England, which educates students aged 11–18. Whilst the school mainly admits boys, a small number girls have been educated at the school within the Sixth Form. The school holds specialist status in both Sports and Modern Foreign Languages. The school has a Latin motto, nitere porro which translates as "to strive forward".
History
The school was originally built in Borden on College Road, funded with money from then local resident William Barrow. It later moved to its present site in Avenue of Remembrance, Sittingbourne but retained its original name. The old school building is now an Adult Education Centre.
Houses
In common with many secondary schools in England, Borden had a house system, however this traditional system was ended in 2002. The original houses were 'Borden', 'Swale', 'Barrow' and 'School'. Aside from the references to the school's location and benefactor, the etymology of 'Swale' can be explained by reference to the local stretch of water, The Swale, which runs between Sittingbourne and the Isle of Sheppey and also lends its name to the local Borough Council.
A house system was reinstated at the start of the school year beginning September 2007. The house names are Lords, Wimbledon, Wembley and Twickenham, named after the homes of cricket, tennis, football and rugby in England.
Modern School
On September 1, 2006 the school was awarded Specialist status for Sports and Modern Foreign Languages. With this status and an associated increase in funding, the school has built many new facilities including a multi use games area (MUGA), a new library and a new private study area. In 2011 the school also received a sports bursary, with which it used to construct a climbing wall in the gym.
In 2011 the school applied to become an academy, with the decision currently pending. This would change the flexibility of the curriculum able to be taught at the school as well as increase funding.
The school, along with other Sittingbourne based Secondary schools, Fulston Manor School and Highsted Grammar School for Girls, maintain a close community and share teaching responsibilities of specialised subject at A-Level, with Borden teaching Economics, Sociology and Psychology.
Borden Grammar School uses a mailing system to keep parents up to date, that is called ParentMail. ParentMail enables the school to send out letters and messages direct to parents by email. Over half of the parents have now signed up to this service and are receiving letters and other news via email.
Notable former pupils
- Francis Eustace Baker CBE, Governor of Saint Helena, Ascension and Tristan da Cunha from 1984-8
- Geoff Beynon, Joint General Secretary from 1979-87 of the Assistant Masters and Mistresses Association (changed its name to the Association of Teachers and Lecturers in 1993)
- Frank Cassell CB, UK representative at the IMF from 1988–90
- Prof Trevor Dadson, Professor of Hispanic Studies since 2004 at Queen Mary, University of London, and from 1990-2004 at the University of Birmingham
- Admiral Sir Kenneth Eaton, Rear-Admiral of the United Kingdom from 2001-7, and Third Sea Lord from 1989–94
- Sir Stanley Hooker CBE, aeronautical engineer who designed the early jet engines, culminating with the Rolls-Royce Pegasus
- Thomas Kent CBE, Managing Director in 1977 of the British Aircraft Corporation
- Kevin Keohane CBE, (first) Rector from 1976-8 of the Roehamptom Institute of Higher Education (now Roehampton University since 2006)
- Sir Peter Kitcatt CB
- Air Vice-Marshal Ronald Knott CB DSO DFC* AFC*, Station Commander from 1959-61 of RAF Gütersloh
- Peter Millican, philosopher
- Noel Muddiman CBE, Chief Executive from 1995-2004 of Motability
- Prof John Shepherd, Emeritus Professor of Geography, Birkbeck College, University of London, Director, Defra Rural Evidence Research Centre 2004 - 2009, Member, Defra RDPE External Assurance and Risk Committee
- Sir Alfred Road CBE, Chief Inspector of Taxes from 1952-6
- Prof Patrick Sims-Williams, Professor of Celtic Studies since 1994 at Aberystwyth University, editor since 1981 of Cambrian Medieval Celtic Studies
- Rob Smyth - sports journalist, noted for The Guardian's over-by-over cricket coverage, was highly commended at the 2009 Sports Journalists' Association Awards
- Ben Dover
References
