The King's School, Grantham
| The King's School, Grantham | |
|---|---|
| Address | |
 | |
Brook Street , , NG31 6RP | |
| Information | |
| Type | Grammar voluntary controlled school |
| Motto | Honi Soit Qui Mal Y Pense (Shamed be he who thinks evil of it!) |
| Established | 1528 |
| Local authority | Lincolnshire |
| Ofsted | Reports |
| Head teacher | Mr Stephen Howarth |
| Staff | 90 |
| Gender | Boys |
| Age | 11 to 18 |
| Enrollment | 968 |
| Houses | Burghley, Curteis, Foxe, More, Newton, School |
| Website | http://www.kings.lincs.sch.uk/ |
The King's School is an English educational institution in Grantham, Lincolnshire with an unbroken history on the same site since the date of its endowment as one of the last acts of Richard Foxe in 1528. Foxe was a local boy who rose owing to his position as secretary to Henry, Earl of Richmond, while he was in exile in Brittany, prior to the famous events of the Battle of Bosworth which led to Henry's capturing the throne as Henry VII. Ultimately, Bishop Foxe also founded Taunton Grammar School.
In 1998 a comprehensive illustrated history of the school was published by a former King's School Maths teacher, S J Branson, entitled The King's School Grantham - 660 years of a Grammar School.
Famous names
The heyday for King's probably came in the 17th century, with alumni including the 'Cambridge Platonist', Henry More, Poet Laureate Colley Cibber, and the outstanding Sir Isaac Newton, not to mention successful 18th century mathematician, John Newcombe. Previously the most notable old boy had been William Cecil, Lord Burghley, whose family seat survives in the grand Burghley House in Cambridgeshire, near Stamford in Lincolnshire. After proceeding to Stamford School and Cambridge University Burghley became Principal Secretary to Queen Elizabeth I. In the 17th century, Newton, as was customary in his time, carved his signature on the wall of what is today's school library (although the signature has never officially been confirmed as real). Visitors from around the world have come and viewed this landmark evidence of Newton's education, a replica of which is on display in the town museum.
A small school of perhaps a few dozen scholars at this period, it remained fewer than one hundred strong until the 20th century, and its reputation did not grow as that of other similar schools grew, as they outpaced it. The most notable recent pupils would probably be;
- World War I fighter ace Albert Ball VC DSO and MC two bars (1896-1917);
- Joseph Harcourt Tombs, VC (1884-28 June 1966), a Lance-Corporal in the 1st Battalion, King's Regiment (Liverpool), British Army during the First World War;
- John W C Wand, Archbishop of Brisbane from 1934 to 1943 and Bishop of London from 1945 to 1956;
- Norman Shrapnel (1912-2004) chief fiction reviewer for the The Guardian;
- Noel F Cox OBE, Warden of the Royal Academy of Music;
- George M H Walker, editor, publisher and engineer;
- Oliver Anderson, writer;
- Andy Bond, president and CEO of Asda;
- Jamie Winter, footballer
Today
The school has slightly fewer than 1000 pupils, and has been a selective state grammar school since the implementation of the Education Act 1944. A number of buildings dating from Newton's time and before remain part of the site despite modern development on the town centre site. The school adheres to long-held traditions, requiring sixth form (years twelve and thirteen of study) students still to wear their uniforms, the denotation of lower/senior school status and the award of "Colours" (for academic and sporting achievement) by colour of tie and blazer, and a prefect system to assist teachers in maintaining school discipline.
The School's students are each allocated to one of six houses: Burghley, Curteis, Foxe, More, Newton, School. Five of them are dedicated to important former benefactors or students of the school. School House was originally for boys residing in the boarding house, which closed in 2004. These houses form the basis for teams for various competitions, including House Rugby, HouseMusic and Sports Day.
King's School has recently expanded to the plot of land neighbouring the school, formerly a petrol station. The new building, known as the Isaac Newton block or simply the Newton block, was opened in February 2007 and is used as teaching space for business, languages, geography and art. As part of this project, the school also refurbished the former Vicarage Block; which was previously used for teaching Geography. This building is now used as a Sixth Form Centre, to provide an area for the A-Level students to study and relax in.
Sport
The School has a long history of participation in rugby union football, cricket and association football. Since the early 1980s, it has also excelled in water polo and has contributed large numbers of players at local, regional, national and international schools level.
Recently, a team of King's boys have reached the national finals in the BSGA Gymnastics competition, reaching second place in front of Royal Newcastle Grammar School and trailing the winners by 0.55 marks.
As well as this the U13's table tennis team has recently finished fourth in the country at a major tournament.
Social and business links
There is also an equivalent girls' grammar school in the town, Kesteven and Grantham Girls' School (KGGS, or simply KG). The two grammar schools traditionally share resources during the sixth form with students from both sides sometimes studying at the other school for certain subjects. For the 2006-2007 year, the timetables have been standardised across the two schools to help with sixth form students who have lessons at both schools.
The school has recently been awarded Business and Enterprise College status in partnership with another local school, The Grantham Church (VA) High School, which promises to benefit the students of both institutions.
Also very recently the school has been awarded Language College status, possibly due to its new specialised languages classrooms.
Combined Cadet Force
The school is near-enough unique in that it is one of only fourteen state schools to run a Combined Cadet Force (CCF). The unit of 150 cadets is overseen by Lt. Col Douglas Hough (who is also a member of the staff) and currently consists of both Army and RAF sections. Pupils are allowed to join the CCF from the start of summer term in Year 8, but are not considered 'cadets' until the beginning of Year 9, with the issue of the appropriate uniform and taking of certain examinations in order to be deemed a member of the unit.
Both parts of the unit have achieved varying levels of success in a number of fields. The Army section, the larger of the two, regularly sends a team to the Combat Cadet competition, and normally places highly considering the level of funding and time available to other, more affluent schools such as Welbeck. The RAF section also sends a team to the Ground Training Competition, the regional stage being held at nearby RAFC Cranwell, again with a reasonable level of success, having won the national championship three times in the past seven years, most recently in 2007.
The Mass Debating Society
The King's School Mass-Debating Society (KSMDS) is a popular student-led organisation run by David Pratt and Daniel Leahy, co-presidents of the society respectively. Under current leadership the 2007-2008 academic year has been the society's most successful year since the early 20th century.
The King's Council
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The School Council has been in formation for some years, but has only recently resolved itself into a realistic force for improvement within the school, renaming itself the 'King's Council' to signify its new status. The Council itself has now obtained a working budget, placing a great opportunity in the hands of the students themselves. Within the next few years the Council hopes to have made a significant impact on school life and will oversee continuing improvements to the school. Students will, occasionally, be allowed to voice their opinions on matters that affect them. The Council consists of pupils from every form group throughout the school, with a selection of senior students filling self-appointed positions.
Staff
The current Headmaster is Mr Stephen Howarth, with Deputy Head Teachers Dr Alan Farmilo and Mrs Janet Phelan.