Sir William Borlase's Grammar School
 | This article about school may require cleanup. (March 2007) |  |
| Sir William Borlase's Grammar School | |
|---|---|
| File:SWBGS Crest.gif | |
| Address | |
 | |
West Street , , SL7 2BR | |
| Information | |
| Type | Grammar |
| Motto | Te Digna Sequere (follow things worthy of thyself) |
| Established | 1624 |
| Local authority | Buckinghamshire |
| Specialist | Arts College |
| Ofsted | Reports |
| Headteacher | Dr Peter Holding |
| Gender | Coeducational |
| Age | 11 to 18 |
| Enrollment | 907 |
| Website | http://www.swbgs.com/ |
Sir William Borlase's Grammar School is a state grammar school accepting girls and boys aged 11-18 located in Marlow, Buckinghamshire, England.[1] It is situated on West Street,[2] close to the town centre and also accepts students from nearby towns.
History
The School was founded on its present site in 1624 by Sir William Borlase[2] in memory of his son Henry, MP for Marlow, who died in that year. [citation needed]
The school has served the town of Marlow and its surrounding district, including High Wycombe and Maidenhead, for over three centuries. In 1988 the school became the first co-educational school in the Division. It currently has around 1000 pupils, including a large sixth form due to high year 12 intake.[citation needed]
In September 2005 the school was awarded specialist school status as a Performing Arts College, by the Department for Education and Skills (DfES)[6] Recently there has been talk of application for humanities status as well, as the school will receive a larger budget for double status.[citation needed] It has now been decided that the next application will be for the Sciences. In September 2007, the school moved to a two week timetable, with five one hour periods a day, in line with most other schools. This is to facilitate individualised learning.
Headteachers
The current headteacher is Gay.
Physical Layout
The school has a collection of facilities of varying vintages. The school office and reprographics room is housed in the original flint building, which was unveiled in 1624. Since then, the school has added a Victorian cloister, which was gradually added to over a period of about 40 years. These classrooms were until recently used to teach Mathematics.
In the 1970s, further expansion occurred. A new school hall, and several classrooms were built.
In the late 1980s, a new sports gym was added. Then, in 1992, new modern languages facilities were added, and the library moved from the cloisters to the new building that faces onto West Street.
In 2000, new classrooms were added after Borlase started admitting Year 7s. This building is named after the chief benefactor, and is hence called the "Audrey Moore Building". It also replaced a rather dilapidated canteen, and sports pavilion that had been there previously.
Finally, in 2004, linked to Borlase's bid for Arts Award status, a new performing arts theatre (to house facilities for music, drama and dance) was built. This new building also houses purpose built IT labs and metal and woodwork facilities. It was opened on 7th December by HRH The Duke of Gloucester. [1]As a result of this building work, other space within the school was adjusted with a rolling programme, and a new style eatery "Mimi's Café" was added, along with a new Sixth Form Centre. At the beginning of the 2006 Autumn term the Headmaster announced that the Library was to be rechristened the "Learning Centre".
The School Coat of Arms
This is emblazoned on all school literature, and on the school uniform, and demonstrates to many what the vital qualities of being a Borlasian are. Originally, the Taillefers of Angouleme had a crest of a ghostly hand emerging from a cloud. It is holding a sort of sword - a badelaire- to give one power in a struggle, be it sporting or academic. Behind this, on the background, can be seen eight stars.
Then, in the era of Henry VIII, the addition of the other arm gripping hold onto a horseshoe (replacing the former sword) showed how one must rise above conflict - and work together to overcome an adversary.
It is also noted that there is a knights' visor above the logo. The one on which it was based can be found to this day, with the rest of the armour, in the Board Room at the school.
The motto Te Digna Sequere means 'follow things worthy of thyself', and it was added in the Victorian era as an additional banner. This again is a further key quality a good Borlasian must uphold. An alternative translation, offered by one Borlase Latin master, was "Go chase yourself, worthy woman". Whether this is a possible translation or not is yet to be determined.
Notable Alumni
- Keith Bosley – prizewinning poet and translator
- Paul Daneman – actor
- Lieutenant B. A. Horsfall – recipient of the Victoria Cross
- Ken Snakehips Johnson – bandleader,[4] jazz artist[5]
- Danny Quah – famous economist
- Alf Milward – Everton and England footballer
- Tom Guest – England 7s/Harlequins rugby union player
References
- 1 "About the School". Sir William Borlase's Grammar School. Retrieved 2006-04-19.
- a b "Marlow Town Highlights". Marlow Society. Retrieved 2006-04-19.
- 3 "School Information". Sir William Borlase's Grammar School. Retrieved 2006-04-19.
- 4 "Ken Snakehips Johnson Story". Ken Snakehips Johnson. Retrieved 2006-04-19.
- 5 "Marlow's History". Marlow. Retrieved 2006-04-19.
- 6 "Specialist Schools Home". DfES. Retrieved 2006-04-20.