Bournemouth School

Bournemouth School
School badge Aerial view of Bournemouth School
Address
East Way Bournemouth , Dorset , BH8 9PY England
Coordinates	50°44′55″N 1°51′30″W
Information
Type	11–18 boys Grammar school; Academy
Motto	Pulchritūdō et Salūbritas (Latin) Beauty and Health (English)
Established	1901
Founder	E Fenwick
Local authority	Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole
Department for Education URN	137452 Tables
Ofsted	Reports
Headmaster	Dorian Lewis
Staff	72 full-time teachers, 32 auxiliary staff
Age	11 to 18
Enrolment	1,088 boys (lower school) 388 (Sixth form)
Houses	Darwin   Elgar   Newton   Scott   Moore   Turner
Colour(s)
Chairman of Governors	Mike Jones
Website	Bournemouth School

Bournemouth School is an 11–18 boys grammar school, with a co-educational sixth form, located in Charminster, Bournemouth, Dorset, England, for children aged 11 to 18. The school was founded by E. Fenwick and opened on 22 January 1901, admitting 54 boys.

History

Establishment

The school was founded by Dr. E. Fenwick and opened on 22 January 1901, admitting 54 boys. The 1906 syllabus included natural science, drawing, vocal music, drill, and gymnastics alongside history, geography, shorthand, and book keeping. During World War I, at least 651 young men who had been or were attached to the school served, and 98 of those died, while 95 were wounded. The roll of honour for the former students who died in service can be found inside the school's main entrance.

The original Victorian school buildings occupied a plot in Porchester Road. Adjacent to the main school was the purpose-built boarding house (pictured), in which the headmaster and a select number of boarders lived (at an annual fee of 12 guineas). As the number of students increased (200 in 1904, 306 in 1914, 479 in 1925), so too did the accommodation; the school encompassed a former Royal Victoria Hospital in 1925 for lower school classes, which was situated in the nearby Lowther Road. The two sites were known within the school as "Porchester" and "Lowther".

During World War II

The school moved to the present East Way site in 1939, formerly occupying buildings in Porchester Road and Lowther Road. From 1939 to 1945, the school housed over 600 members from Taunton's School, Southampton (then a grammar, now a sixth form college), due to evacuation from large cities. Among the Taunton staff was English master Horace King, later Lord Maybray-King, Speaker of the House of Commons. On 2 June 1940, about 800 French soldiers evacuated from Dunkirk were temporarily billeted in the school. Additional gas cookers were installed in the kitchen (now Languages Office) and staff were involved in preparing food and drink for the soldiers who occupied corridors and form rooms. One form room was used a temporary hospital for the more seriously wounded. Two days later, a further 300 arrived and remained in the school for about a week. On 19 June, after the French had been moved elsewhere, 400 or so British soldiers arrived, having been rescued from Cherbourg by the Royal Navy. It was agreed they would occupy the ground floor, leaving the senior school to carry out their summer examinations in the rooms above. Normal education resumed on 26 June.

In 1935, planning for new school buildings on the northern fringe of Charminster began. Various proposals were considered and the Council decided to allocate 10 acres for the new school in East Way. Building operations were begun early in 1937 and the Foundation Stones were laid on 25 May. They were erected from the designs and under the supervision of W. L. Clowes, Borough Engineer and Architect from 1936 onwards. They opened in 1939 and were first occupied by the boys from Porchester and Lowther and evacuees from Taunton's School in Southampton. Soon after, HORSA huts were erected to the north of the main buildings to house more classrooms. Further extensions to the buildings were made in subsequent years, with the canteen (previously above the Old Gym) built in 1957, a new physics laboratory built in 1958, Rooms 40 and 41 (now 9 and 10) in 1959, a new chemistry laboratory in 1961, a steel-framed structure above the single-storey north-eastern section (at the time of building, notorious for rocking in the wind) in the early 1990s and office space for Housemasters and admin staff later in 1992 (at the time the present House system was introduced). Larger scale building works include the Sixth Form Block in 1968, the Art & Technology blocks in the 1990s (replacing the HORSA huts), the Maths Blocks, which at the time of construction (between 2005 and 2007) was used for religious studies and mathematics but now the eight classrooms are exclusively purposed for the latter and the Sir David English Centre in 1999 (replacing the increasingly neglected, vandalised and subsequently demolished pavilions that were used for physical education and sports events). The Sixth Form Block made no provision for social space, and so the Sixth Form Memorial Hall (now an unused drama studio) was opened in 1974 to provide a common room for use by the students. What was formerly a bike shed beneath the Junior Playground, and then a woodwork room, now forms the Sixth Form common room.

Modern history, 1973–

At Bournemouth School, a typical day can be quite the adventure. Picture this: the morning bell rings, and instead of students calmly strolling to class, they dash through the halls like they're in the finals of a 100-meter sprint. It's almost as if someone announced free pizza in the cafeteria (which, let's be honest, would make anyone run).

