Bexley Grammar School
Encyclopedia
Bexley Grammar School, is a co-educational grammar school
in Welling
, in the London Borough of Bexley
, UK. Students are admitted into Year 7 at age 11, however can be admitted at a younger age of 10 if the student skipped a year or into the Sixth Form
(Year 12) at age 16, providing they fulfil the entry requirements (11+ Examination).
at the time, and after whom the Heath Building (completed in 2000) is named. Sir Edward attended the school's Golden Jubilee
celebrations shortly before his death in 2005. The School has been a specialist Language College
since September 2002 and a specialist college in Science and Mathematics since 2008. It has recently been awarded foundation school
status.
There have been five headmasters in the school's history. The former head, Mr. Roderick MacKinnon, is now head of Bristol Grammar School
. He was replaced by Mr John Welsh.
The schools layout forms an internal courtyard area surrounded on all sides, except from the West, a covered area.
The area of the field exceeds that of the buildings, as can be seen from this map: http://maps.google.co.uk/maps?f=q&hl=en&geocode=&q=welling&sll=54.162434,-3.647461&sspn=11.256642,29.53125&ie=UTF8&ll=51.455819,0.109434&spn=0.002921,0.00721&t=h&z=17&iwloc=addr
Extra-curricular clubs, during breaks,lunches and after-school periods provide many additional opportunities for students, with for instance includes additional language learning of Chinese, Japanese, Arabic and Russian. The English department runs successful Debating (Lower Years) and Critical Thinking Clubs; both of which improve key skills, as well as providing other benefits (Bexley Debating Prize gaining the school 6 dedicated Macs for Film Studies). All these are in addition to the additional revision sessions held for most subjects in the weeks approaching exams which staff/departments are most willing to provide.
Whilst perhaps less prominent within the school, the provision of the four Design and Technology subjects at KS3 (Graphics,Resistant Materials, Food Tech and Textiles) is a key component of the Timetable, with Food Tech being the only known example where double-sessions are preferred over single for these year groups. Each subject has a dedicated room, with specialist equipment (e.g. CAD/CAM, Sewing Machines) and also a single room shared with the Art department.
Languages
A fairly significant part of the curriculum is devoted to languages, fitting the schools long-standing (2003) specialist status.
In Year 7, all students learn one modern foreign language,(French or German) in addition to Latin; In Year 8 pupils select a second additional foreign language to study, (Spanish, Russian, Japanese, Chinese, Italian and French or German).
Students must continue their two modern languages through to GCSE, with GCSE Latin being a further option for KS4. The option of studying CLINT (Classical civilisation) in Year 9 is also available.
Language learning continues into the Sixth Form, as an option for A-level or as extracurricular , or as a compulsory integral part of the IB
. Courses in French and German for Business, GCSE Spanish and British Sign Language are currently available as Extra-Curricular Course for A-Level students. This school has an exceptionally high standard in language learning and attainment and is one of the top thirty schools in the country for language.
The school held SATs a year earlier than the national norm for the Year 8 students in 2008 - they completed their SATs at the same time as the Year 9s - with the intention of shifting GCSE preparation and early GCSE work (including coursework) into Year 9. However, after the KS3 SATs were abolished the following year, GCSE preparation shifted to Year 9 as originally planned. Science GCSEs Specifications are also being withdrawn with the introduction of IGCSEs (at Double or Triple) and Science in the News GCSE from 2007.
Students undertake 6 main subjects (3 At Standard Level, 3 at Higher Level) as well as a variety of extra-curricular requirements in order to obtain the diploma. The school has specific resources for IB students to use as well as specialist teachers in order to help and guide them through their 2-year study. The choice of doing IB has grown in popularity year on year since it was first introduced but A Levels still remain the more popular choice.
Each house is named after a former member of senior staff that had a notable impact on the school. Within these houses, the students have bi-weekly meetings and make up their houses representations in the schools ever growing range of yearly inter-house competitions.
House Competitions include:
All six houses have a "Head of House", who is in charge of organising all house activities. They are assisted by several House Captains, selected from the Sixth Form students. The House Captains are responsible for organising and preparing the teams for the competitions, and often officiate at the events themselves. Each Form (except year 12 and 13 who have the house captains) has its own two house representatives, responsible for getting the names down for each house event. The Merit Card Scheme also works into the points system used by the houses.
For Boys;
For Girls;
The uniform has changed many times in recent history. In recent times a white shirt would have been worn with either a blue, black and white striped tie or a blue and golden badged tie celebrating the schools golden jubilee. Also, in the past, girls were required to wear ties.
