Langley Park School for Boys
Langley Park School for Boys (also known as Langley Park Boys' School) is a boys' comprehensive secondary school in Beckenham in the London Borough of Bromley, with a mixed-sex sixth form. The school currently has about 1450 pupils. The headmaster is R. W. Northcott.
The school's motto is Mores et studia which translates as "character and good learning". The school's code of conduct is Courtesy, Common-sense & Co-operation.The school uniform consists of a maroon blazer and tie, both with the school crest on, and dark trousers. Students are allowed to wear suits or, if female, smart clothes, in the sixth form.
History
The school originally started life as Beckenham Technical Institute, opening in 1901 and situated in what is now the Studio, Beckenham. The school went through a baffling variety of name changes in its early days: the Technical Day School, Beckenham; Beckenham Secondary School; Beckenham County School for Boys; Beckenham and Penge County School for Boys; in 1944 it was the Beckenham and Penge County Grammar School under headmaster L.W. White, MA [Cantab]. By 1954 it was called Beckenham and Penge Grammar School for Boys. An increase in size meant the school moved to new buildings in High St, Penge in 1931. It moved from Penge to its present location in Eden Park, Beckenham in January 1969, at which point it adopted its current name.
Headmasters
Five terms after the school relocated to its current site Mr Raeburn retired, he was replaced by Mr B.A. Phythian. He owned an afghan hound which he often brought to school. This dog tended to sit under the desk of one of the secretaries, due to an event at a primary school the London Borough of Bromley banned dogs from all state schools in its area. Other members of staff such as Mr Tyler (physics) also took their dogs to school before the rule change.
In December 1989 Mr Phythian was replaced by a person known as 'Mr R.V.P. Sheffield', one key difference between Mr Phythian and 'Mr Sheffield' was that Mr Phythian tended to remain in his office area, while 'Mr Sheffield' tended to tour the school during the normal working day. 'Mr R.V.P. Sheffield' was investigated for financial irregularities, the subject of which has become somewhat of a coverup by the senior staff. This is most notably examplified by a presentation as part of the school centinary celebration, when Mr. Sheffield was completely absent from a list of past headmasters; according to the presentation there was in fact no headmaster for some seven years before the current head took over.[1] and it is thought that his real name might not be Mr Sheffield. It is the case that after this case that he was replaced by the current headmaster, who is known for his rousing assemblies and floppy quiffed fringe/comb-over.
Notable alumni
- Rory Allen former Tottenham Hotspur and Portsmouth F.C. footballer
- Carey Blyton Composer of Bananas in Pyjamas
- Harold Sydney Bride Wireless operator on the RMS Titanic
- MC Dreamer Musician, MC during the late 1990's Garage Dance Music scene
- Norman Hunter Writer, creator of Professor Branestawm
- Robert Key Kent and former England cricketer
- Henry Mee Artist
- Jamie Quarrie Scottish athlete and Commonwealth Games medalist
- John Tyndall right-wing politician and writer
- Derek Underwood Kent and England bowler (known as 'Deadly' by the Australians)
- Bill Wyman Musician, ex-member of the Rolling Stones
- Ravi Patel Best Automobile driver in Beckenham