Sir William Borlase's Grammar School
| Sir William Borlase's Grammar School | |
|---|---|
| Location | |
West Street , , SL7 2BR England | |
| Coordinates | 51°34′13″N 0°46′54″W / 51.57021°N 0.78163°W |
| Information | |
| Type | Academy grammar school |
| Motto | Latin: Te Digna Sequere (Follow things worthy of thyself) |
| Established | 1624 |
| Founder | William Borlase |
| Specialist | Performing Arts College |
| Department for Education URN | 136781 Tables |
| Ofsted | Reports |
| Head teacher | Ed Goodall |
| Gender | Coeducational |
| Age | 11 to 18 |
| Enrolment | 1,080 |
| Houses | Britons Danes Normans Romans Saxons Vikings |
| Publication | The Borlasian |
| Website | www |
Sir William Borlase's Grammar School (commonly shortened to Borlase or SWBGS) is a selective state grammar school accepting girls and boys aged 11–18, in Marlow, Buckinghamshire, England.[1] It is on West Street,[2] close to the town centre. It has around 1200 pupils, including a sixth form of about 450.
History
Foundation
The School was founded on its present site in 1624 by Sir William Borlase[2] in memory of his son Henry Borlase, MP for Marlow, who died in that year.[3]
Sir William Borlase
In 1624 and in memory of his son Henry who died that same year, Sir William decided to build a "free school" in the town in order "to teach twenty-four poor children to write, read and cast accounts, such as their parents and friends are not able to maintain at school". Boys entered the school between the ages of ten and fourteen and at the end of two years, six of the best were given two pounds each to apprentice themselves to a trade.
Co-education
In 1987 the school became co-educational when girls entered into the lower sixth.
Specialist status
In September 2005 the school was awarded specialist school status as a Performing Arts College, by the Department for Education and Skills (DfES).[4]
Academy status
In June 2011 the school became an Academy.[5]
Inspections
A full Ofsted inspection occurred in May 2024. The report noted that "The school’s ethos is positive and joyful."[6] Borlase was judged to be an 'Outstanding' school in all categories.
Coat of arms
The school coat of arms is on all school literature and the school uniform. Originally, the Taillefers of Angoulême had a crest of a ghostly hand emerging from a cloud. It is holding a badelaire to give one power in a struggle, be it sporting or academic. Behind this, on the background, can be seen eight stars.
Sport
The Sir William Borlase's Grammar School Boat Club has had members reaching international events.[7]
Borlase Hockey club had over 200 members in 2014.[8] The club is based at Marlow Sports Club.
Notable former pupils
- Richard Britnell – Professor of History at the University of Durham from 1997 to 2003[9]
- Tony Culyer CBE – health economist, professor and deputy vice-chancellor at York (UK) and professor at University of Toronto[10]
- Tom Dean MBE – swimmer, Olympic gold medalist at Tokyo 2020[11]
- Tom Guest – Harlequins rugby union player[12]
- Lieutenant B. A. Horsfall – recipient of the Victoria Cross[13]
- Ken Snakehips Johnson – bandleader,[14] jazz artist [15]
- Hugh Walpole CBE - novelist
- Philip Lee – Conservative MP for Bracknell 2010–2019[16]
- Alfie May - English Professional football player, Charlton Athletic[17]
- Hugh Walpole CBE - novelist
- Garry Weston CBE – inventor of Wagon Wheels snack food[18] and chief executive of Associated British Foods from 1969 to 1999
Notable staff
- Edward Henry Blakeney, classical scholar and poet, headteacher 1901-04
Footnotes
References
- ^ "About the School". Sir William Borlase's Grammar School. Retrieved 19 April 2006.
- ^ a b "Marlow Town Highlights". Marlow Society. Archived from the original on 12 January 2006. Retrieved 19 April 2006.
- ^ Wheals, Brian Brenchley (1984). Theirs Were But Human Hearts. Self published. ISBN 978-0-9509053-0-3.
- ^ "Specialist Schools Home". DfES. Archived from the original on 3 August 2006. Retrieved 20 April 2006.
- ^ "Open academies map and schools submitting applications". Department for Education. Retrieved 22 July 2011.
- ^ "OFSTED Inspection of Sir William Borlase School 2012".
- ^ "Sir William Borlase Grammar School Rowing". Retrieved 16 November 2014.
- ^ "Sir William Borlase Grammar School Hockey". Archived from the original on 29 November 2014. Retrieved 16 November 2014.
- ^ "Prof Richard Britnell Authorised Biography – Debrett's People of Today, Prof Richard Britnell Profile". Debretts.com. 21 April 1944. Retrieved 5 January 2013.
{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: deprecated archival service (link) - ^ "Prof Tony Culyer, CBE Authorised Biography – Debrett's People of Today, Prof Tony Culyer, CBE Profile". Debretts.com. 7 January 1942. Retrieved 5 January 2013.
- ^ "Tom Dean wins gold at Tokyo Olympics (and makes Marlow school proud)". Bucks Free Press. 27 July 2021. Retrieved 27 July 2021.
- ^ [1]
- ^ "Dowager Duchess of Devonshire visits childhood home". Wycombe District Council. 28 May 2008. Retrieved 6 August 2008.
- ^ "Ken Snakehips Johnson Story". Ken Snakehips Johnson. Retrieved 19 April 2006.
- ^ "Marlow's History". Marlow. Archived from the original on 18 February 2006. Retrieved 19 April 2006.
- ^ "LEE, Phillip James". Who's Who. Retrieved 5 January 2013.
- ^ Kellerhouse, Lucy Charlton (1917). Forest Fancies. New York: Duffield. doi:10.5962/bhl.title.22182.
- ^ Cowe, Roger (16 February 2002). "Obituary: Garry Weston. Penny-wise entrepreneur at the head of Associated British Foods". The Guardian. London. Retrieved 3 February 2009.
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External links