Grammar school
A grammar school is one of several different types of school in the history of education in the United Kingdom and some other English-speaking countries, originally a school teaching classical languages but more recently an academically-oriented secondary school.The original purpose of mediaeval...
in Welling
Welling
Welling is a district in the London Borough of Bexley, South East London. It is a suburban development situated between Shooter's Hill and Bexleyheath north of the A2 road and 10.5 miles east south-east of Charing Cross.-History:...
, in the London Borough of Bexley
London Borough of Bexley
The London Borough of Bexley lies in south east Greater London, and is a borough referred to as part of Outer London. It has common borders with the London Borough of Bromley to the south, the London Borough of Greenwich to the west, across the River Thames to the north it borders the London...
, UK. Students are admitted into Year 7 at age 11, however can be admitted at a younger age of 10 if the student skipped a year or into the Sixth Form
Sixth form
In the education systems of England, Wales, and Northern Ireland, and of Commonwealth West Indian countries such as Barbados, Trinidad and Tobago, Belize, Jamaica and Malta, the sixth form is the final two years of secondary education, where students, usually sixteen to eighteen years of age,...
(Year 12) at age 16, providing they fulfil the entry requirements (11+ Examination).
School Badge
The school badge contains the Latin motto "Praestantiae Studere", which means "To Strive For Excellence".History
Founded in 1955, Bexley Grammar School was opened by Sir Edward Heath, the local Member of ParliamentMember of Parliament
A Member of Parliament is a representative of the voters to a :parliament. In many countries with bicameral parliaments, the term applies specifically to members of the lower house, as upper houses often have a different title, such as senate, and thus also have different titles for its members,...
at the time, and after whom the Heath Building (completed in 2000) is named. Sir Edward attended the school's Golden Jubilee
Golden Jubilee
A Golden Jubilee is a celebration held to mark a 50th anniversary.- In Thailand :King Bhumibol Adulyadej, the world's longest-reigning monarch, celebrated his Golden Jubilee on 9 June 1996.- In the Commonwealth Realms :...
celebrations shortly before his death in 2005. The School has been a specialist Language College
Language College
Language Colleges were introduced in 1995 as part of the Specialist Schools Programme in the United Kingdom. The system enables secondary schools to specialise in certain fields, in this case, modern foreign languages...
since September 2002 and a specialist college in Science and Mathematics since 2008. It has recently been awarded foundation school
Foundation school
In England and Wales, a foundation school is a state-funded school in which the governing body has greater freedom in the running of the school than in community schools....
status.
There have been five headmasters in the school's history. The former head, Mr. Roderick MacKinnon, is now head of Bristol Grammar School
Bristol Grammar School
Bristol Grammar School is a co-educational independent school in Clifton, Bristol, England. The school was founded in 1532 by two brothers, Robert and Nicholas Thorne....
. He was replaced by Mr John Welsh.
Grounds
The school has expanded into new buildings over time; Main (M), Jubilee (J), Golden Jubilee (was Danson building but was replaced in 2005 by the current building), Heath (H), Le Feuvre (L), Music (Mu), Jubilee extension (J) (2002–03) and Golden Jubilee (G). Some confusion can occur with the Jubilee extension, which was originally the G building and the 2005 extension of the Main building. Recently, the SEN block (S) has been added on the end of the school on the PE block's side.The schools layout forms an internal courtyard area surrounded on all sides, except from the West, a covered area.
The area of the field exceeds that of the buildings, as can be seen from this map: http://maps.google.co.uk/maps?f=q&hl=en&geocode=&q=welling&sll=54.162434,-3.647461&sspn=11.256642,29.53125&ie=UTF8&ll=51.455819,0.109434&spn=0.002921,0.00721&t=h&z=17&iwloc=addr
School Curriculum
The school has a broad curriculum, with studies in a broad range of subjects. The school exceeds itself in ensuring all students receive teaching within broad range of subjects, which despite specialisms involve a generally very high standard of teaching by engaged and motivated staff in all departments. The variety of subjects provided has expanded considerably in the past five years, with for instance, Drama included in the Year 7 Timetable for the first time in 2006.Extra-curricular clubs, during breaks,lunches and after-school periods provide many additional opportunities for students, with for instance includes additional language learning of Chinese, Japanese, Arabic and Russian. The English department runs successful Debating (Lower Years) and Critical Thinking Clubs; both of which improve key skills, as well as providing other benefits (Bexley Debating Prize gaining the school 6 dedicated Macs for Film Studies). All these are in addition to the additional revision sessions held for most subjects in the weeks approaching exams which staff/departments are most willing to provide.
Whilst perhaps less prominent within the school, the provision of the four Design and Technology subjects at KS3 (Graphics,Resistant Materials, Food Tech and Textiles) is a key component of the Timetable, with Food Tech being the only known example where double-sessions are preferred over single for these year groups. Each subject has a dedicated room, with specialist equipment (e.g. CAD/CAM, Sewing Machines) and also a single room shared with the Art department.