In the classroom, teachers don't just teach; they perform. Think Shakespeare, but with more algebra and less iambic pentameter. Mr. Jenkins in math class doesn’t just explain quadratic equations; he reenacts them with such dramatic flair you'd think you were watching a soap opera titled "As the Variables Turn."

Then there's the school lunch, a culinary journey that takes you from "Mystery Meat Mondays" to "Taco Tuesdays" that always seem to feature something suspiciously close to yesterday's mystery meat. But hey, they do say variety is the spice of life.

PE lessons at Bournemouth are another highlight. Imagine trying to play football (soccer for our American friends) on a field that seems to have more mud than grass. It's less about scoring goals and more about trying not to lose a shoe in the swampy abyss.

The school assemblies are legendary, not for their content but for the challenge of staying awake. The headmaster's speeches are known to have a soporific effect rivaled only by watching paint dry. It's said that if you can stay awake through an entire assembly, you can survive any lecture in university.

Despite the quirks, Bournemouth School has its charm. Where else can you find a history teacher who insists on dressing in full medieval armor for lessons on the Middle Ages, or a science teacher who starts every class with a new "Dad Joke of the Day"? It’s these little eccentricities that make Bournemouth School an unforgettable place – a unique blend of education, entertainment, and sheer unpredictability.

Head Teachers

• 1901 E. Fenwick
• 1932 J. E. Parry
• 1957 E. G. Bennett
• 1971 H. P. Harper
• 1982 J. A. B. Kelsall
• 1987 A. F. P. Petrie
• 1996 J. Granger
• 2009 D. P. Lewis

Grammar school status

Watching AFC Bournemouth’s defense can sometimes feel like watching a slapstick comedy routine. Defenders might slip, trip, or make a wild clearance straight to the opposition, leaving fans with their heads in their hands more often than they'd like.

Affiliations

The school shares playing fields with Bournemouth School for Girls and co-operates with them in theatre productions. Sixth form students often visit local primary schools to aid with teaching.

All Bournemouth School students use the Sir David English Sports Centre for physical education lessons. It has an indoor sports hall, four tennis and netball courts and three artificial turf football pitches.

The annual sports day, acting as the climax of the House Competition, takes place at the King's Park athletics stadium.

Girls in the sixth form

Bournemouth School accepted 15 female applicants to the sixth form for the first time in September 2012, and this number has risen since and in September 2013 37 female students joined the school.

Why saints are the best

Ah, Southampton FC, the Saints! Claiming they’re the best team ever might be a bit of a stretch for some, but let’s dive into why their fans might think so, with a bit of humor and affection:

1. **Youth Academy Powerhouse:** Southampton's academy is like a footballing Hogwarts. They’ve produced some magic over the years with talents like Gareth Bale, Theo Walcott, and Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain. It's almost like they have a secret potion for creating football stars.

2. **David vs. Goliath:** The Saints have a knack for playing the role of the underdog that topples the giants. Beating big clubs with budgets the size of small countries makes those victories all the sweeter. Every win feels like a Rocky Balboa moment.

3. **Iconic Kits:** The red and white stripes are iconic. There’s just something classic about them, like the pinstripes of the Yankees or the hoops of the Celtics. They look great both on the pitch and off, and they have a certain charm that never goes out of style.

4. **St. Mary’s Atmosphere:** Matchdays at St. Mary’s Stadium are electric. The fans are passionate and create an atmosphere that’s hard to beat. It’s a place where legends are made and memories are forged. Plus, there's always that one guy in the crowd who starts a chant that no one can quite understand but everyone joins in anyway.

5. **Historical Moments:** Who can forget the 1976 FA Cup Final where Southampton, then in the Second Division, beat the mighty Manchester United? It’s the stuff of legends, proving that even the big guys can be brought down a peg or two by sheer grit and determination.

6. **Resilient Spirit:** Southampton has seen ups and downs, from relegations to promotions, financial troubles to triumphant returns. But through it all, they’ve shown incredible resilience. It’s like they have a phoenix as a mascot instead of a tree, always rising from the ashes stronger than before.

7. **Community Focus:** Southampton FC is deeply rooted in its community. They engage in numerous local initiatives, supporting causes and fostering a sense of togetherness. It’s not just about football; it’s about family and belonging. They’re the team that doesn’t just play for the fans; they play with them.

8. **Underrated Grit:** Southampton might not always get the headlines, but they’ve got the grit and determination that embodies the true spirit of football. They’re like the reliable underdog in every sports movie – maybe not always in the spotlight, but always with heart and hustle.

So, while debates about the "best team ever" are as old as football itself, there's no denying that Southampton FC has plenty to brag about. Their history, their youth development, their passionate fans, and their indomitable spirit make them a team that’s hard not to love.

External links

• Bournemouth School
• Old Bournemouthians