Tonbridge Grammar School
| Tonbridge Grammar School | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Address | |
 | |
Deakin Leas , , TN9 2JR | |
| Information | |
| Type | Grammar school Academy, State school, International Baccalaureate World School, Coeducational |
| Motto | Courage and Honour |
| Established | 1905 |
| Local authority | Kent |
| Specialist | Maths & Computing and Languages |
| Department for Education URN | 136417 Tables |
| Headteacher | Rosemary Joyce |
| Staff | c. 80 (teaching) |
| Gender | Girls Secondary School, and Coeducational Sixth form |
| Age | 11 to 18 |
| Enrollment | 1074 |
| Houses | Arnold Fayerman Hiscock (Carey) Mitchener Taylor |
| Colour(s) | Sea Green and Fire Brick |
| Publication | Scripted Magazine |
| Website | www.tgs.kent.sch.uk |
Tonbridge Grammar School is a state grammar school in Tonbridge, Kent, United Kingdom. The school was establish in 1905 at the Technical Institute in Avebury Avenue Tonbridge, having only 19 enrolled students.[1] Today, the school is situated in the South of Tonbridge, where there are approximately 1050 students ranging from 11 to 18 years.
Previously known as Tonbridge Grammar School for Girls, but with the introduction of boys in the sixth form in 2002, the school changed its name. Tonbridge Grammar School has served 20[2] years as an International Baccalaureate World School, and of 2012 was announced as best International Baccalaureate state school for the fourth consecutive year.[3]
History
Early years: 1905-1913
Tonbridge Grammar School for Girls opened on 24 January 1905 in the Technical Institute in Avebury Avenue Tonbridge with just 19 girls as pupils on the top floor of Tonbridge Library. The headmistress and only teacher was Miss Taylor who intro introduced the school motton, Courage and Honour.[4] The school moved to its current site in Deakin Leas in 1913, after Tonbridge Library became too small to accommodate the growing numbers.[citation needed]
Middle years: 1919-1974
The Education Act of 1944 made the County School into the County Grammar School for Girls for pupils who passed the new Eleven Plus exam. Later, in 1957, the school hall, science block, gymnasium, Head teacher’s office and school office were added. In 1963, the school swimming pool was opened and later in 1967, the library wing and music blocks were built.
In 1974, the Hillview annexe was built, and was later named after former head mistress Ms. Mitchener; The Mitchener Hall.
Recent years: 2000-present
In the year 2000, the Matthews Centre, more commonly known as the "Tech block" was dedicated to the memory of Gary Matthews, Vice Chair of Governors 1993 to 1999. In 2007 and 2008 an ambitious fundraising campaign financed a brand new school building that replaced many temporary buildings on the campus and that financed the redevelopment the original School on the Hilltop. The Hands Building opened in late 2009.
Academic performance
The school has achieved high results in both A-Level and GCSE exams, ranking usually within the top state schools in the county. The local boys equivalent school, The Judd School similarly achieves good A-Level and GCSE results, making the pair the most high-achieving schools in north-west Kent. TGS has the Maths & Computing Specialist Status and Languages Specialist Status, as well as being a Leading Edge School. TGS also has local rivalry with fellow girl's grammar, Tunbridge Wells Girls Grammar School (TWGGS). The two schools compete officially and unofficially in sports and academic achievements alike.
As of 2012, the school will be adopting an exclusively International Baccalaureate Diploma curriculum for Sixth Form students with effect from September 2012.[5]
Notable former pupils
- Sharon Grant (née Lawrence), Chairman of the Commission for Patient and Public Involvement in Health since 2003, and former wife of the Labour MP Bernie Grant
- Victoria Hislop, author
- Babs Lord, dancer, Pan's People[6]
- Angie Sage, author, Septimus Heap series
- Margaret Sharp, Baroness Sharp of Guildford (née Hailstone), former SDP politician
- Rebecca Stephens, MBE, first British woman to climb Everest and the Seven Summits
- Lynn Wallis, Artistic Director of the Royal Academy of Dance since 1994[7]
See also
References
- ^ "School History". Tonbridge Grammar School. Retrieved 12 February 2013.
- ^ "IB World Schools". IBO. Retrieved 12 February 2013.
- ^ "The Sunday Times Schools Guide". The Sunday Times. Retrieved 12 February 2013.
- ^ http://www.tgs.kent.sch.uk/school-history/
- ^ http://www.tgs.kent.sch.uk/
- ^ http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/9500010/Pans-People-dancer-Louise-Clarke-dies.html
- ^ http://www.rad.org.uk/files/ART220_Lynn%20Wallis%20Biography.pdf
3. http://www.thisiskent.co.uk/Climber-retell-stories/story-12018853-detail/story.html