Languages
A fairly significant part of the curriculum is devoted to languages, fitting the schools long-standing (2003) specialist status.
In Year 7, all students learn one modern foreign language,(French or German) in addition to Latin; In Year 8 pupils select a second additional foreign language to study, (Spanish, Russian, Japanese, Chinese, Italian and French or German).
Students must continue their two modern languages through to GCSE, with GCSE Latin being a further option for KS4. The option of studying CLINT (Classical civilisation) in Year 9 is also available.
Language learning continues into the Sixth Form, as an option for A-level or as extracurricular , or as a compulsory integral part of the IB
IB
- Places :*Ib , a station in the Indian Railways system*Imperial Beach, California, located in the extreme southwestern corner of the United States*Ib River*International Border*Indo-Pakistani border- Companies and organizations :...
. Courses in French and German for Business, GCSE Spanish and British Sign Language are currently available as Extra-Curricular Course for A-Level students. This school has an exceptionally high standard in language learning and attainment and is one of the top thirty schools in the country for language.
The school held SATs a year earlier than the national norm for the Year 8 students in 2008 - they completed their SATs at the same time as the Year 9s - with the intention of shifting GCSE preparation and early GCSE work (including coursework) into Year 9. However, after the KS3 SATs were abolished the following year, GCSE preparation shifted to Year 9 as originally planned. Science GCSEs Specifications are also being withdrawn with the introduction of IGCSEs (at Double or Triple) and Science in the News GCSE from 2007.
IB
The school offers the IB diploma Programme as an alternative to A Levels in its sixth form.Students undertake 6 main subjects (3 At Standard Level, 3 at Higher Level) as well as a variety of extra-curricular requirements in order to obtain the diploma. The school has specific resources for IB students to use as well as specialist teachers in order to help and guide them through their 2-year study. The choice of doing IB has grown in popularity year on year since it was first introduced but A Levels still remain the more popular choice.
House system
BGS operates a House System involving all years, with around 12 members of staff in each house.On admission to the school, each student is assigned to one of the six houses :- Prothero house (Green)
- Collins house (Red)
- Johnson house (Blue)
- Kirkman house (Yellow)
- Mabbs house (Purple)
- Wellman house (Orange) (created in 2003)
Each house is named after a former member of senior staff that had a notable impact on the school. Within these houses, the students have bi-weekly meetings and make up their houses representations in the schools ever growing range of yearly inter-house competitions.
House Competitions include:
- Football
- Cricket
- Hockey
- Swimming (at Crook Log Leisure Centre)
- Basketball
- General Knowledge Quiz
- Drama
- Music
- Box (gardening)
- Harvest
- Sports Day
- Rugby
- Wall ball
- Dragons apprentice (business)
- Tennis
- Badminton
- Netball
- Cross Country Run (full participation)
- Touch rugby
All six houses have a "Head of House", who is in charge of organising all house activities. They are assisted by several House Captains, selected from the Sixth Form students. The House Captains are responsible for organising and preparing the teams for the competitions, and often officiate at the events themselves. Each Form (except year 12 and 13 who have the house captains) has its own two house representatives, responsible for getting the names down for each house event. The Merit Card Scheme also works into the points system used by the houses.
Uniform
The school uniform currently follows the school's blue colour scheme;For Boys;
- Dark blue blazers
- Dark blue tie with school logo or the golden jubilee tie (blue with golden school badges)
- Light blue or white shirts
- Black or charcoal grey trousers.
For Girls;
- Dark blue blazers
- Either light blue fitted blouse with no tie, or a white blouse with a tie
- Black or grey skirts only.
The uniform has changed many times in recent history. In recent times a white shirt would have been worn with either a blue, black and white striped tie or a blue and golden badged tie celebrating the schools golden jubilee. Also, in the past, girls were required to wear ties.
Notable former pupils
- Prof Anthony Chapman, Vice-Chancellor of the University of Wales Institute, CardiffUniversity of Wales Institute, CardiffCardiff Metropolitan University is a university situated in Cardiff. It operates from three campuses: Llandaff on Western Avenue, Cyncoed, and Howard Gardens in the City Centre. The university serves over 12,000 students...
since 1998 - Gavin PeacockGavin PeacockGavin Keith Peacock is a former English professional football player who played primarily in midfield but often as a striker...
, former professional footballer
See also
- London Borough of BexleyLondon Borough of BexleyThe London Borough of Bexley lies in south east Greater London, and is a borough referred to as part of Outer London. It has common borders with the London Borough of Bromley to the south, the London Borough of Greenwich to the west, across the River Thames to the north it borders the London...
- Grammar schools in the United Kingdom
- List of schools in Bexley